# Uncle Samsik

Uncle Samsik (Korean: 삼식이 삼촌) is a 2024 South Korean television series written and directed by Shin Yeon-shick, and starring Song Kang-ho, Byun Yo-han, Lee Kyu-hyung, Jin Ki-joo, and Seo Hyun-woo. It is Song's first drama series since his debut. It was released worldwide on Disney+ and on Hulu in the USA from May 15, to June 19, 2024.

## Synopsis

Set amid the turbulent backdrop of the 1960s, the series depicts the passionate desire and bromance between Uncle Samsik, who ate three meals a day even during the Korean War, and super-elite Kim San, who both write a story of love, trust, or doubt.

## Cast and characters
### Main

* Song Kang-ho as Park Doo-chil / Uncle Samsik: a person with his own iron rule of not starving three meals a day even while living in a turbulent era.
* Byun Yo-han as Kim San: top elite graduate of the Korean Military Academy who dreams of making Korea an industrial country.
* Lee Kyu-hyung as Kang Seong-min: Liberal Party assemblyman who is a candidate for the next leader.
* Jin Ki-joo as Joo Yeo-jin: Kim San's lover and Joo In-tae's daughter.
* Seo Hyun-woo as Jung Han-min: an elite soldier from the Military Academy who dreams of reforming the military.
* Oh Seung-hoon as Ahn Ki-chul: Ahn Yo-seop's youngest son and director of Segang Textiles.
* Joo Jin-mo as Ahn Yo-seop: Chairman of the Cheongwoo Federation and CEO of Segang Textiles.
* Tiffany Young as Rachel Jeong: younger sister of the director of the Albright Foundation.
* Yoo Jae-myung as Jang Doo-sik: Major General of the Military Logistics Command.

### Supporting

* Kim Min-jae as Yoo Yeon-cheol: a self-made businessman and president of Daemyeon Construction.
* Jasper Cho as Michael Jeong: Ahn Yo-seop's secretary, Rachel's older brother and director of the Albright Scholarship Foundation.
* Kim Yool-ho as Baek Hyun-seok: Colonel of the Intelligence Department at the Army Headquarters, in charge of interrogating Kim San.
* Oh Kwang-rok as Joo In-tae: a politician who insists on the national prosperity and peaceful coexistence. Loosely based on Cho Bong-am.
* Roh Jae-won as Han-soo: the leader of the Seodaemun faction.
* Koo Seong-hwan as Gu Hae-jun: a member of the Seodaemun faction.
* Moon Jong-won as Yoon Pal-bong: the leader of the Dongdaemun faction. He carries out orders for Kang Seong-min.
* Lee Ga-sub as Kim Kwang-min: CEO of Sanae Corporation, Kim San's friend and Albright classmate.
* Park Hyuk-kwon as Choi Min-gyu: Minister of Home Affairs who collaborates with the Liberal Party. Based on Choi In-gyu [ko].
* Ryu Tae-ho as Choi Han-rim: a prestigious general who takes care of Kim San. Based on Lee Han-lim.
* Ryu Joo-han as Ahn Min-chul: Ahn Yo-seop's eldest son who was a Liberal Party assemblyman in 1946.
* Ji Hyun-joon as Cha Tae-min: a person who helped Kang Seong-min in the past and leader of the Sineui Alliance.
* Do Jeong-hwan as Lee Soo-il: Captain of the 55th Howitzer Regiment, in charge of interrogating Han-min.
* Choi Hong-il as Professor Hwang.
* Ryu Sung-hyun as Hong Young-ki: Head of the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC).
* Choo Sang-rok as Park Ji-wook: Liberal Party assemblyman and former police officer during the Japanese occupation.
* Kim Jong-goo as Seon Woo-seok: Democratic Party member.
* Lee Hyun-kyun as Oh In-woo: a reporter for Aemin Ilbo, who is Yeo-jin's senior in college.
* Lee Ho-seok as Lee Ho-seok: an activist university student.

## Background and production
### Main historical events depicted in Uncle Samsik

* The March 1960 South Korean presidential election: Also described as the March 15 Election Fraud, the election saw the re-election of President Syngman Rhee, who had been in power since the establishment of the First Republic of Korea in 1948. The elections were heavily rigged in Rhee's favor, and widespread allegations of corruption and manipulation of the results sparked protests which spiralled into the April Revolution.
* The April Revolution: A series of protests and demonstrations driven by students and ordinary citizens who demanded democratic reforms and Rhee's resignation. The intensity of the protests eventually forced Syngman Rhee to resign on April 26, 1960, ending his 12-year rule.

### Development

A media article reported that the drama is being discussed for release on Disney+. It was initially reported that it was scheduled to be broadcast in the second half of 2023, but it is expected that a decision will be made only after the programming is finalized.

## Release

On April 1, 2024, Disney+ revealed Uncle Samsik's release date. It launched with a five-episode premiere on May 15, 2024 exclusively on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu in the U.S. The 16-episode series will then have two episodes per week until a three-part season finale on June 19.

## Accolades
### Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination :
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result |
| Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards | 2024 | Best OTT Original | Uncle Samsik | Nominated |
| Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards | 2024 | Best Newcomer Actress | Tiffany Young | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2024 | Best Actor | Byun Yo-han | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actor | Lee Kyu-hyung | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Tiffany Young | Nominated |
| Seoul International Drama Awards | 2024 | Best Actor (International) | Song Kang-ho | Won |
| Seoul International Drama Awards | 2024 | Outstanding Korean Drama | Uncle Samsik | Nominated |

### Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement :
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
| South China Morning Post | 2024 | The 15 best K-dramas of 2024 | 12th place | |