The agency handling Lee Joon Gi has denied the rumors that the South Korean actor was denied entry into China. (Photo : Getty Images/Han Myung-Gu)
The agency handling Lee Joon Gi has denied the rumors that the South Korean actor was denied entry into China due to political tensions between both countries over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system set up by South Korea.
Lee was supposed to visit four cities in China to promote his latest movie "Never Said Goodbye," which will hit theaters in August. However, there are reports that China denied Lee's visa as part of the country's reported plans to block the South Korean entertainment industry in retaliation of the South Korea-U.S. THAAD agreement.
In relation to this, there are rumors that TV stations in Guangdong province of China have been advised by the country's media regulator to prohibit the broadcast of materials starring South Korean artists in response to THAAD.
According to Yonhap News, Namoo Actors said that rumors are not true. "Lee was properly issued the Chinese visa and will be off to China as planned," the agency clarified.
Lee has a huge following in China, and the rumors came as a huge shock to his fans. In "Never Said Goodbye," Lee plays the role of a South Korean lad who stands by his true love despite the odds. The movie was filmed in China and Italy.
In the meantime, Lee is also actively participating in promotional activities for his upcoming drama series "Scarlet Heart: Goryeo," in which he plays the leading man and love interest of singer-actress IU.
The period drama is set in the Goryeo Dynasty. Allkpop reported that Lee is playing Wang So, the fourth son and prince of Taejo Wang Gun. IU's character, Hae Soo, is a modern-day woman who is transported to the Goryeo period. Surrounding their romance is a flurry of intrigues and tension involving the politics, rivalry and alliances within the palace.
The series also star Baekhyun, Kang Ha Neul, Hong Jong Hyun, Sung Dong Il, Kim Sung Kyun, Ji Soo and Nam Joo Hyuk.
"Scarlet Heart: Goryeo" will air simultaneously in South Korea and China in the second half of 2016. The story is based on the original Chinese hit series "Scarlet Heart".
Girls Generation member Taeyeon is set to render her emotive vocal chops for the series' original soundtrack.
