Kim Soo Hyun is caught in controversy again, and this time, it’s about his 2017 movie Real. The film is facing renewed criticism over allegations of forced nudity during auditions, especially following recent claims about Kim Soo Hyun’s past relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor.
Directed by Lee Sa Rang—who is known to be Kim Soo Hyun’s family member—Real was one of the most anticipated films of 2017 but ended up becoming one of the biggest flops in history. Now, the film’s former director, Lee Jung Sub, who left the project midway, has spoken up.
On March 29, Lee Jung Sub took to social media to clarify his stance. He stated, "I don’t have the official right to explain anything since I don’t have the director credit for Real. However, based on reports, I can say that the production team didn’t allow me to be present during the early stages of the audition process." He explained that he was excluded to ensure fairness in casting decisions.
He continued, "I was only able to meet the final eight actors selected by the production team. I personally chose one of them, and that’s how rookie actress Han Ji Eun got cast in a lead role. I had a great time working with her."
He also mentioned Jo Woo Jin, saying, "At that time, he was a newcomer too. He went through auditions, and I carefully selected him. I first met him at the VIP screening of Inside Men, and after talking, I cast him. I worked with both actors through an open audition process."
Despite sharing his experience, Lee Jung Sub emphasized, "Since I don’t have directorial credit for Real, I have no right to officially explain anything."
Following his statement, some Kim Soo Hyun fans accused him of trying to stir controversy. In response, he said, "I’ve been speaking the same way for a long time, quietly doing my work. I simply shared my personal sadness that no one paid attention to. But now, suddenly, the media is using me to generate clicks and ad revenue. That’s all there is to it—nothing more, nothing less."
He also added, "I don’t want to be used by netizens or the media. If you are a true fan of his, you need to think about how his actions have impacted the world. I was once a huge fan of his too."
Meanwhile, Real continues to be a hot topic due to its controversial production. According to the original audition notice, the two lead actresses had to perform scenes with explicit nudity.
One of the most talked-about moments in the film was Sulli’s intense bed scene with Kim Soo Hyun, which turned out to be even more graphic than expected.
Her role as a drug addict involved extreme and daring scenes, and despite her limited screen time, many viewers felt she was the only highlight of the film.
However, recent claims suggest that the production team forced Sulli into excessive nudity. Her older brother has spoken up, demanding answers, saying that despite having a body double available, the team pressured Sulli to film explicit scenes herself.
After Lee Jung Sub left the project, Real was completed under the direction of Lee Sa Rang, Kim Soo Hyun’s family member and the CEO of his agency, Gold Medalist.
Reports suggest that Lee Jung Sub stepped down due to creative differences with the production company, particularly over editing decisions.
As of now, the production team has not issued any official statements regarding the allegations, leaving many unanswered questions about what really happened behind the scenes of Real.
Source: [1]
