When a friend messaged me a cryptic teaser clip featuring Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won locked in a charged stare, I knew the countdown to Tempest had begun. Disney+ has announced that this must-watch spy drama will premiere globally on 10 September 2025 (9 September in the US), promising a heady mix of spy thriller intensity and political intrigue.
An intense teaser promises high-octane confrontation
On 28 July, Disney+ unveiled “The Eye of the Storm,” a teaser dripping with suspense. We see Jun Ji-hyun’s Moon-joo, former UN ambassador turned diplomat, square off against Kang Dong-won’s enigmatic agent, San-ho. The moody lighting and terse dialogue hint at betrayals to come—and the stunning chemistry between the leads is impossible to miss. Disney+ even highlighted a late-2024 poll showing Tempest outranks Squid Game season 3 as the most anticipated K-drama of 2025.
A captivating plot propelled by a standout cast
Moon-joo embarks on a perilous investigation after an attempt is made on a presidential candidate’s life, uncovering a conspiracy that could rock the entire Korean peninsula. She joins forces with San-ho, and together they navigate a web of secrets, alliances and double-crosses. For the first time on television, Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won share the screen, supported by John Cho, Park Hae-joon, Kim Hae-sook, Yoo Jae-myung, Oh Jung-se, Lee Sang-hee, Joo Jong-hyuk and Won Ji-an—truly a blockbuster cast.
Behind the scenes, award-winning writer Jung Seo-kyung (Decision to Leave, Little Women) has crafted the scripts, while directors Kim Hee-won (Queen of Tears) and Heo Myeong-haeng (The Roundup: Punishment) bring the action to life. Cinematographer Lee Mo-gae (Exhuma) captures every shadowy corner, and composers Dalpalan (Moving) and Jung Jae-il (Parasite, Squid Game) score the tension.
A striking poster and growing buzz
Empire Design’s official artwork, titled “Into the Storm,” splashes deep reds against inky blacks, with fighter jets roaring overhead and cryptic symbols drifting across a dark sea. It’s a visual promise of high-stakes action, romance and espionage. Actor Christopher Gorham, who appears in the series, shared a behind-the-scenes selfie with Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won from Seoul, writing on social media:
“Tempest took me to beautiful Seoul last summer. Streaming worldwide from 10 September on Disney+, it’s a global thriller with top Korean talent—and a few familiar American faces. Don’t miss it.”
A paced release schedule to keep viewers hooked
Tempest spans nine riveting episodes. Disney+ will drop the first three instalments on launch day, then release two episodes each Wednesday from 17 September. This staggered approach is designed to maintain the suspense and keep fans debating every twist until the final curtain.
With its blend of global espionage, razor-sharp plotting and powerhouse performances, Tempest looks set to redefine the spy drama for a new generation. Whether you’re a seasoned K-drama aficionado or curious about your first taste of Korean television, mark your calendar: this is one series you won’t want to miss.
