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KBS speaks about Myung-wol the Spy’s future at press conference

KBS held an emergency press conference on the 16th at their broadcast station, to address the issue of Han Ye-seul’s departure from Monday-Tuesday drama Myung-wol the Spy.

  • Presiding was KBS’s drama department chief, Go Young-tak, as well as other executives EP Lee Kang-hyun and CP Jung Sung-hyo.
  • Their official stance was that Han acted “irresponsibly” and independently, in such a way that they can’t tolerate the reason for her actions. Go stated that the station “cannot accept that she refused to shoot based on discord with producers.”
  • Go called Han’s reasons for leaving the drama — the killer schedule and the late, piecemeal script deliveries — “an excuse” because “Myung-wol the Spy‘s schedule is not more arduous than other dramas.”
  • He denied that the drama was behind schedule or putting out script pages late. The scripts were released in bound form, not loose pages (loose pages is what happens when they’re so behind that the writer churns out pages rather than full scripts at a time). (Note: There were previous rumors that the drama was already in loose-script mode.)
  • CP Jung confirmed that Han made the request early on for a five-day workweek and stated that they made concessions to reduce her schedule and let her out of shoots to film CFs, but also stated that the reality of live-shooting dramas requires the lead actress to shoot long hours.
  • CP Jung added that Han didn’t want to act with certain actors, and scripts were revised when she didn’t want to do physical gags. “We did everything she asked.”
  • CP Lee said that he spoke with Han on the phone on the 13th, who said that the producers were ostracizing her on set. Lee told her that it didn’t make sense for producers to alienate their leading actress, and that they were probably just upset that she was late.
  • Lee added that Han had a positive reaction prior to the broadcast. “However, after seeing Episodes 1 and 2, she seemed dissatisfied with the result, which didn’t live up to her expectations. She also had complaints about her character, such as the physical gags and the personality that was limited to cheerfulness.”
  • KBS stated their intention to see the drama through the end.
  • A new actress will be brought in to replace Han if necessary.
  • Go added, “Actually, KBS was waiting for Han Ye-seul to return through it all. If she returned by Sunday night, the Monday broadcast would have been possible, and if she returned Monday the Tuesday broadcast would have been possible. Even now, although we don’t expect that she’ll return to Korea, if she were able to film Episode 13 and the situation could continue as planned, we would consult with the production company. If that’s the best [Han could offer], we would choose it.”


Han Ye-seul upon arrival in LA

Other points:

  • As of the 15th, less than 50% of this week’s intended episodes had been filmed.
  • Monday’s episode was pre-empted for a (pointless) special, which was basically the drama’s first 10 episodes condensed into the hour in an extended highlight reel.
  • The drama resumed shoots on the 16th with the other cast members. Apparently they intend to air an episode as scheduled for Tuesday evening. (How they will manage that, I have no idea.)
  • Han’s early-morning arrival in LA on the 16th was confirmed, and she spoke with an SBS program, Entertainment Tonight upon her arrival to say, “I left everything behind. I hope that as a result [of my departure], the other actors will be able to film in a better environment.”
  • Production company Lee Kim Productions has stated its intent to go after Han for civil and possibly also penal suits.
  • Han’s own agency, Sidus HQ, also plans to sue for damages, in conjunction with the producers.
  • Advertisers are also likely litigants; some of the companies she has been contracted to endorse have also expressed the possibility of filing lawsuits.
  • The fate of Han’s next movie, Penny-Pinching Romance with Song Joong-ki, is unclear. The film completed shooting a few months ago and is currently scheduled for a fall release.
  • Rumors are therefore rampant that Han intends to retire. Chances are, that choice is out of her hands now.

Yeah, it looks pretty bad for Han. Keep in mind that we haven’t heard her side of the story, and perhaps we won’t. And I wish I didn’t have to say it again, but it never hurts to repeat: Keep comments civil and keep the mudslinging to a minimum, please. No, scratch that — a minimum isn’t good enough. Let’s go for zero, shall we?

