Aramintai

I doubt it. Production/filming has already started for part 2. It means the script and cast are already set. They won't start from scratch to rewrite the plot for different character FL. If they'd planned for Naksu to return and separate her from Mu-Deok, there's nothing we can do about it.
On the other hand, since they can't deny or confirm the rumors due to it being a spoiler, there's still a chance that Jung So Min will stay for part 2.

Yea, especially considering they can't deny or confirm anything at this point because it will spoil part 1 ending.

It looks like there was a leak and PR team is just doing damage control by addressing it like this. They wouldn't pull such a stunt deliberately.

Naksu was always the heroine, but right now she's in Mu-Deok's body.
Also, it is not known whether she'll stay that way permanently until the end of part 1. Considering the news and og Naksu actress now being promoted from guest to support role in part 1, somewhere down the line two girls can become separated. That og Naksu actress needs to earn points with the audience if she wants to be accepted as FL in part 2, if rumors are true. Right now it seems nobody's happy with Jung So Min leaving - she has charmed everyone already.

Probably gonna end on a big fat cliffhanger to keep us waiting for part 2 🙄.

Nothing is known atm. It can go either way. I'd suggest not having any headcanons to avoid disappointment.

It's fantasy, anything can happen. There's already a thing revealed that can potentially ressurect her - the Ice Stone.

In the drama ML's supposed to be 34 (35 in Korean age), FL - 28. Irl lead actors have a bigger age gap, you can look them up in cast & credits section here.

Any rumors will be quelled until part 1 has finished airing. But since they've started filming part 2 already FL is already set, we just don't know who it is. And they'll deny everything because it will spoil the ending of part 1.
But I'm guessing where there's smoke, there's fire and og Naksu actress will indeed be the main lead in part 2.

Wonder what is the source of that article. All the others just repeat one Korean source and nowhere spin-off was mentioned. Just that 20 episodes was not enough to do all the characters justice and it was decided to split it in parts early on in pre-production. Also, 10 episodes for various side stories? Give me a break.

No, they didn't say it's a spin-off. It's gonna be a sequel, second part of the story.

If they're already filming part 2 as it was said in the news, it means that the plot and FL are already set. We just don't know who it will be. All this talk about still deciding who will be FL, or Jung So Min still in discussions whether to take the role in part 2 are bollocks. It was already decided and contracts were signed, we just don't know it yet. And as was said in the news - it's a spoiler, so nobody will confirm anything until part 1 is over. But I'm guessing if there are rumors/leaks that required to be addressed og Naksu actress is indeed gonna be the FL in part 2.

If they're already filming part 2 as it was said in the news, it means that the plot and FL are already set. We just don't know who it will be. All this talk about still deciding who will be FL, or Jung So Min still in discussions whether to take the role in part 2 are bollocks. It was already decided and contracts were signed, we just don't know it yet. And as was said in the news - it's a spoiler, so nobody will confirm anything until part 1 is over. But I'm guessing if there are rumors/leaks that required to be addressed og Naksu actress is indeed gonna be the FL in part 2.

If writers were able to contain the story in a given format there wouldn’t need to be part 2 in the first place. It could have been self contained. But since they weren’t able to the story will be spilling to the next season. For better or worse.

As long as it's Naksu and Uk together in the end I'm down for it. Though you gotta admit that big part of this show's charm is Jung So Min's acting. Not sure og Naksu actress, or whoever else it may be will be just as good if Jung So Min leaves.

I'd be ok with that ending for part 1.

Or that Mu-Deok will be sacrificed and Naksu will regain her og body. Or if neither actress will return maybe Naksu will become bodiless again by the end and part 2 will be about getting her back in whatever new body.

Looks like interpretation of the same news from one source. But these speculate more that og Naksu actress will be the lead.
Still, what a way to spoil the ending for ppl, damn it. Looks like Naksu will come back alive.
I guess I'm ok with it if Naksu stays the lead, and not another random character. I'm just not sure about og Naksu actress' skills, can she be as good as Jung So Min?

No, she's already revealed to be the granddaughter of grandpa Heo of Sejukwon.

I like og Naksu's action scenes. She's good in them I give her that. But I'm not sure about her acting skills, if she's gonna be the FL in part 2. But in any case, Naksu ftw, in whatever form.