The speculation surrounding the 2017 film Real has been sparked once more, with recent statements revealing information on the situation surrounding director Lee Jung-sub leaving the film.

Contrary to prior speculation that his exit was related to Sulli's nude scene, recent reports indicate the reason was financial misconduct allegations.

According to an investigation by Hankyung.com, Lee Jung-sub, who initially held both screenwriting and directing responsibilities, was removed from Real over allegations of embezzlement and breach of trust.

Sources claim his company, referred to as "Company A," inflated operational costs and sought unauthorized sponsorships, including one from a rival investor.

The production company, Real Culture Industry Special Company, and Lee reportedly reached a non-disclosure agreement to protect the film's 11.5 billion KRW (approximately $8 million USD) budget.

After Lee was out, Lee Ro-bae, also known as Lee Sa-rang and a relative of the lead actor Kim Soo-hyun, became the director.

The film, which follows a conflict between a casino boss and a mysterious investor, was widely criticized for its confusing narrative and explicit content. Real was Lee Ro-bae's directorial debut.

Sulli's Brother Challenges Official Narrative

The film's controversial nude scenes have drawn renewed scrutiny, fueled by recent statements from Choi Dae-hee, the brother of the late actress Sulli.

Choi alleged that Sulli was physically and emotionally exhausted during filming and that she ended up shooting scenes herself, despite the presence of a body double.

"There was a body double for the nude scenes, and filming followed the storyboard. Yet, the final edited version was different.

At that time, Sulli was physically and mentally exhausted," Choi said in a social media post.

He further claimed that the original script did not explicitly include nude scenes and demanded transparency regarding Lee Jung-sub's removal.

"If there were no issues during filming, I demand transparency regarding Lee Jung-sub's mid-production exit. I heard 80% was already shot before his departure—how does that make sense?"

Conflicting Statements from Production Team

In response to Choi's claims, Kim Soo-hyun's agency, Gold Medalist, refuted allegations of coercion, stating: "The bed scenes were in the script from the start, and casting explicitly sought 'actors comfortable with nudity.'"

The agency emphasized that Sulli was fully aware of the requirements before filming and denied the presence of an acting double, clarifying that only a stand-in was used for blocking scenes.

Despite the ongoing debate, insiders confirmed that Lee Jung-sub had originally directed the controversial scenes.

The former director, who had remained silent on the matter for years, addressed the controversy in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter):