Kwak Shi Yang withdraws from K-drama The Real Deal Has Come! due to schedule conflicts with Desperate Pursuit film

Photo: Kwak Shi Yang’s Instagram account

It seems South Korean actor Kwak Shi Yang (Lovers of the Red Sky, Oh My Ghost) may be quite busy in 2023 considering one of his representatives has just announced Kwak Shi Yang is withdrawing from the upcoming KBS drama The Real Deal Has Come!

The announcement came after the actor realized the movie he just began filming in mid-December, Desperate Pursuit, would cause scheduling conflicts with the upcoming K-drama.

Considering the commitment to The Real Deal Has Come! (known as  진짜가 나타났다! in Korea) is considerable, as the series is 50 episodes in length, Kwak Si Yang decided to step down rather than cause problems for his fellow cast members and the drama’s crew.

The 35-year-old actor was due to play the role of Gong Tae Kyung, a single man who has no interest in getting married but then meets an unmarried pregnant woman played by (Baek Jin Hee).

The two eventually enter into a fake contract, which leads them to childbirth, bringing up a child together and, as you might expect, romance.

No word yet on who will replace Kwak Si Yang in the role, but casting will likely occur quickly, as filming is due to begin soon. The drama itself will premiere in March, 2023 on KBS2 in Korea.

The actor himself wrapped up filming of two dramas earlier in the year — Rookie Cops and Cafe Minamdang — before beginning filming on Desperate Pursuit (working title).

He is currently filming the role of Jo Soo-kwang in the film.

About Michelle Topham

Brit-American journalist based in Austria, former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I've covered K-drama, K-pop, J-pop and music news for over a decade.