Can you imagine anyone but Song Joong-ki as the brave and charming Yoo Si-jin in Descendants of the Sun? Hard to believe, but Gong Yoo almost took the role. From IU skipping Queen of Tears to Hyun Bin saying no to Kill Me, Heal Me, here are the biggest K-drama roles that nearly went to someone else—and how those casting choices might’ve changed everything.
Before Kim Ji-won became the reigning queen with Queen of Tears, with the now controversial Kim Soo-hyun, IU was meant to be a part of the show. According to a report by Korean media Insight, IU was the first actress offered the role. Back in April 2022, during the early stages of development for ‘Queen of Tears’, screenwriter Park Ji Eun had IU in mind for the character. However, IU ultimately declined the offer, citing prior commitments, as her agency stated. According to Koreaboo, “Although IU received an offer for a Park Ji-eun’s upcoming show, she has respectfully turned it down as she has other commitments.”
There was a buzz of anticipation over Hyun Bin’s post-military comeback drama. At one point, he was considering the lead in Kill Me, Heal Me, but ultimately chose Hyde, Jekyll, and I. The role he passed on went to Ji Sung, who delivered a knockout performance and helped Kill Me, Heal Me become a ratings hit. Meanwhile, Hyde, Jekyll, and I struggled to capture the same success, falling flat despite the hype.
Kim Woo-bin was the 2013 epitome of second-lead syndrome after starring in Heirs, featuring Park Shin-hye and Lee Min-ho. He was even offered the lead role in Pinocchio, a drama series that starred Shin-hye, a girl who suffers hiccups when she lies, but did not take it up, due to scheduling conflicts. So the role ultimately went to Lee Jong-suk, who took on the role as the vengeful journalist, ready to wreak havoc on the sensationalist anchor—a woman who ruined his life.
It is hard to imagine anyone else but Shin Min-ah in the cutesy series My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, but let’s help you there: Jun Ji-hyun was offered the role for the series, which she declined, as she said that she wasn’t ready at the time to return as a K-Drama actress. And so, Shin Min-ah got the role.
