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Live-Action Series Adaptation of Inside Men Webtoon Undergoes Cast, Staff Reshuffle
posted on by Wonhee Cho
The live-action series adaptation of the webtoon Inside Men is undergoing a major shake-up in its lineup.
According to a report from Korean entertainment media outlet Xports News on October 16, a representative from production company Hive Media Corp confirmed that actor Sung-min Lee is currently in talks to join the series, while director Wan-il Mo and actor Kyo-hwan Koo have stepped down from the project.
Based on the unfinished webtoon created by Tae-ho Yoon, who is known for webtoons like Yahoo and Misaeng: Incomplete Life, Inside Men was previously adapted into the 2015 hit film of the same name. The new series aims to reimagine the story a decade later with a new cast and direction.
The story follows a network of powerful figures—a presidential candidate, a corporate tycoon, and a media strategist—entangled in deep political corruption and backdoor dealings. A small-time enforcer who once served them becomes a scapegoat after a secret slush fund scheme is exposed, leaving him broken and seeking revenge.
Meanwhile, an ambitious prosecutor with no influential background gets a rare chance to take down the country's biggest corruption ring, only to have his investigation derailed. As the two men's paths collide, each driven by his own sense of justice and ambition, a dangerous power struggle unfolds beneath the surface of politics, money, and the media.
Actor Kang-ho Song, who was initially cast as political power broker Kang-hee Lee, has exited the project due to scheduling conflicts. The role has now been offered to Sung-min Lee.
Meanwhile, Ji-hoon Ju has been approached to replace Kyo-hwan Koo, who was slated to play Sang-gu Ahn, the gangster-turned-whistleblower character. Ju's agency confirmed he is “reviewing the offer.”
The new live-action series was initially planned as a two-season project but will now be produced as a 12-episode single season. Broadcast discussions with JTBC are currently underway.
The Inside Men webtoon does not currently have an official English release, but other series by Yoon such as The Hooligans, Eorin, Moss, Operation Chromite, and Misaeng: Incomplete Life have English releases.
Sources: Xports News (Hee-sook Myung)
