In the second half of 2024, the most anticipated drama of the year on Disney Plus has finally been unveiled. It's 'North Star,' a series that garnered significant attention from the production stage for bringing together two powerhouse actors, Gang Dong-won and Jun Ji-hyun. The mere fact that these two representative stars of South Korea are leading the cast is enough to capture the eyes and ears of viewers, and anticipation is at its peak for the synergy they will create. This pairing, exciting by name alone, is the first reason you shouldn't miss 'North Star.'
Gang Dong-won and Jun Ji-hyun, considered Korea's top male and female actors, have long maintained their positions at the pinnacle of the industry. Surprisingly, despite their long careers, the two have never worked together on a project. This is even more intriguing considering their one-year age difference. 'North Star' is especially meaningful as it marks Gang Dong-won's return to television drama after 21 years and Jun Ji-hyun's return after four years. The first meeting of these two actors, after such a long wait, is a monumental event in itself.
The impressive resumes of the production team add to the credibility of 'North Star' just as much as the lead actors. Writer Chung Seo-kyung and director Kim Hee-won, who showcased fantastic chemistry in the drama 'Little Women,' have teamed up once again. Writer Chung has been acclaimed for her dense scripts that delve into human psychology in films like 'Decision to Leave,' 'Believer,' and 'The Handmaiden.' Director Kim has established herself as a star director with consecutive hits like 'Vincenzo' and 'Queen of Tears.' The collaboration between these two is seen as a powerful statement of their intent to capture both artistic depth and popular appeal.
Adding to this, veteran martial arts director Heo Myung-haeng, who led the success of the 'The Roundup' series, joined to enhance the quality of the action scenes. The production company lineup surprised everyone by including Skydance Media, a famous American production company. The participation of a Hollywood studio that has produced global blockbusters like the 'Mission: Impossible' series and 'Top Gun: Maverick' proves that 'North Star' is not just a Korean drama but a major production aimed at the global market. This further elevates expectations for the drama's scale and quality.
The involvement of a Hollywood production company led to a colossal production budget. A staggering 70 billion won was invested in 'North Star.' This is a scale large enough to produce several major Korean films, giving a sense of the drama's vast scope. The released content shows a story that unfolds not only in Korea but also in the United States, featuring the U.S. President and depicting a grand narrative of international politics, diplomacy, and espionage. The 70 billion won budget is more than just a number; it signals that viewers can expect an overwhelming visual spectacle.
The drama delivers a powerful shock to viewers right from the start. The scene where Jang Joon-ik (played by Park Hae-joon), a leading presidential candidate and the husband of Moon-ju (played by Jun Ji-hyun), is shot and killed during a mass is reminiscent of the early parts of 'Game of Thrones,' where a major character meets an abrupt end. The bold move of eliminating a character expected to be a central pillar of the story in the first episode hints at an unpredictable plot where tension is never let go, immediately immersing the audience.
Seo Moon-ju, played by Jun Ji-hyun, is a character who gives up her prestigious position as a UN ambassador to return to Korea to help with her husband's presidential campaign. She is also politically opposed to the incumbent president, Chae Gyeong-shin (played by Kim Hae-sook), who appointed her husband. Sensing a huge conspiracy behind her husband's sudden death, she doesn't remain a tragic widow but becomes a proactive female character who dives into the heart of the case to uncover the truth, leading the narrative forward.
Baek San-ho, played by Gang Dong-won, is a mysterious figure whose nationality and affiliation are unknown. He appears questionably at the scene of Jang Joon-ik's assassination and is later assigned to protect Seo Moon-ju from threats, becoming her bodyguard. His presence, lingering by her side with his true purpose and the reason for his being there completely veiled, maximizes the drama's tension. His actions, which seem to both protect and monitor Seo Moon-ju, spark curiosity about how their relationship will evolve.
While the story centers on the two protagonists, the roles of the surrounding characters are also significant. After her husband's death, the dangerous ideology he held comes to light, and his ambitious younger brother, Jang Joon-sang (played by Oh Jung-se), steps up to run for president, creating a new axis of conflict. Furthermore, Korean-American actor John Cho joins the cast as Anderson Miller, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, hinting at a massive international conspiracy involving the U.S. and North Korea, thereby expanding the story's scope.
'North Star,' with three episodes released so far, heralds the birth of a well-made spy thriller, combining the overwhelming presence of actors Gang Dong-won and Jun Ji-hyun, a gripping story that is impossible to predict, and a grand scale. As a nine-episode series, attention is focused on how solidly and meticulously the production team will build the narrative in the remaining episodes. With a perfect combination of actors, creators, capital, and story, 'North Star' seems more than qualified to be the best drama to close out the year.
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