Following singer-actor WOODZ (Cho Seung-youn), actor Shim Eun-kyung has also officially turned down an offer to appear in the joint Korean-Japanese production "Tamako."
Regarding her potential casting in the project, which is reportedly preparing for production around the theme of the atomic bombing in Japan, a representative for Shim Eun-kyung released an official statement on September 28, confirming, "She received an offer for the project, but has decided not to take the role."
Earlier on September 26, a media report claimed that Shim Eun-kyung and WOODZ would star in "Tamako" alongside Ando Sakura. The Korea-Japan co-production is known to depict the story of a boy who loses his parents to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945, follows a Zainichi Korean to South Korea, and lives through the Korean War.
In the film, the boy lives on the margins as neither fully Japanese nor Korean. In his old age, he longs to reunite with his first love, whom he met in Korea. The narrative unfolds as his daughter travels to Korea to fulfill her father's wish. Director Sakamoto Junji is set to helm the project, which is currently pursuing a joint Korean-Japanese production that blends real events with fiction.
Following initial reports, criticism surfaced across online communities regarding the handling of such subject matter in a joint Korean-Japanese project, with backlash also aimed at the actors named in casting reports. The Hiroshima bombing represents a tragedy of Japanese civilian sacrifice, but it is also a topic deeply intertwined with historical discussions of Japan's war of aggression and colonial rule. However, because the project has yet to begin filming, specific plot details remain unconfirmed.
WOODZ subsequently clarified his position during a live broadcast on September 27, stating that reports of his casting were false. "We had already declined the offer, and the articles came out during that process," he said. Shim Eun-kyung's side shared a similar stance immediately following the holiday. WOODZ took a thoughtful tone, adding, "I will consider, reflect, and think carefully before deciding anything." The specific reasons behind Shim Eun-kyung's decision to decline the role have not been disclosed.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)