(Bhc, MYM Entertainment)

SBS drama from 2013 “My Love from the Star” set new and bold standards for its onscreen successors. On Monday, industry associates confirmed the writer of the pan-Asian hit, scriptwriter Park Ji-eun, has chosen actor Lee Min-ho and actress Jun Ji-hyun to star as the main leads of her forthcoming project, “The Legend of the Blue Sea.”

The associates added that the two top-tier celebrities have confirmed their roles since receiving information on the synopsis of the TV drama.

“The Legend of the Blue Sea” -- despite its current preproduction status -- is already receiving overwhelming, yet lucrative attention from Chinese media platforms battling to clinch its distribution rights. It has been reported that one media agency has offered to bid approximately 590 million won ($495,000) per episode, and the production company expects more bidders in the near future.

Official poster for "My Love from the Star" (SBS)

Many industry insiders are assuming if the deal is successfully inked, it will break the record distributing price of this year’s mega hallyu hit, KBS2’s “Descendants of the Sun.”

The project will mark Jun’s return to the industry after taking a hiatus to have a child, as well as Lee’s return to TV screens after three years.

“The Legend of the Blue Sea” is to be an adaptation of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen’s most prized fairy tale, “The Little Mermaid.” More details on the project will be revealed soon.

By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)