Korean Actors And Actresses Who Declined Roles In Popular K-Dramas

Some Korean dramas are iconic because of the actors and actresses that are cast in them, where it can be hard to imagine what popular K-Dramas would have looked like if the cast were different. Here are 10+ Korean actors and actresses that declined roles in popular Korean dramas.

1. Kim Woo Bin in Pinocchio

Kim Woo Bin was initially offered the male lead role in Pinocchio, where he would be playing the role of Kim Ha Myung.

Kim Woo Bin declined the role due to scheduling conflicts. Lee Jong Suk was eventually selected as the male lead.

2. Suzy in Cheese in the Trap

Suzy was offered the role of Hong Seol in the drama Cheese in the Trap.

Suzy eventually declined the offer due to loud outcries from netizens, where they didn’t think she would fit the role. The role eventually was taken by Kim Go Eun.

3. Yonghwa in The Heirs

Yonghwa was offered the role of Choi Young Do in The Heirs.

Yonghwa declined the offer because he didn’t want to act as another student character. The role eventually was taken by Kim Woo Bin.

4. Jun Ji Hyun in My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho

Jun Ji Hyun was offered the female lead in My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho.

Jun Ji Hyun declined the offer, as she didn’t feel ready about returning as a K-Drama actress. The role eventually was taken by Shin Min Ah.

5. Jang Geun Suk in Boys Over Flowers

Jang Geun Suk was initially offered the role of Goo Joon Pyo in Boys Over Flowers.

Jang Geuk Suk declined the role, as he accepted a role in the drama Beethoven Virus. The role was eventually taken by Lee Min Ho.

6. Song Joong Ki in Moon Embracing The Sun

Song Joong Ki was initially offered the male lead in Moon Embracing The Sun.

Song Joong Ki declined the role, as it was too similar to a role he had done in the past. Kim Soo Hyun was eventually cast into the drama.

7. Chun Jung Myung in Coffee Prince

Chun Jung Myung was initially offered the male lead in Coffee Prince.

Due to scheduling conflicts, he had to reject the role. The role was eventually accepted by Gong Yoo.

8. Jang Hyuk in Secret Garden

Jang Hyuk was initially offered the male lead in Secret Garden.

Jang Hyuk’s agency declined the offer, so Jang Hyuk wasn’t in the drama. The role was eventually accepted by Hyun Bin.

9. Descendants of the Sun

The male lead of Descendants of the Sun was initially offered to many actors. The role was offered to Gong Yoo, Won Bin, Jo In Sung, and Kim Woo Bin. They all declined due to various reasons, such as scheduling conflicts.