'The Murky Stream' is generating anticipation as Disney+'s first Korean historical drama, with Rowoon becoming the Joseon 'Teto-nam'.
On the 2nd, the production team of the Disney+ original series 'The Murky Stream' (written by Cheon Seong-il, directed by Chu Chang-min) revealed a character still cut of Rowoon.
Previously, Rowoon has portrayed romance male leads while moving between modern dramas and fusion historical dramas such as 'The Marriage Battle', 'This Love is Unavoidable', 'Tomorrow', 'Yeonmo', and 'Extraordinary You'. He is set to take on the most rugged and intense transformation in his filmography through 'The Murky Stream'.
Rowoon will portray 'Jang Si-yul', a character who transforms from a laborer barely making a living in Gyeonggang to 'Walpai'. 'Si-yul', who has been living with a hidden identity due to a past secret, finds himself entering the world of 'Walpai' after his secret is uncovered by 'Mudeok' (Park Ji-hwan), who he labored with at Mapo's dock. Although he wanted to avoid becoming 'Walpai' more than anything, he accepts an inescapable fate and strives to uphold order at the dock in a corrupted Joseon, where others pursue wealth and power over human lives.
Rowoon introduced 'Si-yul' as a youthful wanderer always ready to leave, but through various events, he finds his own path. When he read the script, he felt a strong energy that made him think, 'I have to do this,' explaining his reason for choosing the project. After filming, he expressed deep affection, saying, 'Si-yul was such a precious bond and a friend to me. I missed him a lot even after it ended.'
The newly released character still of 'Jang Si-yul' captures Rowoon in a completely new light, impressing viewers. The expression 'he switched faces' applies perfectly, as he draws admiration with a transformation never seen before. Director Chu Chang-min noted, 'I tried to take away Rowoon's greatest weapon, his handsomeness, but he willingly agreed and worked on reinventing his face and body. He put his all into every scene, saying, 'I'll try harder' every moment.'
Martial arts director Park Young-sik also remarked, 'He was a tiger with doe-like eyes. At first, his gaze was like a doe's, but the transformation when he exploded was amazing,' praising Rowoon for his intense dedication, even during fierce action sequences, affirming his passion and authenticity as an actor. Thus, Rowoon is expected to convey a more solid and profound impression, encapsulating the growth and change of youth with his unique performance.
Disney+'s first original historical drama series 'The Murky Stream' is an action drama about the destinies of those who dreamed differently in a chaotic world surrounding Gyeonggang, where all the money and resources of Joseon gather in order to turn the tide and live decently. Directed by Chu Chang-min, who drew in 10 million viewers with 'Masquerade' in 2012, and written by Cheon Seong-il, returning to historical drama series for the first time in 14 years since 'Chuno', this work has already garnered much anticipation prior to its release. The cast includes Rowoon, Shin Ye Eun, Park Seo-ham, and Park Ji-hwan, who each fill the drama with bold yet delicate performances. Particularly, it has been highlighted as one of the most anticipated series of the year after being officially selected for the 'On Screen' section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival. Starting with the release of episodes 1-3 on the 26th, two episodes will be released weekly, totaling nine episodes.
[Photo] Provided by Disney+.
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