Actor Suzy and Kim Seon-ho's new series "Hyunhok" failed to go to China, and the production team is looking for other locations.
On the 15th, Disney+'s new series "Hyunhok" told OSEN, "The filming locations were under continuous consideration. Nothing has been confirmed yet. We cannot confirm future location sites." This was an official statement about the cancellation of "Hyunhok"'s China location shooting, reported exclusively by OSEN that morning.
According to prior OSEN reporting, "Hyunhok" initially planned to film on location in China this month. However, all were canceled due to local circumstances, and it was confirmed that they are focusing only on domestic regional shoots. It had been reported that Shanghai, China, would appear as a setting in "Hyunhok." A local location had been planned, but it was canceled at the last minute due to unexpected local circumstances just before shooting.
In this regard, industry insiders are raising suspicions that it might be related to anti-China controversy over Disney+'s other original series "Bukgukseong." In "Bukgukseong," the female lead Seo Moon-ju (played by Jun Ji-hyun) had a line about surrounding countries' interests over the situation on the Korean Peninsula: "Why would China prefer war? A nuclear bomb could fall on the border area." That scene appeared earlier. Some internet users locally complained that it instilled a distorted perception of China.
That led to boycott moves against Jun Ji-hyun. Eventually, cases appeared where fashion and jewelry brands for which Jun Ji-hyun serves as a global ambassador removed her from websites shown in China. However, Jun Ji-hyun's side drew the line on the advertising boycott controversy, saying it was "groundless."
Before the aftershock had fully subsided, the China on-location shoot for "Hyunhok" was again canceled. As "Hyunhok" is a highly anticipated work starring Suzy and Kim Seon-ho, domestic fans' attention is expected to remain focused.
"Hyunhok" is set in Gyeongseong in 1935 and tells the story of painter Yoon Yi-ho (played by Kim Seon-ho), who was commissioned to paint the portrait of a mysterious woman, Song Jeong-hwa (played by Suzy), and approaches her secret. It is the new work by director Han Jae-rim, who directed the films Elegant World, The Face Reader, The King, Emergency Declaration, and the Netflix series The Eight Show, and is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in 2026.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]