Kim Nam Gil Leaves "Pirates" Set Due To Exhaustion

Kim Nam Gil,  who appeared in 16 dramas and a dozen films, is known as a hardworking actor but lately he has been working too hard for his own good. The actor, who recently completed the drama "Shark" and then immediately began filming the movie "Pirates," had to leave the film set because he was showing signs of dehydration and severe exhaustion.

The actor was taken to the hospital where he was examined but not admitted. A representative of his agency downplayed worries about the actor's health.

"He was suffering from chronic exhaustion and to prevent further problems he received treatments," said the agency representative. "His symptoms were not serious enough to require hospitalization and so there should not be anything to worry about at this point."

Kim Nam Gil did not get any rest between the two projects and the new film has some taxing scenes. Much of the filming takes place outdoors.

"He has very difficult scenes in the film," said his agency representative. "He had to run continuously in a very hot weather, and so he became dehydrated."

Netizens wished him well online, hoping for a speedy recovery, and commenting that he always invests a lot of emotion in his roles, which must be tiring.

The blockbuster film has been described as the Korean "Pirates of the Caribbean," but it's not exactly the same story. For a start, the pirates in this film are women. Kim plays the leader of a group of bandits who form an alliance with the pirates to hunt a ghost whale that has swallowed treasure.

The $9 million film revives his onscreen chemistry with Son Ye Jin, his "Shark" co-star. In the film she plays the captain of the pirate ship and, as the leader of the bandits, Kim must learn to work with her as they hunt the ghost whale and fight off other pirates pursuing the same treasure. In "Shark," his tragic love affair with Son Ye Jin doesn't end happily but fans of the onscreen pairing hope the couple will end on a happier note in the film.

The film also stars Yoo Hae Jin, Lee Kyung Yung, Ah Nae Sang and Choi Seol Ri. Chun Sung Il, who wrote "Chuno" and "Level 7 Civil Servant," created the script. Lee Suk Hoon, who directed "Dancing Queen" and "Two Faces Of My Girlfriend" is directing. Filming will resume on Aug. 22. The film is scheduled for release in the summer of 2014.