Via Yonhap News, Star News, TV Report, Star News

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Go called Han’s reasons for leaving the drama — the killer schedule and the late, piecemeal script deliveries — “an excuse” because “Myung-wol the Spy‘s schedule is not more arduous than other dramas.”

all i want to say to this is just b/c the mts schedule is not more arduous than other dramas, doesn't mean they're in the right. the whole kdrama filming schedule is some messed up shit and maybe it was time for an actress/actor to lose their shit and bail out so something could be done about it

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I still don't get the idea of having to film the series a few days before it actually airs....why?
why can't they shoot all the eps and then put it on air, this way, all the actors can rest and don't have to rush...
plus if they get into an accident at least they still have time to change the script...

omo...so she's here in LA now....i guess she can't go back now because NO ONE would probably want to rehire her for their dramas....

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I agree. I don't quite understand the Korean system. It seems to create unnecessary stress on everybody. Seems everything is seasonal and every drama is at least 16 episodes, as far as I can tell, it makes sense to have a show in near completion by the time it premiers. Just like what happened to You've Fallen For Me. When Park Shin Hye was in a car accident, they had to do last-minute rewrites of the script to accommodate her physical state. Just seems strange to have a system in which there is not a lot of wiggle rooms for "what ifs."

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Hi almontel from my understanding this is due to ratings. If a show wasn't going in a direction the audience likes, they will change the script to a more favorable direction. However, most times it just becomes an unrecognisable mess from the premise.

Dramabeans has an excellant article on this:
http://www.dramabeans.com/2011/03/the-perils-of-the-live-shoot-drama-system/

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I think she's unprofessional, but it is also unprofessional of KBS to place all of these excuses and blames on the person WHO IS NOT THERE IN KOREA. It's like talking behind someone's back...yeah KBS, I am starting to question your way of conducting things.

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I was actually wondering if maybe they drove her to a pschotic break, its possible with the over working and alienation. But seriously, I think they should reconsider filming live to shoot and follow the US model, then you will have happy PDs and happy actors.

I can't condemn HSY's reason for leaving the shoot since we haven't heard her side of the story yet, but it seems to me both sides hold blame. What I am sad about is that her career is practically ruined, especially with the network and her own agency dumping the blame on her as well.

Netizens need to be less vicious. I am sad too that the show has practically gone up in air, especially since the scripting was suspicious and the other half of the romantic chemistry that was holding the show together has flown the coop. Just move focus to 'Protect the Boss,' its good let's hope nothing like this happens with the show.

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Haven't been following MWS but either way, the bottom line is that this girl is UNPROFESSIONAL. Even if there were issues on set, one does not drop everything and fly off to the other side of the world without a moment's notice and leave the rest of the cast and crew to scramble and essentially be held hostage to her demands. She was just selfish and essentially pulling a Charlie Sheen. I remember hearing that she wanted to break through in America... well she can say BYE to that career as well. I have no respect left for her as a person or an actress

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I just want to watch the entire drama from start to finish.... is that so much to ask? god i hope everything works out.

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All I can say is, I'm sooo glad I didn't pick this one up.

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I commented earlier about professionalism and how she may be shut out of the industry, but when I thought about it I realized that each side has a story. I haven't really heard anything from her side and it is difficult filming for such long hours. I should have waited for more details. She could have really needed a break. I know I sound wishy-washy here but I guess I realized that each side has their own reasons for their actions. And you can't really trust the media-afterall, when has it ever told the truth?

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From the beginning it didn't seem like she was trying to take a stand and campaign against the live-shoot system, or trying to be a diva. Instead, all along, it sounded exactly like her agency's press release. She just fell into despair, likely due to lack of sleep and being overworked, went a little crazy, and did the only thing she could think of -- she went home.

