Lee Jong Suk Exits Lead Role in Upcoming Drama Iseop’s Romance

Lee Jong Suk will no longer lead the upcoming romance drama Iseop’s Romance. His agency, ACE Factory, confirmed the change on September 3, explaining that adjustments to the production and filming schedule made it difficult to coordinate the project with the actor’s future commitments.

The decision came after a lengthy period of preparation. Lee had been involved from the planning and development stages and had spent considerable time preparing to star in the series. The agency said the original timetable later shifted, creating a scheduling problem that could not ultimately be resolved.

ACE Factory said the actor and production team reached the outcome after thorough discussions. The wording presented the withdrawal as a mutual agreement prompted by logistics rather than a dispute over the drama itself. No replacement for the male lead was named in the announcement.

A project developed over time

The agency emphasized that Iseop’s Romance remains a project it approached with affection over a long period. Although Lee will not appear, ACE Factory said it would do its best to help the drama be completed as a strong production. The statement did not specify what form that support would take.

The explanation also makes clear that Lee’s exit occurred before filming had begun. The drama is scheduled to enter production during 2026, while its premiere is planned for 2027. That leaves the production with time to finalize a revised cast, although no updated casting or scheduling details have yet been announced.

Lee’s departure changes a major part of the project’s public identity. As a well-established leading actor, his participation had connected a familiar screen presence to the adaptation. The production will now need to select another performer for Tae I Seop while preserving the chemistry and tone envisioned during development.

What Iseop’s Romance is about

The series is based on a popular web novel of the same name. Its central story follows Tae I Seop, a third-generation chaebol heir who is capable in nearly every area except romance, and Kang Min Gyeong, a talented employee described as the secret weapon of TK Group.

The setup combines a workplace setting, family wealth and a romantic imbalance. Tae I Seop’s polished competence contrasts with his difficulty in love, while Kang Min Gyeong’s professional ability places her at the heart of the company. Their relationship provides the main engine for the adaptation.

Choi Yoon Ji remains confirmed as Kang Min Gyeong, the female lead. Her casting gives the project one established anchor as the production reassesses the male role. The latest announcement did not indicate any change to her participation or to the underlying premise of the series.

The next production steps

The immediate question is who will replace Lee Jong Suk as Tae I Seop. Because the role is one half of the central romance, that decision will affect the drama’s pairing, promotional strategy and on-screen balance. The production team has not stated when a successor will be revealed.

Other confirmed elements remain in place: the project is an adaptation of the existing web novel, Choi Yoon Ji is attached as Kang Min Gyeong, production is expected to begin this year and the broadcast is targeted for 2027. The absence of a precise premiere date gives the team some flexibility while reorganizing the cast.

For Lee, the announcement closes a project he had prepared for across an extended development period. For Iseop’s Romance, it begins a casting transition before cameras roll. Both sides have framed the separation cooperatively, with the agency expressing continued goodwill toward a drama that will now move forward with a different male lead.