Rising actor Lee Chae Min has been confirmed as the new male lead opposite Girls’ Generation’s YoonA in the highly-anticipated tvN drama The Tyrant’s Chef.

An industry insider shared with Sports Chosun on January 13, “Lee Chae Min has received the offer to play the lead role in tvN’s new drama *The Tyrant’s Chef* and is currently reviewing it positively.”

The drama tells the story of a French chef who unexpectedly travels through time and encounters a tyrannical yet food-loving king.

Set across 500 years, this fantasy romance promises a mix of survival, history, and heartwarming moments. The show will be directed by Jang Tae Yoo, known for hit projects like My Love From the Star and The Flower That Blooms at Night.

The production faced a big shake-up after Park Sung Hoon, originally cast as the male lead, stepped down following backlash over an inappropriate image he accidentally posted on his personal account.

On November 11, the production team announced, “After extensive discussions with Park Sung Hoon, it has been decided that he will no longer participate in the project. Both Park Sung Hoon and his agency have expressed their apologies regarding the incident.”

The unexpected delay forced the team to postpone script readings, test shoots, and filming schedules. With the pressure mounting, Lee Chae Min’s casting comes as a relief to the production team and fans alike.

Lee Chae Min has been steadily rising in popularity, capturing attention with his roles in Crash Course in Romance, Netflix’s Hierarchy, and MBC’s Bunny and Her Brothers.

Known for his fresh charm and growing acting skills, Lee Chae Min has become a favorite among younger audiences, especially within the MZ generation.

Fans are already buzzing about the chemistry he might share with YoonA, who has proven her acting talent in hits like Big Mouth and King the Land.

With Lee Chae Min stepping in as the new lead, excitement for The Tyrant’s Chef is back on track. Stay tuned for updates as filming resumes, and fans eagerly await this unique time-travel romance!

Source: [1]

Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

Source: [1]