(Warner Brothers Korea)

Actor Lee Jong-suk has withdrawn from director Park Hoon-jung’s new film “Witch,” but denied reports on his imminent enlistment.

“The reason of withdrawal from ‘Witch’ was simply due to a need for rest. It is not for joining the Army,” Lee’s agency YG Entertainment said Friday. “Lee is 28 this year so he’s taking his time to consider the enlistment. Nothing has been decided on enlistment.”

A local media outlet reported earlier in the day that Lee withdrew from the film as he recently received his military enlistment notice for later this year. Military service is compulsory for all able-bodied Korean men, and generally lasts for about two years.

Park’s new film “Witch” tells the story of a high school girl who becomes a killer weapon after a biological experiment. Lee was offered the role of the male lead who also becomes a killer weapon after the same experiment.

Park is an award-winning director and screenwriter known for “The Tiger: An Old Hunger’s Tale” (2015) and “New World” (2013). Lee recently starred in Park’s upcoming “V.I.P.,” which is set to release in August.

By Kim So-yeon (syk19372@heraldcorp.com)