The Complicated History of Casting “Kwon Bob"

The complicated casting history of the film "Kwon Bob" does not bode well for its future. The film has been in production for several years and so far, Jo In Sung, Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Soo Hyun have all been in the running for leading roles. None of them worked out.

It started with Jo In Sung. The actor wanted very much for the film to be his comeback role after he finished his military duty in 2011. For the next two years, he rejected several drama and film roles, only shooting commercials, until he was offered the role in "That Winter The Wind Blows." He could not wait any longer so he opted out of the $2 million science fiction thriller.

Next it seemed as if the 16-year-old Yeo Jin Goo would take the role originally offered to the 32-year-old Jo In Sung. But after the young actor was sure he had the role, it seemed the production company also offered the role to Kim Soo Hyun.

A representative from Janus Entertainment said that the young actor was very upset at this turn of events.

"If they had cancelled the contract before offering the role to another actor we wouldn't be this upset. This is a huge blow to a young actor who has yet to even come of age."

It was rumored that the production company was concerned about another contract that Yeo Jin Goo signed to appear in the film "Shoot me In the Heart." That film begins production in May and will end filming in July. "Kwon Bob" was due to start filming two weeks later in August. The production company felt that the time between the two films was too short.

But another rumor said that a special request had been made to have Kim Soo Hyun star in the film. The film is a joint production between CJ E&M and the China Film Group. Thirty percent of the investment in the film is coming from China. Kim Soo Hyun became an even bigger star in China following his successful drama "You Who Came From The Stars."

CJ E&M denied that a request had been made.

And what about Kim Soo Hyun? Key East Entertainment said that he was offered and declined the "Kwon Bob" role at the end of 2013 before he began filming "You Who Came From The Stars." After the drama ended, he was asked to consider the role again.

They would not comment on the fact that Yeo Jin Goo had been offered the role.

"We received the offer and said we would look it over," said the Key East representative. "I don't think we're the right people to ask about the talk of Yeo Jin Goo stepping down."

In the end, Kim Soo Hyun declined the offer once again.

The production history of this film might make actors skeptical of getting involved. And that would be a pity. If Jo In Sung thought it was interesting enough to wait two years for, it might be good.