Photos from the filming set of tvN’s upcoming drama Whale Star, starring Choi Woo Shik and Heo Nam Jun, have been released and are gaining significant attention.
Photos from the set began circulating on online communities, offering a first look at the production in progress.
Based on a webtoon of the same name, Whale Star is set against the backdrop of the anti-Japanese independence movement. It tells the story of a man who gives everything for his country and a woman who risks her life to protect him. The casting of Mun Ka Young, Choi Woo Shik, Heo Nam Jun, Gong Seung Yeon and Kang Hanna had already raised expectations ahead of filming.
The original webtoon is widely regarded by readers as a “masterpiece” for its strong storyline and compelling character development. It also received critical recognition, including the Presidential Award at the 2021 Korea Content Awards, further highlighting its artistic value. As a result, anticipation for the drama adaptation has remained high since the casting announcements.
In the newly released photos, Choi Woo Shik appears as Kang Ui Hyeon and Heo Nam Jun as Song Hae Soo, drawing viewers’ attention. Kang Ui Hyeon is a character from a pro-Japanese family who witnesses the massacre of Koreans during the Great Kanto Earthquake and later decides to become an independence activist. Song Hae Soo is also an independence activist closely connected to the protagonist.
The images show the two actors in suits on sets carefully designed to reflect the historical setting. In particular, Heo Nam Jun—currently appearing in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama My Royal Nemesis—has undergone a striking transformation for Whale Star, sporting long hair that is very different from his current on-screen image.
As the set photos spread online, netizens are sharing various reactions to how well the actors match their characters, further increasing curiosity about how the original webtoon will be adapted into a drama.
Meanwhile, Whale Star is scheduled to air on tvN in 2027 and is currently in production.
In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
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