Actor Lee Yi-kyung, who has been dogged by private-life rumors, will appear in a Japanese drama.
Lee Yi-kyung's agency, Sangyoung ENT, said on the 1st on the company's official account, "Actor Lee Yi-kyung will appear in the TBS drama 'Dream Stage' in Japan as Choi Gi-yong (チェ・ギヨン)."
Dream Stage is a work that portrays the passionate bonds of a producer, expelled from the industry, who advances toward a dream together with seven Korean trainees across generations and nationalities.
Choi Gi-yong, the role Lee Yi-kyung plays in the drama, was reported to be the head of a major agency that has K-pop stars. In addition to Lee Yi-kyung, Nakamura Tomoya, Ha Yeon-su, and Kim Jae-kyung were reported to have confirmed appearances.
Lee Yi-kyung earlier faced controversy over lewd private conversations. It came after an online user, identified as A and claiming to be German, released what the person said were obscene chats with Lee Yi-kyung.
Lee Yi-kyung's agency, Sangyoung ENT, on the 3rd of last month said it was "clearly false information," submitted evidence to Seoul Gangnam Police Station for allegations of spreading falsehoods and defamation, and also filed a complaint.
However, after the controversy, Lee Yi-kyung's appearance on KBS2's variety program The Return of SUPERMAN, where he had been tapped as an MC, fell through. He also had to leave MBC's Hangout With Yoo, which he had appeared on for three years.
Meanwhile, Lee Yi-kyung previously drew praise for "ripping up the original" with his performance as the worst husband, Park Min-hwan, in tvN's Marry My Husband.