After 13 years, Lee Bo-young, who returned to MBC, presents a provocative subject called 'assisted dying' to the viewers.
On the morning of the 31st, a production presentation for MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Mary Kills People' was held at the MBC building in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The event 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 based on the Canadian drama of the same name, depicting the story of a doctor who assists terminally ill patients in dying and the detective who pursues them. Director Park Jun-woo said, "To briefly explain our work, it's about doctors who help terminally ill patients die painlessly, and the police who are on the hunt for them. A more unique point is that the main characters, Lee Bo-young and Kang Ki-young, are doctors but are seen as serial killers by the police. The core theme is why they committed euthanasia, which is illegal and not accepted."
He noted, "This is, in a way, the first drama in Korea that directly addresses the topic of euthanasia and assisted dying. It's a story of protagonists being pursued by the police and, genre-wise, it's a thriller. However, each episode also dives into the reasons behind their illegal euthanasia: what kind of death they wished for and why they requested euthanasia—family, mother, father, daughter, husband. Through our drama, Korea can engage in discussions about a topic that is illegal yet somewhat permitted in some countries, and I think this drama provides a platform for that conversation."
Regarding the focus on direction, he said, "For the characters in each episode, many special appearances were made, and I thought of it as a kind of family drama. Some episodes suddenly involve death, and while it's a scheduled death, there are situations where it is difficult to accept when parting with elderly parents or loved ones. Although it appears superficially as a thriller and action genre, if you look deeper, it tells the stories of families facing eternal goodbyes to death. We often hear about the right to die with dignity in the news. Is the right to decide about death respected? In extremely difficult situations, like when a young daughter is gravely ill, the request for euthanasia arises, which undeniably exists. My stories unfold situations where a wife asks for euthanasia. I thought we should focus on family relationships and how the characters empathize and respond to the pain of others, and I aimed to convey that through directing."
In the drama, Lee Bo-young plays the role of Woo So-jung, a veteran emergency room doctor working at a general hospital. Woo So-jung is a doctor who secretly assists certain patients in dying, leading a double life. Lee Bo-young said, "I acted according to the belief that my character is not evil. I see her as a good character who starts with the intention of saving lives and ending the suffering of the sick. However, viewers might think, isn't this illegal? Isn't it wrong to artificially end someone's life? So, there could be controversy surrounding this character. Nevertheless, I believe I portrayed a good character."
When asked about his reasons for choosing the role, Lee Min-ki said, "I consider various factors when choosing a drama—whether the character resonates with me or if the drama is compelling. However, sometimes, when I come across a script that reflects my thoughts and issues at that moment, I feel drawn to it regardless of entertainment value. These days, as my parents grow older, I've been thinking about aging and the future, and when I received this script, I thought discussing issues like these would be valuable. I felt compelled to bring up the topic of assisted dying. It's not just about being entertaining; I was motivated by a desire to discuss it. I'm also aware that I'm returning to MBC for the first time in 13 years, so there's pressure for a good result, as I think I should repay this opportunity with good work."
He continued, "While filming, I focused on being honest; as a doctor who implements assisted dying, I can't empathize with every case emotionally. If I delve too deeply into each case, it might become overwhelming for the viewers. This is my profession, so I aimed to approach it dryly and unemotionally. There were many tear-jerking moments during filming. Although I tried to maintain a dry portrayal professionally, I inherently believe So-jung is a good person and made an effort to capture warmth in her gaze, but I'm unsure if I succeeded."
Lee Min-ki portrays Jo Hyun-woo, a terminal cancer patient. He introduced his character saying, "I'm a person trying to persuade Woo So-jung to assist in dying," and also added, "I play Ban Ji-hoon, a detective. I infiltrate as Jo Hyun-woo to catch Woo So-jung in her illegal actions, which adds a twist to my identity."
He, who enjoys documentaries, said, "There was a documentary about assisted dying that caught my attention. When I first heard the concept from the director, I thought it was an interesting topic because I had seen it covered in the news, and I was open to participating in a work that would allow discussion and deeper contemplation on the matter." Then, about his dual role, he explained, "I want to convey a character who approaches assisted dying out of desperation—wanting it while trying to capture Woo So-jung, who commits illegal murder. The most important aspect I focused on was Ban Ji-hoon's confusion. It's clearly murder, yet witnessing the act of assisted dying leads him to question if it can only be seen as murder. I centered my performance on this conflict. I believe I approached the whole story as a singular role without distinction between the two."
Kang Ki-young plays the role of Choi Dae-hyun, a former plastic surgeon. He was drawn to the freshness of the material, stating, "Since it deals with the subject of death, it can't be a completely bright drama, but the character itself has qualities that bring brightness to the story; that's what attracted me. Dae-hyun is a long-time friend of So-jung and assists her in the practice of medical assistance in dying. We both worked with the intent to provide salvation and good rest, but I think it could be viewed differently. I acted with a shared mindset along with Lee Bo-young as Dae-hyun."
