does her contract allow such early exit?
good luck getting cast next time - people are gonna worry she'd bolt for the door the minute her lines start to suck :P

I personally think she should have just sucked it up, finish the drama, and just forget this drama ever happened.

i rarely post but i have to say she should've been done this a long time ago. mbc should never falsely advertise.. the only reason i watch is to see how the last half plays out since the first half of the series lacked SOOO much development given that many episodes. this drama looked so promising at first but now it is a ..JOKE. worst drama ever to even waste your time on.

To those who said she's an unprofessional actress....you must havn't seen the drama yet to know why she comes to such a decision...As an avid follower of EOE I have to say... blame it on MBC to make her character so worthless not even related to the plot... a total wasted of talent.. they totally used her name to advertise the drama... Im glad she decide to quit because there was no development in her character and they did,nt keep their promise they made to her character...I feel bad for LDH ..after putting so much effort into the role, she has not even 3 minutes in each episode and I admire her because she endure it for over 35 episodes.... there's a limit to everything and I guess she couldn't take it anymore because her character was ridiculously writting! ( sorry for my poor english skills)

Truthfully, it doesn't matter how much the role sucks. What matters is she's a professional actor and she was paid and signed a contract. Even if she isn't breaching a contract (in which case, she's lucky MBC is letting her out easy) she had a good faith contract with the production to stick around for the whole drama. To leave now is totally unprofessional and makes her look really bad. Good luck to her on getting hired again.

To me.. MBC isn't respecting what 's writting on the contract..she didn't sign up for what she get!

omg ahahaha princess lulu... gosh i really felt bad for KJE then.... -____- that drama was just .... 0____0;;;;

anyways.... isnt leedahae going to get fined for getting out of it early?!

also i say this is VERY unprofessional... i've seen other actresses with WORSE. WORSE. roles than her...

and i rreally think (like dramabeans stated) shes tired of being the "second fiddle" -_-

(to bubble) That's not what a contract is. MBC didn't have a clause stating they would make sure her role would satisfy her. That was her decision and if she ended up screwed by the production, I feel bad for her but her way of responding is unprofessional, period.

Anyone following the current daily drama You Are My Destiny (featuring Im Yoona) can sympathise with cast and loyal audience members suffering through the abyss that can consume everything in it's wake due to script problems and shoddy writing. I have no first-hand knowledge of Miss Lee' s current series or if the problems perceived are as she intimated, I'm just saying that I've seen what she says is happening happen. No talent, even a minimal one, will become forever tossed onto the scrap-heap if he or she can still draw viewers and turn people's heads. Maybe a fresh start is the way for her to go.

There is always at least two sides to every story...

This is a massage I've posted in LDH's fan forum... Let me just say that call her irresponsible or diva-ish or whatever crap you want, but, you have to understand where she was coming from... If you've been following East of Eden closely since the day the casting was done and press releases were given out, you will see this issue in a different light... SO being a person who's witnessed the injustice that MBC did to her I just have to say this in her defense...

--START OF RANT—
I must say that I completely understand where LDH is coming from. Call me biased or whatever but from a professional stand point, I think she has grounds for quitting this project this suddenly… I mean her management does not need to release such bull that all this is just about her health, I don’t believe it’s the prime reason… More than anything, I think they’re frustrated over not being given the material that was promised to LDH when she signed that contract… I mean let’s admit that her character was in no way made vital and pivotal into the story… She was forever left in the sidelines and was only given some indications that her part may have some bigger part in the future… indications that are really just a blip, probably to keep her supporters like us to keep holding on!

I mean she was completely used by MBC! They buzzed about LDH playing along side SSH as his leading lady (yeah right!? Alongside? ) She was used as a marketing ploy to get their targeted audience in. Well, they did but, just as some viewers got used to the way they started things , MBC was soooo into appeasing the sentiments of the fans that they were all ready to postpone HR’s role in the plot again and again until they were probably set to not go in that direction altogether which probably got the disapproval from LDH’s camp… I mean we can’t blame LDH if she’s calling this quits when she MBC/producer probably was the first party who hadn’t kept their word… HR’s character cannot in anyway do justice to what was promised to us some months ago…

Of course this is just my assumption, but, I’m seriously thinking the validity of such… I remember always having this lingering fear that MBC would decide not to go into the DW-HR-DC direction since the viewers got used to DC-YR, with their out pouring of online surveys, I just knew that they were testing the waters!

Anyway, I really cannot condemn LDH as being unprofessional… You cannot possibly stay loyal to someone who’s not intending to stay true to their word… I must say I probably was always half-wishing that she would pull off this stunt to rattle EOE’s producers off their cages…
BBASHYA LDH!!!
--END OF RANT--

This is a massage I've posted in LDH's fan forum... Let me just say that call her irresponsible or diva-ish or whatever crap you want, but, you have to understand where she was coming from... If you've been following East of Eden closely since the day the casting was done and press releases were given out, you will see this issue in a different light... SO being a person who's witnessed the injustice that MBC did to her I just have to say this in her defense...

--START OF RANT—
I must say that I completely understand where LDH is coming from. Call me biased or whatever but from a professional stand point, I think she has grounds for quitting this project this suddenly… I mean her management does not need to release such bull that all this is just about her health, I don’t believe it’s the prime reason… More than anything, I think they’re frustrated over not being given the material that was promised to LDH when she signed that contract… I mean let’s admit that her character was in no way made vital and pivotal into the story… She was forever left in the sidelines and was only given some indications that her part may have some bigger part in the future… indications that are really just a blip, probably to keep her supporters like us to keep holding on!

I mean she was completely used by MBC! They buzzed about LDH playing along side SSH as his leading lady (yeah right!? Alongside? ) She was used as a marketing ploy to get their targeted audience in. Well, they did but, just as some viewers got used to the way they started things , MBC was soooo into appeasing the sentiments of the fans that they were all ready to postpone HR’s role in the plot again and again until they were probably set to not go in that direction altogether which probably got the disapproval from LDH’s camp… I mean we can’t blame LDH if she’s calling this quits when she MBC/producer probably was the first party who hadn’t kept their word… HR’s character cannot in anyway do justice to what was promised to us some months ago…

Of course this is just my assumption, but, I’m seriously thinking the validity of such… I remember always having this lingering fear that MBC would decide not to go into the DW-HR-DC direction since the viewers got used to DC-YR, with their out pouring of online surveys, I just knew that they were testing the waters!

Anyway, I really cannot condemn LDH as being unprofessional… You cannot possibly stay loyal to someone who’s not intending to stay true to their word… I must say I probably was always half-wishing that she would pull off this stunt to rattle EOE’s producers off their cages…

BBASHYA LDH!!!
--END OF RANT--

Unprofessional, true. But she was treated very unfairly in the drama. she apologizes and will suffer the consequences.

it also looks like... her mental health isn't very good. even she admitted so herself.

pity, she's a very good actress if East of Eden is the last of Lee Da Hae is a very sad day for the K-Entertainment industry.

EOE had the potential to be a great drama but the show as a whole, not just LDH's character, have been disappointing. Park Haejin and Han Ji Hye also have been underused and they are far superior actors then Song SeungHun and *especially* Lee YeonHee.

What's up with the false advertising from MBC at the start of this drama? Wasn't there supposed to be a love triangle between Dong-chul, Hye-rin, and Dong-wook because that's what they are advertising now in Japan too? I don't get it.

If this is a question about being professional or not... you guys might want to look into how MBC was the first party who did not honor their word to Lee Da Hae... She was promised a character that was not really given to her... It's like you signed up for a nice job and you're bunked in the clerk tasks,,,

If you'd have to label someone unprofessional point your fingers to both parties! But, I'll say that MBC deserves what's coming to them because they're the first one who screwed up with what was agreed upon...

i put the blame on MBC...Lee Da hae is a talented actress,,but MBC waisted her talent and her effort....i do understand why she made this decision...she is not unprofesional......infact i praised her for being so brave to leave the show.....

... and also it has been 36 episodes and Lee Da Hae probably has oh i don't know... 1 hour of screentime all in all.

her character actually won't have much effect even if she leaves. her story is so remote and unimportant, it will be an easy task for the writer to write her off.

anyone who has followed EOE can understand why LDH did what she did. the girl has NOTHING to work with. MHR is the least developed of all the characters and she might as well basically be there to serve as a hot friend to DW and DC.

from the very beginning, LDH was supposed to be the lead. it was the old writer and YJH who convinced her to take the role in the first place. LDH signed on to be the lead, not playing sixth fiddle to every other main character on the show. yea sure, JH is also subordinate to the other 3 yet they havent quit but thats because they signed on knowing they were going to play subordinate characters.

i have no idea what her contract stated, but im pretty damn sure MBC and EOE assured LDH that she was to play the lead. It's like YEH signing on to coffee prince as the lead but yet as the drama progresses you can see that she didnt get what she was promised, acting rather as just the second fiddle and getting no development. if anything, MBC is just as faulty if not even more faulty than LDH. MBC couldve been the ones who breached the contract not LDH.

honestly, i think LDH was truly meant to play the lead at the start but something happened and YR ended up as the lead. i mean, original script writer changed to new one? health related or not it's still fishy.

ive ranted bout EOE dragginess and no sense of plot since like along time ago but LDH dropping out just confirms that MBC made a huge mistake with EOE. LDH does not seem like the girl who does stuff brashly. im sure something pushed her to this point. EOE as a whole has been pretty disappointing.

this not just coming from a LDH, but fans of all the EOE actors also can sympathize with her decision. go check the soompi threads.

but then, who knows what happened BTS. oh my frick, i wrote some essay

Hello, it's my first time "ranting and/or raving" even though I secretly follow this blog. LOL.

Anyway, I really can't say she's unprofessional. If anyone was unprofessional, MBC was. Sure, they signed a contract, but you have a right to end the contract when the other end has blatantly violated the contract. Nobody said MBC was supposed to "satisfy LDH's wants" in her expectations for the character. But if she's the lead actress, why does she a) have little screen time, and b) isn't even important to the storyline? So far, the character, Min Hyerin has had little impact or indent in the storyline. Instead, the story has constantly spent unnecessary time developing an unneeded, banal, trite relationship that doesn't even need much explanation, aka the DC - YR thing that's going on.

How can you criticize LDH when she's probably endured this inferior treatment for months? It must have been pretty bad for her to quit at episode 35, which is more than halfway through the entire bloody show. She's not stupid - she knows what she's getting into. Therefore, she knows that it really isn't worth it to stick with the show for another unmeaningful fifteen episodes, where she doesn't even have the chance to expand/develop her character.

Her character right now is a cardboard. It needs more dimensions. LDH's not "tired of being 'second fiddle'." She's tired of having a meaningless character. If the "second fiddle" character had more dimension, was more interesting, maybe she wouldn't have quit.

Conclusion: MBC is the loser. LDH can't exactly come off as "blameless," but you realize that she must have gone through a lot to come up with this decision.

First up I have not seen the show or even bothered to watch a promo, heavy serious melodrama sends me running for the hills. I like Lee Da-hae and the other 'lead' actress from the show, but then I have a thing for the cute and pretty, so it not really based on her acting skill so much. But I have real doubts over the headline 'Lee Da-hae has quit East of Eden. Her decision comes without warning" Now I am pretty sure either her or her management team have mentioned her unhappiness to the producers and writers of the show in some form. And not getting any suitable reaction lead to her quitting. Now yes it is in many ways unprofessional but it was a choice she thinks she had to make, and she been in the business long enough to know how badly such an act well reflect on her, but she made it anyway. I think this shows just how strongly she feels about this, so in that regard she has my support, in deciding to go with her convictions

I've only caught up to Episode 16? (yeah, I know I am behind) however-so far, I've liked how they developed her character...and there is a crap load of people in this series, so its going to be hard to balance out. I wish she would of stayed but its her choice to leave. I agree with others, I was kind of wondering at what point LDH and SSH were going to start the development of their relationship...at this point for me, its a lot of lingering stares... ha! Anyways, I like EOE despite its immediate flaws..i love the drama!

