Song Joong Ki's Agency Addresses Reports About THAAD Affecting Casting
On August 5, Song Joong Ki’s Agency Blossom Entertainment addressed reports about the actor being affected by THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense).
A source from the agency spoke with TV Daily and said, “It’s true that Song Joong Ki is receiving a variety of casting offers for dramas and films in China. However, we have not discussed his appearance in any project yet. The only project he has confirmed his casting for following ‘Descendants of the Sun‘ is the film ‘Battleship Island.'”
Previously, Chinese media reported about how Song Joong Ki’s casting for a Chinese drama for 100 million yuan (approximately $15 million) fell through due to tensions surrounding the THAAD conflict between South Korean and China.
The Blossom Entertainment source further clarified, “This is the first time we have heard of that drama and the casting fee of 100 million yuan. Song Joong Ki is currently focusing on his Korean film ‘Battleship Island.'”
THAAD is U.S Army anti-ballistic missile system designed to shoot down ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. South Korea recently agreed to deploy THAAD to their country due to counter North Korea’s growing threats and use of ballistic missiles and nuclear testing. In reaction to this news, China has voiced its concerns about THAAD being deployed to South Korea due to its own national security issues.
Furthermore, news about drama and casting cancellations for various Chinese dramas due to the THAAD conflict continue to be reported.