Rising star Kim Jae Won and acclaimed actress Park Eun Bin are both in talks to headline the upcoming historical drama The Wicked Queen. It is an adaptation of the wildly popular web novel of the same name by author Yoon Tae Ru.
On April 23, an official from Kim’s agency, Mystic Story, confirmed to Ilgan Sports that the actor is carefully reviewing the offer. If he accepts, he would take on the role of the handsome yet cold-hearted Emperor Eon.
The Wicked Queen is set in the imperial court of a fictional dynasty. The story centers on Hyunbi Gae Ri, a consort nicknamed the “wicked queen” for her beauty and violently jealous nature. Another central character is Emperor Eon, a cold and distant ruler.
Park Eun Bin was approached for the role of this complex villainess in March. Her casting was reported by IZE, though her agency, Namoo Actors, stated that “nothing is confirmed yet.”
Park has openly shared in past magazine interviews that she is a devoted fan of the original novel and had long hoped for it to be adapted into a drama.
Both actors are currently keeping busy with other high-profile projects while they deliberate over this new offer. Kim Jae Won has been capturing hearts with his portrayal of PD Shin Soon Rok in the third season of Yumi’s Cells. His chemistry with co-star Kim Go Eun has made him a hot topic on social media.
He also recently appeared in The Art of Sarah and made a memorable guest appearance in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.
Park Eun Bin is gearing up for the global premiere of the Netflix superhero comedy The WONDERfools on May 15. She plays a teleportation-powered hero named Eun Chae Ni. Additionally, she is currently filming the tvN occult romance Spellbound, a remake of the popular film Chilling Romance, in which she stars opposite Yang Se Jong as a hotel heiress who can see ghosts.
The Wicked Queen is being produced by Scene & Studio, with casting still ongoing for supporting roles.