Yeah, ppl may call her unprofessional - whatever they want, because it's justified in their eyes, not knowing what LDH has been thru whilst filming the drama. Of course, ppl will say, "Come on, look at HJH, she had lil screen time too, she's the second fiddle too.. she's hanging on. It's ridiculous blah blah"...etc. But as a fan of hers, who followed her every single move, I know how stressful it was for her. Her health deteriorated, her mental condition got worst.. she was even sent to the ER twice because of dehydration and fatigue. I might sound like I'm defending her (because I am biased I admit), but you can't blame everything solely on LDH. Her character has been undeveloped all this while anyway, and so far she has no obvious connection to the main story (and she's a female lead ok?)..some ppl even cheered that she's out of the scene because she's just not significant to the drama, she's not interesting blah blah blah... I dare say that her withdrawal is not gonna affect the main storyline in any freaking way. She was all the while a sidecast, when she was initially promoted to be somebody who was important - at least, to the DW/DC relationship. But it's been 35 episodes, and what did she get? Just 3-5 mins of screen time in most of the episodes.. sometimes more (but in only 2-3 episodes?). She opted to apologize in front of public and put the blame on herself... for not being able to grasp her character. She said it's her fault for goodness..

sorry for the long rant... but I really feel bad for the girl. I know it's kind of a useless post.. because the first thing I'd say if this happened to another actress would be the same as you guys... irresponsible. But given that I'm a LDH fan, and I can say that I know bits and pieces of her condition whilst filming the drama all this while, that's the best I can do.

Hang on there LDH sshi.

Ppl will bash you, criticize you...etc. You know it, we know it.
Just hope you stay strong!

Forever your fan

also, she is not quitting until Episode 40. so she misses 10 episodes.

i don't think it's a matter of being a second fiddle... it's being an actual character that makes sense. everyone else in the lead cast had a pretty good turn with their character. while for her? she is reduced to time jumps and guessing games.

you also forgot to put the part when she blames herself for everything. so yeah she admits it's an unprofessional move and will take the blow in her career. good luck to her.

the fangirls are out in full force today... if you could only see how you sound to unbiased people, maybe you'd be less defensive of your darling star... it's not a very convincing argument when the defense is so hysterical sounding... puahaha

I support her decision to drop the drama because it was MBC that first lied to LDH. She was cast in the drama in 2007 and was told that the role would be a major character and involved in the main storyline. It's not like LDH couldn't have found another gig but she chose to do EoE because of her character's meaty role. Instead, the writers pulled a bait and switch and as a result, she suffered emotional stress and physical deterioration. I am one of those people who will literally get sick if I am severely upset so I can completely understand where LDH's coming from.

And for those saying she's unprofessional. You don't know the entire story. She and her manager would not just walk out of the project to throw a temper tantrum. Nor would they walk out abruptly. LDH will stay on EoE until episode 40, providing time for the dissolution of her character. If anyone's been watching EoE instead of snarking on this site, they would know that LDH's character plays a non-pivotal role and her departure would not affect a change to any storyline. That's how sad her role was.

Furthermore, the writers completely butchered her role. On one hand, she was supposed to be a strong career woman with difficulty trusting others but on the other she was supposed to act as a 30 y.o. woman with a girly unrequited crush on SSH. She's supposed to hate her family except she doesn't and the transformation between the change in her attitude was never given enough time to be smoothly transitioned.

If I were hired to be the President of the Marketing Division of a major corporation due to my good credentials but once at the company I find out that I'm merely a glorified secretary, you wouldn't call me unprofessional if I quit, would you?

Lee da Hae, simply tired or irresponsible actress...you're kidding right? Lee Da Hae must be one of the highest paid Korean actresses out there..so why would she blow a huge income and risk being labeled ....as you said,...irresponsible as well as risk her own her career unless she had a valid reason to do so. She is the main female lead but MBC relegated her character to insignificance that it was just pathetic for her if she stayed on. They changed the writer, and also changed the script making it impossible for LDH to even recognize the character she is playing. That must be very frustrating for her. I commend her for being brave enough to quit instead of just rolling over and playing dead for MBC. If there is anyone to blame, it should be MBC for not being true to their word. It is obvious to me that this young lady has principles and it is unfair to label her a prima donna because of these.

Not the smartest decision I must say, yeah she apparently has the burden to play a nonsense character but her move will sounds like very irresponsible and unprofessional. Talk about princess syndrome...

"And for those saying she’s unprofessional. You don’t know the entire story."

Yes, but do diehard defenders of Lee Da Hae know any more than the others? The information that is out there is available to everyone, and some people may choose to look at her behavior as "unprofessional." It's not like those of us who believe Lee Da Hae made an unfortunate and career-damaging decision are any LESS informed.

