The Murky Stream is Disney+ Korea’s bold leap into historical period drama

SEOUL – Disney+ Korea has three original series left to premiere in 2025, and one of them is the streamer’s first Korean period drama, The Murky Stream.

It is from the star-studded creators who helped shape some of South Korea’s most enduring historical dramas and films, such as The Slave Hunters (2010) and Masquerade (2012).

Set during the Joseon era (1392 to 1910) along Gyeong-gang – the name by which the Han River was once known – The Murky Stream follows characters who dream of toppling the corrupt government.

Rowoon, former member of K-pop boy band SF9 and breakout actor from The King’s Affection (2021), plays Si-yul, a lower-class gangster, or “walpae”, who prowls the Mapo wharf where ships dock to trade goods.

Shin Ye-eun (The Glory, 2022 to 2023; Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, 2024) stars opposite him as Choi Eun, the savvy salesperson running Joseon’s most successful merchant group.

According to director Choo Chang-min, The Murky Stream, which premieres on Sept 26, marks a rare spotlight on commoners for the genre.

It is the first series by the 59-year-old film-maker who previously helmed Masquerade, which drew around 12 million viewers during its theatrical run and won multiple awards.

“Traditional historical dramas usually focus on kings, aristocrats or the yangban class, but what struck me most when I read writer Chun Sung-il’s script was the story of the lower classes. I found it especially compelling to portray the commoners living along the Han River who drive the events forward,” Choo said during a press conference in Seoul.

Chun is the writer of The Slave Hunter, which reached a viewership of 35.9 per cent and became one of South Korea’s most legendary period dramas, and returns to the genre after 14 years.

Visually, the production aims to set itself apart from conventional “sageuk” (Korean historical dramas).

“We considered using computer-generated sets, but ultimately decided to build an open set in Sangju (in North Gyeongsang Province) and shoot in a real environment. Although the fluctuating water levels and weather brought on many difficulties, it was the best choice to capture a sense of realism,” Choo noted.

Rowoon added: “Our production has almost no indoor sets. About 98 per cent of it was filmed on open sets.”

While the series is driven by marquee creators, its cast skews younger and less established than those of recent high-profile Disney+ Korean originals such as Tempest or upcoming tentpoles such as Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung’s Made In Korea and Ji Chang-wook’s The Manipulated.

Rowoon is 29, Shin is 27 and the third lead, Park Seo-ham, is 31.

On his casting choices, Choo said: “I wanted to work with younger actors. I met the three of them individually, and each had a strong passion for acting. They wanted to transform, take on challenges and become better actors. That’s why I made the decision.”

While the K-drama wraps up in nine episodes, he hinted at the possibility of more. “It wasn’t made with a sequel in mind, but if viewers embrace it, there’s definitely room to expand.” THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK