I always felt that Han Ga In was not right for the female lead role in hit sageuk The Moon Embraces the Sun, the age gap with Kim Soo Hyun, her acting limitations (he was acting circles around her), and that the age of the character really suited a early 20s actress. There’s a chance to cast right for Hong Chun Gi, the upcoming K-drama adaptation in the works by the same novel writer who wrote The Moon Embraces the Sun, so think romance and mysticism and lots of palace angst and intrigue. The male lead is already confirmed to be Ahn Hyo Seob so of course chatter is on who will play the female lead, the only female royal painter in the Joseon era. Unsurprising and also topping my own pick is Kim Yoo Jung, who fulfilled all her potential and then some in her first sageuk lead actress role in Moonlight Drawn by Clouds in acting, chemistry, and visuals. Also good choices for the female lead based on successful sageuk track records and being age/visual matching with Ahn Hyo Seob are Kim So Hyun, Nam Ji Hyun, Kim Sae Ron, Kim Tae Ri, Shin Se Kyung, and IU. What’s your pick?
