Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki Wedding: 'Descendants of the Sun' Star Turns Down Netflix Originals Drama
Song Joong Ki's priority this year is to marry Song Hye Kyo. The "Descendants of the Sun" actor has reportedly turned down a number of projects including a Netflix Original from Kim Eun Hee.
The new drama is called "Kingdom," a zombie thriller set during the Joseon Dynasty. It is based on a webcomic titled "Burning Hell Shinui Nara written by Kim and illustrated by Yang Kyung Il.
Song was supposed to play the role of the crown prince who investigated the mysterious epidemic. However, after much consideration, the 31-year-old has officially turned down the project.
"Soong Joong Ki made a final decision to turn down 'Kingdom,'" his agency Blossom Entertainment revealed in a statement. "Nothing has been confirmed yet for his next project."
Han Cinema reported that the lead role was next offered to Joo Ji Hoon, an actor best known as the Crown Prince Lee Shin in "Goong" (also "Princess Hours"). The actor is currently filming "Woman and Man Murders."
"Kingdom" is Netflix's second original drama from Korea. Earlier this year, the streaming service also picked up "Love Alarm," a drama based on a popular webtoon about a developer who creates an app that can tell its user whether someone is attracted to them. It will be released in 2018.
Kim's zombie drama is also scheduled to be released around the second half of 2018. It will have a total of eight episodes.
According to Soompi, the drama was supposed to start production this month but because the team behind the project wanted to "increase the quality," it was pushed back. Filming will begin in October, immediately after they locked in the complete cast.
Meanwhile, Song is set to wed on Oct. 31 in Shilla Hotel in Seoul. He recently flew to San Francisco to the U.S. with his fiancee for pre-wedding photo shoots. They have returned to Korea this week.
