Disney+ Korea is making its first foray into Korean period drama with "The Murky Stream," a historical series that brings together the acclaimed creators behind some of Korea's most celebrated historical productions, including "The Slave Hunters" and "Masquerade." The streaming platform has three original Korean series remaining on its 2024 release schedule, with this period drama marking a significant milestone as Disney's inaugural Korean historical offering.
Set during the Joseon era (1392-1910) along the Gyeong-gang, the historical name for the Han River, "The Murky Stream" follows characters who aspire to overthrow a corrupt government system. The series stars Rowoon, the former SF9 K-pop group member who gained recognition as an actor through "The King's Affection," playing Si-yul, a lower-class gangster known as a walpae who operates around the Mapo wharf where merchant ships dock to trade goods. Opposite him, Shin Ye-eun, known for her roles in "The Glory" and "Jungnyeon: The Star is Born," portrays Choi Eun, an intelligent salesperson who manages Joseon's most successful merchant enterprise.
The series represents the directorial debut in television for Choo Chang-min, who previously directed the critically acclaimed historical film "Masquerade," which attracted approximately 12 million viewers during its theatrical release and earned multiple awards. During a press conference held in Seoul on Tuesday, Director Choo explained his unique approach to the historical genre. "Traditional historical dramas usually focus on kings, aristocrats or the yangban class, but what struck me most when I read writer Chun's script was the story of the lower classes," Choo stated. "I found it especially compelling to portray the commoners living along the Han River who drive the events forward."
The writing talent behind "The Murky Stream" comes from Chun Sung-il, the acclaimed writer of "The Slave Hunters," which achieved remarkable viewership ratings of 35.9 percent and is considered one of Korea's most legendary period dramas. This marks Chun's return to the historical drama genre after a 14-year hiatus, bringing his expertise back to create what promises to be another compelling historical narrative.
Visually, the production team made deliberate choices to distinguish "The Murky Stream" from conventional Korean historical dramas, known as "sageuk." Director Choo revealed their commitment to authenticity during the press conference, explaining, "We considered using computer-generated sets, but ultimately decided to build an open set in Sangju, 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." Rowoon further emphasized the production's dedication to outdoor filming, noting, "Our production has almost no indoor sets. About 98 percent of it was filmed on open sets."
The casting approach for "The Murky Stream" differs notably from other high-profile Disney Korean originals such as "Tempest" or upcoming productions including "Made in Korea" starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, and "The Manipulated" featuring Ji Chang-wook. The series features a younger, less established cast compared to these star-studded productions. Director Choo explained his casting philosophy, stating, "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, to take on challenges and to become better actors. That's why I made the decision."
"The Murky Stream" is structured as a nine-episode series, but Director Choo hinted at potential expansion during the press conference. "It wasn't made with a sequel in mind, but if viewers embrace it, there's definitely room to expand," he noted, suggesting that audience reception could influence future development of the story. The series is scheduled to premiere on Friday with the first three episodes becoming available simultaneously, followed by the release of two new episodes every subsequent Friday until the series concludes.
