Disney+ has locked Sept. 26 for the premiere of its first original Korean historical drama, 'The Murky Stream,' and dropped a striking teaser poster and trailer.
Written by Chun Sung-il and directed by Choo Chang-min, 'The Murky Stream' is a fate-forging action saga set around Gyeonggang ― the Joseon-era trade artery along today’s Han River ― where money, power and corruption collide. The series follows three young people who dare to upend a dirty order to live with dignity. 'The Murky Stream' bows on Disney+ Sept. 26.
Unveiled on the 25th, the teaser poster captures the rough currents of Gyeonggang ― ink splattered like spreading rot ― as three determined youths stare down a shadowy system. A chilling caption reads, "It's your fault ― you were born into a tainted world," teasing how these characters will seize control of their destinies.
Adding intrigue, the show's brush-stroke logo was created by acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Jung Tae-chun, whose bold calligraphy hints at an unpredictable, sweeping tale to come.
The teaser trailer samples a Joseon thrown off-balance by the powerful ― and three young leads charging toward their own versions of justice. "Life is a brutal dream. I’ll make them pay," says Rowoon’s Siyul, setting the tone. As a looming threat advances on the capital, Park Seo-ham’s Jeongcheon warns, "This country is tilted... there isn’t a place that doesn’t reek of rot." Shin Ye-eun’s Choeun pushes back against the absurdity ― "This is outrageous!" ― only to be met with, "For the powerful, nothing is outrageous." The trio finally answers with a rallying cry: "Then let’s fight. In a world this rotten, even death can feel like mercy."
Beyond the bold turns from Rowoon, Shin Ye-eun and Park Seo-ham, the ensemble stacks deep with scene-stealers Park Ji-hwan, Choi Gwi-hwa, Jeon Bae-soo, Kim Dong-won and Choi Young-woo, igniting curiosity about the tangled fates ahead. Director Choo’s meticulous, cinematic eye fuels the show’s polished look, ratcheting anticipation for 'The Murky Stream' even higher.
Choo Chang-min ― whose 2012 blockbuster 'Masquerade' drew over 10 million admissions ― directs from a script by Chun Sung-il, returning to the historical genre 14 years after his hit 'The Slave Hunters.' 'The Murky Stream' has also been selected for the Busan International Film Festival’s 30th 'On Screen' section, marking it as one of the year’s most anticipated series.
'The Murky Stream' premieres on Disney+ with Episodes 1-3 on Sept. 26, followed by two episodes weekly for a nine-episode run.
[Photo= Disney+]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)