Lee Byung-heon won’t star in IRIS sequel
by javabeans
With ratings topping 30% and commanding a lot of attention thanks to its blockbuster budget and high-profile cast, KBS’s spy drama IRIS had announced a high possibility that a second season would be produced. On November 30, CEO Jung Tae-won of production house Taewon Entertainment confirmed the sequel, saying, “Casting will take place after the director has been decided, but we have decided to produce a Season 2 of IRIS.” However, because its cast is composed of top names with busy schedules, the likelihood of their returns is in question, and star Lee Byung-heon will not be the second season’s hero.
CEO Jung went on to explain, “It’s difficult to talk of concrete filming schedules, but from the start of IRIS‘s planning, we were thinking to make a Season 2, similar to American dramas Prison Break or CSI. Since we haven’t yet given thought to broadcast stations, the title may even change. From the start, the most important consideration was deciding whether we would start fresh with a new cast and story, or whether we would continue with the plot of Season 1. However, because the first season is busily filming, it has been difficult to finalize a decision.”
Regarding the casting of the current season’s actors, Jung said, “We are in discussions regarding several different possible directions. However, Lee Byung-heon will be busy next year filming the sequel to the Hollywood film G.I.Joe, so he will probably not be able to film IRIS Season 2. Right now, we’re anticipating that he may make a special appearance in the first episode.”
The production team has secured a filming set location for the next two years, and they are discussing with the current writers the possible themes of the second season. They will film winter scenes next summer in New Zealand and Australia, and head to Italy for additional location shoots. Japan and China are also on the list of intended foreign locales.
Meanwhile, IRIS is currently holding strong on Wednesdays and Tuesdays and will wrap in three weeks. Yesterday (November 29), filming took place in the Seoul streets, blocking traffic and drawing crowds of spectators as explosions lit the sky and its lead actors raced around shooting guns.
From the November 29 Seoul shoot:
Via Star News
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Tags: IRIS, Lee Byung-heon, sequels
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1 jm126
November 30, 2009 at 3:19 AM
Aw, that sucks... But on the bright side, the scenes look awesome!
We just have to wait now for You're Beautiful to get a confirmed season 2 (crosses every part of body)
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2 dramalover
November 30, 2009 at 3:30 AM
@1: YAB will not have a second season.
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3 a little taste of heaven
November 30, 2009 at 3:33 AM
@2 wat makes u so sure?
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4 SHALINI
November 30, 2009 at 3:40 AM
I would love for YAB to have a season 2. But my head tells me that it is highly unlikely due to a low rating and online viewers seem to account not tomuch.
However my heart tells me not to give up hope. So YAB fighting!
Oh and I'm not watching IRIS.
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5 yabb
November 30, 2009 at 3:52 AM
Hmm, actually I don't think there is a need for season 2. A special epsidoe is good enough for me.
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6 LOL-ed
November 30, 2009 at 3:53 AM
this is supposed to be a post for IRIS right?
HAHA ppl why talk about YB here?lol
im really still on to YB..
YB 2 for 2010!!(hoping)
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7 yabb
November 30, 2009 at 3:53 AM
anyway oops off topic, shouldn't discuss YAB here. And @4, yeah I'm not watching IRIS too. Seeing ppl bombing up the place just doesn't appeal to me.
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8 Sveta
November 30, 2009 at 4:18 AM
Ah, so Storm Shadow will return in the second GI Joe movie :D Woohoo!
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9 belleza
November 30, 2009 at 4:22 AM
Hmm, that looks like they're doing a Heat-style shoot.
Can't see how a S2 is possible without casting big fish. Really only 2 guys I can see who has the Hallyu catchet and athleticism to lead another big-budget spy thriller: Song Seung Heon and Rain. Hmm, there's an idea. Rain in the lead male role, Song Hye Kyo in the lead female role, 3 Bears Dance with rifles in Matrix slow-mo. They can call it Iris 2: A Full House to Kill.
Season 2: You're Beautiful Spy, starring UEE as Go Mi Way, a Russian-Korean-Jamaican spy and Jung Yong Hwa as Shin Woo, a professional killer, womanizer, and all-around loud guy. Special guest: Lee Byung Hun as Storm Shadow Android and . . . ahh it's too late in the night can't think of anything else I go sleep now . . .