For many people, including me, when they don't get enough sleep, they stop having the ability to make rational decisions. And we're not talking about one all-nighter -- we're talking weeks of nearly-all nighters. What you feel is your world is falling apart, and there's nothing you can do to fix it. You're powerless, because you don't even have the energy to make it through the next hour. You just want to give up. You can't process all of the ramifications of your actions like you would normally be able to do. In reality, the world might be just the same as usual, but your coping mechanisms have gone offline and all you're left with is a feeling of impending doom. So when she says she didn't realize what a huge impact her leaving the show would have on Korean entertainment, she was probably truthful. She probably actually didn't think about it, because lack of sleep prevented her from being able to consider all the ramifications she would normally be aware of. And she probably did believe she was doing the show (and everyone employed by the show) a favour by leaving since everyone treated her like crap and and blamed her for failing to be overworked.

However, once she had some time away and some rest and was able to think clearly again, she realized the consequences of her actions and made a decision to return to face the fall out.

Yes she acted unprofessionally by leaving, but in her mental state, she may have felt the only other option was to leave this world permanently. so all in all, her hopping on a plane home to L.A. was probably the better decision, if a bit extreme.

Given her experience in the industry, she likely knew how she reacted to stretching herself this thin, which is why she requested a more humane work schedule. But she didn't get that, and so the inevitable happened. KBS and Lee Kim Productions have a lot to answer for, both for their treatment of her prior to quitting the show, and for their later attack on a woman whom they caused to have mental and physical exhaustion, while denying their part in it all.

In summary, she might not have behaved "properly", but she was driven to it by her employers' lack of "proper" behaviour. It may not justify her actions, but it sure as heck makes them understandable and forgivable.

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I agree with your analysis!! I just pray that people will forgive her after a while, because she is very talented!

Lee Da hae also quit east of eden, true she was not that extreme as to leave the country, but when people are very tired they will do strange things. I am glad she did not resort to self harm.

Hopefully there will be some kind of union formed for actors to defend them, and some good will come out of this. Surely we will not want the people who we have come to adore suffer for the sake of entertaining us?

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And look at her ( lee da hae) still helming Miss Ripley this year. When they are good, they are good! lol

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Beautifully said, Ivytwines. When I first read about Korea's live-shoot system, I was aghast. My response to acute stress is to curl up in my massive bed with my eight pillows, and sleep for anywhere from ten to sixteen hours. I don't think most people realize what being overworked and unrested can do to a person. It is worse than being drunk or on pills. After dehydration, sleep deprivation will kill you faster than ANY other chronic condition suffered by human beings. It'll mess you up, and then it'll put you down. It's that bad. Couple that with emotional distress and alienation and it's just ... bad.

I know Wikipedia is not a scientific journal, but it has a fairly comprehensive overview of sleep deprivation. I can forgive a person almost any decisions they make when exhausted: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_deprivation

I really hope Korea fixes this.

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so in korea movie/ tv industry, an actor has to kiss ass with the producers so they'll go a long way?..

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@1.4.5 What do you MEAN BY???

'you expect these kinds of comments on SOOMPI or ALLKPOP because people there are generally ignorant, petty, and super jealous'

ARE YOU MORE LEVEL-HEADED JUST BCOZ YOU'RE HERE..
FU**ING SON-OF-A-BITCH!

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I haven't commented on this fiasco the whole time.. I've read, watched the fallout and kept my opinions. But I have to respond to this one.

Oanh... you just proved her point.

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I agree with Celexa--your comment was too harsh and completely unecessary.

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Whatever went on behind the scenes will be resolved either way. What bothers me is that I was really enjoying the drama and, as someone else said earlier, the feel of the show will be different because of this kerfluffle. It would take some top-notch, no-holds-barred acting to cover up possible actor tension, nevermind a sense of chemistry.

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Thanks JB.

