Parasite star Song Kang-ho will play the titular role in Uncle Samsik, a South Korean drama that will launch globally on Disney+. In the U.S., the series will be available on Hulu.
What’s Uncle Samsik about?
According to Deadline, the story follows Kim San (played by Byun Yo-han). An ambitious idealist who wants to turn his country’s fortunes around, San gets the attention of Pak Doochill — also known as Uncle Samsik. He’s a “shady fixer” who does whatever is needed to accomplish what his boss wants. The duo form an uneasy alliance, which requires them to navigate the established system in all its complexities. Throughout all of it, they’re united by the goal of a prosperous future.
The series, which is expected to debut later this year, is set in the 1960s. It marks in Song’s long career that he has starred in a drama series. The actor is well-known for his performance as the patriarch of the Kim family in Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning 2019 film Parasite.
He’s also known for his performances in Sympathy for Mr. Vengenance, Memories of Murder, The Host, Snowpiercer, and 2022’s Broker, with the latter film leading to a Best Actor win at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first South Korean to win in that category.
Slingshot Studios initially announced the project under the name Uncle Sam Shik, is producing. Shin Yeonshick, who worked with Song on the films Cobweb and One Win, will write and direct the series.