Anticipated drama Inside Men is undergoing a major production shift—resulting in the departure of lead actor Song Kang-ho.

🎬 From Two Seasons to One: Production Timeline Reworked

On July 11, a representative from production company HYBE Media Corp told Dispatch, "The series will now be produced as a single season instead of two, and we've entered a reorganization phase."

Originally planned as a two-season project, Inside Men was set to begin filming between July and August. However, the team has now decided to film all 12 episodes in one continuous shoot—merging what was to be Season 1 and 2 into one arc.

⏳ Schedule Conflict Leads to Song Kang-ho's Departure

Due to the updated timeline, Song Kang-ho will no longer be part of the cast. The agency explained, "The extended production schedule conflicted with Song Kang-ho's next project in early 2026, making his continued participation difficult."

Song's team confirmed the exit, saying, "With the filming pushed back, he had no choice but to step down."

As a result, the role of Lee Kang-hee—originally assigned to Song—has become vacant. Casting for a new actor is currently underway.

🎭 Status of Remaining Cast Still Under Discussion

No final decision has been made regarding the schedules of Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Ji-yeon, or Lee Sung-min. Once script revisions are completed, production aims to begin by the end of the year.

🕵️‍♂️ What Is Inside Men?

The series is a drama adaptation of the acclaimed 2015 political crime film Inside Men (directed by Woo Min-ho). The drama will explore powerful stories and characters set in the politically turbulent 1980s–90s.

The series will be directed by Mo Wan-il, known for The World of the Married, Misty, and In the Woods with No One. The script is being written by Lee Ki-cheol, writer of Mogadishu and Assassination.