Lee Sun Bin turns down “The Lion”

Lee Sun Bin(Sketch) announced this Tuesday that she will not be taking the role of lead actress in Park Hae Jin’s new drama “The Lion.”

Originally, the role of lead actress belonged to Nana(The Good Wife), but after the turmoil that has happened during filming for “The Lion” (formerly Four Men), Nana has officially resigned her role. While the production company has yet to commit to letting her go (they say she is in breach of contract if she does), a casting offer went out last week to Lee Sun Bin to take over her role. However, Sun Bin turned down the offer almost immediately. “It was too much of a burden,” she said of the role.

The drama was scheduled to resume filming this month, and we presume refilm Nana’s scenes. But without a lead actress the future of “The Lion” seems very bleak.

My Thoughts:

I don’t blame Lee Sun Bin for turning down “The Lion.” Frankly, I think she’s smart. It is just too much of a legal and technical mess at this point.

That being said, I am sorry to see “The Lion” devolve like it has. The premise held a lot of potential and seemed like a great vehicle for Park Hae Jin’s talent. (I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want to see Park Hae Jin take on four seperate roles in the same drama?)

And Park Hae Jin must think so too. It is honestly amazing how much effort he has invested in keeping it alive for the last two years. First when it lost it’s original PD he brought in the PD from “You Who Came From the Stars.” Then later he invested his own money to pay the workers/actors salaries when the production company wouldn’t. This is just unheard of.

But although we would have LOVED to have seen Park Hae Jin take on “The Lion”, it just doesn’t seem worth it anymore. It feels like it is time for him to consider another project with a better backing. This one is just too much of a mess.

[Source: BeffReport, News Joins]

Update 09/20/2018: “The Lion” has been rescued! Click to read more.