Set to premiere in 2027, tvN’s drama Whale Star: The Gyeongseong Mermaid delivers a fiery, era-defying romance among youth in 1926 Gyeongseong.
The story begins in 1926 Gyeongseong when Heo Su-a (played by Moon Ga-young), a maid in a pro-Japanese household, rescues independence activist Kang Ui-hyeon (Choi Woo-shik) after he falls into the sea. Amid a turbulent era, they face heartbreaking choices between love and the homeland they must protect.
The cast includes Choi Woo-shik, Moon Ga-young, Heo Nam-jun, Yoo Jae-myung, Kang Han-na, Kim Yeo-jin, and Gong Seung-yeon. Choi Woo-shik plays independence fighter Kang Ui-hyeon, the son of a pro-Japanese father, while Moon Ga-young portrays Heo Su-a, a maid from a pro-Japanese family who develops extraordinary feelings for Ui-hyeon after saving him.
Rising star Heo Nam-jun, fresh off SBS’s hit My Royal Nemesis, takes on the role of independence activist Song Hae-su. After losing his family in the Khabarovsk/Primorye tragedy, he becomes fiercely determined to sacrifice himself for the cause and forms a complicated connection with Heo Su-a. Yoo Jae-myung plays pro-Japanese figure Kang Geun-hyeong, who schemes to fulfill his ambitions through his son, Kang Ui-hyeon.
Meanwhile, Kang Han-na plays Han Yeon-gyeong, who refuses to abandon the independence movement even after losing her family; Kim Yeo-jin adds gravitas as Hwang Sun-im, the owner of the café Whale Star that serves as both a sanctuary and spiritual anchor for Gyeongseong’s independence activists. Gong Seung-yeon makes a special appearance as Yeo Yun-hwa, the daughter of a pro-Japanese family and the young lady Heo Su-a once served.
The series is co-directed by filmmaker Heo Jin-ho of Christmas in August and One Fine Spring Day, and drama director Yoo Beom-sang of Twinkling Watermelon and Study Group.
Meanwhile, Whale Star: The Gyeongseong Mermaid is slated to premiere in 2027 for drama fans worldwide.