He expressed, "I keep repeating that I am responsible for the playfulness of the story, and I felt a sense of duty regarding that. I thought I had to forcibly elicit enjoyment stemming from relationships, and I continuously asked my senior, Lee Bo-young, to maintain this quality. I know it could be seen as disrespectful, but I endured it to bring the character to life. There were times when my senior would say, 'Why do you keep asking me to do this?' However, gradually, we began to adjust to each other, increasing our closeness. She accommodated everything I requested, and I am grateful for that."
Kwon Hae-hyo, playing the role of Father Yang Shin, the head of Maria Welfare Hospital, explained, "In the drama, I portray a priest who has witnessed the early years of the doctor called Woo So-jung and his challenging environment. Currently, I work at a welfare hospital that helps many who are struggling socially. I reflect on the growth of the protagonist Woo So-jung and the pains he currently endures; while discussing assisted dying, I ponder the ethical dilemmas and whether or not it's truly right. I see myself as a person who poses fundamental questions about these issues."
He found the title intriguing, expressing, "Creating dramas and films in Korea is challenging. We are overwhelmed by reality. The content moved me. If the drama tells a story that outpaces the times, it would carry meaning. I believe that if it's presented in an interesting format, it can connect with audiences and viewers, which is why I became interested in this project." He mentioned that he also has preconceived notions about how a priest would act but emphasized the importance of throwing away those notions quickly. He wished to present the struggles of a human in grappling with the conflict of love and the responsibilities associated with being a priest.
Yoon Ga-i plays Choi Ye-na, a nurse at the hospital where So-jung works, who also engages in the assisted dying business with So-jung. Yoon noted, "I thought the very keyword of assisted dying was a new story, and when I first saw the script, I found it difficult to grasp. It's a matter that makes you think deeply. I learned later that I was cast in the project after being offered the role, and hearing the names of the senior actors made me feel I couldn't pass up the opportunity, so I decided to join."
She further explained, "Ye-na's character initially approaches assisted dying as a means to earn living expenses, but as the story unfolds, it would be enjoyable to pay attention to how her thoughts evolve. Ye-na's attitude toward assisted dying continually changes. At first, she engages in nursing duties without distinction, but as she deals with her personal incident, she begins to contemplate the perspectives of not only the patients who desire assisted dying but also their families. The reasons families adamantly resist these decisions stem not only from a desire to spend whatever remaining time together but also from a lingering hope for miracles. They think, perhaps those patients could live longer. I think I focused on how she makes her own decisions in that dynamic."
Lee Bo-young shared her thoughts on assisted dying, stating, "I received the script last July. At the time, I read an article about an elderly couple abroad who chose assisted dying together and discussed it with my husband. I thought it was not bad. If we get older and aren't a burden to our children, perhaps couples who can make such choices while mentally sound would lead happy lives. I am still unsure about this; I can't say whether it's right or wrong. While I believe that life could be a happy ending, considering the feelings of those left behind and societal perspectives complicates the matter. Therefore, I feel somewhat worried, but I hope this evokes a discussion opportunity among people regarding these subjects."
Director Park Jun-woo also expressed concern about the potential repercussions after the work's release, stating, "In every situation and case, our overall story is not about 'euthanasia is necessary,' or that 'such cases exist in Korea, so euthanasia should be allowed.' There are opposing views, and So-jung experiences significant conflict. Sometimes, Dae-hyun tries to stop her, and at other times, So-jung pushes back against Dae-hyun. There are continuous conflicts throughout the narrative. Even the character portrayed by Lee Min-ki displays confusion. I believe everyone has individual stances on what euthanasia is, and while in Korea it is referred to as the right to die with dignity, I see euthanasia as a form of that right. It may not be effective for everyone, but based on international examples from Europe and Canada, 3-5% of people facing death accept it. However, I can't affirm it's the best or only path to a happy death."
On the topic of the '19 and older' rating, he noted, "While it is medical assisted dying, it is also often referred to as medical-assisted suicide. The Korea Communication Standards Commission has criteria for reviewing works, and despite discussions on the validity, there are claims against depicting deaths, especially those encouraging suicide. Such cases arise, which is why this project has been rated as 19+. I believe establishing the fundamental aspects of the work under such conditions would be best. There are routines where So-jung and Dae-hyun carry out medical assistance in dying, meeting the individual to understand their suffering levels and confirm the appropriateness of the criteria. We depict the dying process through the viewpoints of So-jung and Dae-hyun, but rather than concentrating solely on the moment of death, we explore the relationships of characters who previously had poor relations and how things change after death via indirect expressions that vary from case to case."
Finally, Lee Min-ki concluded, "Although the story of assisted dying may feel heavy, it can also be seen as a portrayal of life. I hope people will watch it with interest." Lee Bo-young also expressed, "While I hoped this would generate discussions and reflections on the topic, as the broadcast approaches, I find myself both anxious and excited. If this topic becomes controversial, it means many people are watching. I hope it offers us an opportunity to share deeper conversations about our own or our family's deaths." Director Park Jun-woo added, "Although the subject matter is heavy, I aimed to present something more light-hearted and entertaining for viewers. I appreciate your understanding of my intentions."
'Mary Kills People' will premiere on August 1st at 10 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN Reporter Lee Dae-seon
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