Low Life (K-drama, 2025), starring Yang Se-Jong and Ryu Seung-Ryong, is a gritty crime thriller about treasure hunters, the underworld, and a shipwreck off Shinan. Available to stream on Disney+ starting July 16.
Based on a webcomic Pain by Yoon Tae-Ho and rooted in a true historical event, this 11-episode series promises a thrilling mix of crime, character-driven drama, and high-stakes treasure hunting. If you loved shows like Narco-Saints or Vincenzo, this should not disappoint you. However, we would wait and watch if this is too formulaic or engaging enough for a binge-watch.
Watch the official trailer for Low Life
Synopsis
Since childhood, Oh Hee-Dong (Yang Se-Jong) has been raised under the watchful eye—and iron grip—of his uncle, Oh Gwan-Seok (Ryu Seung-Ryong), a man who will do anything to make money, legality be damned. Hee-Dong, now a part of his uncle’s criminal operations, gets pulled into a dangerous new scheme when Gwan-Seok is tipped off about a treasure-laden sunken ship off the coast of Shinan, South Jeolla Province.
But they aren’t the only ones after the gold. As rumors swirl, the waters around Shinan grow crowded with opportunists, rivals, and ghosts of the past. The deeper they dive, the darker the secrets they uncover.
Drama Details:
- English Title: Low Life
- Literal Korean Title: Country Bumpkin (시골뜨기)
- Original Title (Hangul): 파인
- Network: Disney+
- Air Dates: July 16 – August 13, 2025
- Episodes: 11
- Language: Korean
- Genre: Crime / Drama / Thriller
- Director: Kang Yoon-Sung (The Outlaws)
- Writers: Yoon Tae-Ho (webcomic), Kang Yoon-Sung, An Seung-Hwan
- Language: Korean
Based on the Webcomic “Pain”
This Korean drama, Low Life, is adapted from the webcomic Pain by Yoon Tae-Ho, originally published on Kakao from July 2014 to August 2015. The comic itself was inspired by a true 1975 discovery of a 14th-century Chinese shipwreck off Shinan’s coast, where thousands of priceless artefacts were recovered.
With an ensemble cast, compelling storytelling, and a historically inspired premise, Low Life is expected to be a must-watch this summer. However, will it rank as one of the best Korean thrillers? It might or might not be. We’ll find out when it debuts on Disney+ this July 16.
