A new preview for the Disney+ historical drama “The Murky Stream“ shows the first, tense meeting between its main characters, raising excitement for the series premiere. The clip introduces the moment stars Rowoon and Shin Ye Eun cross paths, setting the stage for their intertwined fates in a corrupt Joseon era.
The series is Disney+’s first original Korean historical drama and is set to premiere on September 26, 2025 .
The Tense First Meeting
The newly released preview video focuses on the initial encounter between the two leads. The scene begins with Rowoon’s character, Si Yool, working with a group of laborers to load luggage and prepare a palanquin . At the same time, Shin Ye Eun’s character, Choi Eun, is seen arriving by boat and walking across a wooden bridge .
As they pass each other, their shoulders accidentally brush against one another. The brief contact causes Choi Eun to drop her hand fan . Si Yool turns back, and their eyes meet in a moment filled with unspoken tension . He then slowly picks up the fan, gently dusts it off, and offers it back to her .
The tension is broken when Choi Eun’s maid intervenes, snapping, “How dare you touch something so precious with such filthy hands?” before quickly leading Choi Eun away . Despite its brevity, the charged interaction successfully builds curiosity about the future relationship between the two characters .
The World of “The Murky Stream”
“The Murky Stream” is set in a lawless period of the Joseon dynasty where the once-clear Gyeong River has become murky, reflecting the corruption that plagues the country . The story follows the turbulent lives of three main characters.
Si Yool is a man who hides his past and becomes a rogue, or gangster, operating at the Mapo Ferry on the Han River, a central hub for Joseon’s logistics and economy . Choi Eun is the wise and righteous youngest daughter of Joseon’s top merchant and leads the best merchant group in the country . The third main character is Jeong Cheon, played by Park Seo Ham, an official who dreams of punishing corruption and becoming an incorruptible government officer .
The drama promises to show their struggles against a brutal world. A recently released main trailer expands on the story beyond this first meeting. It reveals glimpses of Si Yool’s past as a laborer at the Mapo dock and shows how the gang leader Mu Deok, played by Park Ji Hwan, recruits him into the gang . The trailer also hints at a deeper, hidden history between Si Yool and Jeong Cheon .
A Story Driven by Commoners
Director Choo Chang-min, known for the hit film “Masquerade,” explained that what drew him to the project was its focus on the lives of common people . Unlike many historical dramas that center on kings and aristocrats, “The Murky Stream” tells the story of the lower classes living along the Han River who drive the events forward .
The production aimed for realism by building extensive open sets instead of relying on computer-generated imagery. Director Choo noted that although shooting in a real environment with fluctuating water levels and weather was difficult, it was the best choice to capture an authentic feel . Rowoon added that nearly 98 percent of the series was filmed on these open sets rather than indoors .
The series also marks writer Chun Sung-il’s return to the historical drama genre after 14 years; he previously wrote the highly celebrated drama “The Slave Hunters” .
When to Watch
“The Murky Stream” will premiere on the Disney+ streaming service on September 26, 2025 . The show will debut with its first three episodes available at once . After the premiere, two new episodes will be released weekly until the series concludes after a total of nine episodes .
Before its online release, the first two episodes had a special premiere at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in the ‘On Screen’ section on September 18, 2025 .
The series features a strong supporting cast, including Park Ji-hwan as the gangster Mudeok, Choi Gwi-hwa as the corrupt official Lee Dol Gae, and Kim Dong-won as the mysterious Wang Hae .
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Credits: soompi , koreaherald
