[HanCinema's News] Go Hyun-jung Still Under Scrutiny Following Departure From "Return"
By William Schwartz | Published on
Go Hyun-jung made headlines in early 2018 when she abruptly left the popular drama "Return" after a dispute with director Joo Dong-min with only two episodes to go. While Joo Dong-min went on to make "Last Empress", Go Hyun-jung's future was more uncertain. She appeared to seal her chance for a comeback with a starring role in "Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2: Crime and Punishment", a drama which earned excellent ratings.
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However, the real star of "Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2: Crime and Punishment" was Park Shin-yang, who had also played the title role in the prequel series, "Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho". Persons close to the production state that Park Shin-yang was difficult to work with throughout the production, culminating in a two week suspension of the drama due to a dispute with director Han Sang-woo. Reports also appeared suggesting that Han Sang-woo might be replaced.
This naturally drew attention to Go Hyun-jung. It remains unclear whether her appearing in the "Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2: Crime and Punishment" had anything to do with Park Shin-yang's behind the scenes drama. What is known is that Park Shin-yang was cast first, and may well have felt insulted that the production team wanted to take opportunity of the project to give Go Hyun-jung a second chance without being asked ahead of time.
A person relevant to Park Shin-yang has claimed that another acquaintance of his had seen Go Hyun-jung speaking with Han Sang-woo in a way that suggested they knew each other, and that Go Hyun-jung said she trusted him and screenwriter Choi Wan-gyoo. It is unknown how much substance there was to the secondhand rumor. However, by all accounts Go Hyun-jung was courteous and enthusiastic on set - though dogged by her actions on "Return", she has yet to reclaim another role.
Written by William Schwartz
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Staff writer. Has been writing articles for HanCinema since 2012, having lived in South Korea from 2011 to 2021. He is currently located in the Southern Illinois. William Schwartz can be contacted via william@hancinema.net, and is open to requests for content in future articles.