The project «Paradise» (낙원), first announced back in 2023, appears to have been revived once again.

Actors Lee Jong Suk («W: Two Worlds Apart», «Law and the City») and Park Ji Hyun («You and Everything Else», «Flex x Cop») have received offers for the leading roles. Both agencies – Ace Factory and Namoo Actors – have confirmed that their talents are reviewing the proposals.

«Paradise» is a detective thriller. The main characters, a reporter and a policewoman, are drawn into a vortex of events as they attempt to investigate long‑buried incidents. The plot is set in motion by a drug scandal involving the star reporter.

The script was penned by Kim Su Jin, who spent a full ten years developing the story. Her previous dramas include «Beyond Evil» (괴물) and «The Light in Your Eyes» (눈이 부시게).

The director will be Oh Choong Hwan, whose credits include «Big Mouth» (빅 마우스) and «Hotel del Luna» (호텔 델루나). For Lee Jong Suk, this will mark his third collaboration with the director.

«Paradise» was originally announced in 2023 but never moved into production. At that time, it was officially unveiled with a different director (Jung Hyuk Ki) and a completely different cast: Jo Byung Kyu, Lee Yeol Eum, and Kim Min Ho.

The project appears to have been stalled in development for a long while. No official explanation has been given for the full cast replacement, but a change at the director’s chair often logically leads to a complete recasting.

Moreover, a scandal involving the initial lead actor, Jo Byung Kyu, further complicated matters. He faced allegations of school violence – a complainant claimed to have been bullied by Jo Byung Kyu during their time studying together in New Zealand, alleging that Jo used physical force and forced others to pay for meals and karaoke. In November 2025, the Seoul Central District Court fully dismissed Jo Byung Kyu’s counter‑suit against his accuser for defamation and damages, ordering him to cover all legal costs. The court ruled that the evidence presented by the actor was insufficient to deem the complainant’s post false. Furthermore, the court refused to accept testimony from more than 20 of Jo Byung Kyu’s acquaintances, as they could not corroborate the events that took place in New Zealand. The criminal defamation case was also dropped, but the controversy continues. The next hearing is scheduled for 28 August 2026. Notably, Jo Byung Kyu is now litigating on his own (without his former agency HB Entertainment, with which he has terminated his contract), and the claim amount has been reduced to approximately 900 million won.

As a result, «Paradise» has effectively been rebooted with a new director and a new cast, with the lead roles now being offered to Lee Jong Suk and Park Ji Hyun.

The drama is expected to air in 2027.

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