The number of Korean victims of the fallout due to the THAAD missile deployment continues to go up. This time, the latest victim is Korean actor Ha Jung-woo who was slated to star in a China-Korea co-production movie “The Mask.”
He was supposed to star opposite Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, but Ha Jung-woo could not acquire a visa and there were other problems, leading to the shelving of the entire movie. The film’s cancellation was attributed to Ha Jung-woo’s unavailability, a spokesman of his talent agency said, Yonhap reported.
Suspense Thriller
“The Mask” is a suspense thriller adapted from a Korean novel. It was supposed to be directed by Chen Zhengdao, an upcoming Taiwanese director and filmed in China, Japan and Korea.
The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of China had previously approved “The Mask” as an official co-production project. Zhang Ziyi, star of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” invited Ha Jung-woo to star in the movie which would also feature Japanese actor Joe Odagiri, China Film Insider reported.
Ha Jung-woo recently became a film producer through the movie “Single Rider.” It is his debut as a producer, although the 38-year-old actor has been acting and directing films throughout his movie career. The film, which co-stars Kong Hyo-Jin and Ahn so-hee, was directed by new director Lee Joo-Young and shown in mid-February.
Remake of “Descendants of the Sun”
Meanwhile, Zhang Ziyi is reportedly being considered for a lead role in a Chinese remake of the 2016 megahit series “Descendants of the Sun.” The remake would be directed by Zhang Yibai, the director of the Chinese romantic drama film “I Belonged to You” which was shown in 2016, IBT reported.
The speculation is Zhang Ziyi would play the role of Kang Mo Yeon, the military surgeon, portrayed by Song Hye Kyo in the original series. The suggested Chinese actor to portray Captain Yoo Si Jin, played in the original by Song Joong-ki, is Takeshi Kaneshiro, co-star of Zhang Ziyi in “The Crossing.”