Political K-dramas are not immensely popular. In contrast, romantic, fantasy or thriller shows have always generated more attention. I may not be a huge fan of this genre, but I have to applaud the production and writing team for this gripping show.
At this point, there’s no shortage of criticisms for the drama. Some are quick to judge, claiming that it’s poorly written and the romantic angle is extremely frustrating. However, many overlook the show’s brilliant balance of political narrative, action sequences, romantic angle and the artistic execution of the storytelling.
For someone who has watched and reviewed ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’, I can confidently say that ‘Tempest’ rose above all K-dramas in 2025 due to its originality, remarkable depth and romantic tension. This drama is a stunning example of how storytelling can be backed by different layered twists and plots. What began as a personal vendetta turned into a global crisis, unfolding a showcase of real-like characters and political intrigue.
While I’ll try my best to not give away any spoilers, I just want to review some of the most crucial elements that made this show climb right on top of my all-time favorites list.
Cast:Jun Ji Hyun, Kang Dong Won, Lee Mi Sook, John Cho, Kim Hae Sook
Number of Episodes: 9
Available On: Hulu
The Plot
The show starts as Seo Mun Ju (played by Jun Ji Hyun) returns to South Korea, after resigning from her diplomatic post. The next day, she goes to the church to attend a mass prayer and to support her husband, Jang Jun Ik (played by Park Hae Joon), who is also a presidential candidate, only to witness the latter’s tragic murder. As the anti-unification group member attempts to shoot Mun Ju, she is saved by a cameraman, who is none other than Baek San Ho (played by Kang Dong Won), a countryless mercenary.
As Mun Ju decides to run for president and uncover the truth behind her husband’s gruesome murder, she is faced with countless challenges, including several murder attempts. But, every time, the mysterious Korean hero manages to save her life and even becomes her bodyguard.
While her bold entry in the political world is commended by the public, especially given how they viewed her as “Joan of Arc”, there are some who feel threatened by her decision. As she discovers the possibility of a global war breaking out, with thousands or millions of South Koreans standing to suffer most of the aftermath, she tries her best to prevent it from taking place. Consequently, she stands at the edge, confronting harsh truths and standing on the opposite side of people she never thought would be her enemies.
The Chemistry + Tension
‘Tempest’ is like no other spy thriller series. The reason = Jun Ji Hyun and Kang Dong Won’s unbelievable chemistry.
I’ve seen and fell for many K-drama couples, but none can come close to the bodyguard trope and relationship between Mun Ju and San Ho. It’s crazy when you think how the simplest moments between them – like when they first saw each other in the church, when San Ho held Mun Ju in his lap to save her from the bomb in her seat and when he was looking at her through the gun’s lenses – carry so much romantic weight. A few words, a few instances of eye contact seems to speak louder than any romantic moment I know.
The tension between them is so real and raw that you can feel it through the screen. And, when it comes to the few kissing scenes, well, they were so strong and charged with immense emotional tension that it’s impossible to put them into words.
The Twists
Normally, you’d expect a big twist in a drama that involves spies, diplomats, revenge, suspicions and political chaos. You’d expect writers to hold back until the very end to deliver this big twist. Yet, it was interesting how the show dropped twists and reveals way before the finale. Storytelling was definitely different for this espionage thriller. Every week, new details would pop up, revealing and reshaping the way we looked at the characters and the story. At one point, we’d be convinced that President Chae (played by Kim Hae Sook) or Kang Han Na (played by Won Ji An) might be “Stella Young’ – the secret arms dealer who was providing North Korea with ammunitions and fanning the flames, provoking nations into a global war. Or, sometimes, the assasination attempts and chain of betrayals – especially Jun Ik’s secret love affair – put us on edge, awaiting to see San Ho becoming the backstabbing lover one day.
The Political Angle
Usually, it’s human nature to want to see justice done when people have done terrible things. When it comes to political dramas, there’s always that element of intelligence involved as well as interesting details that make the whole narrative stimulating and informative.
Compared to many shows where political angles often come off dull, the storytelling flair in ‘Tempest’ managed to weave politics and global-spanning conspiracies in a compelling and engaging manner. You see, many political genres tend to go overboard with excessive details and sometimes drag in too many political agendas. Surprisingly, this show managed to keep the right balance. Additionally, such genres tend to lean on the usual trope of targeting the same nations or countries. ‘Tempest’, however, used the traitor concept to highlight something deeper. Conflicts can arise anywhere, not just because of complex geopolitics, but merely due to the greedy and corrupt part of human nature itself.
The Female Lead in The Center
Watching Jun Ji Hyun’s acting in this show once again reminded me of how phenomenal an actress she is. Such shows usually carry a quite heavy political undertone, where it becomes difficult for the female lead to have a commanding presence and leave a lasting impression like how Seo Ye Ji did in ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ or IU in ‘Hotel Del Luna’.
However, hats off to Jun Ji Hyun for carrying herself with such subtle elegance and confidence in the show. From her groundbreaking monologue in the first episode to her speech in the finale, she dominated the screen and delivered an iconic performance.
So, if you haven’t watched ‘Tempest’ yet, I suggest you binge-watch it now.
Written by Diksha Gangadeen
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