Actress Lee Bo-young shared her feelings about taking on the role of a doctor assisting in assisted dying.
On the morning of the 31st, a production presentation for the new MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'Mary Kills People' took place at the MBC headquarters in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The presentation was attended by actors Lee Bo-young, Lee Min-ki, Kang Ki-young, Kwon Hae-hyo, Yoon Ga-i, and director Park Jun-woo, who shared their thoughts.
'Mary Kills People' is a suspense drama that tells the story of a doctor who assists in the assisted dying of terminally ill patients and a detective who pursues them.
In the drama, Lee Bo-young plays the role of Woo So-jung, a veteran emergency medicine doctor working in a general hospital. Although Woos So-jung is a doctor, she leads a double life by secretly assisting in the deaths of certain patients.
Lee Bo-young noted, "I took on the role of a doctor who assists in assisted dying in this drama. However, I acted as if my character is an absolute good in the drama."
He explained, "I think of it as a good character that started with the good intention of saving people and alleviating the suffering of the sick, but there are viewers who might think it's illegal, unethical, or just ending people's lives artificially. I think it can be a controversial character, but I portrayed it as a good character."
When asked about her thoughts on assisted dying, Lee Bo-young said, "I received this script in July of last year. At that time, I saw an article about an elderly couple abroad who chose to die together through assisted dying, and I had a long discussion about that. It's not bad. If we were to grow old and not become a burden to our children, I thought that being able to make that choice while both couples are in their right minds could be a happy way to pass on."
He said, "I still don't know. I can't say whether this is right or wrong. From my standpoint, I think that life could also be a happy life, but considering the feelings of the people left behind, societal views, and the children left behind, I can't answer what is right. So, I'm a bit worried, but I hope this drama can throw out such topics so that people can have the opportunity to discuss it."
Meanwhile, 'Mary Kills People' will air for the first time on August 1 at 10 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Lee Dae-sun
[OSEN]