Tempest becomes Disney+’s most viewed Korean original premiere of 2025 with episode 5.
On September 19, Disney+ announced on social media that Tempest has become the #1 most viewed Korean Original of 2025 globally. With a well-thought-out plot and off the charts chemistry to boot, it’s no wonder!
As the series progresses, we see more of the politics side of the story as well as how Munju navigates her life amidst betrayals and the dangers that comes with being a presidential candidate.
A secret family and a marriage built on lies
Tempest episode 5 opens with a confrontation between Munju and Junik’s mistress, Kang Hanna (Wo Ji An). Junik was portrayed as this devoted husband who would even go as far as having his wife followed for fear of something bad happening to her. This same man was all along living a double life, what with a mistress and a 9-year-old son.
It gets worse because Junik’s side of the family knew about it and kept it a secret from Munju for 10 years. Unfortunately for them, Munju has always been a fighter and while they expected her to break after learning about her late husband’s betrayal, she stood her ground and asserted herself as she should!
The nuclear submarine and Stella Young
Meanwhile, Miji was able to access Junik’s secret phone where they found the conversations he had with Anderson Miller. Anderson believes that if North Korea was really building a massive nuclear submarine, there should be evidence, but he found nothing except a name: Stella Young.
This woman holds a US citizenship but her ethnicity is South Korean. 10 years ago, she flew to South Korea and never returned. Anderson thinks she could be the key to uncover the whole truth behind the submarine and asks Junik to find her.
Before Junik died, his last message to Anderson was “I think I know this woman, Stella Young.”
Munju warns the public about the war
Seeing the communication between Anderson and Junik as well as witnessing the signs of war Dujin mentioned, Munju wastes no time to take action. While President Kyungsin has taken refuge in an underground bunker leaving her people to die, Munju bravely announces to the public that a war could break out soon.
She shows a live footage of Anderson where he says that the information about North Korea building a nuclear submarine could be fabricated and if that’s the case the war will be for nothing. The government goes after Munju and together with Sanho, she takes refuge in the mountains.
If a war were to break out, I just want to be here
Due to her injury, Munju struggles with using the shower to wash her hair and Sanho a.k.a. the king of acts of service washes it for her. He also teaches Munju to use a gun.
Away from the chaos, Munju and Sanho grow closer as they each share stories about their personal lives. Munju was even able to finish Sanho’s cooking this time!
Later, Munju asks Sanho what he’d do if a war broke out. Sanho says he’d want to be with his loved ones. Munju then asks if she kept him away from them. And in a statement that should go down in the history of confessions, Sanho declares “Now, I just want to be here.”
However, they were interrupted by the US military radio playing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” a signal that in 12 hours the US will start a bomb attack.
What to expect
Tempest episode 5 introduced us to a new character, Stella Young, who is possibly a US spy that flew to South Korea 10 years ago. Coincidentally, we also meet Junik’s mistress who he met 10 years ago, Hanna Kang. Could they be the same person or was it pure coincidence that she was also at the church when Junik was shot?
At the same time, while Munju and Sanho grew closer and now clearly share deeper affection towards each other, it also begs the question how will Munju react when she finds out about Sanho’s contract with Valkyrie?
Episodes 6 and 7 will be released next Wednesday, September 24, on Disney+ and Hulu.
Meanwhile, viewers can watch an exclusive interview with the cast on Disney+ Korea’s youtube channel.
Source: Disney Plus
