We translated an article that tries to explain what is going on with the production now that Choi Jin-hyuk is not available for the newest 4 episode extension. It is below!
The Disappearance of the Male Lead to The Last Empress
The Last Empress is facing a disappearance of the male lead. After the late extension, The Last Empress surprised viewers again. Will they be able to finish 4 more episodes safely? The beginning of this chaos started when The Last Empress production site talked about a possible extension of the show.The show should have ended on the 14th at episode 48. But SBS talked about extending it. They thought about it until one week before the TV show ended, so the viewers are all confused. The production team of The Last Empress announced on the 11th, 3 days before the planned end date, that they would have a strong ended and extend 4 more episodes.
If the issue ended here, all is well. But on the 15th, the male lead, Choi Jin-hyuk announced that he is not able to make it to the extended episodes. He tried to re-organize his schedule, but because he already has another plan, he cannot make it to the extension.
He said this on his social media:
“Maybe some of you already read this on the newspaper article. I am not going to be in the TV show anymore after yesterdays episode. Thank you for cheering for us.”
As a result, the last scene we will see him in is the episode that aired February 14th. It is very confusing and shocking to the viewers for the male lead to end his filming without the viewers knowing about it and that this is announced after the latest episode aired.
The Last Empress has no continuity in storyline and many shocking scenes. It has been criticized a lot, but with Jang Nara’s refreshing revenge story, it became a 17.9% ratings show. But we are not sure if the viewers who supported the last extensions will still support it without the male lead.
It turns out that Choi Jin-hyuk has a fan meeting in Taiwan which is why he is unable to reschedule. This is understandable because people can pay hundreds of dollars and fly from all over for those fan meetings. Hopefully the production team figures out a way around it!
Source HanKookilbo (via Drama Current)
Wouldn’t it be better for them to just make a second season though, instead of extending twice? 😀
Author
That would be nice! Or maybe just check with the cast to see if they have any other things going on? 😜
Either extend for a second season or produce some aftermath episodes.
I hope somebody learns a lesson from this. Yeah, sure I always wish good shows will never end but I know that’s just my inner feelings that I’m really enjoying a show. Not once have I seen these last minute extensions do anything but totally F up a decent show.
And when I first started watching Kdrama 5 years ago, I always begged for a season 2 or sequel or spin off and that has never turned out well either (with the exception of Tree With Deep Roots and Six Flying Dragons but that’s a different thing altogether).
Thank you for providing the translation/information.
Author
It seems like this PD never learns. I heard he had issues with his last drama, Revenge, as well.
If 48 was supposed to be the last episode, then that would be it? I shouldn’t have expected more.
Author
The funny thing is, I think 40 or 44 was supposed to be the last episode? This is the second (or third) extension!
So we cant get any hope for SN and WS romantic scene anymore?
Its just feel strange when turn to ep 47 48, why suddenly WS appeared as bodyguard or something like that?
And become more more strange when the truth is haelmoni commit to kill herself and make SN wants revenge more???
Its not make a sense.