God I’m so sick of this story. But it’s necessary to follow it until the end because I feel so bad for the poor cast and crew of Spy Myung Wol floundering around trying to figure out if they are getting a new leading actress, getting the runaway old one back, or simply calling it a drama. Han Ye Seul‘s agency Sidus HQ has finally released an official statement on her behalf, which I summarize thusly: deep apologies all around for what happened, Han Ye Seul was physically exhausted so her irresponsible actions were clouded by her impaired state, both the agency and Han Ye Seul feel bad and accept full responsibility for the entire debacle, and she is coming back from LA to rejoin the filming.
KBS and the production company followed up that statement with this: they’ve heard Han Ye Seul is coming back, they don’t know if they will take her back [of course they will, they be stupid not to], they want to see her sincerely apologize to the cast and crew for putting them through the ringer, all of this hinges on her actually returning and arriving on set in time for the drama to film the next two episodes for next week.
So there you have it: Han Ye Seul had a Liz Taylor moment caused by exhaustion from an insane work schedule, went AWOL, and has now finally calmed down enough to decide she wants to elect going back to the drama rather than face the possibility of billions of Wons in lawsuits, losses of and breaches to endorsement deals, and her future in the entertainment industry. And don’t say this is one side of the story, because Han Ye Seul’s management Sidus HQ released this statement on her behalf (which aligns with the production and KBS’s statements all along that she just up and left without any valid reason), with her mom supposedly with Sidus to minimize damage control.
I do think everyone ought to zip it with the righteous indignation either way, towards her or allegations of shadiness with the production. The cast and crew of SMW may be rightfully pissed at her. But us? We’re just rubbernecking at this drama wreck. Plus Han Ye Seul’s reputation is pretty much toast in Korea, so the piling on with calling her selfish is rather moot. She’s conceded that she caused the entire thing. So let’s let the two sides pick up the pieces and try to salvage what’s left of this drama, okay? I just think it’s going to be insanely awkward for her to return to work, and on top of that, acting all in love and in angst with Eric.
Sigh, none of this would have happened had the drama been mostly pre-filmed and the cast AND crew got to work relatively normal working hours. Occasional 16 hour filming days? I can accept that. It’s long but Taiwan, Japan and China films those hours even in pre-produced dramas. Consistently insane 20+ hour filming days? Unacceptable to the cast and crew, the latter having it worse without private trailers to rest in between takes. If anyone from SMW was to go AWOL, it ought to be those overworked crew members, some of whom wear adult diapers because they don’t even get potty breaks. See? That’s what I call having a shitty job.
[Credit: Sports Chosun and My Daily]
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im actually glad she decided to come back.. looking forward to the next episode :)
thanks for the update Captain Koala! <3
I agree...This would be such a bad drama without her............
yeah and the drama sucks without HYS she's really good at it.. And moving forward hopefully the working conditions in Korea will change soon.
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on this story... so bizarre.
What? Adult diapers? Really?
LOL.. Oh yeah, one of the drama crew wore adult diaper in what drama was it, i believe it was World Within. I am pretty sure that was inspiration from real life incidents.
I find it kinda funny how it's the same PD who did the World We Live In is the same PD doing Myung Wol the Spy. He definitely got the inspiration somewhere. Maybe from his dramas crews? Maybe HYS didn't want to wear an adult diaper so she decided she was better off ditching the entire thing? Yeah, I would agree with that too. But poor crew, they aren't getting any compensation from this debacle. I think HYS career is pretty much over, though, if she comes out in another drama, I won't write it off immediately. Well, I'll probably stick it out and finish MWS. I hope drama productions learn to film a couple episode in advance, live-shoot and loose-page scripts should be a thing of the past.
Oh my god...why don't they have the poor crew work in shifts? Geez, I'm beginning to think dramas are hell for everyone except the people watching.
Ewwwww. That is hardcore.
Really?? Is that really necessary? Can't they have portable toilets? I don't think they get paid enough to put up with that sort of work schedule.
LOL, calm down guys. I don't mean every crew member wears diapers all the time. Just when the situation calls for it, it's been known to happen. Like a particularly grueling day of outdoor shoots, for example. I'm sure people go potty normally. But the thought that sometimes they need to do it is already pretty mindboggling.
I caught on that some of the overworked crew did this, but like you said, the idea that the situation even calls for adult diaper usage is insane. There has to be some super tough competition to work as a crew member for dramas.
The overall problem is that competition is fierce in Korea. And in the K-ent industry, all the more so.
This situation remind me of Kdrama "World Within" :) where the asst. director have to wear diapers coz it's just so hectic.
