An upcoming Chinese-language drama will soon feature Bruce Lee, portrayed by South Korean actor Kim Bum. (Photo : Wikimedia)
South Korean actor Kim Bum is set to portray the iconic martial artist Bruce Lee in an upcoming Chinese television series, as confirmed on Oct. 1 by Newsen, a Korean entertainment news website.
According to an Oct. 1 official statement by a representative from King Kong Entertainment, Kim's management agency, "Kim Bum was cast as the protagonist in the Chinese blockbuster drama. He appears in the role of Bruce Lee. Shooting is planned to begin in the middle of this month, and he will stay in China for the next three months for filming."
Kim also released a statement through King Kong, expressing positive feelings regarding the daunting task of portraying one of the most iconic figures of both the martial arts world and the Chinese entertainment sector.
"In particular, please look forward to my thorough preparation, as I take on the character of Bruce Lee," Kim said in his statement.
Even before accepting the role, Kim is well-known in the Chinese market, after having worked on China-based projects several times.
Kim starred in two Chinese-language films in 2015, namely, "Lovers and Movies" and "The Beloved."
He was also part of the central cast of the 2014 mainland Chinese drama, "The Micro Era of Love."
The 26-year-old first achieved major success when he played the role of So Yi Jing in the pan-Asian hit "Boys Over Flowers," the South Korean adaptation of a Japanese manga series of the same name. The series also catapulted Lee Min Ho, Gu Hye Sun, Kim Hyun Joong and Kim So Eun to stardom.
