Joo Won really wanted Shim Eun Kyung to play the role of Seol Nae Il in "Tomorrow Cantabile," also known as Naeil's Cantabile." The actor could not have imagined anyone more perfect for the role.

Shim Eun Kyung considered the role and then declined it. But then she changed her mind and decided to do it after all. Was she playing hard to get?

Not at all, she said at the film's recent press conference. The star of the film "Miss Granny" changed her mind and then changed it again due to scheduling conflicts.

"I had been preparing for the movie "Waiting For You," she said. "As I confirmed for that film, the schedule conflicted with 'Tomorrow Cantabile,' so I turned down the drama."

She really wanted to do the drama, so as soon as her film schedule changed she decided to take the role.

"There were changes on both sides. It's not that I was playing hard to get to push my casting for the drama," she said.

She apologized for the possibility that anyone misunderstood her motivation. She was eager to play Seo Nae Il as she was a fan of the Japanese manga "Nodame Cantabile" that the drama is based on, as well as the live and animated productions it has inspired. She is also interested in classical music

Shim's final decision made Joo Won very happy as he recommended her for the role.

"It's not my decision to make but once I thought of Shim Eun Kyung, I really wanted to do the drama with her," said Joo Won. "I thought she would be able to pull off the character well, and of course when I saw a clip of one of her scenes, she was really good."

Joo Won says Shim Eun Kyung is fun to work with, as she's energetic and easygoing,

"The set has to be enjoyable for the actors to do well, and the 'Tomorrow Cantabile' set is just like that," said Joo Won, who starred in "Good Doctor" and "Fashion King." "Even if we are up all night, we're talking and laughing."

In "Tomorrow Cantabile" Joo Won plays a classical music student. He's a perfectionist who dreams of becoming a composer but he is hampered by his phobia of flying. Shim Eun Kyung plays a messy erratic music student who attends the same school. Despite their differing temperaments, the two fall in love.

The drama will air its first episode on Oct. 13 in the time slot previously given to "Discovery of Love."