‘Star Wars’ Series ‘Andor’ Looks at Everyday Life under the Empire

Diego Luna, a cast member in "Andor," waves to photographers at a launch event for the Disney+ streaming series, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP)
Diego Luna, a cast member in "Andor," waves to photographers at a launch event for the Disney+ streaming series, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP)
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‘Star Wars’ Series ‘Andor’ Looks at Everyday Life under the Empire

Diego Luna, a cast member in "Andor," waves to photographers at a launch event for the Disney+ streaming series, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP)
Diego Luna, a cast member in "Andor," waves to photographers at a launch event for the Disney+ streaming series, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP)

The new "Star Wars" television series "Andor" promises a look at the day-to-day lives of the people who eventually become heroes in the ongoing battle set in a galaxy far, far away.

"Andor," which debuts on the Disney+ streaming service on Wednesday, is a prequel to hit 2016 film "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story." The main character is the titular Cassian Andor, played by Diego Luna.

"There has to be action and adventure and that like big scope of science fiction that you expect from 'Star Wars,' but at the same time, we can allow ourselves to be different," Luna told Reuters.

The 12-episode series aims to answer the question of "what was the life like for people to be willing to sacrifice everything for a cause, you know? I don't think we've seen that," Luna said.

"I don't think we've been in the most intimate life of the people that were having to live under the control of the Empire. What were those dark times, you know? In terms of the everyday life, now we're going to realize that," he added.

"Andor" is set five years before the events of "Rogue One," in which Luna's character sacrifices himself for the greater good. Disney has already ordered a second season that will lead up to the beginning of the movie.

"I think the key thing is that we try to make this all real," said Tony Gilroy, writer of "Rogue One" and "Andor."

"We want to make everything real - real emotions, real stakes, real threats, real fear, real betrayal, real love, real desperation, real families, real domestic drama, real adventure," he said.



International K-Pop Fans Thrill to Prospect of BTS Reunion 

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
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International K-Pop Fans Thrill to Prospect of BTS Reunion 

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

Thousands of international fans of K-pop megastars BTS gathered on Friday in the suburbs of Seoul amid mounting excitement over an expected reunion of the group after its members complete mandatory service in the South Korean military.

This year's BTS Festa marks the 12th anniversary of the group, which last performed together in 2022 and has not toured since 2019 because of the global pandemic and subsequent military service obligations of its members.

It was unclear if any of the recently discharged performers would appear at the festival organized by the group's management agency, HYBE.

But that did not dampen the enthusiasm of fans, some of whom flew in from around the world hoping to spot some of the superstars at the gathering or at a pair of solo concerts by BTS rapper J-Hope as he wraps up his "Hope on the Stage" world tour.

"I want to enjoy everything because there are many things to do here and ... I hope to see the guys maybe," said Karla Linan Saucede, 33, who travelled from Mexico with her sister and friends.

"It's gone past excitement and into almost being numb," said Ayla O'Ryan, 45, from Scotland, adding that she planned a visit this month to practice Korean in the capital so that she could attend.

BTS' members Jimin and Jungkook discharged from the South Korean military on Wednesday, become the fifth and sixth to complete their service. Members RM and V were discharged on Tuesday and the last to finish will be Suga on June 21.

While details of a reunion have not been released, the group is expected to hold its largest ever world tour in 2026, says NH Securities, one of South Korea's largest investment firms.

Shares in HYBE jumped 11.3% in June as brokerages raised their sales estimates and target price for the agency ahead of the group's comeback.