Actress Shim Eun Kyung and singer WOODZ have both turned down offers to appear in the upcoming Korean-Japanese film “Damako,” following reports that the two stars were being considered for roles in the project.
Their decisions were confirmed by their respective agencies on September 28, after the reported casting generated discussion in South Korea because of the film’s sensitive historical subject matter.
Shim Eun Kyung’s agency confirmed that she had received an offer to appear in the film but ultimately decided not to participate.
WOODZ, whose real name is Cho Seung Youn, also received a script and discussed the project with his agency before deciding against taking the role.
His agency, EDAM Entertainment, confirmed that he had carefully considered the offer before declining it.
The casting reports had initially suggested that Shim Eun Kyung and WOODZ would appear alongside Japanese actress Sakura Ando in “Damako.”
However, the two Korean stars have now clarified that neither will be part of the film.
The project is a South Korea-Japan co-production directed by Japanese filmmaker Junji Sakamoto.
Its story centers on a Japanese boy who loses his parents during the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
The narrative then follows his journey to Korea alongside a Korean resident of Japan, where he experiences the Korean War.
WOODZ Personally Addresses His Decision to Decline the Film
WOODZ also spoke about the situation himself during a live broadcast on September 27, shortly after reports about his potential casting began circulating.
He explained that he had received the script, reviewed its subject matter and discussed the project carefully with his agency before deciding not to take part.
The singer acknowledged the attention surrounding the casting reports and expressed regret over the confusion caused by the news.
He also told fans that he had been thinking carefully about the situation and encouraged them not to worry about him.
His comments made it clear that although he had been offered the role, his participation had never been finalized.
The clarification was particularly important because initial reports had created the impression that WOODZ had already been confirmed for the production.
His own explanation established that the process had only reached the stage of receiving and reviewing the script before he ultimately declined.
Shim Eun Kyung’s agency provided a similarly straightforward confirmation.
On September 28, her representatives stated that the actress had received an offer but had decided not to appear in the movie.
The controversy surrounding “Damako” is connected primarily to its historical setting.
Because the story deals with the Hiroshima atomic bombing and subsequently moves into the period of the Korean War, discussion has emerged over how the film will portray the historical experiences of Japan, Korea and the individuals affected by those events.
Some criticism reported in Korean media has focused on concerns that concentrating on the suffering caused by the atomic bombing could present Japan primarily through the perspective of victimhood, without adequately addressing the wider historical context of Japanese colonial rule and wartime aggression.
These concerns have been raised amid reports about the film’s premise rather than as an assessment of the completed movie, which has not yet been released.
‘Damako’ Receives Korean Film Council Support
The casting developments have also been followed by news about the film’s production support. “Damako” was selected for the Korean Film Council’s 2026 second-half international co-production pilot project and is set to receive 150 million won in funding.
The project is being produced jointly by South Korea’s Jin Pictures and Japan’s Central Arts, with Junji Sakamoto directing.
The Korean Film Council cited the director’s experience, the screenplay and the capabilities of the participating production teams when explaining the film’s selection.
The funding announcement has brought renewed attention to the project, particularly because it came after reports that both WOODZ and Shim Eun Kyung had declined their respective offers.
Their decisions mean that the originally reported Korean casting will not proceed as previously suggested.
For Shim Eun Kyung, the decision comes as she prepares for other upcoming work. She is set to appear in “The Table: Day and Night,” which has been selected as the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival and is scheduled for theatrical release later this year.
WOODZ is also continuing with his acting activities. He is scheduled to appear in the upcoming historical action film “Nambeol,” giving him another major screen project following his expanding career across music and acting.
With both stars now officially out of “Damako,” attention is likely to remain focused on the film’s eventual casting, production and handling of its historically sensitive subject.
For now, both Shim Eun Kyung and WOODZ have confirmed that although they received offers, they ultimately chose not to participate in the Korean-Japanese production.
