Categories: K-dramas

Song Joong Ki Declines Screenwriter Kim Eun Hee’s Joseon Zombie Drama Kingdom

I’m not surprised this casting didn’t come through but I actually think it’s a missed opportunity both ways. Song Joong Ki has confirmed to pass on 2018 Joseon era fantasy-tinged drama Kingdom by critically acclaimed screenwriter Kim Eun Hee, who wrote Signal, 3 Days, Phantom, and Sign. The drama will be produced by Netflix and aired exclusively on that streaming medium, with a broadcast date in the second half of 2018. Song Joong Ki’s side explained that he ultimately passed due to his impending wedding to Song Hye Kyo and wanting to focus on that knowing the grueling drama shoot to come. I’m not sure there is that much scheduling conflict as Kingdom won’t air for another year, but it will be pre-produced so likely filming will start before year end. I’m sad Song Joong Ki passed on this as Kim Eun Hee writes gritty and intelligent dramas which will be a welcome change for him as his last drama Descendants of the Sun was so fluffy and less substantive.

The end haul for Song Joong Ki’s ensemble movie Battleship Island is in the 6 million plus moviegoers range, enough to get in the top-50 of K-movies and no flop by any stretch but also a movie that had a explosive first week only to drop off precipitously, always a sign that hype is not sustained by substance.

ockoala

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  • Aw, I'm sad but kudos to him for being a family man. Hopefully he returns next year.

    Now, I could think of a few actors to replace him. Maybe Kim Eun-hee can save Yoo Seung-ho from the two potential disasters MBC offered to him, or lure Park Bogum from his hiatus?

  • I'm surprised that he passed such a good writer but maybe the role will now go to PBG who is in the same company as him and has lots of potential.

  • i am sad that he refused this drama by a talented writer and i think it being broadcast on netflix didnt help either.his strategy i think is to focus on movie industry which dont really mind married actors and married actors can still get prestigious roles and films unlike drama industry which relies on the fantasy of singledom.

  • It’s probably because this drama is exclusive to Netflix. While this writer is good, the premise of this drama is too bizarre. And because SJK’s popularity and status after his military service hiked up, he has to choose his consequent roles carefully.

  • he might be focusing on a movie project. He is really too big for a drama series it seems. but this is kim eun hee's drama and I'm abit sad he turn it down since i already miss his acting so much in a small screen. DOTS it's such a fluffy drama i hope he choose more challenging project.

  • Well he had the chance to finally be with a good writer after the DotS rating hit but story-wise flop. But then again it's good to see him have priorities when it comes to his private life.

    • I'm glad he is prioritize his private life. we will have to wait for long it seems to see him in a good project again.

  • Park Bo Gum would be nice unless its a role for an early thirties actor. I think it's a bummer that it's on netflix. I know that the drama's content doesn't change but feelings do. I'm adverse to netflix "originals."

  • I actually think it's good to give Netflix a go. What a joy not to have to worry about ratings. The whole rating thing is such a crapshoot. Best of luck to the happy couple.

  • It's in pre-production and filming next month from what I've heard. So yeah, there is a lot of overlap. Plus he already said he wanted to wait for what SHK might do before deciding on his next project. The writer is good, but being on netflix does nothing to further his career in Korea. It's not a popular platform there. The premise is also pretty weird in general. I could see someone who is older and less popular doing this role because of this.

  • As much as I have faith in Kim Eun Hee, zombie is a big NO to me. No zombie movie/drama ever appealed to me until now. With this news, I am just curious which actor KEH has in mind to replace SJK.

    • Same. I have faith in Kim Eun Hee but I just hate Zombies. It's not that I'm scared of them (they're not scary btw), it just that it doesn't appeal to me too.

    • Me three.... Zombies are just not appealing. And I feel this dramas is too late to jump on the whole zombies bandwagon. This type of storyline should have been produced a few years ago.

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