South Korean K-pop group 'Exo' pose on the red carpet of the '2016 Asia Artist Awards' in Seoul on November 16, 2016. (Photo : Getty Images/Ed Jones)
The upcoming KBS 2TV drama "Andante" has attracted quite a bit of controversy for its casting of EXO's Kai, 23, in the main role. While the backlash has died down considerably, the drama's production company has addressed the controversy.
In a press statement obtained by All Kpop, production company Ubiculture said fans will be pleased with Kai's performance, defending their decision to have him in the lead role. Also, the casting of the EXO member will trigger an explosion of interest from teenagers who are the main target audience.
Also known as "Killing School," "Andante" follows an 18-year-old high school student, Lee Shi Kyung (Kai), who is forced to move to a school in the countryside. As he tries to adapt to his new surroundings, he gradually understands the value of life and the power of love through volunteering at a hospice.
Besides Kai, the new 16-episode teenage drama also stars Baek Cheol Min as Park Ga Ram and "She Was Pretty" star Jung Da Bin. It will be directed by Park Ki Ho based on a script penned by Park Sun Ja and Kwon Ki Kyeong, whose previous works include the 2005-2006's "Sharp #2."
This comes after Kai, who has been with EXO since 2011, has confessed he never intended to become a member of a male idol group. Speaking to Sports Seoul, as cited by Soompi, the singer-turned-actor stated he initially wanted to become a renowned ballet dancer.
This, however, changed after his father instructed him to audition for SM Entertainment, which happened to be on the same day as his interview in an art school that specializes in ballet. Kai initially chose to go to his art school interview, but later changed his mind when his father bribed him with a video game.
"He videotaped all of my dances since I was eight and sent them to SM, and that's how I was able to audition for them," Kai added. "I faced a lot of obstacles, like not passing my SM audition, but my father always believed in me."
Check out EXO's Kai in the 165th episode of Arirang TV's "After School Club" below:
