Michelle Topham 
South Korean actress Jun Ji Hyun has decided not to join the upcoming K-drama Koreans, which is set to star Lee Byung Hun.
An announcement was made by her agency PEACHY Company earlier today, with the comment, “While Jun Ji Hyun was considering Koreans, we ultimately decided not to accept the offer due to scheduling issues.”
Sources explained that the production schedule for Koreans was recently delayed, thus causing its filming time to overlap with another project Jun Ji Hyun had already committed to starring in.
As a result, it became impossible for the actress to star in both dramas at the same time.
A shame for Jun Ji Hyun fans, as the actress would have made a good pairing alongside male lead Lee Byung Hun.
What is Koreans?
South Korean entertainment media describes Koreans as a high-stakes spy drama inspired by the acclaimed U.S. series The Americans, which began airing in 2013 and ran for six seasons, airing its last episode on May 30th, 2018.
In the case of the K-drama Koreans, however, while still an espionage-themed drama, instead of taking place during the Cold War, the story will unfold against the backdrop of South Korea’s era of military dictatorship.
Koreans is being directed by Ahn Gil Ho, director of The Glory, Record of Youth, Watcher and Memories of the Alhambra.
Although Jun Ji Hyun will not be part of the project, her decision comes as fans continue to look forward to her future works.
Jun Ji Hyun’s previous and upcoming work
Meanwhile, the popular South Korean actress remains one of Korea’s most respected and bankable stars, celebrated for her performances in hit dramas such as My Love from the Star (2013), The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016), and Jirisan (2021).
She is also known for her iconic roles in films like My Sassy Girl and The Thieves, and recently starred in the Korean drama Tempest on Disney+.
While no official announcement has been made, rumor has it Jun Ji Hyun will soon be starring in the upcoming fantasy drama Human X Gumiho alongside Welcome to Samdalri‘s male lead Ji Chang Wook.
As for Koreans, the production team has not yet announced who will join Lee Byung Hun as its female lead. We will keep you updated at Baozi Buns as soon as she is named.
About the Author
Rachel M. Reeves 
