Wondering what your favorite K-drama stars are doing next? The industry is buzzing with huge announcements in the fourth week of July. From the long-awaited comeback of Lee Joon Gi and Choi Woo Shik to historical drama, to an exciting new pairing of Lee Hyeri and Hwang In Youp, the second half of 2025 is shaping up to be huge. Here’s the latest casting news you absolutely can’t miss.
Latest in Casting: Lee Joon Gi, Choi Woo Shik, Lee Hyeri, Hwang In Youp, and More
Actors in Talks
Lee Joon Gi
Actor Lee Joon Gi is reportedly in talks to star in a new historical comedy-action drama “Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency (경복궁 탐정사무소).” The actor may take the role of King Hyejong, a monarch with two distinct lives. By day, Hyejong is a brash, sarcastic, and flamboyant Joseon ruler, known for his sharp wit and commanding presence. By night, he transforms into a Sherlock Holmes–style detective, actively solving cases within the palace.
Choi Woo Shik
Actor Choi Woo Shik is in talks to lead the new Korean historical drama, “Whale Star: The Gyeongseong Mermaid.” This 1920s Korean historical drama is based on the award-winning webtoon “The Little Mermaid.” Set in 1926 Seoul under Japanese occupation, it follows a patriot and the girl who protects him. Actor Choi Woo Shik may star as the male lead, Kang Ui Hyeon. He is dedicated to Korean freedom and is fluent in Korean, Japanese, and English.
Lee Hye Ri and Hwang In Youp
A new rom-com pairing may be on the way. Lee Hye Ri and Hwang In Youp are considering roles in “Dreaming of You” or “Your Dream.” The drama explores life, dreams, and challenges. The drama portrays the life struggles of a woman in her 30s and a man who has achieved his dreams, involving themes of growth and hope. Lee Hyeri has received an offer to play the female lead role, while Hwang In Youp is in talks for the male lead role.
Kim Do Yeon
Idol-turned-actress Kim Do Yeon is in talks to star in “Dora.” This film draws its title from Sigmund Freud’s landmark “Dora case,” a 1905 study based on his 1900 treatment of an 18-year-old patient (published under that pseudonym). The story traces a traumatized young woman burdened by deep physical and emotional scars, whose path to healing begins when she connects with another woman. The acclaimed director Jung Ju Ri (July Jung), renowned for her work “Next Sohee,” will take the helm.
TWICE’s Jeongyeon
Jeongyeon from K-pop girl group TWICE is reportedly set to make her acting debut in the upcoming film adaptation of “New Recruit.” The movie is based on the popular webtoon “New Recruit (신병: 더 무비).” She will play a nurse officer in the military hospital setting, a spin-off from the well-loved “New Recruit” web series. Filming is expected to start later this year.
Confirmed Casting News
Ahn Bo Hyun and Lee Joo Bin
Need a new rom-com? Ahn Bo-hyun and Lee Joo-bin have you covered. They officially take the lead roles in the upcoming rom-com drama “Spring Fever” based on the web novel of the same name, “Spring Fever” (스프링 피버) by Baek Min Ah. The story revolves around a reserved teacher, Yun Bom (Lee Joo-bin), who meets a passionate and unruly man, Seon Jae Gyu (Ahn Bo-hyun). Set to premiere in the second half of 2025, this web-novel adaptation will spark.
Na In Woo
Actor Na In Woo will make a special cameo appearance in the upcoming K-hero action series “Twelve.” Set for release on August 23, 2025, it tells the story of 12 angels fighting evil, based on the myth of the 12 zodiac signs. This star-studded series features Ma Dong Seok, Park Hyung Sik, Seo In Guk, and more top stars. Additionally, Na In Woo recently starred in the Korea-Japan joint drama “Hatsukoi Dogs” as a mysterious chaebol heir.
Jun Ji Hyun and Kang Dong Won “Tempest (북극성)”
Talk about a power couple. Top stars Jun Ji Hyun and Kang Dong Won are finally sharing the screen. Their new spy thriller “Tempest (북극성)” is set to premiere on September 10 on Disney+. In the show, Jun Ji Hyun plays a UN ambassador, and Kang Dong Won plays a mysterious special agent. Besides top stars, the series also boasts top-tier production, which becomes a must-watch global project.
Cast Lineup for “All of Us Are Dead” Season 2
Netflix has announced the “All of Us Are Dead” Season 2. The zombie saga continues with old and new faces, and production is underway. The fight for survival is far from over. Expanding from its webtoon roots, “All of Us Are Dead” returns with Season 2 after its globally successful Season 1 (2022). The sequel escalates the original survival premise: While the student survivors attempt to rebuild their lives after the zombie outbreak, a new virus erupts across Seoul. This plunges them into renewed chaos. Director Lee Jae Gyu and writer Chun Sung Il reunite for this continuation of the story.
Netflix confirmed the returning core ensemble — Park Ji Hu, Yoon Chan Young, Cho Yi Hyun, and Lomon — alongside major recruits Lee Min Jae, Kim Si Eun, Roh Jae Won, and Yoon Ga Yi for Season 2 of its global phenomenon “All of Us Are Dead.”
Rowoon
Ro Woon will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming K-drama “Confidence Queen.” His appearance marks a reunion with director Nam Ki Hoon of the 2023 hit drama “Destined with You.” Set to release on August 6, the series marks Ro Woon’s second recent cameo this year. He previously appeared in “Spring of Youth.” Fans will also see him in the Disney+ series “The Murky Stream” during his time in the military. His enlistment, initially set for July 12, was postponed pending a complete re-examination for active duty eligibility.
Um Jung Hwa
According to OSEN, veteran actress Um Jung Hwa will take on the lead role in the new thriller series “The Only.” The story centers on a mother who loses her daughter to a brutal crime and seeks revenge. In this show, she may play the role of Choi Ji Won, a renowned fertility specialist. She obtains the DNA of the killer and crosses ethical lines to clone the murderer for revenge.
Exciting projects are on the horizon! From these casting news, which upcoming Korean drama or film are you most excited about? Please share your picks below!
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