Historical series ‘Murky Stream’ explores corruption, ambition in Joseon era

From left, actors Park Seo-ham, Shin Ye-eun and Rowoon pose for photos during a press conference for the upcoming Disney+ series “The Murky Stream” at Hotel Eliena in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

Disney+ is set to make waves with “The Murky Stream,” a new original Korean series that fuses action, intrigue and moral conflict in the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty era.

Set along Gyeonggang — the former name of today’s Han River — a bustling hub where Joseon’s wealth and resources once converged, the series follows outcasts, merchants and officers who defy a corrupt world to forge their own destinies. The series marks director Choo Chang-min’s first venture into episodic storytelling.

“I’ve always been drawn to characters living on the margins,” Choo said during a press conference at Hotel Eliena in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday. “Unlike traditional historical series that focus on nobles and aristocrats, this is a story of walpae (dockside gangs), ordinary people who made history in their own way.”

Rowoon, actor and former member of K-pop group SF9, stars as Jang Siyul, a lone wolf figure at the Mapo Ferry dock.

“He hides his past, lacks a true home and cannot even fully claim his name. That loneliness is his identity,” Rowoon explained.

Actor Shin Ye-eun greets the press during a media conference for the upcoming Disney+ series “The Murky Stream” at Hotel Eliena in Gangnam District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

Shin Ye-eun, best known for Netflix’s “The Glory,” plays Choi Eun, the intelligent youngest daughter of a powerful merchant guild.

“Choi Eun is sharp, determined and unafraid to stand tall in the face of conflict,” Shin said. “I wanted to show her resilience as both a woman and a leader.”

Park Seo-ham, who starred in “Semantic Error” (2022), takes on Jung Chun, a principled officer battling corruption.

“He dreams of making the world a better place,” Park said, adding that he trained extensively in sword fighting for the role.

Actor Park Ji-hwan, who gained fame in “The Roundup” film series, portrays Mu-deok, a faded gang boss.

“He was once powerful but now lives a shabby life,” he joked. “The costume’s dirtiness actually made filming easier — I could lie down anywhere.”

Choi Gwi-hwa plays Lee Dol-gae, a corrupt police official feeding off the gangs, while Kim Dong-won appears as Wang Hae, a mysterious outsider with an intimidating aura.

The cast spoke about the grueling demands of outdoor shooting, from summer heat to midnight battles.

“The sweat you’ll see onscreen isn’t makeup — it’s real,” Rowoon said, laughing. Shin added, “Despite the exhausting heat, Rowoon’s dedication lifted everyone’s spirits.”

On staging large-scale action scenes, Choo explained, “We debated shooting indoors with CGI [computer-generated imagery], but ultimately built the outdoor sets by the water. It was not easy, but the choice gave us authenticity.”

A scene from Disney+ Korean original series “The Murky Stream” / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

For the actors, the project also marks personal milestones. Rowoon called it his last project before military service, while Park Seo-ham marked it as his first since discharge.

“Coming back, I felt like I had gained a new family on set,” he said, recalling the camaraderie he felt when the series was invited to the Busan International Film Festival last week.

Choo emphasized the synergy between rising stars and veterans. “I chose these actors because I saw their hunger to grow,” he said. “By blending their energy with experienced performers, we built a balanced ensemble.”

While the show is planned as a nine-episode run, Choo left the door open for more.

“We didn’t plan for a sequel, but if audiences love it, there’s room for the story to grow.”

With sweeping action, dockside intrigue and deeply human characters, “The Murky Stream” is shaping up to be one of the year’s most anticipated series. Summing up the cast’s hopes, Rowoon said, “We poured nearly a year of effort and passion into this. I hope audience can feel the weight of our energy and sincerity.”

“The Murky Stream” premieres Friday with its first three episodes, followed by two episodes weekly, exclusively on Disney+.

Youn Ye-jin is a Korea Times intern.