Disney+’s highly anticipated drama The Illusion, starring Suzy and Kim Seon Ho, has reportedly scrapped its scheduled China location shoot — a move that’s raising eyebrows in the industry.
Originally, the series planned to film parts of the show in Shanghai, China during early to mid-October. However, industry insiders confirmed on October 15 that the production team has now fully shifted focus to domestic filming sites within South Korea, abandoning all plans for the China shoot.
While the production company claims the decision was driven by “production conditions and filming environment,” speculation is swirling that the cancellation is linked to the recent controversy surrounding Jun Ji Hyun and Disney+ drama Polaris.
In Polaris, Jun’s character makes a politically charged remark:
“Why does China favor war? A nuclear bomb could drop near the border.”
This fictional line drew intense criticism from Chinese netizens, who accused the show of spreading distorted views of China.
The backlash intensified online, leading to calls for a boycott of Jun Ji Hyun, with some reports alleging her brand deals in China — including cosmetics and watches — were being canceled. However, her agency firmly denied the rumors, calling them “completely unfounded.“
Regarding the scrapped China shoot, a representative for The Illusion told OSEN,
“It’s true that China was a candidate for the location. But location decisions are flexible and based on production conditions — nothing is finalized.“
Currently, Suzy and Kim Seon Ho are focusing on domestic filming. The team is also reportedly scouting alternative overseas locations, including Vietnam.
Directed by Han Jae Rim (The Face Reader, The King, Emergency Declaration), The Illusion is a period mystery set in 1935 Gyeongseong (colonial-era Seoul). The story follows Song Jeong Hwa (played by Suzy), a mysterious woman whose portrait is painted by artist Yoon Yi Ho (played by Kim Seon Ho). As he delves deeper into her enigma, secrets begin to unravel.
The series is slated for release on Disney+ in 2026.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
You must be logged in to post a comment.