Actors always have that one work which can be considered their life’s piece. These are works where the actor shows an excellent performance and are well received by the public. What would these hits be like if the actor that the director originally wanted to cast accepted the offer?

After more than 10 years since its final broadcast, My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho still retains its popularity and always becomes a topic of discussion whenever it is mentioned. Following the drama’s great success, the leading actors Lee Seung Gi and Shin Min Ah became more well-known both in Korea and internationally. As for Shin Min Ah, My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho is definitely a memorable milestone in her acting career. However, before Shin Min Ah, another actress was initially considered to take on the part of Gumiho. 

Released in 2010, My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho is a romantic comedy drama about a responsible young man named Cha Dae Woong (Lee Seung Gi) and a beautiful, playful nine-tailed fox Gumiho (Shin Min Ah). Soon after it was broadcast, the drama created a stir across Asia because of its unique and interesting storyline. The image of a pretty and adorable Gumiho who likes to eat, flawlessly portrayed by Shin Min Ah has left a strong impression on the audience and become an iconic image in the history of Korean dramas. 

The female lead role of My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho was originally offered to Jun Ji Hyun, but she turned it down and eventually got replaced by Shin Min Ah.

Both Jun Ji Hyun and Shin Min Ah are two top actresses of Korea’s entertainment industry. If Shin Min Ah is famous for her signature lovely dimples and sweet smile, Jun Ji Hyun stands out for her classy and elegant aura. This makes many viewers curious, what if Jeon Ji Hyun had accepted to play Gumiho, how different would her portrayal of the character be from Shin Min Ah’s? 

What’s even more surprising is that Jun Ji Hyun initially rejected the role of Cheon Song Yi in the 2013 hit My Love From The Star. Thanks to the producer’s perseverance, Jun Ji Hyun then agreed to star in the drama, marking her comeback to the small screen after 14 years and contributing to the amazing success of My Love From The Star.

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Actor Song Kang Ho shocked fans by revealing the surprising reason he initially turned down the iconic role in Joint Security Area (JSA).

On February 4, the movie JSA was celebrated as a "Visionary" work at a special GV (Guest Visit) event for CJ ENM’s 30th anniversary at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. The event was attended by director Park Chan-wook and stars like Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Young Ae, Kim Tae Woo, and Ko Kyung Beom, who shared stories from the making of the film.

Joint Security Area, a groundbreaking film by director Park Chan-wook, tells the story of North and South Korean soldiers caught in a tragic incident at the border, highlighting the human side of the divided nations. The film has been widely praised for changing the perception of inter-Korean relations and is seen as a key moment in Korean cinema.

During the event, Song Kang Ho admitted that he turned down the JSA script at first, saying, "The script was just too perfect. It was so well-written and tightly woven that I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘Is this really Korean cinema at this level?’ I felt it was too good, and I figured the movie wouldn’t live up to the script."

He also mentioned that at the time, Park Chan-wook’s previous films hadn’t done well, which made him even more doubtful. "But after meeting the director, I started to trust him," Song Kang Ho added.

Reflecting on the film 20 years later, Song Kang Ho joked, "I was flipping through channels and watched JSA again. I thought, ‘There was a time when I wasn’t envious of Lee Byung Hun,’ but he looked so handsome and cool back then." He continued, laughing, "One thing about Park Chan-wook's films is that they have a depth and elegance that you just can’t forget. It’s probably why his new movie is called I Can’t Help It."

Song Kang Ho also spoke fondly of reuniting with his JSA co-stars after 25 years. He shared, "We didn’t watch the film together, but we had a cozy two-hour dinner. After all this time, it felt nostalgic. It was heartwarming to sit together again and reminisce about the past. It really made me realize how meaningful these moments are."

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