"Is assisted dying murder or not?" Actor Lee Bo-young has evolved into a 'trustworthy actor' who goes beyond simply portraying characters and broadly discusses social discourse.
Recently, Lee Bo-young has been playing the role of 'Woo So-jung,' an emergency medicine doctor who assists in dying at the boundary between life and death, in the MBC drama 'Mary Kills People' (written by Lee Soo-ah, directed by Park Jun-woo).
'Mary Kills People' is the first terrestrial drama to prominently feature the provocative subject of assisted dying. Given its somewhat heavy theme, it has received a rating restricted to viewers ages 19 and older, and Lee Bo-young consistently provides viewers with food for thought regarding assisted dying, delivering a weighty topic to the living room.
Lee Bo-young is the one executing assisted dying in the drama, but she constantly grapples with the desire to alleviate the suffering of her patients. Following her choices brings to light the human concerns regarding life and death. In particular, to protect innocent individuals, Lee Bo-young depicts 'Woo So-jung' with a unique detailed expressiveness that shows both warmth and resolve.
This is the first time Lee Bo-young has taken on a doctor role since her debut. She is raising significant issues that modern society has turned a blind eye to, elevating them to important discourse. "I thought it was time for our society to start discussing these kinds of stories," she noted during the production presentation, marking a courageous choice once again.
Through numerous previous works, she has portrayed characters maintaining solid careers in professional roles such as lawyer, advertising creator, and researcher, earning her titles such as 'specialist professional actor' and 'queen of genre dramas.' Furthermore, Lee Bo-young has been involved in meaningful works that spark social discussions, featuring in dramas like 'Mother,' which highlights child abuse issues, and 'Agency,' which tells the story of the first female executive at an advertising company.
Establishing a strong presence, Lee Bo-young is conveying a message about human dignity through 'Mary Kills People,' receiving praise for delivering an impact beyond mere acting. By tackling a subject that no one dared to address openly, she has once again solidified her strong trust as an actor.
[Photo] Provided by MBC.
[OSEN]