'Low Life' unites hitmakers for riveting treasure hunt on Disney+

Cast of new Disney+ original drama "Low Life," from left, Yang Se-jong, Lim Soo-jung and Ryu Seung-ryong, pose during a press conference at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo District, Tuesday. Yonhap

By Park Jin-hai

• Published Jul 8, 2025 4:58 PM KST

The stars of Disney+ hits “Big Bet” and “Moving” are teaming up for “Low Life.” With director Kang Yun-sung and actor Ryu Seung-ryong teaming up, expectations are high for the series to become the platform’s next flagship Korean original.

Kang, known for his intense style in Disney+ series “Casino” and the film “The Outlaws,” joins forces with writer Yoon Tae-ho, who penned the webtoons “Moss,” “Misaeng” and “Inside Men.” Set in 1977, the story follows the adventures of diligent, hardworking bumpkins who gather to claim a sunken treasure ship beneath the sea.

“I was thrilled to work with the brilliant webtoon artist Yoon, director Kang, whom I've always wanted to collaborate with, and the talented cast,” Ryu said, sharing his enthusiasm for joining the project during a conference promoting the drama at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Tuesday.

“I’ve been a fan of director Kang, so it felt like a dream come true. It was a really enjoyable process, creating each character one by one.”

Ryu stars as Oh Gwan-seok, a cunning leader willing to do anything for money, while Yang Se-jong from “Temperature of Love” plays his nephew who joins him in a quest for sunken treasure.

The drama follows their suspenseful journey beneath the sea, where the treasure hunt intensifies with each twist. As the search escalates, the story reveals the characters’ hidden motives and complex relationships, building to an exciting climax.

With a large ensemble cast, each distinctive character is considered a key viewing point for the drama. Great anticipation surrounds the series due to the gathering of actors spanning generations, including Ryu, Yang, Lim Soo-jung, Kim Eui-sung and Kim Sung-oh.

Director Kang revealed that he developed the characters based on the actors.

“I paid close attention to the unique personalities of the actors, considering their way of speaking and behavior. Every character is created by the actors themselves. While I had my own vision, I adapted it to fit each actor’s style,” he explained.

Unlike “Big Bet,” this project is based on a webtoon, so the director chose to remain faithful to the original.

“I hope that fans of the webtoon will not be disappointed by the story. In the end, through discussions with the actors, the characters became even more clearly defined,” he said.

Actor Lim takes on her most daring transformation yet, playing a savvy matriarch of Heungbaek Industries who knows how to handle money.

“She’s someone who keeps her desires tightly sealed, but eventually can’t help letting them burst out,” Lim said of her character.

Her striking 1970s-inspired wardrobe also commands attention.

“I think I tried just about every glamorous style a woman of that era could pull off,” she said. “I put a lot of thought and effort into her outward appearance to ensure her image would come across instantly and clearly.”

Stepping away from his K-pop persona as TVXQ’s U-Know Yunho, Jung Yun-ho embraces a more grounded role under his real name, taking on the character of a flashy gangster from Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. A native of nearby Gwangju, Jung brings authenticity to the role with his fluent Jeolla dialect and bold charisma.

“This character is very different from who I actually am, so I felt a bit of pressure while preparing for the role. But it was refreshing to return to Mokpo, speak in the Jeolla dialect and express the character’s captivating inner world. Ryu Seung-ryong told me, ‘This is no joke. You’d better come prepared.’ It was a real lesson. I had a fun and enjoyable time filming,” Jung said.

The drama will premiere on July 16 on Disney+.