TV CHOSUN new weekend miniseries "Doctor Shin" writer Phoebe (Phoebe, Im Seong-han) personally revealed everything about her "first medical thriller drama."
The new TV CHOSUN weekend miniseries "Doctor Shin," written by Phoebe (Phoebe, Im Seong-han) and directed by Lee Seung-hoon, scheduled to premiere on the 14th at 10:30 p.m., is a medical thriller about a genius doctor who challenges the realm of God and a woman whose brain is suddenly damaged and who is losing her soul.
"Doctor Shin" is drawing intense interest as the first medical thriller drama written by writer Phoebe, who has provoked "shocks and sensations" with unpredictable, singular imagination in every work. In relation to this, writer Phoebe revealed the birth of the much-anticipated "Doctor Shin" in a "10 questions 10 answers rapid-fire interview" ahead of the first broadcast.
Q1. Since "Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce)" you have returned with a new work every year, and after "Durian's Affair" "Doctor Shin" marks a comeback after about three years. Why did it take particularly long to return?
Most drama protagonists are one or two people, but "Doctor Shin" has multiple co-leads, and because the relationships and images between characters also had to match, the production company and casting process took a long time.
Q2. "Doctor Shin" is attracting more attention because it is writer Phoebe's first "medical thriller drama." Why did you decide to write a "medical thriller drama" this time? If there is a part that differs most from your previous works, what is it?
The subject naturally became a medical thriller; I didn't set the genre first and then build the story around it. Most medical dramas deal only with medicine itself, and "Doctor Shin" is a story about medicine and surgical skill changing human lives and fate.
From the start of my writing career I tried to avoid commonly handled subjects, and for this "Doctor Shin," because there is the Hollywood film "Get Out," I mustered the courage.
When I was in elementary school a homeroom teacher once lamented to me, who had more absences than attendance days, "What part of you hurts so much, child?" I was so frail. My mother would painfully say as a daily "lament," "I wish I could suffer in your place." This work dramatizes the devotion and unusual love of K-mothers, not only my mother but many mothers' feelings for their children.
Q3. Your works are said to have unique titles, character names, and settings. Is there a special meaning given to the title "Doctor Shin" and the characters' names this time?
Because the subject is changing the human brain, which can be regarded as the realm of God (?), I gave the protagonist Shin Ju-shin a name that evokes the Chinese character for spirit/god (神).
Q4. Your works have always drawn attention for bold casting. Was there a reason the five leads Jeong Yi-chan, Baek Seora, An Woo Yeon, Joo Se bin, and Cheon Young-min were chosen as the protagonists in "Doctor Shin"? How much do you think their sync with the characters is?
For various reasons they needed to be ready to pour out their best efforts, and I look for rookie actors who perfectly fit the image. I especially think heaven helped this time. The protagonists' images had to be unconventional, unique, and have a strange charm, and it seemed that actors who were almost 100% in sync were ready and appeared.
Q5. Lead actors Jeong Yi-chan and Baek Seora were selected for their first-ever leading roles in "Doctor Shin," raising expectations. Why did you pick them personally and was there anything you specifically requested? Also, if there are any actors besides the two to watch closely, please point them out.
For the role of Shin Ju-shin I wanted to express that he inherited his father's hospital, has confidence from his skill, and is the owner of a free spirit, and I asked actor Jeong Yi-chan to keep growing his hair to show this through his hairstyle. For the role of Momo, I felt she should not be simply pretty but have top-star charisma while also expressing a pure soul, so I cast actress Baek Seora.
After watching the completed footage, I sent a message praising Cheon Young-min for exceeding expectations in his performance as Kim Jin-joo, saying "well done."
Q6. Your works always feature actors known as the "Im Seong-han corps." Is there a reason why actors Jeon No-min and Song Ji In, who are appearing this time, have worked with you since "The Divorce Song" and are teaming up again?
Actor Jeon No-min comfortably pulled off a proper transformation in acting this time, so I think viewers will enjoy watching. Actress Song Ji In readily accepted the offer to appear and is a reliable acting talent, so as a writer I am thankful.
Q7. I understand there has always been a character you poured affection into in each work. In "Doctor Shin," which character did you give the most affection to, and if there is a reason, what is it?
There isn't a single child you can bite on ten fingers and not feel pain; mothers' hearts and a writer's heart are the same.
Q8. The AI in "The Divorce Song" and the past and present lives in "Durian's Affair" always featured shocking characters and developments and elicited sensational reactions. What do you think about such reactions?
I believe a drama must have dramatic elements.
Q9. What has been the driving force behind your long career in creating works? Are there principles you try to uphold during the writing process?
I remember a director-general at a broadcaster once saying, "Im Seong-han is a writer who thinks about drama from the moment she opens her eyes." I absolutely do not do anything that would distract from a work. There are many genres I want to challenge in the future, and many new subjects.
Q10. Through this work "Doctor Shin," what is the message you most want to emphasize, and how would you like "Doctor Shin" to be remembered as a drama? Please say a word to the viewers.
I dramatized "K-maternal love," the feeling of Korean mothers who wish they could suffer in place of their sick child.
If the final episode and final scene leave a deep lingering impression, as a writer I would be happy.
The production team added, "As writer Phoebe hoped, we all did our best in filming, and we hope 'Doctor Shin' will create a new sensation and captivate viewers."
Meanwhile, TV CHOSUN's new weekend miniseries "Doctor Shin" depicts the bizarre romance of a top star who falls into a coma after an accident, the man who loved her, and the men who are loving her.
[Photo] Provided by TV CHOSUN
[OSEN]