What was expected to be one of the biggest K-dramas of the year has turned into one of its biggest disappointments.
Disney+’s high-budget spy thriller Tempest, starring Jun Ji Hyun and Kang Dong Won, ended its run quietly — a surprising outcome for a project that cost around 50 billion won (about 36 million USD) to produce.
With two of Korea’s most famous actors leading the cast, many believed success was guaranteed. But the final result proved otherwise.
From the start, Tempest had everything to grab attention: top-tier stars, breathtaking visuals, and a storyline centered around espionage between North and South Korea.
While the production quality and the leads’ chemistry were praised, viewers felt the drama lacked one key ingredient — a strong, convincing story.
Many criticized how the romance between the two main characters, Moon Joo (Jun Ji Hyun) and San Ho (Kang Dong Won), felt rushed and unconvincing.
“Their emotional connection just didn’t make sense,” one viewer said. “It felt like they suddenly fell in love without any real reason.”
Others pointed out the lack of realism in the characters’ professional behavior. Despite being portrayed as top experts — a skilled UN ambassador and an elite agent — their decisions often came across as impulsive and inconsistent.
Several fans also complained that major conflicts in the series were resolved too easily, removing any sense of suspense or tension.
Ultimately, the drama’s stunning visuals and A-list stars couldn’t save it from weak writing. Before the finale, Tempest had already dropped to 4th place in buzz rankings, a far cry from its early hype as “the most anticipated drama of the year.”
The lukewarm response to Tempest serves as a wake-up call for the K-drama industry: even the brightest stars and biggest budgets can’t shine without a solid story to back them up.
Source: [1]