As one who is clearly looking from the outside, I will say this.
I feel bad for the rest of the cast and crew. This entire thing sounds like she requested a few changes and committed to filming, then was double-crossed as 'they' had no intentions of honoring her requests. Perhaps she kept trying to hold them to their 'word' and found it wasn't going to happen. Again as someone who is just seeing what is presented, I definitely take all the reports and statements with more than a few grains of salt. I am not that big a fan of this actress but it just seems to me that the powers that be don't like someone 'standing up' to them as they see them selves with all the power and everyone else just needs to get in where they fit in. I hope this can be resolved and some changes will be made. But you know no change ( or little) place if it means the big wigs have to lose money or power....Just a small piece of my take on this....

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http://www.soompi.com/news/han-ye-seul-returns-to-filming-set-of-myung-wol-the-spy-apologizes-to-each-staff

In case this hasn't already come up (probably has)...PROGRESS!

Yay, this drama may have angst behind the scenes, but at least it won't have awkward new-actress-out-of-nowhere angst for the viewers!

I like Han Ye Seul, but it's probably for the best that she wants to retire after this. In any case, fighting!

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After the whole JYJ incident with KBS, KBS has some problems.

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I'm not one to belong in Han Ye Seul's fan or anti-fan, but I gotta say I'm very disappointed that the series couldn't air because of their squabbles. I try very hard not to judge because we, audiences do not know what's going on in the set. Whether HYS's an insufferable diva, or the PDs or whoever, whatever demand unreasonable tasks of her. All I want is for them to finish the series first then fight among themselves, after the season ends.

Too bad for HYS she's the one in the limelight and getting all the heat, not to mention bad publicity. One thing is for sure, next time I see her name in any movie or series I'd be wary to watch it, because I hate, and I probably speak in behalf of a number of audiences as well, to be left hanging in the middle of a would-have-been great drama. My sentiments for this drama has turned lukewarm, it's most likely I'll chuck this up to bad showbiz history, and not watch it all together. It's most likely too, that I will tell my friends to find some other kdrama to watch. Spy Myung Wul = NOT WORTH IT.

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I'm glad she came back to Korea.But I'm still on her side that she must have a good reason for leaving the team...you know I learned this idea from those korean series I've watched up to now. everythings we see in reality and in front of our eyes may not be completely true...it sounds almost always there is a hidden reason for strange acting of persons around us. so I'm waiting for the end of this story...I don't judge her at all.

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I m a big fan of k drama. I really believe a girl like Han must had encountered various problems, which we do not know:- to end up with this decision. I respect all k drama actors n actresses for their handwork n sleep-deficient effort to entertain us. Let's enjoy the ride of this drama as it unfolds itself! I only read some recaps, but I sense this is a good one.

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it said tht she left cuz of all the stress building up on her, and she is now back ready 2 film again.

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Sorry, but I'm with HYS all the way...she's perfect for this role, though I think her character always getting the short end of the stick might be hard on any actress' psyche. It's too bad everybody's in such an uproar...and for Eric's sake too. Better to wait and see how things can be worked out rather than go the blaming route. Let's hope the drama can be concluded successfully without all these futile suits, etc.

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I don't know why, she having so much drama in her life right now. But, these is a sign she will end up doing something to her self..she either a diva and got a big cheap on her shoulders or she got mental issues. Either way,something going to happen. She can't handle the stress of a actress...Then she needs to walk away. and move on with her life.

I wish her well, love this drama, but no money or fame is worth your life or health.

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very nice pic

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HYS is a very talented person as i can see.i enjoyed this drama ,actors and actresses are brilliant.i don't really want to judge HYS because everyone has moments ,like feeling suffocated .i agree it was irresponsible to leave just like that but i think if she took 3 day off or more they would HAVE replaced her.i think korean show biz is hard on stars.they have to work until last BREATH.we don't really know the situation,so gossiping about it and badmouthing actress or PD does not seem right to me.i am happy drama was finished and is the best drama i have ever seen.

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