'The Murky Stream' featured strong performances from actors Park Ji-hwan, Choi Gwi-hwa and Jeon Bae-su.
On the 23rd, the Disney+ original historical series 'The Murky Stream' (written by Cheon Seong-il, directed by Chu Chang-min) released behind-the-scenes footage of three veteran actors — Park Ji-hwan, Choi Gwi-hwa and Jeon Bae-su — whose perfect chemistry and outstanding acting deepened the resonance of the work.
First, actor Park Ji-hwan played the ruffian "Mu-deok," who makes a living at the Mapo ferry landing. Sleazy and without loyalty yet surviving by his wits, he drags Si-yul (Rowoon) into the ruffian life, bickers with him but saves him at crucial moments, ultimately rebirthing as a true family and delivering an emotional payoff.
Park Ji-hwan said working with Rowoon was "indescribably good," and because they spent so much time together in the story, "we talked a lot during filming and acted as if finding a fun game." Rowoon, who also played a fellow ruffian, described it as "1,000 points out of 100 — a relationship like a gift," revealing their close bond even after wrap.
Director Chu Chang-min praised Park Ji-hwan as "an actor with the power to bring a character that existed only on the page to life like magic," and said he wondered "what would have happened without Ji-hwan — wouldn't terrible things have occurred," proving that he was another key contributor to 'The Murky Stream'.
Actor Choi Gwi-hwa delivered a fierce performance as the jongsa-gwan (official) I Dolgae, who stood at the center of corruption at the left port office of Mapo. I Dolgae colludes with ruffians to lord it over others like a king and torments the people with absurd taxes. Choi Gwi-hwa interpreted him as "a scheming, sly figure in a chaotic era" and described his acting as "continuing conversations without avoiding anyone's eyes and reading the opponent's psychology." In particular, his confrontations with the upright and incorruptible new jongsa-gwan Jeong Cheon (Park Seo-ham) created extreme tension in every scene.
Park Seo-ham, who had the most scenes with Choi Gwi-hwa, said, "We did readings together before filming. He checked in by phone and treated me truly like an older brother," and Choi Gwi-hwa added, "We practiced the scenes for the next day together by the river in Andong, and he followed along very well. Going through that process made us very close," sharing a special episode about their relationship.
Actor Jeon Bae-su played the reliable Kang Haeng-su, who assists Choi Jung-yeop (Yoo Sung-joo), the head of the Choi trading house, and helps manage the business. Defying his family's opposition, he appears as a sincere supporter who believes in and encourages the youngest daughter of the Choi trading house, Choi Eun (Shin Ye Eun), who wants to run the business, adding warmth to the drama. On set, he was a pillar for Shin Ye Eun, encouraging juniors off camera and leading the filming atmosphere smoothly.
Shin Ye Eun expressed sincere thanks, saying, "It was an honor just to work together, and he was a wonderful senior who created an environment and atmosphere that let me act comfortably." The warm chemistry between the two clearly showed that the Choi trading house's cozy atmosphere in the drama originated on set.
Shin Ye Eun also said, "If there are three youths, it felt like each had a dedicated senior," which was also director Chu Chang-min's intention. Chu Chang-min explained that he intended from the start to cast experienced people "who could amplify the fresh youths' performances," matching them with seasoned actors. The perfect chemistry and remarkable synergy created by the three leads and the three veteran actors became another viewing point of 'The Murky Stream,' raising the drama's completeness and securing its place as a well-made historical series that will be remembered for a long time.
[Photo] Provided by Disney+.
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