(OSEN)

Lead actor Lee Byung-hun will not be present at the press preview of the upcoming period film “Memories of the Sword,” Lotte Entertainment said Wednesday.

The distributor explained Lee was held back by the schedule of “The Magnificent Seven” filming in Hollywood, which was delayed till September due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Lee previously appeared at the movie’s news conference held July 24, which drew the spotlight as the married man’s first public appearance since an inglorious scandal with two junior artists -- a chanteuse and an actress.

Albeit a temporary stagger in the domestic movie market, the 45-year-old is the hottest Korean actor in the international scene, appearing in “Terminator: Genisys” alongside Hollywood giant Arnold Schwarzenegger, and “The Magnificent Seven” slated for 2017.

In the Korean period film “Memories of the Sword,” Lee plays the male lead Yoo-baek, who claws his way up to the seat of supreme power despite his low background, in the course of which he antagonizes his best friend who is the female lead.

“Memories of the Sword” will release on August 13.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

Related article: Lee Byung-hun, Jun Do-yeon’s ‘Memories of the Sword’ release date confirmed