Casting reshuffles are underway for Netflix's upcoming series «Men of Harem» (하렘의 남자들).

On August 19, Lee Soo Hyuk announced his departure from the project. His agency, Saram Entertainment, officially confirmed that the actor was forced to withdraw due to unresolved scheduling conflicts. Notably, Lee Soo Hyuk had already completed filming material for three episodes.

Following his exit, producers approached Lee Jong Won, who agreed to join the project. This marks his third consecutive Netflix series, following «The Facade of Love» (러브 어페어) and «Fall in! Love» (폴인러브). With three Netflix titles on his slate, Lee Jong Won appears to be climbing the ranks of the industry's top tier.

«Men of Harem» is a 16-episode fantasy drama from Netflix about a female ruler who establishes a harem of men to secure her throne. Rather than the conventional historical drama setup—where a male ruler is surrounded by concubines — «Men of Harem» flips the tradition, placing a powerful woman at the center of a group of male characters.

The mix of palace intrigue, romance, and fantasy is expected to give the Netflix series a distinctive visual and narrative style.

In addition to Suzy, the cast includes Yoo Jung Hoo, Shin Seung Ho, Kim Dan, and Lee Kyu Hyun, with Ji Chang Wook slated for a guest appearance.

Filming began in July 2026. Despite the sudden actor change, production is moving forward, with the series premiere slated for 2027.

Netizens reacted negatively to Lee Soo Hyuk’s departure, viewing the decision as unprofessional, though they welcomed Lee Jong Won’s arrival with interest. The main source of frustration was that Lee Soo Hyuk left the project not during pre-production, but well into shooting. Preparations had taken roughly a year, leaving ample time for him to step aside before production began. Observers also noted that his schedule hardly seemed packed, with no new commercial or project announcements. The most pessimistic rumors hint at a scandal brewing behind the scenes, suggesting Lee Soo Hyuk opted to exit before it reached the press.

This mid-production cast switch adds an extra layer of intrigue to a drama that has already drawn considerable attention thanks to its star-studded lineup.

Despite the seemingly lighthearted premise, a closer look reveals that the series is backed by a very strong creative team. The script was penned by Hwang Jin Young, known for dramas such as «Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People» and «My Dearestе». The director is Lee Eung Bok, who has helmed titles like «Goblin», «Descendants of the Sun», «Mr. Sunshine», «Sweet Home», «Dear X», «Secret», and «Dream High».

The drama «Men of Harem» is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Korean Netflix projects of 2027.

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