Tempest Episode 1-3 Recap: A Heavy Start With Power, Loss, and Rising Danger

Looking for a Tempest Korean drama episode 1-3 recap that ties the complex threads together? You’ve found it.

Disney+’s latest political thriller, Tempest, isn’t just another show; it’s a high-stakes chess game of power, betrayal, and ambition, led by the formidable Jun Ji-Hyun.

This recap and review will break down the key events, character motivations, and overarching themes of the first three episodes, answering the crucial question: Is Tempest worth your time?

In Tempest Episode 1-3, it opens with a strange device. People see themselves inside others, even if only in dreams. It feels disorienting. Maybe it’s to force the idea of standing in someone else’s place.

Whatever the reason, it makes the tone unsettling from the start.

The first two episodes are full of detail. There is ambition, family conflict, betrayal, and violence. The pacing feels heavy, as expected from Korean political dramas, especially those streaming on Disney+.

That weight makes the show feel important, but also risky. It can lose momentum if the writing cannot keep up.

Still, there is promise. The casting is strong, with Jun Ji-Hyun leading the show in a serious role. Her character, Munju, carries much of the story.

She plays it with a mix of restraint and steel. Even if politics is not appealing to everyone, her presence makes the drama worth watching.

Tempest: At a Glance – Why You Should Watch

• Jun Ji-Hyun’s Triumphant Return: The iconic star of My Love from the Star and Kingdom: Ashin of the North delivers a powerful, nuanced performance as a grieving widow and political mastermind. Her presence alone is a reason to tune in.

• More Than Politics: While the backdrop is a ruthless presidential campaign, the heart of the story is about grief, legacy, and survival. Think House of Cards meets Kill Bill‘s thematic revenge, all with a uniquely Korean sensibility.

• Global Stakes: This isn’t confined to the National Assembly. The plot involves international contractors, US intelligence, and the imminent threat of war with North Korea, raising the tension beyond typical political dramas.

• Who It’s For: Fans of slow-burn, intricate political thrillers (Chief of Staff), viewers who love strong female leads (Queenmaker), and anyone who appreciates high-production value and complex moral ambiguity.

The Fall of Jang Junik

Episode 1 centers on Jang Junik (played by Park Hae-Joon), Munju’s  (played by Jun Ji-Hyun)husband. He is a presidential candidate pushing for reunification of North and South Korea. Many see him as reckless for this stance.

He calls Munju back from her post as UN ambassador, though she doesn’t know the reason. Their marriage looks polished in public, but feels strained in private.

During a church visit, Junik is shot in the neck by a protestor named Kim Yongjun. Security has been pulled away, leaving him exposed. Munju tries to intervene, but chaos follows.

A mysterious cameraman, later revealed as Paik Sanho (played by Kang Dong-Won), steps in to stop the attacker. Yongjun kills himself with cyanide before he can be questioned.

The funeral shows deep cracks within Junik’s family. His mother, Okseon (played by Lee Mi-Sook), criticizes Munju for not giving him a child. His brother, Junsang, pushes to take over as candidate.

Yet Junik’s will leaves everything to Munju. This makes her both powerful and suspicious in the eyes of the family. It sets up a bitter power struggle.

Sanho reappears, revealing ties to an American contractor. He returns the crucifix necklace Junik had given Munju before his death. Their alliance begins here, though trust is fragile.

Secrets, War, and Ambition

Episode 2 adds an international layer. A man in the US, Anderson Miller (played by John Cho), warns Junik of a planned strike against North Korea’s nuclear arsenal. The Americans have discovered a submarine with massive capacity for nuclear warheads.

Back in Korea, Munju digs into her husband’s death. She suspects Junsang (played by Oh Jung-Se) may be linked.

The story pushes her deeper into political games. She discovers corruption, betrayal, and pressure from all sides.

The president herself hints at knowing more about Junik’s assassination than she lets on. She even tells Munju to leave the country.

Despite her grief, Munju strikes a deal with her mother-in-law. She offers to run for president if Okseon backs her, and in return, she will hand back Junik’s assets.

Okseon agrees, admitting that Munju has the ambition her son lacked. It becomes clear that Munju is more than a grieving widow. She has her own political fire.

Meanwhile, Sanho faces violence at the border. People are killed in a scam crossing between China and North Korea. His mercenary past keeps pulling him into bloodshed.

Still, he circles back to Munju, offering his protection. His loyalty remains questionable, but his skills are undeniable.

Munju’s Triple Axel

Episode 3 shifts focus to Munju’s campaign. She meets a professor who had ties to her late husband. From him, she learns that Junik was desperate to stop war. This drives her to dig deeper into his death and his motives.

Okseon teaches Munju about the “triple axel.” In politics, it means creating one defining moment that secures public support. For Munju, it must be showing vulnerability to the people.

This strategy, mixed with ruthless blackmail, gives her momentum. She forces her brother-in-law out of the race by exposing his past violence and corruption.

Sanho stays close, now acting as her bodyguard. His instincts prove right when a bomb is planted under her train seat. The tension here is sharp.

Sanho risks his life to save her, surviving the blast through sheer will. Their chemistry becomes more obvious in this moment.

Munju refuses to slow down. She delivers a powerful speech, speaking about unity and real change. The public responds with support. A white rose handed to her becomes a symbol of new beginnings.

She frames her widowhood and diplomatic career as reasons she can lead, not reasons she should step aside.

Sanho, who once watched her from afar while working abroad, admits he believes in her vision.

He tells her that he dreamt he was her, and that only she can stop the war. Their partnership strengthens, though mistrust lingers.

The episode ends with the sight of the North Korean submarine and a missile launch. The scale of the conflict becomes clear.

Korea sits between two superpowers, and Munju’s rise is tied to forces far beyond her control.

Beyond the Recap: Themes and Symbols in Tempest’s First Act

The first three episodes of Tempest lay a foundation rich with meaning. Here’s what to keep an eye on:

• The White Rose: More than a prop, it’s a symbol of Munju’s calculated transformation. It represents purity and peace for the public, masking the ruthless political maneuvering and blackmail required to obtain it.

• The “Triple Axel” as a Political Metaphor: Okseon’s ice skating analogy is the key to understanding the show’s political engine. It’s not about sustained effort; it’s about creating one perfect, unforgettable moment of spectacle to win the crowd—a metaphor for modern political campaigning itself.

• Standing in Another’s Shoes: The opening dream device isn’t just disorienting; it’s the show’s central thesis. Sanho literally dreams he is Munju, and the entire plot forces characters (and viewers) to understand conflicting perspectives, blurring the lines between hero and villain.

• Grief as a Weapon: Munju doesn’t just experience grief; she wields it. Her public vulnerability is a strategic move, making her widowhood not a weakness but her greatest source of strength and credibility.

Ending

Tempest is shaping up to be more than just another political drama. It is about grief, ambition, and survival. At the center is Munju, a woman caught between family betrayal, foreign powers, and her own desire to lead.

The pacing is heavy, the subplots are many, and the tone is grim. But the acting and stakes make it gripping.

For now, the drama has laid strong groundwork. Whether it maintains that intensity or falters under its own weight remains uncertain.

The big question is whether it can maintain this intensity without collapsing under its own complexity—a common pitfall for political K-dramas. But for now, Tempest is a compelling watch.

Have you seen the first episodes of Tempest? What are your theories on Sanho’s true motives and the American contractor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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