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Another twist in this drama! « Iseop's Romance »seems to have found a potential new hero following the departure of Lee Jong-suk. Hwang Min-hyun has received an offer to play Tae I-seop, the male lead role originally intended for the actor. But while some Korean media outlets are already reporting his casting, the production team and PLEDIS Entertainment are still urging caution: nothing has been confirmed at this stage.
On September 15, YTN reported that Hwang Min-hyun had been cast as Tae I-seop and was currently preparing for the role. However, the production team for «Iseop’s Romance» quickly downplayed this report, stating, «Nothing has been confirmed yet.»
PLEDIS Entertainment, Hwang Min-hyun’s agency, is taking a similarly cautious stance: «This is one of the projects that has been proposed to him.» For now, therefore, his participation should be considered as under discussion, not confirmed.
Will Hwang Min-hyun take over the role left vacant by Lee Jong-suk?
This potential casting comes after several major changes to «Iseop’s Romance.» Lee Jong-suk was originally set to play Tae I-seop, but his departure was announced in early September following changes to the production and filming schedule.
A few days later, the drama also lost its lead actress. Choi Yoon-ji, who was set to star opposite Lee Jong-suk, in turn withdrawn due to difficulties in coordinating the new production schedule with previously scheduled commitments.
As a result, the two main positions became vacant.
If Hwang Min-hyun ultimately accepts the offer, he would become the new Tae I-seop, the third-generation heir to the TK Group. Adapted from a popular web novel, «Iseop’s Romance» will tell the story of an office romance between this heir—who is accustomed to excelling in virtually every field—and Kang Min-gyeong, an employee whose professional performance will seriously shake his convictions.
He had always been number one… until Kang Min-gyeong came along
Tae I-seop has had a nearly flawless career, rising through the ranks at an exceptional pace and being accustomed to holding the top position. But Kang Min-gyeong is about to become the first person to knock him down to second place.
When she later begins working as his secretary, this professional rivalry stirs up emotions in him that he has far less control over than he does over his career. For while he excels at almost everything, Love remains, in fact, his weak spot.
The role would thus mark a return to romance for Hwang Min-hyun after projects such as «My Lovely Liar,» while continuing a comeback that has already been well underway since the end of his military service. The actor has notably confirmed his return in Season 2 of « Study Group ".
However, one major question remains regarding «Iseop’s Romance»: Who will take on the female lead role left vacant by Choi Yoon-ji? So far, no new lead actress has been announced. As for Hwang Min-hyun, we’ll also have to wait for definitive confirmation from the production team or his agency.
It's also worth noting that «Iseop's Romance» has another unique feature: the drama will be produced in parallel with " A Casual Lie " (working title), another adaptation of a web novel by Kim Eon-hee. The two series will tell standalone stories with different protagonists, but will share the same universe.
«Iseop’s Romance» is set to begin production in 2026, with a scheduled broadcast in 2027.
