Cast members of the new fantasy-romance TV drama “Startling by Each Step: Ryo” gathered together for a script-reading session.

The drama’s production company Monday released photos of IU, Lee Joon-gi, EXO’s Baekhyun, Hong Jong-hyun, Kang Ha-neul and actress Kang Han-na, among others, reading the script and getting ready for the star-studded periodic drama.

IU

Lee Joon-gi

“Startling by Each Step: Ryo,” based on the eponymous Chinese novel, centers on the fourth son of Emperor Wang Geon of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), played by Lee Joon-gi, and Hae-soo, a girl who time travels to the kingdom from the 21st century, played by IU.

Girls’ Generation member Seohyun is also among the cast, playing Woo-hee, the last princess of the Later Baekje Kingdom (892-936). She later becomes a palace gisaeng (courtesan) after the collapse of the dynasty.

Cast members of the drama (Startling by Each Step: Ryo)

The drama is being helmed by Kim Kyu-tae, who was behind “That Winter, the Wind Blows,” “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” “Iris” and “A Love to Kill.”

“Startling by Each Step: Ryo,” a totally preproduced TV drama, will air in the second half of the year.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)