K-drama queens back on-screen

Gianna Jun stars in espionage thriller series and Son Ye-jin in black comedy film; Lee Min-jung shares her life on YouTube channel

- Joanne Soh Lifestyle Correspondent

It is not often that an actress gets a role written specially for her. But that was the case for South Korea's Gianna Jun, also known as Jun Ji-hyun.

According to celebrated South Korean director Kim Hee-won - known for helming K-drama hits like Queen Of Tears (2024), Vincenzo (2021) and Crash Landing On You (2019 to 2020) - the person to lead her new series Tempest could only be Jun.

"All directors in South Korea would probably imagine Gianna when they need a powerful female character," said Kim via an interpreter at a virtual press conference for the show on Sept 2.

She added that the actress has always been at the top of the casting list for South Korean filmmakers. Kim made a call to Jun, and with no hesitation, the A-list star agreed to headline Tempest.

The espionage thriller-romance revolves around Seo Mun-ju (Jun), a diplomat-turned-United Nations ambassador who is swept into a political conspiracy following an assassination attempt on presidential candidate Jang Jun-ik, played by Park Hae-joon of When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) fame.

After discovering that Jun-ik was accused of being a North Korean spy, Mun-ju uncovers a Pandora's box of deceptions and state secrets.

Gang Dong-won plays Baek San-ho, a mysterious mercenary who is committed to protecting Mun-ju at all costs.

The nine-episode series will premiere on Disney+ on Sept 10. The drama also features notable South Korean veterans Oh Jung-se, Yoo Jae-myung and Kim Hae-sook, as well as American actor John Cho.

Tempest marks Jun's return to show business after more than four years. Her last on-screen outing was the mystery drama Jirisan (2021).

The 43-year-old said: "I'm a long-time fan of Dong-won. I've always wanted a chance to work with him, and that was a big reason I took up this role."