Actor Jang Geun Suk apologized to his fans for dropping out of the reality show "Three Meals A Day - Fishing Village."
The show's production team and the actor's agency decided that he should drop out of the show due to the recent news that he owed an almost $10 million fine over under-reported taxes. The actor has paid the fine and no legal action was taken by the Korean national tax service. But due to the comments they received about the tax case, the show's producer and the actor's agency decided that his appearance in the show would not be appropriate.
Tree J Company, Jang's agency, did want to remind fans that the fine was not the actor's fault.
"It is not Jang Geun Suk's fault but a mistake made by his agency, and all the omitted taxes have been paid," said a Tree J Company representative.
Even though the agency took full responsibility, Jang felt it was important to apologize personally so he sent his fans an explanatory note.
"Whatever the reason may be, my name was in the middle of the controversy and I wanted to say sorry for that. It was a challenge for me to shoot in the village and the time I spent there is valuable to me."
The actor, who appeared in "Pretty Man" and "You're Beautiful," said he felt sorry for disappointing his fans.
"I know you had high expectations for the show, so I feel so sorry for that and I feel so small. I will take the time and will visit Cha Seung Won, Yoo Hae Jin and all the production team to offer them my apologies."
"Three Meals a Day - Fishing Village" is a spin-off of the original show, "Three Meals A Day," starring Lee Seo Jin and Ok Taecyeon. In the original show the actors had to assemble three meals from ingredients naturally found in their immediate environment. In the spin-off creating meals from local ingredients involves catching and preparing fish.
Jang Geun Suk's departure from the program resulted in the premiere date being delayed for a week. Actor Son Ho Jun, who was originally scheduled to appear as a guest on the program, will now fill the slot left by Jang Geun Suk. Son recently appeared in the dramas, "Reply 1994," "Full Sun" and "Trot Lovers."
Son is already filming on Manjae Island, where the show is located.
