Lee Bo-young is making her debut as Woo So-jung, an emergency medicine doctor who assists in assisted dying, hinting at yet another life-changing character.
The new MBC Friday-Saturday drama 'Mary Kills People', which will premiere on August 1, tells the story of a doctor who helps terminally ill patients die and a detective who tracks them down, creating a suspenseful narrative.
'Mary Kills People' is a collaboration between director Park Jun-woo, known for elevating intense action to visual emotion in 'Taxi Driver' and 'Crash', and writer Lee Soo-ah, who has crafted intricate narratives and warm empathy in films like 'The Law of Attraction', 'My Special Brother', and the drama 'Unemployment Romance'.
With a cast that includes Lee Bo-young, Lee Min-ki, Kang Ki-young, Baek Hyun-jin, Kwon Hae-yo, Kim Tae-woo, and Seo Young-hee, the drama is already being anticipated as a major work for the second half of 2025.
In 'Mary Kills People', Lee Bo-young plays Woo So-jung, a doctor who assists in assisted dying at the boundary between life and death. In the drama, Woo So-jung has a strong belief in alleviating patients' pain, yet she constantly struggles with dilemmas and confusion, evoking empathy from the audience.
Notably, Lee Bo-young has proven her limitless acting spectrum by showcasing a strong presence in various roles, from a charismatic, independent CEO to a tough lawyer uncovering hidden truths, and a chaebol daughter-in-law experiencing emotional turmoil in rapidly changing situations. With her exceptional acting skills that elevate immersion to its peak in every project, expectations are high for her transformation in the role of Woo So-jung.
In this context, Lee Bo-young's first appearance as the veteran emergency medicine doctor Woo So-jung is drawing attention. In the drama, Woo So-jung (played by Lee Bo-young) is seen struggling to treat patients and review charts in the emergency room. She instructs another doctor on treatment methods, wears a serious expression, and does her best to treat critically ill patients in an orderly manner. Curiosity is heightened about the shocking reason why the emergency medicine doctor, who saves lives, becomes a doctor who assists in dying.
Meanwhile, Lee Bo-young cited the weight of the theme as the reason for choosing the role of Woo So-jung, a doctor who assists in dying at the boundary between life and death. She stated, "I've been thinking a lot about assisted dying lately. My parents are getting older, and I feel it's time for me to share these concerns, so naturally, I became interested in this topic. Around that time, I read an article about a couple in Canada who chose assisted dying together, and I was having a serious conversation with my husband about it." She revealed that the project came to her like fate.
She continued, "At a time when I was deeply contemplating 'How should we accept death?' and 'How can we end our lives with dignity?', I received the script for 'Mary Kills People' and cried a lot after reading it. I thought that assisted dying is not just a matter of choosing death because of old age, but it could be another way to preserve human dignity amidst the pains of life. It used to be a topic that was hard to discuss, but people around me are starting to bring up conversations about assisted dying, and I feel like the time has come to talk about it together." She reflected on the careful consideration that led to her decision regarding the direction of the work.
Additionally, Lee Bo-young expressed, "I felt that Woo So-jung is fundamentally a warm person who wants to help others in pain. Woo So-jung cannot ignore someone else's suffering and has a strong desire to save that person, even if it puts her in danger." She added, "When acting, I kept in mind that this choice might seem 'wrong' to some, but the decisions made by Woo So-jung stem from a genuine desire to care for others." This thorough analysis has increased trust in her portrayal of Woo So-jung.
The production team stated, "Lee Bo-young is an actress with delicate acting skills who perfectly embodies her character, down to every line and expression." They added, "The character Woo So-jung, born from Lee Bo-young's repeated contemplation, will provide viewers with a significant emotional resonance that will make their hearts race."
Meanwhile, MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Mary Kills People' will premiere on August 1 at 10 PM.
[Jin Joo-hee, MK Sports Reporter]
