MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Mary Kills People' is drawing intense reactions even before its premiere with its bold scenes and shocking storyline.
The drama has captured the attention of viewers by tackling the controversial subject of assisted death. On top of that, the trusted cast of actors, including Lee Bo Young, Lee Min Ki, and Kang Ki Young, raises anticipation with their acting transformations.
Scheduled to premiere on August 1 at 10 PM, 'Mary Kills People' (directed by Park Joon Woo, written by Lee Soo Ah) is a black suspense drama that follows a doctor who helps terminally ill patients with assisted deaths and a detective tracking them down. Originally a Canadian drama, the Korean remake is expected to deliver strong viewer engagement with its weighty theme that is bound to spark social debate.
In particular, the recently released teaser has already become a hot topic despite the show not yet airing. Lee Bo Young plays Woo So Jung, an emergency physician who aids patients with euthanasia. She even goes as far as appearing topless, showcasing a shocking transformation from her previous image. The scene quietly portrays the essence of human anguish when faced with the choice of assisted death, marking a bold new challenge for her as an actress.
Lee Min Ki plays Jo Hyun Woo, a terminal cancer patient whose intense emotional conflict with Woo So Jung heightens the suspense. Kang Ki Young takes on the role of Choi Dae Hyun, a former plastic surgeon and business partner in assisted deaths, forming a precarious triangular dynamic with the two leads.
The released trailer delicately depicts the struggles of characters standing at the boundary between life and death, vividly delivering the theme of assisted death. Scenes such as a patient crying out while covering their ears, Woo So Jung approaching a patient with a pillow, and her dazed figure holding a gun go beyond mere shock value, realistically portraying ethical conflicts and human dilemmas.
The teaser also features a sharp confrontation between Woo So Jung, who says, "Do you want to end it," and Jo Hyun Woo, who says, "What you're doing now is murder," stirring complex emotions in viewers. The phrase "Ending pain and gifting death" also encapsulates the drama's identity, delivering a poignant message about life and death.
Above all, the depth of Lee Bo Young's acting, combined with Lee Min Ki and Kang Ki Young's powerful character interpretations, elevates the drama beyond a typical Rated R (+19) series. While borrowing the elements of black comedy from the original, the remake is reborn as a classic suspense drama, emphasizing a uniquely Korean sensibility distinct from the original series.
Viewers are highly anticipating the upcoming drama and are reacting enthusiastically online. They commented, “Is this really public broadcasting?” “For a network drama, the content is incredibly intense… definitely 19+,” “The lineup of Kang Ki Young, Lee Min Ki, and Lee Bo Young is insane,” “Lee Bo Young has such amazing taste in projects… how does she always pick such good ones?” No way I’m missing a drama with Lee Bo Young, Lee Min Ki, and Kang Ki Young,” “With Lee Bo Young, you just know it’ll be good,” “Finally, something worth watching on public TV again,” “I want to watch it, but I’m worried it’ll be too graphic…” and “Feels like a genre rarely seen in Korea.”
The production team commented, "The ‘Mary Death Teaser’ condenses the chaos, conflicts, and anguish among Lee Bo Young, Lee Min Ki, and Kang Ki Young, who are all bound by assisted death. Expect a story full of relentless twists as they face dilemmas of salvation versus murder, good versus evil, and truth versus lies."
'Mary Kills People' is helmed by director Park Joon Woo, known for 'Taxi Driver' and 'Crash,' and writer Lee Soo Ah, who penned the films 'Venus Talk' and 'Inseparable Bros.' Together, they promise a unique Korean-style genre drama that skillfully blends black comedy’s wit and tension with social commentary.
The drama premieres on MBC on August 1 at 10 PM KST.
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