Jun Ji Hyun has dropped out of the drama Koreans, a much-talked-about spy series that was set to pair her with actor Lee Byung Hun.
According to an exclusive report from Sports Chosun on November 4, the 44-year-old actress had been in final talks to star in Koreans but has now decided to step away from the project.
The drama is a Korean remake of the hit American FX series The Americans, a Cold War–era spy story. Like the original, Koreans was expected to be set during the 1980s, possibly against the backdrop of South Korea’s military dictatorship.
The project, directed by Ahn Gil Ho and starring Lee Byung Hun, drew huge attention early on — especially with reports that Jun Ji Hyun was being considered for the female lead. Fans were excited to see her reunite with Lee Byung Hun for the first time in more than two decades since they played siblings in the 1999 film Happy Together. This time, they were rumored to be cast as a married spy couple.
However, the filming schedule for Koreans was pushed back from its original timeline, which created a major conflict for the “Tempest” star. Before joining the spy drama, she had already confirmed her role in Human X Gumiho, which is set to start filming in March 2026. Because the two schedules overlapped, she ultimately had no choice but to leave Koreans.
Human X Gumiho stars Jun Ji Hyun alongside Ji Chang Wook and is being written by Im Me Ah Ri, known for her work on Goblin and Doom at Your Service. This fantasy romance drama is expected to air on JTBC, Coupang Play, and Amazon Prime. She is also reportedly working with Ji Chang Wook again in an upcoming film titled Colony, which is currently in production.
In recent years, Jun Ji-hyun has been taking more control over her career. After her contracts with IEUM Hashtag ended, she founded her own agency, PEACHY, in July. Through it, she has been managing her projects directly and exploring a wider range of appearances, including variety and YouTube content.
Jun Ji Hyun made her return to Kdramas after four years with a starring role in Disney+’s high-budget spy drama, Tempest, opposite Gang Dong Won.