The Real Reason Behind the Director Change in “Real”: A Look Beyond Sulli

The ongoing discussion regarding the film Real has reignited public interest following allegations from the brother of the late Sulli about coerced exposure and changes in its directorial team. New insights, however, indicate that this shift during production was primarily driven by severe financial disputes rather than the controversial filming of Sulli’s intimate scenes.

Financial Disputes Drive Director’s Departure

An investigation by Hankyung.com, released on April 4, revealed that director Lee Jung-sub exited the production close to its end due to serious accusations of embezzlement and a breach of trust linked to hundreds of millions of KRW. Allegedly, Lee’s company, known as “Company A, ” was found to have inflated operational expenses and pursued sponsorship deals without the production team’s consent, including one from a competing investor.

Lee Sa-rang The Mysterious Figure Behind Kim Soo-hyun Controversy

The production entity, Real Culture Industry Special Company, and Lee agreed to a confidentiality arrangement to safeguard the film’s significant budget of approximately 11.5 billion KRW (around 8 million USD) and to facilitate its eventual release. Following Lee’s exit, Lee Ro-bae, credited as Lee Sa-rang and a cousin of acclaimed actor Kim Soo-hyun, stepped in to assume directing duties.

Real examines the tensions that escalate when a mysterious investor approaches a casino manager on the brink of his establishment’s launch, intertwining the realms of reality and illusion. The film not only features Kim Soo-hyun but also represents Lee Ro-bae’s directorial debut.

Sulli’s Brother Questions Official Account

Mr. Choi, brother of Sulli, publicly challenged not only the depiction of the nude scenes but also the circumstances surrounding Lee Jung-sub’s departure from the film. He asserted that while these scenes were planned in the storyboard, the final cut presented a significantly different portrayal. Despite having a body double, he claimed Sulli performed these scenes herself due to extreme mental and physical fatigue.

Choi stated, “Although a body double was designated for the nude scenes and filming adhered to the storyboard, the edited version diverged significantly. At that time, Sulli was worn out both physically and mentally.”

He further contended, “The script lacked clear descriptions of the nude scenes, and despite the body double’s involvement, Sulli ultimately ended up filming them herself, ” demanding clarity from Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Ro-bae.

Director Lee Jung-sub, previously silent regarding the controversy, broke his silence on X (formerly Twitter) to address the situation:

“I lack a ‘director’ credit, thus I’m not positioned to issue an official statement.”
“Regarding the claims, I was intentionally sidelined during the audition process.”
“With the film’s release, I assert with confidence: Not even 1% of its outcome reflects my contributions.”
“Remaining silent throughout this ordeal has been deeply painful.”

In a response to a fan of Kim Soo-hyun, he added, “I have never made exposes or provocations. If you truly support him, reflect on how his actions resonate in the broader world; I, too, was once a strong admirer.”

Diverging Perspectives and Legal Challenges

Despite Mr. Choi’s assertions, individuals familiar with the production confirmed that the contentious nude scenes were indeed filmed under Lee Jung-sub’s direction and were part of the initial script. Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, rebutted claims of coercion, affirming:

“The bed scenes were integral to the script from the beginning and auditions specifically sought actors comfortable with nudity.”
“Sulli was fully informed prior to filming, and a ‘stand-in’ was present only for blocking scenes.”
“Decisions regarding the script, storyboard, and filming lie within the domain of the production team, with Kim Soo-hyun serving solely as an actor.”

Mr. Choi later responded, “If there were no issues during filming, I request transparency on Lee Jung-sub’s abrupt exit. I’ve heard that 80% of the film was completed before his departure—how does that make sense?”

Concerning the allegations of embezzlement linked to the changes in direction, Lee Jung-sub told Hankyung.com, “I departed as the creative vision was wholly misaligned. The claims of embezzlement are ludicrous—what could a first-time director, deprived of sleep, steal? The investors held all authority over operations.”

He concluded, “They can paint even the misplacement of a pencil as embezzlement to coerce me. Workplace dynamics are consistently the same.”

As eight years have passed since the release of Real, inquiries about its tumultuous production continue to spark discussions. Yet, emerging evidence clarifies that the director’s change was rooted in financial disputes rather than scandalous scenes.

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