"If I were hired to be the President of the Marketing Division of a major corporation due to my good credentials but once at the company I find out that I’m merely a glorified secretary, you wouldn’t call me unprofessional if I quit, would you?"

This is a flawed analogy. What are the terms of your employment? Your salary, severance? Are you under at-will employment? etc etc. An actor who signs on to a drama series - EVEN IF THE ROLE ISN'T AS EXPECTED - is still expected to fulfill his or her obligation. It may be true that MBC was unfair to her, but bad behavior in turn does not justify more bad behavior. (Like two wrongs don't make a right.)

I'm not arguing that Lee Da Hae is a horrible person. Actually I feel bad for her. But to argue that she IS being professional quitting now because you think her role was worse than promised is simply ludicrous.

wow! this comes a blow! i can't believe she quits before the drama comes to an end. i definitely call that irresponsible.

^i like you analogy, lol.

@ 25 puahahaha

you have to follow EOE to understand why ppl are defending her. its not just LDH fans either. SSH, HJH, yes even LYH fans understand why she quit. btw, im a complete kpop addict and just merely follow kdramas. i dont have any favorite actors or actresses yet i can see why ppl are defending her

o and i do agree its unprofessional but i do see why LDH did it.

oh my shiz, ive never "ranted or raved" but i sound like some madwoman today. this is fun, lol. i should do it more often

I think the point of the matter is, I don't think she is even defending her decision as something that was a smart move or professional. She thinks it isn't. She thinks it's such a bad move on her part, she apologizes profusely and says her decision is shameful. now, due to her stress, her pain, and her deteriorating health she will take the risk. she is leaving with the reputation of walking out of this production. it was just that much.

Guys, you also realize that her health is deteriorating?

It was a painful decision for her to leave, I'm sure, but her health is also going downhill. She's been stressed and rushed to the hospital several times.

Yes, LDH will be perhaps labeled as unprofessional, but I think health comes first?

I really like her because of My Girl. However, Hello Miss turned me off and I had to actually question whether I like her or I like her character in MG.

Anyway, she must have gone through something to take such an extreme decision. To be honest, I don't really care because I don't watch East of Eden. Too many episodes with such a storyline (I attempted the first episode) and realized it's very predictable. Actually, it's so hard to have so many episodes and not have the series at some point be one, dragging, and another, boring.

For whatever reason, she should be able to face the consequences of her decision.

I know that this is not a good move career wise but sometimes when people have had enough and they're paying with their health, then the best solution is not always the rational move. People are not robots that factor in a cost/benefit analysis for every decision. Sometimes emotions override rationality and that's not a bad thing. Let LDH's manager deal with any legal ramifications if there are going to be any. The girl just needs to take a break from this whole ugly mess.

@a, I think most people consider the "health" thing an excuse (or a backup reason), even EOE fans.

her health is affected, though. she's been in the ER three times, even her co-stars attest to her anxiety attacks.

though, i doubt health was her primary reason, it was part of it.

to EOE watchers: if her health deteriorated from having very little screen time, did she film more than they needed?
it's a pity if her career's stalled by getting trapped in a thankless role, when she could be in another shorter series "showing off" :)
maybe veteran actress kim hae sook's approach could be a role model to consider: put your eggs in MANY different baskets (support to leading gigs in movies; do it all - daily to nighttime dramas), and just hone your craft and survive. one day it'll come all the major awards land in your lap, including a park chan wook movie. of course, she's not a star...

this is not a good move for her career what she did is a breach of contract good thing MBC let her go that easily and this taints her image it made her appear a prima donna and unprofessional

Acting not just about glamorous....

What a lose-lose-lose situation. Even if MBC has treated LDH poorly, I'm not sure she should have quit. Was she justified? Probably. But, in the end everyone comes out looking like jerks.

I think the main reason why she wants to leave it's because she wants to make sense to the character HR..hanging on will just make the character worser and pointless....At least she consider what's best for the viewers and doesn't want to deliver a character that makes no sense at all. LDH, you hav all my support!

