Fans waiting eagerly for Kim Hyun Joong's return to the small screen will have to wait a little longer. Instead of airing in November, his new drama "Inspiring Generation" will now be shown early in 2014.
His upcoming drama has been replaced by Jang Geun Suk's new drama "Pretty Boy."
It's not a question of preference, say the producers. It's just that "Inspiring Generation" has proven to be a more complicated drama to film. As "Inspiring Generation" is a story set in 1930s Shanghai, the shooting schedule is dependent on the cooperation of the Chinese government and they have delayed permits for filming due to the Chinese mid-autumn festival.
"In order to start broadcasting in November, we have to start filming in China now," said Lee Kang Hyun, director of KBS drama production. "However, because of certain Chinese holidays, the permission to film has been delayed.
Shooting will resume in November.
"If the location permit is delayed, then the 1930 Shanghai backdrop of the drama will not be complete, and that was a concern," said Lee. "We thought that even if we have to postpone filming and fill that spot with another project, it would be better to capture the full essence of this new drama."
"Inspiring Generation" is based on a manga of the same name, which focuses on love, friendship and patriotism.
It has been two years since singer and actor Kim Hyun Joong was last seen on the small screen. After appearing in "Boys Over Flowers' as the sensitive Ji Hoo, he had a leading role in "Playful Kiss" in 2010. He was cast in the drama "City Conquest," but earlier this year KBS denied the drama a time slot.
Kim was cast in "Inspiring Generation" after Lee Jun Ki and Kwon Sang Woo turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts. Also called "Age of Feeling," the drama's cast currently includes Lim Soo Hyang, Jo Dong Hyeok, Kim So Eun and Han Jung Soo.
"'Inspiring Generation' is a drama with very high expectations because Kim Hyun Joong is cast in it, so we want to make sure we can show viewers a complete drama that will fulfill those high expectations," said Lee Kang Hyun.
Netizens hope that the suspension of "City Conquest" and the delay in filming "Inspiring Generation" will not discourage Kim Hyun Joong from acting. When he was first cast as Ji Hoo in "Boys Over Flowers," he was reluctant to take an acting role as he thought it would detract from his musical career. But the fan base for his music as part of the band SS501 and as a solo singer has only grown because drama fans that discovered him onscreen also wanted to buy his music.
