Tempest is the highly anticipated Disney+ K-Drama series starring Jun Ji Hyun (also known as Gianna Jun) and Gang Dong Won. Yet, in some ways, it failed to meet the hype as the two top stars were the main reason for being able to finish the series. The series in general was a long list of cliches, frustrating plots, and a tendency to have a lot of unnecessary scenes. 

The show begins by introducing viewers to former diplomat Seo Mun Ju, who is ready to give up her role in politics for her husband Jang Jun Ik, the candidate for the opposing party and presidential candidate. With plans set in stone, her world is changed when he is shot dead. If her grief isn’t enough, the ongoing tensions and debate on reunification between North and South Korea become more complicated as it is seemingly linked to her husband’s assassination.

After her husband’s death, Mun Ju decides to avenge him by taking his place as the presidential candidate, and this is where the show really begins. It takes some time, but viewers quickly learn that Mun Ju is in danger of the same fate as her husband, along with the issues with his family. It balances a stereotypical and overused K-Drama trope of the daughter-in-law versus her husband’s family with something juicier.

The first few episodes are slow-paced and can seem draining, but once the backstory is complete, the series starts to gain more substance.

Considering the “danger” that Mun Ju is in, the mysterious Paik San Ho comes at the perfect time and brings the show to life. Through his past with Mun Ju and being born in North Korea, it seems like fate when someone calls him to look over the newest presidential candidate. His timing is impeccable, and he makes himself seem like the perfect person to protect Mun Ju, even if she doesn’t realise it was his plan the whole time.

Mun Ju’s desire to find answers about her husband’s death leads to much broader issues surrounding the relationship between countries, and is the focus of the series. Yet, it inevitably has a love story arc between Mun Ju and San Ho. Even when it’s strictly “business,” the bond between the two starts upon their first meeting. In particular, the moment where they are both sitting on the train with a bomb ready to explode to kill Mun Ju, San Ho’s softer side comes out as he tries to keep her heart rate slow, and it’s easy to see how safe and calm she feels, despite the life-or-death situation.

While chemistry was seen between Mun Ju and San Ho, it wasn’t until episode six that viewers saw the relationship take the next step. Sitting out as war was on the brink, the connection between the two began with a kiss. It evolved into what seemed like the most passionate and steamy bed scene from a K-Drama, showcasing both urgency and softness, as a bond formed between two unlikely people with the same life goals. It seemed like a long time, but emphasised that while the relationship was crucial to the storyline, it wasn’t the main focus and shouldn’t detract from what the series was about.

As the potential for war was diverted, more characters and developments on the issues at hand, ranging from Jun Ik’s death to the ongoing tensions with North Korea, became more apparent, with suspicions about the mother-in-law, Lim Ok Seon, proven correct. There was also a plot twist, as Kang Han Na, the mother of Jun Ik’s illegitimate son, had a much larger role due to her connection to the family.

The presence of these characters is significant, as one part of the series that shouldn’t be underestimated is the role the women had at the forefront of the show. While she was willing to sacrifice her career for her husband, Mun Ju had a strong sense of wanting to do good, and the support she garnered after taking on the presidential candidate role demonstrated her skills and influence.The president of Korea was a woman, holding the country’s highest office with respect from those around her. Mun Ju’s aide, Yeo Mi Ji, was a smart and strong character who utilised her skills and intelligence to assist her boss. Even with the revelations about the mothers-in-law and her “evil” role in the politics, it showed a woman in charge and taking the reins, albeit in a much more problematic way, to determine her role as the villain of the show. The male characters are important but not at the centre, having their roles based around the female characters.

This focus on female characters became extremely prominent towards the end of the series. When the show seemed to be at a stalemate, with the potential to drag on, the pace quickened as more details of Lim Ok Seon’s role in not only the death of Jun Ik but also the global tensions with America, North Korea, and the fictional country Idisha emerged.

Although it seems cliché, the final episode truly brought together the whole story with more realism than the rest of the series. Ok Seon got her punishment by being killed, with Mun Ju’s brother-in-law aiding her in bringing down the mother who had been the reason his brother had died. Mirroring the scene on the train that brought them together, Paik San Ho found his end after being blown up, not trying to protect Mun Ju but helping to stop the missiles that would be set off following Ok Seon’s death.

Unsurprisingly, the ending left a bittersweet taste, as Mun Ju once again lost someone close to her, leaving her alone, but it also showed that, unlike most shows, not everyone gets a happy ending. Rather than succumb to heartbreak and let it consume her, Mun Ju chose to continue her desire to make a change in politics, but without allowing Paik San Ho’s memory to go to waste.

The show itself was impactful, with the focus on issues prevalent in the modern world, particularly tensions between countries. It was also refreshing to see a storyline where the love line wasn’t the focus for the female protagonist, with an emphasis on her desire to protect a country she wants to be accepted by. However, some aspects of the storyline were frustrating when it came to the hardships Min Ju faced with the people around her, seeming unrealistic and drawn out at times. It also occasionally became boring, with unnecessary scenes, despite being only nine episodes long. Yet, it was saved by the acting of Jun Ji Hyun and Gang Dong Won, who brought genuineness and an investment in their characters.

Overall, the show was a tale of two halves, with a lot of potential but sometimes losing sight of the main story with too many unnecessary scenes that made the show drag.

All episodes of “Tempest” are now available to watch on Disney+.