By Tae Hong

Actress Shim Eun-kyung confirmed her role as the titular character of the Korean “Nodame Cantabile” remake on Monday following heated, weeks-long speculation surrounding the role’s casting, according to TV Report.

Shim will play the Korean Noda Megumi, a genius piano student at a music academy. The Japanese drama, based on a manga series of the same name, aired in 2006 to explosive success, spawning two extended episodes and, in 2010, two movie specials.

Controversy erupted over the role’s casting two weeks ago with the announcement of Girls’ Generation’s Yoon-ah as a strong candidate — she later turned down the role to star in a Korean-Chinese film, “Goodbye Ani.”

Shim was one of the main names thrown around in the hunt for a Nodame actress early in the game, although she initially denied participation in the project due to prior scheduling commitments for a film. The movie filming has since been postponed.

The series has also cast Joo-won to play Shinichi Chiaki, a conductor hopeful, and veteran actor Baek Yoon-sik, who will depict German maestro Franz von Stresemann.

The Korean remake, titled “Cantabile Romance,” will air in October on KBS2.