When an actor nails a role, it's hard to imagine anyone else playing the part. But what if the actor you so love in the role was not the one the producers originally wanted? It happens more often than you might imagine.
Park Hae Jin is a good example. He currently plays Jun Ji Hyun's wanna-be boyfriend in "You Who Came From The Stars" but he was not supposed to have that role. He was originally supposed to play the role of the older brother Lee Jae Kyung. An entire episode was filmed with him in that role. But luckily, the rookie actor who was supposed to play Jun Ji Hyun's wanna-be boyfriend had to drop out of the role. Park Hae Jin was cast as Lee Hwi Kyung and Shin Sung Rok was cast as the villain. Shin Sung Rok is so good at being bad it's hard to see another actor in the role and Park Hae Jin is perfect for the adoring boyfriend.
Part of the success of "The Heirs" was the smart casting. Choi Jin Hyuk did a fine job as Lee Min Ho's older colder brother but the producers did not originally think of him in the role. They wanted CNBLUE's Jung Yong Hwa, but the singer-actor chose to appear in "Future's Choice" instead. "The Heirs" earned better ratings than "Future's Choice" and it's now hard to imagine anyone else playing Kim Tan's older half-brother.
Lee Seung Gi played the leading role in "King 2 Hearts" but he was not the director's first choice. The director wanted Jo in Sung, who instead went on to act in "That Winter The Wind Blows." Jo In Sung could have managed a decent refrigerator kiss with Ha Ji Won but no one could have aced that role quite the way Lee Seung Gi did.
And it's hard to imagine "Boys Over Flowers" without Lee Min Ho, but he was not the first choice for the role either. Jang Geun Suk was offered the role but declined because he wanted to appear in "Beethoven Virus." While "Beethoven Virus" was not as popular as "Boys Over Flowers," critics agreed that Jang Geun Suk was wonderful in it.
Kim Hyun Joong makes a fierce macho street fighter in "Inspiring Generation," but an older actor was originally considered for the role. If Kwon Sang Woo had said yes to the role, Kim Hyun Joong might still be looking for a new role to excel in.
