'Assisted dying' will be directly addressed in 'Mary Kills People.' After 13 years, Lee Bo-young returns to MBC to tell a heavy yet thought-provoking story about death, posing a serious question for viewers.
On the morning of the 31st, the production presentation for MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Mary Kills People' was held 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,' based on a Canadian drama of the same name, is a suspense drama that deals with a doctor who helps terminally ill patients to die and the detective who tracks them down. However, while medical assistance in dying (MAID) was legalized in Canada in 2016, it continues to spark various moral and religious debates in Korea.
Director Park Jun-woo described 'Mary Kills People' as a story about 'doctors who assist terminally ill patients in dying painlessly and the police who pursue them.' He noted that a unique aspect is that the main characters, Lee Bo-young and Kang Ki-young, are doctors, but from the perspective of the police, they could be seen as serial killers. The key theme revolves around why they committed what could be considered illegal euthanasia.
He said, 'In a way, I think this is the first drama in Korea that directly tackles the subject of euthanasia as assisted dying. It tells the story of protagonists on the run and the judicial authorities pursuing them. While it is genre-wise a thriller, each episode reveals the protagonists' backgrounds regarding why they engaged in illegal euthanasia. Their desires for death and the reasons behind their requests for euthanasia are explored, reflecting on their families: mothers, fathers, daughters, and husbands. I think it presents a drama that can spark discussion on euthanasia, which is illegal in Korea but allowed in some countries.'
In the drama, Lee Bo-young plays the role of Woo So-jung, a veteran emergency room doctor working in a general hospital. Woo So-jung is a character with childhood trauma from unknowingly assisting her mother with terminal illness in her dying process. An incident involving a mother of a young terminal cancer patient committing suicide leads her to the realization that what certain patients may need is not treatment, but possibly peace, prompting her to begin a secret life of assisting selected patients in dying.
After 13 years, Lee Bo-young returns to MBC with this project following 'Affection Forever.' She expressed, 'It's been 13 years since I last acted in an MBC drama. Given how long it has been, I do feel pressured to ensure a good outcome. I think I need to repay the trust placed in me with good results, so I feel a bit burdened.' Regarding her character, she shared, 'I play a doctor who assists in dying. I viewed my character as an absolute good and performed it as such. I believed I was portraying a character that begins with good intentions to save people and end the suffering of the ill, but I understand that viewers may question the legality and ethics of ending a life artificially, leading to potential controversy. However, I still view this character as good.'
Woo So-jung is a character who affirms the need for assisted dying. Following the broadcast, there will likely be critical perspectives on her choices. When asked about her decision to participate despite such concerns, Lee Bo-young explained, 'When I choose a drama, I often go for roles or scenes that I want to act in, or when the drama is interesting. However, sometimes I am drawn to a drama that reflects my current situation or issues I was thinking about, regardless of its entertainment value.'
He noted, 'Nowadays, my parents are getting older, and we are also aging, which makes us think about our future. When I received the script, I thought, 'This is a topic worth discussing.' It's interesting to consider how a drama about assisted dying could spark such discussions. Rather than only aiming for excitement, I felt compelled to bring this topic into conversation.'
When asked about the emphasis placed on portraying the character of Woo So-jung, he replied, 'Honestly, as a doctor executing assisted dying, I can't empathize with every case; otherwise, I feel it would make the drama heavy. If I poured my emotions into each and every drama, it would be hard for the viewers as well. I aimed to maintain a detached professional perspective. While there were many tearful moments while filming together, I tried to portray this role in a dry manner, believing that So-jung is fundamentally a good person, so I aimed to convey warmth in her gaze, though I'm uncertain if that succeeded.
When asked about her views on assisted dying, Lee Bo-young shared, 'I received the script last July, and at that time, I had a conversation with my husband about an article I saw regarding an elderly couple who chose assisted dying together. I thought, 'That's not bad.' We discussed how we might make a similar choice if we age and don't want to burden our children. Perhaps these couples, while making such choices with clarity of mind, lived fulfilling lives before passing.'
She added, 'I'm still not sure. I can't say whether this is right or wrong. I feel that life can also be fulfilling from my standpoint, but considering the feelings of those left behind, the societal perspective, and the children left behind, I cannot definitively say what is right. Therefore, while I have some concerns, I hope this topic can serve as an opportunity for people to discuss.'
Director Park Jun-woo also explained, 'The overall story is not advocating that 'euthanasia is necessary' or that 'such cases exist in Korea, so euthanasia should be legalized.' There is opposition, and So-jung experiences significant conflict throughout. Sometimes, Daehyun (portrayed by Kang Ki-young) tries to dissuade her, and vice versa. The conflicts continue. Even the character played by actor Lee Min-ki shows confusion at times.'
He said, 'What's the right answer to euthanasia? Each individual has their own perspective. In Korea, it's sometimes referred to as dignified death, which isn't exactly euthanasia but a preceding stage. I believe it represents a minority's choice regarding death. Rather than implying it should be universally adopted, cases from Europe and Canada show that about 3-5% of people facing death undergo it. I cannot say it guarantees a happy death or is the best method.'
When asked about the potential for sensational scenes given that the program is rated for viewers aged 19 and older, director Park Jun-woo replied, 'Although it may be referred to as medical assistance in dying, it can also be framed as medical suicide. Regardless of the correctness of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission's criteria, there are claims against portraying deaths in ways that promote suicide. Since we deal with such cases, the decision was made to rate it for those 19 and older to express the essence of the work.'
'Woo So-jung and Daehyun have a routine when executing assisted dying. They meet, assess the patient's pain level, and determine if the criteria are met while filming the person's final moments. The process of dying is explored from their perspectives, but it is also conveyed through relationships among the episodic characters. Rather than simply depicting the moment of death, it highlights how relationships change and resolve afterward, showcasing varying representations and conclusions for each individual case.'
Finally, Lee Bo-young remarked, 'I embarked on this project hoping it would become a topic for discussion, but as the broadcast approaches, I feel both excited and anxious. If this conversation becomes lively, it indicates many people are watching, and I hope it sparks deeper discussions about death for both myself and my family.'
Meanwhile, 'Mary Kills People' will premiere on August 1 at 10 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN Lee Dae-seon, reporter.
[OSEN]