South Korean actor Song Kang Ho has officially exited the upcoming drama Insiders, an adaptation of the 2015 political thriller Inside Men. The production team confirmed his departure, citing scheduling conflicts caused by delays in filming. The series, originally planned as a multi-season project, has been reworked into a single 12-episode season, leading to extended shooting timelines that clashed with Song’s other commitments.
Why Song Kang Ho Stepped Down from Insiders
The drama Insiders was initially set to film in two separate seasons, but the production team later decided to combine them into one 12-episode series. This change required significant script revisions and extended the filming schedule by 2 to 3 months. As a result, Song Kang Ho, who was cast in the lead role of Lee Kang Hee, could no longer continue due to prior commitments.
The production team stated, “Insiders was originally divided into seasons 1 and 2, but we are reorganizing it to go all in at once as a 12-episode series. The filming schedule has become longer, and Song Kang Ho has decided to leave due to his schedule for his next work.”
Song Kang Ho’s departure has forced the team to recast the lead role, though no replacement has been announced yet.
What Is Insiders About?
Insiders is a drama adaptation of the 2015 film Inside Men, which was based on an incomplete webtoon by Yoon Tae-ho. The original movie, starring Lee Byung-hun, Cho Seung-woo, and Baek Yoon-sik, was a political thriller about corruption and power struggles in South Korea. It became the highest-grossing R-rated film in the country at the time.
The drama version aims to expand the story, exploring untold events from the 1980s and 1990s in Korea. It is directed by Mo Wan-il (The World of the Married, The Frog) and written by Lee Ki Chul (Assassination).
Who Is Still Part of the Cast?
Despite Song Kang Ho’s exit, Insiders still features a strong ensemble:
- Lee Sung Min (Misaeng, The Spy Gone North)
- Koo Kyo Hwan (D.P., Escape from Mogadishu)
- Park Soo Ae (Queen of Mystery)
- Lee Moo Saeng (The Glory)
- Shin Seung Ho (A-Teen, D.P. 2)
- Bona (WJSN member, 25 21)
The production team is now searching for a new lead actor to fill Song Kang Ho’s role.
How Fans Are Reacting
Many fans expressed disappointment over Song Kang Ho’s departure, as he is one of South Korea’s most respected actors. His recent projects, including the Oscar-winning Parasite and the Disney+ series Uncle Samsik, have kept him in high demand.
One fan tweeted, “Nooo, I was so excited to see Song Kang Ho in a political thriller again! Hope they find someone just as good.”
Others remain optimistic about the drama, given its strong remaining cast and connection to the original film.
What’s Next for Insiders?
Filming is expected to resume later this year after script revisions are completed. The series does not yet have a confirmed broadcaster or streaming platform, but industry insiders speculate it may land on a major service like Disney+ or Netflix.
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