You'll Be Surprised to See What Roles Actor Won Bin Has Turned Down This Last Decade
Won Bin is a widely popular South Korean actor, loved by many. He first gained wide popularity in 2000 after starring in the KBS's television series Autumn in My Heart. One of the most selective actors in the Korean entertainment industry, he has starred in only five films to date, Guns & Talks, Taegukgi, My Brother, Mother, and The Man from Nowhere.
Won Bin made his screen debut with a supporting role in the 1997 drama film Propose. His role in Ready Go! (1998) helped hone his acting chops. After Ready Go!, he took a break and entered a college called Paekche Institute of the Arts in 1998 to take acting classes.
In 1999, Won Bin came back to the screen with a lead role in drama Kwangki from which he was recognized as a promising young actor and a teen heartthrob.
He made his big breakthrough in 2000 with drama Tough Guy's Love (Kkokji) and Autumn in My Heart. His role as a rebellious youngest son in Kkokji proved his acting potential, and his role in the widely successful drama landed him on the A-list for Korean performers.
Autumn in My Heart gained wide popularity in Asia, and he became one of the most popular Korean actors in Korea and Asia. In 2002, Won Bin was involved in first South Korea and Japan joint production drama Friends.
Won Bin also had roles in several popular films, including Guns & Talks and My Brother. Still, it is his portrayal of the sensitive younger brother in the blockbuster war film Taegukgi (2004) that cemented his international fame. With the success of the critically acclaimed Taegukgi, recognition of his acting skills has reached an ever-wider international audience. Taegukgi was the best selling film in South Korea in 2004 with 11.75 million admissions.
His career was interrupted by his mandatory service to the South Korean Army. After graduating from the Graduate School of Arts at Yong-In University in 2005, Won Bin started his military duty in November 2005 and stationed at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, a position for which he volunteered.
On June 2, 2006, the military officially confirmed that Won Bin would no longer be active. The decision was made by the military when Won Bin sustained an injury to his ACL. He had undergone surgery and was officially discharged on June 7, 2006. After the surgery, he had gone through a rehabilitation program for more than one year to recover from the injury.
Won Bin was appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador of the Korean Committee on September 6, 2007. He has participated in various programs and charity events in Korea for UNICEF from that time on and has appeared in several promotional videos.
In April 2008, Won Bin confirmed that his next film would be Mother, directed by Bong Joon Ho. Filming started in September 2008 and finished in February 2009. The film was selected to compete in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. This was followed by the 2010 film The Man from Nowhere, his final film appearance to date. Upon attaining such breakthrough success, Won Bin has also taken the creative liberty to turn down several roles that have become legendary to K-Drama and K-Film lovers worldwide.
1. Train To Busan
The lead role for mega-hit zombie horror 'Train To Busan' was initially offered to Lee Byung Hun and Won Bin. However, he decided to decline the role.
2. That Winter, The Wind Blows
Won Bin was offered Jo In Sung's role in this film. However, due to differences in opinions between writer Noh Hee Kyung and Won Bin, he declined the role.
3. The Battleship Island
While the role that was offered to Won Bin in "The Battleship Island" is not known, Won Bin chose to turn down the offer.
4. The King: 2 Hearts
Won Bin almost certainly was going to take up Lee Jae Ha (finally played by Lee Seung Gi) but on the condition that his company would keep his casting a secret until filming began. However, his company still released the news, and Won Bin immediately left the project.
5. Along with the Gods
The role of Kang Rim in this super hit franchise was initially offered to Won Bin besides Gong Yoo and Kim Woo Bin. However, Won Bin did not take up the role for various reasons.
6. Descendants of the Sun
Song Joong Ki's role was first offered to Won Bin, but he, unfortunately, turned it down.
7. Immortal
Recently, Won Bin also turned down the lead role offer in the K-Drama "Immortal", citing pressure for his comeback as a reason.
Fans cannot wait to see Won Bin on screen again and hope he returns to greet his fans soon!
