Fans of veteran actor Song Kang Ho were met with disappointing news as the production of the much-anticipated drama Insiders has been delayed. According to a broadcast industry insider on July 11, the filming schedule has been pushed back by about two to three months due to internal restructuring within the project.
Originally cast in the lead role, Song Kang Ho has officially stepped down from the series. He was set to play Lee Kang Hee, the central character in the political thriller. However, with the delay extending the production timeline, the actor chose to exit in order to focus on his next project.
Later that day, the production team issued a statement confirming the update. They explained that Insiders was initially planned as a two-season drama, but is now being reorganized into a single 12-episode series. This change extended the filming period, which conflicted with Song Kang Ho’s upcoming schedule. The team is currently working on casting a new actor to take over the role.
Insiders is an adaptation of the 2015 hit film Inside Men, which explored themes of political corruption and the abuse of power. The drama version aims to build on that universe, taking viewers further into the political climate and behind-the-scenes events of the 1980s and 1990s in Korea.
The project is being directed by Mo Wan Il, known for works like The World of the Married and The Frog, with a screenplay by Lee Ki Chul, who previously wrote Assassination. Despite Song Kang Ho’s departure, the cast still includes several well-known names such as Lee Sung Min, Koo Kyo Hwan, Park Soo Ae, Lee Moo Saeng, Shin Seung Ho, and Bona from WJSN.
With its strong creative team and remaining cast, interest in the series is still high. Fans are now watching closely to see who will be chosen to step into the lead role.
