Jung Yong-hwa quits Heirs citing difference of opinion

by javabeans

Huh, this is a surprise: Jung Yong-hwa has announced he is leaving the production of He Who Wears the Crown, Endure Its Weight: Heirs (which we’ll just call Heirs, since I think the full title is lame—look into taglines, show). Granted he’s already got a full-time job leading an idol band so it’s not like his schedule isn’t busy, but the reason being cited isn’t a packed agenda but a “difference of opinion with producers.”

I say it’s surprising because this drama is about as close as you get to a sure thing (at this stage, I mean, where we’re going purely based on past records and logline descriptions): We’ve got star writer Kim Eun-sook at the helm (having propelled slick, bantery shows like Secret Garden, A Gentleman’s Dignity, and On Air to ratings heights), and Lee Min-ho (Faith) and Park Shin-hye (Flower Boy Next Door) are signed on as the leads. True, Jung Yong-hwa’s role wasn’t the primary lead, but as the guy destined to be disappointed in love in a hot new trendy, he was primed to rake in the sympathy points.

However, according to his agency, Jung’s reps and the producers were unable to meet eye to eye on his character. It was Jung’s side that decided he would leave the show, though reportedly both sides were in mutual agreement.

I’ll be frank: I shed no tears over this news. I do like Jung Yong-hwa and CN Blue is a great poppy rock band whose songs are an instant pick-me-up. I think he can be dryly amusing, which we saw a bit of in You’ve Fallen For Me. On the other hand, he has very little dynamism to his acting, and he tends to feel flat in his line readings and emotions, so I don’t think he’s on par with either Lee Min-ho or Park Shin-hye. So if his departure means someone else gets the opportunity to really step it up and infuse some energy up in this hizzy, I’m all for it. Plus, yes, I think I can go a few more years before seeing Yong-hwa and Park Shin-hye paired together again. I know dramaland is a tiny world and repairings are hard to avoid at some point, but three times in three years is a bit much.

So instead, Jung Yong-hwa will focus on his upcoming world tour with CN Blue, then work on recording a new album with the band in the latter half of the year. He is also looking at different acting projects.

Heirs, meanwhile, is aiming for a fall premiere; October’s the tentative date.

Via TV Report

RELATED POSTS

• Jung Yong-hwa cast opposite Park Shin-hye again, seriously
• Park Shin-hye cast opposite Lee Min-ho in Heirs
• Lee Min-ho in new drama from star writer Kim Eun-sook
• You’ve Fallen For Me: Episode 1
• You’ve Fallen For Me poster shoot and stills
• Jung Yong-hwa goes from nice guy to rude hero
• You’re Beautiful duo reteams for Festival
• Jung Yong-hwa follows in the grand tradition of kdrama second leads
• You’re Beautiful: Episode 1