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10 Sharon
November 30, 2009 at 4:37 AM
Really expect to watch the episode on the great scene in Guang Hwa Mun Place, where I have recently visited a few weeks ago when I travelled to Korea. If only I had gone there yesterday! It should be great! But, even though I am not there, I would still find it interesting to see this episode to take place in a place where I have visited!
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11 Artemis
November 30, 2009 at 4:39 AM
So I am guessing LBH's character does not die in this series. I thought that was a big possibility. If he's not there then I don't think I'll watch it - he is the big draw for me.
As for GI Joe - geez what a horrible movie. I watched it only for LBH and still couldn't finish it. :(
Those pictures from the shoot are so spoilerish (considering subs are only available through epsiode 10). Note to self: I really should stop reading anything that has to do with the shows I am watching. ^_^
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12 Aries
November 30, 2009 at 5:18 AM
Luckily, IRIS gets better from episode 8 onwards when the plot moves along to the second arc. If a second season is really produced, I would rather watch one with a fresh start and a new plot instead of a continuation from season 1. I just hope everything will be resolved properly in season 1 instead of being frustrated by those season finale cliffhangers.
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13 ripgal
November 30, 2009 at 5:30 AM
IRIS without LBH? Don't think I will be tuning in then..
IRIS is already waning down, action-wise it's great, but story and plot-wise - BLEH. Even LBH's not doing it for me, tho he's like the only intriguing character (and also actor) in it...
If the remaining 6 episodes can salvage the whole drama for me, I might reconsider the sequel. But I'm very doubtful... less they get a good scriptwriter..
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14 cheekbones
November 30, 2009 at 5:33 AM
I thought IRIS had finished filming by the time it began airing....
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15 rubie
November 30, 2009 at 5:35 AM
Maybe it's just me.. but I'm actually glad that he's not doing IRIS 2. It's already almost a year preparing for the drama & movie.
Sure hope the rumor at Twitch of LBH reuniting with Dir. KJW in a movie with Choi Min Sik will come true though.. pleasepleaseplease!
Thanks JB for an IRIS post although.. you know..
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16 Agent Darwin
November 30, 2009 at 6:03 AM
Ideal casting will be LBH remains the lead actor and KTH should perhaps excuse herself!! ^^
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17 .
November 30, 2009 at 6:06 AM
That's right. Lee Byung Han has got better things to move on to. Lol.
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18 dangermousie
November 30, 2009 at 6:09 AM
I love IRIS to bits (it's by far my favorite kdrama this year), but I have no interest in the second season - I want the story wrapped up and done. I might check out whatever it is the makers do in that world again or whatever, but I want those original "season 1" characters put to rest in whatever way - to get their definite final conclusion.
And if LBH isn't in it, my interest does go significantly down.
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19 omo
November 30, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Watched up till Ep 5 & 6 on KBSWorld last week and with a blockbuster budget and impressive cast, this drama is wayyyy toooo slow for an action thriller. Atrocious screenplay period. If people says it gets better, I certainly hope so because for me, it is really under-performing given the high budget. Not really in favor of S2 with or without LBH.
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20 'cille
November 30, 2009 at 7:11 AM
@ #9 belleza - i was thoroughly entertained reading your comment. (^_~)
as for IRIS getting a second season - well, i'm sure there are a lot of people that would want to watch it. the only thing i dont understand with sequels from hallywood is that they change the actors and storylines a lot - so really it shouldn't be called sequels at all. LEE BYUNG-HEON is one hot man.
now if there was talks of sequel to YB - i'm sure all the lead actors will be back.. but as #4 shalini said one must not give up hope...
happy monday to all!
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21 Nanaee
November 30, 2009 at 8:54 AM
Awww... I want a season 2 for YAB too... I love it so much that i watch it over and over again... damn.. why is it over so quickly?
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22 Fel
November 30, 2009 at 9:04 AM
Am I the only one laughing from that first picture on the second row? It's just... too comical!
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23 y2b
November 30, 2009 at 9:05 AM
going off topic here but...
ahhh..what to do next wed and thurs?can't get over..
YB please come back.
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24 Brendel
November 30, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Still have to watch a single episode of IRIS. Not much of a fan of action-spy dramas.
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25 nycgrl
November 30, 2009 at 9:15 AM
IRIS is barely watchable now thanks to the pretty flimsy plot and lack of chemistry between the main leads. Without LBH it would be just awful and even his acting and charisma can't sustain a drama beyond 10 episodes.
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