Descendants of the Sun is one of the most popular K-Dramas to air in the last several years and while it is hard to imagine anyone else playing Song Joong Ki’s iconic role as Yoo Shi Jin, the role was actually offered to four other famous actors first.

According to the producer of the drama, several top actors turned down the role because they were nervous about participating in a drama that would be filmed completely before airing.

K-Dramas are usually filmed in segments, which allows for edits and changes to be made based on the public’s reaction to episodes that have already aired.

Apparently, the role was offered to Won Bin…

Jo In Sung…

Gong Yoo…

and Kim Woo Bin, who all turned down the role before it was accepted by Song Joong Ki

Koreans were totally surprised by the list of actors who turned it down and while they were happy with Song Joong Ki’s portrayal of Yoo Shi Jin, many actually seem to have wished that one of the other actors had taken the role.

“Maybe I’m used to Song Joong Ki but … if Wonbin had been his role…”

“If Wonbin from Ahjussi was in DOTS…man it would have become a legend”

“Gongyou would have been perfect too..”

“Wonbin would have been absolutely crazy”

“If it had been Wonbin I wouldn’t have cared if the drama was all in gibberish…”

With a second season of Descendants of the Sun on the way, however, who knows? Maybe fans will be able to see one of the above actors in the drama anyway.