Personally, I do not absolve her from her fault.. She is unprofessional for what she did... Even she herself owned up to it... If you read her complete message a huge chunk of it was actually apologetic and was actually owning up for her responsibility (or the lack of it with regard to this decision)... The point here is that if we're gonna put that label on her we might as well throw the same rock at MBC... She shouldn't be the single person to be demonized with this decision... I don't think it was a sudden decision... I'm sure in some ways than one her camp was trying to send out their sentiments to the production team... But, when they fail to hear it over and over again, that's when they decide to call it quits... If she's brave enough to own up for her fault, MBC should follow suit and apologize for not delivering what they promised from the get go

total support to LDH, i have to say that the history of East of Eden goes in circles and it doesn't allow that other actors develop histories more interesting.

there gonna be a better role for she in the future!

ooooooo this is much heated than any debate! everyone has great points. :) dramabeans u always make ppl think hard. hehe

i dont really have an opinion. i think shes really brave, but she probably know shes gonna get a worse reputation later. but whatever she does, she knows herself best.

everything probably isnt how it seems, so we should be patient and wait to see how it turns out.

but again, great debate ppl!!!

:)

It's sad that her character can easily be written out of the series and the story focus may be better for her leaving. LDH's storyline has been so disconnected to the real plot, cutting to her feels more like checking in to reassure us that she's still around, what she's doing has very little impact in the world of EoE. I can't imagine I'll miss Hye-rin especially if it tightens up the storyline.

LDH is not doing herself any favours and I think she realises that, which makes me wonder why she is and why now beyond the pretty PR words.

From the post on her FF I can only assume the girly no longer angry Hye-rin will be around until she bows out. Personally I'm hoping for a character death, not because I dislike her but because the show could do with consequences other than 'insert character name' gets a bit bloody.

Wow, that's surprising! I stopped watching the show after ep. 8 (too melodramatic and too repetitive), but it's disappointing to hear this. LDH is a talented actress. Hope the best for her in the future!

Weren't they considering extending the show after it hit the 30% mark?!

no matter how we look at the situation, it is a lose-lose situation for everyone but i think LDH will suffer the most. Not only will her reputation be tainted but she might have a harder time getting jobs in the future. Producers, tv stations, writers, directors might think twice before hiring her. Knowing how fickle k-showbiz and netizens are, there is no telling what the impact is going to be on her career.

Oh well....her character sure is pretty lame...I don't blame her
I think that most ppl were sucked into this drama thinking it would be a total success...
Truely....I gave up in it..i don't like to give up on dramas and I did try to keep watching this one..
First, it draaaaaags.
Second, they make Lee Da hae look ridiculous, and she's one of my favorite actress
And second, well I truely don't see a happy ending to it (I may be wrong), I mean really, a drama this long and with so much suffering just has to have a good ending or what's the point.
***This is just my opinion*** ^_^

#29 lola “An actor who signs on to a drama series - EVEN IF THE ROLE ISN’T AS EXPECTED - is still expected to fulfill his or her obligation. It may be true that MBC was unfair to her, but bad behavior in turn does not justify more bad behavior. (Like two wrongs don’t make a right.) I’m not arguing that Lee Da Hae is a horrible person. Actually I feel bad for her. But to argue that she IS being professional quitting now because you think her role was worse than promised is simply ludicrous."

Agreed.

-Ryu Si Won signed onto Beautiful Days as the male lead (the very early episodes establish his Kdrama-standard "connection" to Choi Ji Woo's character via childhood scenes and "fateful" meetings) but the script was later changed when Lee Byung Hun proved to have better chemistry with CJW and got a better audience reaction (which frankly was well-deserved: Min Chul FTW!).

-Love's original plot was a May-December affair between Jang Dong Gun and veteran actress Kim Mi Sook, but when 90s-era (ageist) audiences couldn't stomach the idea, her character was killed off and younger actresses were brought in.

-Go Joo Won's second lead character in Resurrection was supposed to be meatier, but when the PD and writer realized his acting wasn't up to par, they significantly downsized his role (GJW admits this freely and without rancor in the DVD special features--hurray for humility and self-awareness^^).

Still, they stayed in those dramas and honored their contracts.

My point is: This is NOT a rare occurrence. It's happened before and (in the current K-drama system where most scripts are written on the fly and influenced--often to an unhealthy degree--by ratings and netizen reaction) it will happen again. And while the EoE production is far from blameless (echoes of Kim Jung Eun and the Princess Lulu fiasco), LDH should've just been professional and sucked it up.

She's a good actress; it's a shame if this stalls her career.