🚀 Polaris in a Tempest: Inside Disney+ Korea’s New Spy Thriller "북극성"

“Even when the storm hits, Polaris never moves.”

In September 2025, Disney+ (STAR Originals) is set to unveil one of its most ambitious Korean productions yet — 《북극성》(Polaris / Tempest). Blending espionage with emotion, and structure with chaos, this series might just redefine what K-dramas on global platforms can be.

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🎥 Overview: What Is "북극성 (Tempest)"?

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🎭 Cast & Creative Team

• Starring:

  • Kang Dong-won (as the enigmatic lead)

  • Jun Ji-hyun (as the memory-lost agent)

  • John Cho, Yoo Jae-myung, Park Hae-joon, Oh Jung-se, Won Ji-an

• Writer: Jung Seo-kyeong (Mother, The Handmaiden)

• Directors: Kim Hee-won & Heo Myeong-haeng

• Music: Dalpalan, Jung Jae-il

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🧭 Why “Polaris”?

In astronomy, Polaris (북극성) is the fixed point — the star that guides the lost.
In this drama, it is both literal and metaphorical: a symbol of identity, memory, and emotional orientation amidst chaos.

The protagonist, a former agent who has lost her memories, struggles to find her “true north.”
The people around her, including those with unclear loyalties, are each navigating their own moral compass.

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📡 Story Premise (Spoiler-Free)

A high-level intelligence conflict set against the emotional backdrop of betrayal, identity, and survival.
Rather than emphasizing explosions and chase scenes, Tempest focuses on what drives people to lie, protect, or forget.

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🌐 Global Impact & Streaming Strategy

Disney+ is strategically investing in Korean originals under its STAR brand.
Following hits like Moving and Big Bet, 북극성 represents:

• 🎯 Targeted appeal to global adult audiences

• 🎭 High-caliber Korean storytelling

• 📈 Expansion of emotional thrillers into the global OTT market

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🧠 Final Thoughts

If you're a fan of series like Killing Eve, Severance, or Moving, this is one to add to your September watchlist.

Polaris may be fixed in the sky, but in Tempest, everything else is up for question.