
Jun Ji Hyun reveals she chose ‘Tempest’ because of her admiration for Kang Dong Won
Korean actress Jun Ji Hyun has openly expressed her admiration for fellow actor Kang Dong Won, revealing that her long-time fandom played a part in her decision to join the new Disney+ original series 'Tempest'.
On August 2 KST, the cast and creators of 'Tempest' gathered for a press conference at a hotel in Jongno, Seoul, including Jun Ji Hyun, Kang Dong Won, Lee Mi Sook, Park Hae Joon, Kim Hae Sook, Yoo Jae Myung, Oh Jung Se, Lee Sang Hee, and Joo Jong Hyuk, alongside directors Kim Hee Won and Heo Myung Haeng.
Director Kim Hee Won, known for 'Queen of Tears' and 'Vincenzo', shared, “As someone who loves beautiful visuals, I couldn’t be happier. With actors as striking as these, the strong yet elegant imagery came naturally. The only issue was that both Jun Ji Hyun and Kang Dong Won are so tall, the set ceilings looked low. We even had to raise the ceiling height to match their stature.”
Jun Ji Hyun candidly confessed, “I’ve been a longtime fan of Kang Dong Won. That honestly played a big role in why I chose this project. I loved his looks before, but through filming, I got to see more of his inner self, and that made it even more special.” She also praised the synergy between her character and his, saying, “Because he portrayed Sanho so well, I was able to fully embody Munju.”
Kang Dong Won responded with equal warmth: “I really fell for Ji Hyun’s charm during filming. She brought so much joy to the set, and it made me genuinely happy to work alongside her. I kept thinking, ‘This person is truly amazing.’”
'Tempest' tells the story of Munju (Jun Ji Hyun), a high-profile UN ambassador who finds herself unraveling a deadly political conspiracy after a presidential assassination attempt. She is aided by Sanho (Kang Dong Won), a mysterious operative with no official nationality, as the two uncover truths that threaten the stability of the Korean peninsula.
The highly anticipated series—written by Jung Seo Kyung ('Decision to Leave', 'Little Women'), and co-directed by Kim Hee Won and Heo Myung Haeng ('The Roundup: Punishment', 'Badland Hunters')—will premiere August 10 exclusively on Disney+.
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