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Descendants of the Sun was the gateway to Korean dramas for many fans and helped birth the iconic K-drama pairing; Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo aka the Song-Song couple. The romance action melodrama chronicles the complex love story between the flamboyant Captain Yoo Si Jin (Song Joong Ki) and the assertive Dr. Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo), a cardiothoracic surgeon.
A second lead romance between Master Sergeant Seo Dae Young (Jin Goo) and First Lieutenant Yoon Myung Ju (Kim Ji Won) makes for another integral trope in the globally popular K-drama. Amidst a war-torn Uruk, the two couples navigate their complicated relationships, courtesy their dangerous professional lives.
Descendants of the Sun marked Song Joong Ki’s acting comeback after completing his mandatory military service. But did you know the Hallyu actor wasn’t the first choice to play his now iconic character Captain Yoo Si Jin? Descendants of the Sun director Lee Eung Bok admitted in an interview that the makers were looking for someone who was more “muscular and tough” to play the lead role, according to International Business Times.
However, they eventually went ahead with casting Song Joong Ki as Captain Yoo Si Jin in Descendants of the Sun: “He had just been discharged from his compulsory military service, he was handsome and he loved the script. You can tell now what is attractive to the viewers is not the brawny tough guy style, but the straightforward personality and his quick and nimble actions.” The rest, as they say, is history!
In an episode of tvN’s The List 2016, it was revealed that four Hallyu actors rejected the role of Captain Yoo Si Jin in Descendants of the Sun before Song Joong Ki was chosen. They reportedly said no because of three reasons; discomfort in playing a soldier on-screen, skepticism towards sporting the military style short hair and hesitancy towards the K-drama’s pre-production format, a departure from the trademark live-shoot production format. Scroll down to know who these four popular celebrities are, who passed on the offer to star in Descendants of the Sun.
Here are the 4 Hallyu actors who rejected Descendants of the Sun:
Gong Yoo was among the four actors who reportedly said no to essaying Captain Yoo Si Jin in Descendants of the Sun. The Hallyu star, who will next be seen in Squid Game 2, is known for cult K-dramas like Goblin and Coffee Prince. Interestingly, according to Soompi, Gong Yoo and Song Hye Kyo are currently in talks to star in Show Business, which is written by Noh Hee Kyung of Our Blues fame. This will mark the gorgeous pair's first on-screen collaboration.
Zo In Sung is a popular name in Korean cinema, whose fine filmography includes hit K-dramas like Something Happened in Bali, It's Okay, That's Love and Moving. The Hallyu actor was also reportedly offered Captain Yoo Si Jin’s role in Descendants of the Sun, which he turned down. Interestingly, Zo In Sung is Song Joong Ki’s close friend and worked with Song Hye Kyo in That Winter, the Wind Blows.
Another Hallyu star who rejected the role of Captain Yoo Si Jin in Descendants of the Sun is Won Bin. Interestingly, the famous actor had worked opposite Song Hye Kyo in the cult classic drama Autumn in My Heart. If Won Bin had accepted the offer to star in Descendants of the Sun, it would have marked his on-screen reunion with Song Hye Kyo. He was last seen in the 2010 film The Man from Nowhere, before taking an acting hiatus.
Kim Woo Bin is also a very popular name in the world of K-dramas, with classic hits like The Heirs and Uncontrollably Fond to his name. The Hallyu actor, who will next be seen opposite Suzy in All The Love You Wish For, was also offered Captain Yoo Si Jin’s role in Descendants of the Sun. However, he passed on the offer. Interestingly, according to Soompi, Song Hye Kyo will have a cameo in All The Love You Wish For, which has been penned by Kim Eun Sook, the acclaimed screenwriter of Descendants of the Sun.
P.S. You can watch (or re-watch!) Descendants of the Sun on Netflix…
