A scene from KBS2's drama 'Healer' featuring Ji Chang Wook and Park Min Young. (Photo : Facebook/Healer - Korean Drama)
Ji Chang Wook's representative has recently clarified rumors that the "Healer" actor's Chinese drama "Whirlwind Girl 2" has been taken off the air due to a new government regulation.
Speculations over the fate of the South Korean actor's latest Chinese series "Whirlwind Girl 2" has been rife following a new government ruling that will limit the appearance of Korean celebrities in local TV programs. However, Glorious Entertainment, Ji's entertainment agency, has shared to Star Today that the said drama is still being shown in China, Soompi reported.
The "Healer" actor portrays the lead character Chang An, a Taekwondo instructor, in the said drama. The South Korean celebrity stars alongside Chinese actress An Yue Xi, who plays the lead female character, Qi Bai Cao. The drama premiere on China's Hunan TV on July 20.
Glorious Entertainment stated that the news surrounding the abrupt end of Ji's current Chinese drama have been a result of speculations following the new government regulations. The agency even described the rumors as groundless, as indicated in the same report.
Ji has been one of the Korean celebrities whose popularity sky-rocketed in China following the release of the actor's previous drama projects. Avid fans may recall that Ji played the emperor in the historical drama "Empress Ki." He also starred as a mysterious night courier man in the KBS2 series "Healer."
The actor has also held several fan meetings and events in China over the past year. The Chinese drama "Whirlwind Girl 2" marked Ji's first acting project in the said Asian country. However, the government has recently announced that it will ban South Korean celebrities from appearing in local TV shows. The announcement was made by China's General Office of Broadcasting and Television on Monday, Aug. 1, Kpop Herald reported.
Apart from the announcement, the government has also released new guidelines covering the said ruling. It appears that the government is keen to keep South Korean Kpop idol groups from participating in local TV programs. The new ruling also indicated that Korean concerts will only be allowed if the number of fans attending the event would not exceed 10,000 attendees. At this time, it is still unclear how the new ruling will affect ongoing Chinese dramas that feature non-Kpop idol celebrities.
The Chinese government reportedly did not disclose the reason behind the new regulations. However, speculations hinted that the tightened ruling for Korean stars was implemented following South Korea's anti-missile defense plans.
Meanwhile, watch a trailer for "Whirlwind Girl 2" below:
