Tempest (Japanese: 北極星) is a spectacle romance about two lonely people — a woman running for president of South Korea and a North Korean defector with a secret — who are drawn to each other across their positions, while a threat looms over the Korean peninsula. It drew attention as the first drama reunion in about 21 years for Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won.
📺 Drama Info
| Streaming | September 10 – October 1, 2025 (Disney+), two episodes every Wednesday |
| Episodes | 9 |
| Genre | Spy / romance / suspense |
| Writer / Director | Jung Seo-kyung (writer) / Kim Hee-won (director) |
| In Japan | Exclusively on Disney+ |
👥 Main Cast
- Jun Ji-hyun as Seo Mun-ju (presidential candidate)
- Kang Dong-won as Baek Sang-ho
- John Cho as Anderson Miller
📖 Plot (no spoilers)
Seo Mun-ju aims to become South Korea's first female president. Baek Sang-ho is a North Korean defector with a secret. Two people with completely different positions are drawn to each other after an incident.
At the same time, a threat to the two Koreas pulls their fates around greatly.
✨ Three Reasons to Watch
- Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won together — a large-scale romance of two actors reuniting in a drama after about 21 years
- The scale of an international conspiracy — politics, espionage and world affairs intertwine
- The ache of a forbidden love — two people drawn to each other across their positions
Jun Ji-hyun also starred in the 2001 film My Sassy Girl, which returns to Japanese cinemas in a 4K version on January 2.
🎬 Where to Watch in Japan
As of October 2026 it was streaming exclusively on Disney+. Availability changes; please check the service.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Tempest have?
9 episodes, released two at a time every Wednesday from September 10 to October 1, 2025 on Disney+.
Who stars in Tempest?
Jun Ji-hyun (Seo Mun-ju) and Kang Dong-won (Baek Sang-ho), with John Cho.
Where can I watch it in Japan?
Exclusively on Disney+ (as of October 2026).
Why is the Jun Ji-hyun–Kang Dong-won pairing notable?
It is their first drama together in about 21 years.
Based on information as of October 2026. Streaming availability changes — please check the service.