Jun Ji-hyun Makes a Comeback in Espionage Drama ‘Tempest’

Jun Ji-hyun is always a subject of expectation, given the illustrious legacy she has built through her singular portrayals over the years. Tempest brings back the Korean and Hallyu star in an espionage drama co-starring Gang Dong-won. In a recent clip released by Disney+ announcing its lineup of K-dramas for 2025, the video teased Tempest’s intrigue as Jun asserts her authority, saying, “Will you understand that I’m the boss and follow my orders without question?”

Tempest is the actor’s comeback K-drama after her role in the suspense mystery thriller series Jirisan, released in 2021. Similarly, it marks Gang Dong-won’s return to the drama scene for the first time in a long time, following his role in the heartfelt life drama Magic, which aired in 2004. Interestingly, Gang is not only acting in Tempest but is reportedly also involved behind the scenes as one of its producers.

Tempest, an engaging spy thriller, piques my interest at once because of its genre. As someone who has a penchant for such narratives—particularly those hailing from Korea—I believe that Tempest will contribute to the popularity of Korean espionage stories. The biggest attraction is in their storytelling, ensnaring attention while sustaining the sense of suspense throughout. Growing compelling step by step via multilayers and blending traditional elements of the spy genre with other themes, they result in a dynamic viewing experience of unexpected twists and emotional depth. Tempest follows in those footsteps, fusing the tension of espionage with that of romance for an intense adrenaline-fueled drama.

The story follows Moon-joo (Jun), revered for her expertise and accomplishments. She’s a diplomat and former U.S. ambassador—whose reputation for excellence and integrity is well-known—thanks to the strong trust she has established through her thoughtfulness, sound reasoning, right judgment, and decisive actions.

The plot thickens when Moon-joo stumbles upon a web of political scheming tied to a major assassination case, igniting her urge to know the truth. Speaking of which, she isn’t alone in this mission but with San-ho (Gang), a charismatic A-list mercenary. While not much is known about him, one thing is clear: San-ho is a force to be reckoned with. Together, they venture into the murky waters of deceit and betrayal, driven by a shared commitment (or maybe there are more secrets in between) to reveal the hidden motives behind the assassination.

Written by Jung Seo-kyung and directed by Kim Hee-won and Heo Myung-haeng, Tempest features a cast of popular Korean actors, including Kim Hae-sook, Lee Mi-sook, Yoo Jae-myung, Park Hae-joon, Oh Jung-sae, Lee Sang-hee, and more. Well-known American actor John Cho will also appear in an important role in the web series. The release date for Tempest has yet to be announced.