Low Life is set to become one of the most talked-about Korean dramas of 2025, promising a gripping blend of crime, dark comedy, and human drama. With a star-studded cast and a plot inspired by real events and a beloved webtoon, the series is poised to deliver both suspense and social commentary.
Release Date and Streaming Details
- Premiere Date: July 16, 2025
- Platform: Disney+ Korea (exclusive)
- Episode Count: 11 episodes
- Release Schedule: The series will launch with three episodes on July 16, followed by two new episodes each Wednesday, concluding on August 13, 2025.
Plot: Greed, Survival, and the Scent of Money
Set in the late 1970s, Low Life unfolds in a coastal village near Sinan, South Korea, a region soon to be swept up in a feverish hunt for lost treasure. The story centers on Oh Gwan-seok, a seasoned counterfeiter and small-time crook, and his nephew Oh Hee-dong, who have spent their lives scraping by on the fringes of society. Their fortunes seem poised to change when they receive a tip about a sunken treasure ship off the West Sea—a rumor rooted in the real-life discovery of a 14th-century Chinese vessel off Shinan’s coast in 1975.
Driven by dreams of escaping poverty and the criminal underworld, Gwan-seok and Hee-dong join a motley crew of villagers, each with their ambitions, secrets, and schemes. As word of the treasure spreads, alliances form and fracture, and the line between friend and foe blurs. The pursuit of sudden wealth exposes the depths of human greed, desperation, and deception, all set against the atmospheric backdrop of 1970s Korea.
The series is adapted from Yoon Tae-ho’s acclaimed webtoon The Hooligans (also known as Pain), which is available in English on platforms like Toomics and Lalatoon. The drama remains faithful to the webtoon’s tone, balancing gritty humor with sharp social critique.
Main Cast and Characters
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ryu Seung-ryong | Oh Gwan-seok | A resourceful, morally flexible counterfeiter and the group’s de facto leader. Will do anything for money, but cares deeply for his nephew. |
| Yang Se-jong | Oh Hee-dong | Gwan-seok’s energetic nephew, raised in the criminal world, is eager for a better life. |
| Im Soo-jung | Yang Jeong-sook | The calculating matriarch of Heungbaek Industries is a shrewd investor with a talent for handling money. |
| Kim Eui-sung | TBA | Veteran actor, part of the village’s ensemble of schemers. |
| Kim Sung-oh | TBA | Known for dynamic supporting roles, adds depth to the ensemble. |
| Lee Dong-hwi | TBA | Brings both comedic and dramatic flair to the cast. |
| Jang Gwang | TBA | Adds gravitas and complexity to the village dynamic. |
| Im Hyung-joon, Lee Sang-jin, Jung Yunho, Kim Jong-soo | Supporting roles | Each plays a distinct role in the village, contributing to the chaotic treasure hunt. |
Production Team and Source Material
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- Director/Writer: Kang Yoon-sung (noted for Big Bet and The Outlaws), with Ahn Seung-hwan co-writing.
- Source: Based on the webtoon The Hooligans (Pain) by Yoon Tae-ho, published from July 2014 to August 2015 on Kakao.
- Visual Style: Promotional materials feature dark, ominous ocean imagery, with silhouettes of villagers and boats, hinting at the series’ mysterious and unpredictable tone.
Themes and Tone
Low Life is more than a simple treasure hunt; it’s a character-driven exploration of greed, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to in pursuit of a better life. The series promises:
- Dark Comedy: Gritty humor emerges from the characters’ schemes and the absurdity of their situations.
- Crime and Adventure: The treasure hunt serves as both a literal and metaphorical journey, exposing the criminal underbelly of rural Korea in the 1970s.
- Social Critique: The drama offers a sharp look at human nature, critiquing the desperation and moral ambiguity that arise when survival is at stake.
The tagline—“In 1977, off the coast of Shinan, the scent of money rises from the sea”—captures the suspenseful, greed-fueled atmosphere that defines the series.
Why Low Life Stands Out
- A-List Ensemble: The cast features some of Korea’s most respected actors, each bringing nuance to their roles.
- Historical Inspiration: The real-life Shinan shipwreck grounds the story in history, adding authenticity and intrigue.
- Faithful Adaptation: By staying true to Yoon Tae-ho’s webtoon, the drama promises layered storytelling and complex character arcs.
- Cinematic Storytelling: With a director known for stylish crime dramas, viewers can expect high production values and a visually compelling narrative.
Low Life is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of Korean dramas, crime thrillers, and character-driven stories. With its unique blend of suspense, humor, and social insight, the series offers a fresh take on the classic treasure hunt narrative. Mark your calendars for July 16, 2025, and prepare to dive into a world where the lure of fortune brings out both the best and worst in everyone.
