Kim Soo-hyun [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

Actor Kim Soo-hyun of series "Dream High" fame has been cast in a historical drama where he will play a king, according to his agency on Friday.

A press release by KEYEAST said that Kim will play an imaginary king named Lee Hwon in the show named "The Moon Bearing the Sun" (translated title) aiming for a premiere in January of next year.

"We cast Kim for the role because we thought he best suited the role amongst actors of his age...... We were amazed at how he approached his character not just as a role he'll play but his entire life and how he expresses it," an official with the show's producer was quoted as saying in the statement.

"Moon" will be a fantasy romantic series set during the times of the Joseon Dynasty and tell of the sad love between Lee Hwon and a female shaman named Wol.

Based on the novel of the same name by writer Jung Eun-gwol who wrote the original novel for hit KBS TV series "SungKyunKwan Scandal," "Moon" will be written by Jin Soo-wan of "Capital Scandal" (KBS, 2007) and directed by Kim Do-hoon of "Royal Family" (MBC, 2011).

Kim, 23, has appeared in several dramas since making his debut on the small screen with a role in MBC's sitcom "Kimchi Cheese Smile" in 2008.

He will soon wrap up filming of a movie named "The Thieves" which will star several high-profile movie stars including Kim Hye-soo, Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Yun-seok.

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10 아시아 Jessica Kim jesskim@
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