Set during the Joseon era (1392-1910) along Gyeong-gang — the name by which the Han River was once known — “The Murky Stream” follows characters who dream of toppling the corrupt government. According to director Choo Chang-min, “The Murky Stream” marks a rare spotlight for the genre on commoners. "The Murky Stream" is the first-ever series by Choo, who previously helmed the historical flick "Masquerade," which drew around 12 million viewers during its theatrical run and won multiple awards. “Traditional historical dramas usually focus on kings, aristocrats or the yangban class, but what struck me most when I read writer Chun’s script was the story of the lower classes. Visually, the production aims to set itself apart from conventional "sageuk" (Korean historical dramas).