[HanCinema's News] "Joseon Survival" Cast and Crew Hurt by Kang Ji-hwan's Fall From Grace

When "Joseon Survival" lost lead actor Kang Ji-hwan to scandal the damage was much more severe than the drama simply losing a lead actor. His former co-stars Kyung Soo-jin, Go Wook, and Park Se-wan were subsidized by Kang Ji-hwan's participation. Kang Ji-hwan was also the main source of funding for the project, and his ties to the drama were responsible for the hair, makeup, and even the costuming.

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A representative for the other actors has described the circumstances as being enough to provoke tears from the relevant parties. Other persons involved in "Joseon Survival" will also have to deal with the stigma of getting their big break working for a confessed sexual predator.

There have also been rumblings that Kang Ji-hwan's actions were not as surprising to those in the industry as they were to the public. While the poor performance of Kang Ji-hwan's dramas "Children of a Lesser God" and "Feel Good To Die" were the public reason given for his not receiving any more work, there are indications that Kang Ji-hwan's bizarre personal life was also a factor preventing him from getting leading roles on more well known networks.

That much would explain why a star of Kang Ji-hwan's calibre would take on a role on a cable news network not known for its dramas, as well as take on responsibilities for the drama's funding. All of this information puts past events in a darker light, suggesting that Kang Ji-hwan's agency was complicit in his crimes and that "Joseon Survival" being cut down to sixteen episodes was an issue of financial necessity as much as it was a popularity and branding issue.

Written by William Schwartz