Korea To Remake Kiefer Sutherland's TV Series 'Designated Survivor'

by Jessica Rapir / Aug 21, 2018 11:58 AM EDT

Korea may possibly do a remake of Kiefer Sutherland's TV series 'Designated Survivor.' Photo by Designated Survivor/Facebook

Designated Survivor could return on TV but in a different country. A South Korean TV network is reportedly planning to do a remake of the American drama. Although there is no official confirmation about the project as of yet, fans have already expressed excitement about it.

Soompi quoted a source from the Korean drama industry as saying that tvN would be remaking Kiefer Sutherland's TV series, Designated Survivor. Reports indicated that the Korean take on Designated Survivor will be helmed by director Yoo Jong Sun, who is known for his dramas such as Marry Him If You Dare and The Red Teacher. He is also one of the producers of 2016 hit drama Descendants of The Sun.

The political conspiracy drama is about a US cabinet member who was named the "designated survivor" during the president's State of the Union. But he suddenly becomes the President of the United States after a terrorist attack at the US Capitol takes out the entire line of succession of the government except for him.

In the ABC series, Sutherland's character, Housing and Urban Development secretary Thomas Kirkman, reluctantly rose to the challenge amidst opposition and attacks on his competence to lead the country. He later found out that the attack on the late president and his administration is just the beginning of more to come.

Designated Survivor ran for two seasons. ABC canceled the show back in May apparently due to low ratings. However, Canada-based entertainment company eOne announced they are in "active discussions" with other networks, including Netflix, to reboot the show. Netflix currently streams the series internationally.

Fans, who are disappointed in Designated Survivor's cancellation, are excited of the possibility of a Korean remake. One even suggested casting Goblin actor Gong Yoo in the lead role. Others are optimistic that if the remake will be as good as the recreation of another US TV series, Suits, the Korean version of Designated Survivor is worth watching for.

Should the SoKor's take on the show pushes through, it would be interesting to see who will play Sutherland's character as well as Maggie Q's role as FBI agent Hannah Wells. Stay tuned for more update about the Korean remake of Designated Survivor.