Lee Jung-jae set to join 'Delayed Justice' after Bae Sung-woo axed for DUI

Lee Jung-jae is in talks to join the SBS series “Delayed Justice” after lead actor Bae Sung-woo's withdrawal. Courtesy of Artist Company

By Lee Gyu-lee

Actor Lee Jung-jae may take Bae Sung-woo's role in the SBS series “Delayed Justice” after the show dismissed Bae following him being charged with drunk driving.

The network said Monday that it was “in final talks with Lee Jung-jae” for the casting of Bae's character.

Bae, who was playing the role of crusading journalist Park Sam-soo, is being investigated after he was caught drunk driving last month. His blood-alcohol level at the time was high enough to have his license revoked, police said.

When the issue came to the fore following media reports on Thursday, SBS announced the decision to axe the actor in a statement the next day.

“We have discussed ways to manage the situation after hearing the news, and concluded that the actor's removal is inevitable,” it said.

The series, about lawyer Park Tae-yong (Kwon Sang-woo) and journalist Sam-soo fighting for justice, is about halfway into its 20-episode run.

“The show will take three weeks off from airing after the 12th episode on Saturday,” SBS said. “We will edit out as many scenes of the actor as possible from the four additional episodes that have already been filmed.”

Bae's agency Artist Company has acknowledged the drunk driving reports and apologized, saying it “will take full responsibility.”

“We are deeply sorry to cause concerns to those who have supported Bae and sincerely apologize for the trouble,” it said.