🌊The Murky Stream (2025): A Tale of Lawless Joseon and Entangled Fates – Plot, Cast, Release Date & Where to Watch

In the lawless shadows of the Joseon Dynasty, where the once-clear waters of the Gyeonggang River have turned into a turbid stream, three souls clash with destiny in The Murky Stream (Korean: 탁류). The upcoming South Korean historical drama brings together an extraordinary cast—Rowoon, Shin Ye-eun, and Park Seo-ham—to tell a story of survival, justice, and ambition.

Premiering its first two episodes in the ‘On Screen’ section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (September 2025), the series will begin streaming globally on Disney+ from September 26, 2025.

⚔️ A World Drowning in Chaos

“The river is no longer blue—it reflects only blood and greed.”

That line could well define the heart of The Murky Stream. Set in Joseon’s turbulent underworld, the drama captures a society where order has collapsed and the once-flourishing Han River trade has been overtaken by gangs and corruption.

At its core lies a story of three very different individuals:

• Rowoon as Jang Si-yool – A feared gangster of Mapo Ferry, hiding a dark past yet destined to become a legend.

• Shin Ye-eun as Choi Eun – A sharp-witted and righteous merchant leading Joseon’s most powerful trading group.

• Park Seo-ham as Jeong-cheon – An honest official who dares to punish corruption in a corrupt age.

Their fates entwine in a world where survival often means betrayal, and loyalty carries a heavy price.

🎭 Cast of Power and Passion

The star-studded ensemble amplifies the drama’s intensity:

• Rowoon transforms into Jang Si-yool, a man who buries his past beneath fists and fury.

• Shin Ye-eun shines as Choi Eun, a merchant whose intelligence makes her a force in both trade and politics.

• Park Seo-ham as Jeong-cheon, the idealist official caught between law and survival.

• Park Ji-hwan as Mudeok, a gangster who enforces rough justice at Mapo Naru.

• Choi Gwi-hwa adds weight to the supporting cast, deepening the drama’s gritty realism.

🌐 Streaming Details

• Festival Premiere: 30th Busan International Film Festival (On Screen section, September 2025)

• Streaming Release: Disney+ on September 26, 2025

• Genre: Historical Drama, Political Intrigue, Crime

• Language: Korean (with international subtitles)

🌊 Why The Murky Stream Stands Out

This isn’t just another historical K-drama. The Murky Stream fuses crime-thriller intensity with sweeping historical backdrops. The muddy waters of the Gyeonggang River become a metaphor for Joseon itself—once pure, now corrupted, yet filled with resilience and hidden strength.

With its mix of gangster rivalries, political power plays, and deeply personal struggles, the series promises to deliver an epic narrative of survival against impossible odds.

As the murky stream flows, it asks a haunting question: Can righteousness rise when the world itself is drowning in corruption?

🔥 Final Verdict:The Murky Stream is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated K-dramas of 2025, blending historical grandeur with gripping character arcs. Fans of Rowoon, Shin Ye-eun, and Park Seo-ham will see their stars push boundaries in roles that test loyalty, justice, and destiny.

⚔️ Mark your calendars—September 26, 2025—the river will run murky on Disney+.