Fans of South Korean actors Yeon Jung-hoon and Ryu Jin would have to wait longer before they would see the two actors on TV again. The two have accepted roles in an epic historical drama that KBS was producing.
However, on Wednesday, KBS announced it is shelving aside the 36-episode "Dasan Jeong Yak-yong," reported Dramabeans. KBS initially planned for the historical drama to air in January 2017. However, “unpredictable changes in the media atmosphere” and “decline of the advertisement market” were the reasons behind the postponement.
The broadcast giant did not slam the door on the drama about an influential Joseon scholar, Jeong Yak-yong, who initiated sweeping reforms during the reign of King Jeongjo. It said KBS could still push through with the series and air it in the later part of 2017.
Among the speculations that Dramabeans raised why KBS postponed the sageuk is the current crop of sageuks could dampen viewer enthusiasm for another epic historical drama in 2017. Another reaason is “Dasan Jeong Yaj-yeong” may not make a lot of money amid the current entertainment environment. There is also the possibility that KBS fears there would be a sageuk overload since “Hwarang” also broadcasts beginning January 2017.
The entertainment website also noted the delays in production in KBS, cutting back “Beautiful Mind” by using the Olympics as an excuse and fights with SBS over the airing of “Jealously Incarnate” as characteristic of the company’s rash decisions lately.
Yeon Jung-hoon first appeared in a small role in the TV series “Wave” in 1999. Among his credits are the TV drama “East of Eden” in 2008, “Jejungwon” in 2009, “Vampire Prosecutor” in 2011 and “Mask” in 2015, according to Viki.