Cliché Gone Wrong: A Star-Studded K-Drama That Got Canceled After Just 3 Episodes
There is quite a tragic reason behind the 2006 MBC K-Drama Wolf getting canceled after airing only three episodes out of the 16 planned. The star-studded series, with top actress Han Ji Min and idol-turned-actor Eric from Shinhwa as leads, premiered on January 16, 2006 to air on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Wolf’s first two episodes received solid attention from viewers who found the plot—a love triangle of two rivals falling in love with the same woman with a fatal genetic condition—to be intriguing.
But on January 22, 2006, while shooting a scene in which Eric saves Han Ji Min from a car accident, Eric actually ended up getting hit by the car.
According to a MBC news report from the day of the accident, the stunt driver failed to stop the car on time and drove straight into the set at 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour). Realizing the car was not stopping, Eric threw himself in between the car and Han Ji Min.
It was a scene in which Eric grabs Han Ji Min by the wrist and pulls her off the sidewalk, saving her from a car accident. But when the stunt car didn’t slow down and got too close, he pulled her into his arms and blocked the car with his own body.
— Eric’s Manager
Following the news of the accident, Wolf aired its third episode which had already completed shooting and editing. Then, a special episode (recapping Episodes 1 through 3) aired instead of Episode 4.
In a follow-up news report, the Wolf production team told MBC that canceling the show was not being considered an option at all. They insisted Wolf will continue shooting again once the co-stars received treatment and got better—and to air Episode 4 on February 6, 2006.
Han Ji Min is expected to make a full recovery within a week. As for Eric, he needs at least four weeks. But we will continue shooting with a flexible schedule, working with his condition and making sure he doesn’t push himself too hard.
— Wolf Production Team
But as both Eric and Han Ji Min struggled with recovery, the show was canceled on February 2, 2006. MBC was slammed for putting cast members in danger with the live-shoot production that was rampant in the K-Drama industry and for having no back up plan for emergencies.
From this accident, in which he suffered especially severe injuries to his lower body, including his spine, hip, and knees, Eric had lingering side effects that ultimately led him to give up enlisting in the Marine Corps and complete his military duty as part of the public service.
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