The medical and legal genre K-dramas have been a prime time ratings boon for SBS this past year and I’m not surprised MBC is scheduling a doctor drama coming up soon. The network is following up sageuk Ruler: Master of the Mask on Wed-Thurs with modern medical drama Hospital Ship, which generated buzz right off the bat last month when A-list actress Ha Ji Won was reported to be the female lead. She hasn’t confirmed yet but I think it’s highly likely as a doctor role is another new opportunity for her not to mention Hospital Ship is written by the screenwriter of Hwang Jin Yi which rocketed Ha Ji Won to the next level of her career. Now the drama is offering up the male lead role to Choi Jin Hyuk who just finished the OCN time-traveling crime drama Tunnel. Confirmations should be coming soon so the drama can head into production with a premiere date in the middle of July.
Directing Hospital Ship will be the the MBC veteran PD of Missing You, A New Leaf, and Scandal. Ha Ji Won plays a doctor dealing with the aftermath of her family’s fall from grace in society and decides to leave her cushy job to board a medical treatment vessel that delivers care to remote islands.
Isn’t it Choi Jin Hyuk not Hyun?
Ah, I see it is just a mistake in the title because it is written correct in the text.
Yes I’ve noticed it seems Koreans are generally over romance themed dramas now. Back in the day, they were generally hit makers but not anymore even if they have quite a lot of buzz online. I’m predicting we’ll be seeing many more legal, cop and medical dramas in the future. Also when fav networks try to do something different and think outside the box, Koreans do not tune in. Honestly I’m done vilifying the networks there, they are businesses too and will give the public what they want to make a profit or stay afloat.
I think it is easy for people to forget that the entertainment business is a business and there is a bottom line. Internationally produced legal/cop/medical shows are popular so – I agree – why should Korea be different though I do get sick of them at times. I actually think romance dramas can still work quite well, but the standard tropes and blah stories just aren’t always doing it anymore. I am interested in how Circle does through its run because it is trying something different so we’ll see.
I’ve never understood why the networks are so vilified for wanting to make money. Every business has to make a profit. I get mad if a drama I like is canceled but if it’s my bottom line, I’m sure I would do the same thing.
You should watch tunnel, the best drama of the year so far, rebel/defedant come close second
I actually think this could be a fun drama with a different twist showing a different part of Korea. I’m almost afraid to say it, but I am pretty middle of the road about HJW especially in contemporary dramas. However, I love CJH and am so happy about the success of Tunnel so I’d probably give it a go though the part doesn’t sound very exciting.