The much-awaited K-drama Tempest has officially premiered on OTT, marking the grand return of South Korea’s two biggest stars — Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won. This high-stakes political action thriller is already making waves among K-drama fans worldwide with its gripping storyline, global streaming rollout, and blockbuster-level production.
Release Date & Premiere Schedule
- Premiere Date: September 10, 2025
- Initial Drop: Episodes 1–3 released together on premiere day
- Weekly Schedule: Two new episodes every Wednesday until the finale
- Total Episodes: 9
- Runtime: ~60 minutes each
Finale: The last two episodes are scheduled for release on October 1, 2025, completing the season.
Release Timing (as per regional platforms)
- Korea: 8:30 PM KST
- India: 5:00 PM IST (same-day release)
- International: Available across multiple OTT platforms on the same day (time may vary slightly by region).
Where to Watch Tempest Online
Tempest has been distributed globally through multiple OTT platforms to ensure accessibility for K-drama fans worldwide.
- India: Streaming exclusively on JioHotstar
- United States: Available on Hulu
- Singapore & Select Territories: Disney+
- Other International Markets: Available via Disney+ (regional availability may vary)
Cast & Characters
- Jun Ji-hyun as Seo Mun-ju – A sharp-minded former UN ambassador who gets entangled in a deadly political conspiracy. This is her comeback to TV after four years since Jirisan.
- Kang Dong-won as Baek San-ho – A mysterious ex-special agent with a shadowy past, who becomes Mun-ju’s protector amid chaos.
- Lee Mi-sook – Plays South Korea’s President.
- Park Hae-joon – Appears as Assemblyman Jang Junik, Mun-ju’s husband.
- Supporting Cast: Kim Hae-sook, Yoo Jae-myung, Joo Jong-hyuk, Lee Sang-hee, Won Ji-an, and more.
Notably, John Cho also joins the cast, marking his first Korean drama role, adding international appeal.
Plot Overview
Tempest kicks off with the shocking assassination of a presidential candidate during a unification service.
Seo Mun-ju (Jun Ji-hyun), a respected diplomat, finds her world shattered when she realizes the attack is tied to deeper political conspiracies. As she searches for answers, she forms an unlikely alliance with Baek San-ho (Kang Dong-won), a former mercenary tasked with protecting her.
The drama blends political intrigue, espionage, and survival, touching on the fragility of international diplomacy and the looming threat of war.
Creative Team
- Writer: Jeong Seo-kyeong (Decision to Leave)
- Director: Kim Hee-won (Vincenzo)
- Production: From the makers of Queen of Tears & Vincenzo
With such a powerful lineup, Tempest combines cinematic visuals with K-drama depth, ensuring global audience appeal.
Reception & Hype
- The first three episodes trended worldwide within hours of release.
- Fans on social media called the series “a political thriller that feels like a Hollywood blockbuster”.
- Action sequences, especially the bomb rescue scene, have gone viral across TikTok, Instagram reels, and Twitter/X.
- Critics praised the chemistry of the leads, the cinematography, and the fast-paced script.
Episode Release Guide
- Ep 1–3: September 10, 2025
- Ep 4–5: September 17, 2025
- Ep 6–7: September 24, 2025
- Ep 8–9 (Finale): October 1, 2025
Final Verdict
Tempest is one of 2025’s biggest K-dramas, bringing together A-list star power, political drama, action, and espionage in a way that appeals to both Korean and global audiences. With Jun Ji-hyun’s powerful return and Kang Dong-won’s dynamic role, the show is poised to be a massive success on streaming platforms worldwide.
If you love political thrillers, spy dramas, or blockbuster-style action series, Tempest deserves a spot on your must-watch list.