By JONATHAN HICAP
Korean actors Kim Seon-ho and Cha Seung-won are teaming up for the action thriller series “The Tyrant,” which is coming to Disney+ on Aug. 14.
“The Tyrant” tells the story of rogue scientists in the Korean government who start to develop a virus that can bring about superhuman gene. Called “The Tyrant Project,” the virus holds limitless potential for the advancement of humanity.
![[Key Asset] The Tyrant.jpg](https://images.mb.com.ph/production/Key_Asset_The_Tyrant_184276f7dd.jpg)
The Korean series "The Tyrant" will premiere on Disney+ on Aug. 14 (Disney+)
"The Tyrant" stars (from left) Kim Kang-woo, Jo Yoon-su, Kim Seon-ho and Cha Seung-won during the press conference for the series (Disney+)
From left) Kim Kang-woo, Jo Yoon-su, director Park Hoon-jung, Kim Seon-ho and Cha Seung-won (Disney+)
The stars and the director of "The Tyrant" during the press conference (Disney+)
But before the project can be finalized, US agents uncover the plan and demand that the sample be turned over. However, the sample goes missing during a delivery mishap..The two parties scramble to recover the virus.
“The Tyrant” was envisioned to be released as a film but it became a four-part series during post-production.
This is Kim Seon-ho’s next project after starring in his debut film “The Childe” last year and the hit drama “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” in 2021.
He is reunited with director Park Hoon-jung, who directed “The Childe.” Park Hoon-jung is known for the films “New World” and “The Witch.”
“The Tyrant’ is the series debut of Park Hoon-jung.
During the press conference for the drama, Park Hoon-jung said, “It was very difficult as it was my first time” to do a series. He said “The Tyrant” is related to the “Witch” universe.
“‘The Witch’ is about the eastern side and ‘The Tyrant’ is about the western side. And sometimes they might meet because they are kind of parallel to each other,’ said Cha Seung-won.
Park Hoon-jung said, “If the fans watch the show, there are hints that you can of the movie ‘The Witch.’”
Characters
In “The Tyrant,” Kim Seon-ho plays the role of Director Choe, a member of South Korea’s most elite inner-circle and an extremist patriot determined to unleash his country’s true potential. He has been working for years to develop The Tyrant and refuses to be put down by the US.
Kim Seon-ho (Disney+)
Cha Seung-won (Disney+)
Kim Kang-woo (Disney+)
Jo Yoon-su (Disney+)
Director Park Hoon-jung (Disney+)
Cha Seung-won is Lim Sang, a former assassin who is brought out of retirement. He said his character’s mission is to secure the sample.
The series also stars Kim Kang-woo as Paul who is tasked to demolish The Tyrant project and actress Jo Yoon-su as Chae Ja-gyeong.
“He is absolutely relentless and coldblooded. He is technically Korean but he is American,” said Kim Kang-woo.
Chae Ja-gyeong’s mission is to steal the last remaining sample of The Tyrant project and is very skilled in all types of weapons.
“The characters are charming in their own ways. There are chases and they have their own different agenda,” said Kim Seon-ho, adding that he is a big fan of ‘The Witch’ franchise. The two “The Witch” films were released in South Korea in 2018 and 2022.
He said his character, Director Choe, “is the architect of The Tyrant project and he wants to protect this project. He is the youngest to become the director.”
On casting, Park Hoon-jung said, “I like to hide behind an amazing group of cast because they carry all the burden. I believe I have cast each role with actors that were the characters themselves. I know them very well. Members of the cast have such a wide range. No matter what character you bring to them, they will bring it out of them, bring the character to life.”
“This is going to be a fun, thrilling ride for the audience. I think Disney+ was a good choice for the show. That’s why I chose this to be a series,’ said the director.