Well, hopefully it will turn out well for everybody. A good lesson for them that actors and the crews are human too.
I wanna forget that whole story and move on because it was way too stressful to follow. I feel very sorry for Eric, the other cast members and the crew. I just wonder whether the ratings for next episode will skyrocket or hit bottom.
Honestly never been on-board despite my love for Eric, i stop watching the drama after 4 episode of torture. But i have been reading the recap, so i am aware of the crazy storyline. But.....It strange how human brain function after all these SMG fiasco, now i am suddenly curious and anxious for the upcoming episode. I may check out the rest of the episodes.
Same here: Koala's recaps were a delight to read but the drama so boring to watch. In spite of Eric's acting skills, plus the NK old couple's constant bickering. ^^
I think it will skyrocket. XD People will now be curious on how they could carry on with the drama after this drama.
@rich
Kekeke!! All this fiasco just to get the ratings up? Now, that's a thought.
I feel bad for Eric as well :(
Wow. -_-" Well I'm getting irritated by all of this...
I hate to think this, I really do... but this sorta seems like a publicity stunt of some sort. I don't buy the "I left because I was tired" excuse. She's a professional actress, isn't she used to it? I don't really know anymore. :|. I just want the cast to start filming and get on with the drama drama, not this drama. So if it isn't a publicity stunt, the hard working staff and cast can continue on their hard work.
Also I still feel bad for Han Yeseul. This may possibly the last project she might ever receive (or accept if it's true she plans to leave it all).
I think this is her last. She somehow mentioned retirement on one of her interviews before. Besides, I'm afraid no producers will take her now. :/
She wouldn't ve bothered to come back...she just didn't want to get in the legal mess...they were gonna sue her, she is coming back to avoid that.
I completely agree with you on your take on the issues that the Kdrama industry have...I mean they have to wear adult diapers??..thats frigging insane!!....this reminds me of The World That They Live in, where they showed the female cast and crew members taking bathroom breaks in a field of reeds while shooting a sageukk..I tought that was nuts...I wish the best for this cast and crew here, I'm really glad that Han Ye Seul decided to comeback
I think it is because she's afraid to paying damages so she has to suck it up and come back. But it will be so awkward now coming back.
If i were you HYS, just come back to America after this and have a normal life. Fame is not worth it to go through all this trouble. Haters will never let you live this down.
Haters will continue to hate you either way so why not go for the less evil choice, right? Besides, this will give more relief to the staff since they won't have to come up with the most stupid scenario to justify Myung Wol's sudden change of appearance and of course won't be troubled finding a replacement for HYS.
Sigh, it's gonna be damn awkward on the set, that's for sure. >.<
Ok. I hope this is the end. I hope HYS will say sorry for the poor staff and crew she left dangling. Will they forgive her? I don't know but I hope she'll make up for it.
Now, I'm sure this drama will raked more viewers because of this issue. XD Thanks Koala for the constant updates. It's also great that you are very transparent and didn't fully take sides just like a professional journalist! You're the most awesome Koala in the planettt!! ^^
totally agree with you... thanks Koala for the update and being natural on this issue....
what come to my mind though.. this is not the first drama that HYS was in a drama... and I am sure she must have experienced this type of live shooting in the past.. unless she was quite lucky in previous time that she had never needed to work too hard? just curious.
I have no idea about that as well. I'm not really a fan of her that's why I'm quite clueless of her attitude during her past projects.
Wow! Such unhealthy working hours. I can empathise with the cast and crew. Some years back, I was constantly working 16 hours a day in my home country. That was one major reason why I migrated to Australia - it has been the best career move for me.
Are there any reasons I'm not aware of, that are stopping the industry from pre-filming? Anyhow, I really hope that this drama-within-a-drama will start a serious push in Korea for pre-filming rather than live-shooting. Let's hope the change comes before someone dies from overworking.
True... I hope this happening will end the stressful live-shoot system. I'm not just concern for the actors but for the staff behind the camera as well.
OMG o.0 I was wondering why they had a special last night. I've jst come back from visiting my soldier & was in process of catching up w/ dramas but was too exhausted. Now, this? My goodness... I remember the drama "something world to live in?" lol can't think about to take a final exam... but, it depicted the harsh conditions of the actors/production team
I have to say, Korean dramas are really produced well... ALL the hard work shows. I also work in a place w/harsher conditions; so holding pee with already stressed body is no bueno. I actually applaud her stance; I would've asked the other actors to coup with me as well... It's just unprofessional to just leave everyone like that.