Maybe Few People Know That Kim Soo Hyun Was Actually Not The First Choice When The Production Crew Of 'Moon Embracing The Sun' Was Looking For Actors For The Lead Role.
"Moon Embracing the Sun" is one of the most successful historical K-dramas. Taking on the role of crown prince Lee Hwon, Kim Soo Hyun rose to fame and became one of the most sought-after actors in the industry.
Kim Soo Hyun's appearance is considered so perfect for the role. However, few people may know that Kim Soo Hyun was actually not the first choice when the production crew of "Moon Embracing the Sun" was looking for actors to lead the drama that aired in 2012.
Apparently the name of actor Song Joong Ki was first offered to play the character Kim Soo Hyun. At that time, Song Joong Ki was enjoying great popularity after he starred in two historical dramas, "Sungkyunkwan Scandal" and "Deep Rooted Tree".
For unknown reasons, Song Joong Ki regretfully turned down the offer to join the cast of “Moon Embracing the Sun”. Some viewers believed that Song Joong Ki rejected it because if he accepted, the images of his characters in “Moon Embracing the Sun” and “Deep Rooted Tree” would overlap. Besides, most of the viewers are also relieved that Kim Soo Hyun was finally chosen because he is one of the biggest reasons why "Moon Embracing the Sun" became a hit.
Meanwhile, currently, both Song Joong Ki and Kim Soo Hyun are branded as top actors. Their reputations are on par with each other, but Kim Soo Hyun remains the highest-paid Korean actor, ahead of Song Joong Ki. Apart from “Moon Embracing the Sun”, in his career, Song Joong Ki has also turned down an offer to lead another historic hit, Netflix original series “Kingdom”. Rumor has it that he wanted to focus on his wedding preparations with Song Hye Kyo at that time.
Meanwhile, this historical-fantasy drama is adapted from the novel of the same name written by Jung Eun Gwol and tells the story of a painful love between the fictional king of the Joseon Dynasty and a female shaman and the conflicts and conspiracies of competing political forces. The series achieved a peak rating of 42.2%. It won Best Drama and Best Actor in Television categories at the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards, and several awards at the 2012 MBC Drama Awards, including Drama of the Year. (wk/aiss)
