Park Seo Ham is stepping into uncharted territory with his first-ever historical drama, taking on a role that pushes him to new limits as both an actor and performer.
The actor, known for making his mark in modern dramas such as Dating Class, One Fine Week, and the breakout hit Semantic Error, now embraces a new challenge through Disney+’s first original historical series, The Murky Stream.
A New Challenge: From Modern Romances to Joseon Official
In The Murky Stream, Park Seo Ham plays Jeong Cheon, an honest and upright officer in the Left Police Department. Having dreamt of serving the nation since childhood, Jeong Cheon rises to the top of the state examinations. Yet, upon facing the harsh realities of Joseon’s turbulent political world, he resolves to hold firmly to his beliefs, striving to create a fairer and better society.
Recently released stills reveal the depth of Park’s transformation: one shows Jeong Cheon with a steady, unwavering gaze and confident posture, while another captures a more contemplative expression—hinting at the trials that lie ahead and the emotional complexity Park Seo-ham brings to the role.
For Park Seo Ham, this role wasn’t just about memorizing lines—it required a complete physical and mental transformation. To embody Jeong Cheon’s sharp, disciplined presence as a martial arts officer, he committed to intense weight loss and action training.
Action director Park Young-sik, who oversaw the martial arts choreography, praised the actor’s effort:
“He seems to be a very hard worker. This was his first time doing action scenes, but he made up for it with sheer effort.”
Director Choo Chang-min, best known for the blockbuster Masquerade, echoed this admiration:
“He trained several times more than others, including sword fighting and horseback riding. If viewers think, ‘Wow, he’s good,’ it’s entirely thanks to Park Seo-ham’s dedication and relentless preparation.”
Park Seo Ham on Joining The Murky Stream
Speaking about the experience, Park Seo-ham shared:
“It was such an honor to work with director Choo Chang-min, writer Chun Seong-il, and so many respected senior actors. I felt pressure because I wanted to do well, but thanks to the director’s guidance and our constant communication, I was able to grow.”
The Murky Stream is already drawing major buzz. Written by Chun Seong-il (who makes his return to the historical drama genre 14 years after Chuno), the series is directed by Choo Chang-min, whose Masquerade attracted over 10 million viewers in 2012.
Set along the Gyeonggang River, the heart of Joseon’s economy, Takryu tells the story of people with clashing dreams who fight to overturn a murky and corrupt world. Alongside Park Seo-ham, the star-studded cast includes Rowoon, Shin Ye Eun, and Park Ji Hwan, heightening expectations for bold yet nuanced performances.
Adding to the anticipation, Takryu has been officially invited to the On Screen section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, a testament to its prestige and cinematic scale.
The Murky Stream premieres on Disney+ with Episodes 1–3 on September 26, followed by two new episodes weekly. The series will consist of a total of nine episodes.
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