Lee Soo-hyuk Exits ‘Men of the Harem’ — Lee Jong-won in Talks to Replace Him

Lee Soo-hyuk Exits Netflix’s ‘Men of the Harem’ Mid-Production — Lee Jong-won in Talks to Step In

Netflix’s upcoming Korean fantasy romance “Men of the Harem” has been hit by an unexpected casting change after Lee Soo-hyuk officially withdrew from the project while production was already underway.

On August 19, Lee Soo-hyuk’s agency, Saram Entertainment, confirmed that the actor would no longer appear in the highly anticipated series, citing scheduling conflicts as the reason for his departure.

The news came as a surprise to fans, particularly because filming had already begun.

Lee Soo-hyuk Leaves After Filming Began

Lee Soo-hyuk was set to play one of the royal consorts surrounding Empress Latil, the central character portrayed by Bae Suzy.

His departure during production could potentially create complications for the filming schedule, especially if scenes involving his character have already been completed and need to be reshot.

However, no official details have been released regarding how much footage had already been filmed or whether the casting change will affect the drama’s planned release.

For now, “Men of the Harem” remains scheduled for release in 2027.

Lee Jong-won in Talks to Join the Cast

Shortly after Lee Soo-hyuk’s departure was confirmed, reports emerged that Lee Jong-won could be stepping into the project.

His agency, THE BLACK LABEL, confirmed that the actor has received an offer to appear in “Men of the Harem” and is currently reviewing it.

This means that Lee Jong-won should not yet be considered officially confirmed as Lee Soo-hyuk’s replacement.

Lee Jong-won has gained recognition through dramas including “The Golden Spoon,” “Knight Flower” and “Brewing Love,” making his possible addition to the cast another reason for fans to keep a close eye on the production.

What Is “Men of the Harem” About?

Based on the popular web novel of the same name by Alphatart, “Men of the Harem” is a palace romance fantasy set in the fictional Tarium Empire.

The story follows Empress Latil, played by Suzy, who makes an unconventional political decision to protect her throne: instead of choosing a single royal consort, she brings several men into her palace.

But these men are far more than romantic interests.

Each has his own personality, ambitions, secrets and motivations, setting the stage for a story filled with romance, political intrigue, power struggles and competition inside the imperial palace.

The premise also reverses one of the most familiar conventions of traditional palace dramas by placing a powerful woman at the center of the story, surrounded by male royal consorts competing for her attention.

A Star-Studded Cast

Alongside Suzy, the drama’s cast includes Shin Seung-ho, DEX (Kim Jin-young), Kim Dan and Yoo Jung-hoo.

The series is directed by Lee Eung-bok, the acclaimed director behind major Korean dramas including “Descendants of the Sun,” “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (Goblin),” “Mr. Sunshine” and “Sweet Home.”

The screenplay is being handled by Hwang Jin-young, known for the critically acclaimed historical romance “My Dearest.”

With such a strong creative team and an unusual premise, “Men of the Harem” had already attracted considerable attention long before its planned premiere.

What Happens Next?

The biggest question now is whether Lee Jong-won will officially join the project and how the unexpected casting change will affect production.

Replacing a major cast member after filming has begun is never a simple situation, and the extent of any possible reshoots or schedule adjustments has not yet been revealed.

For now, fans will have to wait for further confirmation.

One thing is certain: “Men of the Harem” is already generating plenty of attention before it has even reached Netflix.

What do you think about the casting change? Are you disappointed to see Lee Soo-hyuk leave the drama, and would you like to see Lee Jong-won take his place?