(tvN)

A member of K-pop boy group EXO may join the cast of the upcoming tvN drama “Reply 1988,” local media reported on Wednesday.

The rumor spread from an anonymous entertainment insider’s remark that an art director for tvN is currently working for a web drama starring an EXO member.

Officials from the cable channel, however, played down the rumor saying that the project is still in early stages.

“Casting procedure of the drama has yet to be started as we are working on the script for now,” a representative of tvN told a local news outlet.

The casting of “Reply 1988” is said to be kept secret even from the majority of the production team members, according to industry sources.

As the previous “Reply” series, “Reply 1997” and “Reply 1994,” has cast idol-actors including Infinite member Hoya and Baro of B1A4, reports are speculating that the forthcoming series is likely to include at least one idol-actor in its cast.

By Hong Hye-jin (honghyejin@heraldcorp.com)