Sorry, Shin Dong Wook's fans. The 36-year-old South Korean actor has officially announced his departure from the upcoming romantic comedy television series, "Touch Your Heart (tentative title)."
The sad news was confirmed by Shin Dong Wook's agency, Snowball Entertainment, on Monday, Jan. 7. In a press statement obtained by Soompi, the agency said the Hallyu star has decided to step down from his role on tvN's "Touch Your Heart" following the on-going controversy involving his grandfather.
Shin Dong Wook already discussed the matter with the TV series' production staff. As for his future activities, nothing has been decided yet, the agency added.
"It's true that Shin Dong Wook has stepped down from the drama," the production staff of "Touch Your Heart," said in a press statement. "However, as Shin Dong Wook did not have many scenes filmed as of now, we do not believe his departure will have an impact on the drama's schedule."
The production staff went ahead to say that they have not made a decision yet on who will replace Shin Dong Wook as Kim Se Won. Once they find another actor, they will immediately begin filming again.
In the upcoming romantic comedy TV series, Shin Dong Wook was supposed to play an elite prosecutor, Kim Se Won, who is also the best friend of Kwon Jung Rok (Lee Dong Wook). He has a warm and bright personality.
"Touch Your Heart" also stars Yoo In Na as Oh Jin Shim / Oh Yoon Seo, Kim Hee Jung as Kim Hae Young, Lee Jun Hyeok as Yeon Jun Suk, Jang So Yeon as Yang Eun Ji, Park Kyung Hye as Dan Moon Hee, Son Sung Yoon as Yoo Yeo Reum and Shim Hyung Tak as Choi Yoon Hyuk.
Shin Dong Wook's sudden departure from "Touch Your Heart" comes shortly after his 96-year-old grandfather filed a lawsuit against him for an alleged filial fraud. According to a report by Korean newsoutlet TV Chosun, his grandfather gave him a part of his land with the condition that he would take care of him.
However, his grandfather have allegedly not heard anything from Shin Dong Wook after he passed on his land to him. The "Cloud Stairs" star also allegedly tricked him and stole his entire land in Daejeon, South Korea.
In addition to that, the grandfather claimed he allegedly received a notice in July 2018 from Shin Dong Wook's girlfriend demanding him to evacuate his own house within two months after the latter gave the entire place to her.
