Kim Bum has been cast as the lead for Tsui Hark’s upcoming film Detective Dee: The Prequel (tentative title).

Detective Dee: The Prequel is a collaboration between director Tsui Hark and Huayi Brothers.

Tsui Hark is the man behind the popular A Chinese Ghost Story series, Ren Zhe Huang Fei Hong series and The East is Red.

As such, the piece is already making issues in China for bringing the two great names in cinema together.

Kim Bum will be acting alongside actors fairly active in China, such as Feng Shaofeng and Lin Gengxin of China, Angelababy of Hong Kong and Mark Chao of Taiwan. These rising stars in Asian cinema are expected to lead the film to success.

Kim Bum boomed in popularity in China through his drama Boys over Flowers. That he’s the only Korean actor to make it into the cast for Tsui Hark’s upcoming project has been gathering even more attention.

Kim Bum himself said about his first Chinese film appearance, “I grew up with director Tsui Hark’s action films, and I really look up to him. I thought if I don’t work with him this time, I’ll never get to do so again. I’m happy that I was able to appear in this piece with this opportunity, and I will work hard.”

Detective Dee: The Prequel started filming in Hengdian, China since July, and is aiming for a premiere next year.

Photo credit: King Kong Entertainment