Writer Kang Eun-kyung, who wrote the 'Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim' series, revealed the meaning of the appearance of Yoo Yeon-seok in season 1, which took place in season 3.
The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim 3', which ended on the 17th, is the story of a 'real doctor' taking place in the background of a shabby local Doldam Hospital. It is a work that wrote the history of Korean season dramas over a period of 7 years (until 2023). In the final episode, Seo Woo-jin (Ahn Hyo-seop), Cha Eun-jae (Lee Sung-kyung), and Season 1 Gang Dong-ju (Yoo Yeon-seok), who are growing their dreams at the Regional Trauma Center, which Sabu Kim (Han Seok-gyu) had longed for, were drawn. Another season 1 disciple Yoon Seo-jeong (Seo Hyun-jin)'s back appeared in the epilogue and thrilled.
Writer Kang Eun-kyung revealed that Yoo Yeon-seok's special appearance was planned from the planning stage of season 3, and said, "Kang Dong-joo's appearance (from season 1) was necessary to complete the cornerstone project picture that Sabu Kim dreamed of. I think the appearance of Yoon Seo-jeong is also an extension of that.” Regarding the message he wanted to emphasize in Season 3, he said, “If Seasons 1 and 2 focused on the growth of doctors, Season 3 focused on the medical reality we are currently facing.” Explained the background of planning season 3, which was drawn based on.
Along with this, writer Kang Eun-kyung told stories about the experience of being overwhelmed by the acting of Han Seok-gyu, the symbol of the 'Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim' series, memorable scenes, and the possibility of season 4.
Q. Since Seasons 1 and 2 were so popular, it seems that you had a lot of worries when writing Season 3. What did you want to emphasize in season 3 and what message did you want to convey?
A. If seasons 1 and 2 focused on the growth of doctors, season 3 focused on the current medical reality we are facing. Seven years ago, in the process of preparing for season 1, I heard that there was already a lack of vitals and applicants, and various concerns related to the medical vacuum that are currently pouring out in the news were already detected at that time. There must have been some uncomfortable and frustrating points from the viewer's point of view, but I couldn't just talk about romance any longer with this reality. So I opened a trauma center, and I thought I should now talk about the harsher realities pouring in through the trauma center. I think that was the way to pay back the love I received in seasons 1 and 2.
Q. How do you feel about working with Han Seok-gyu, who became Master Kim himself, until season 3?
A. Sabu Kim, played by actor Han Seok-gyu, is the worldview of Doldam Hospital and a switch that turns the drama on and off. Every moment was just touching. The moment actor Han Seok-gyu put on the doctor's gown, we all naturally teleported to the place where Doldam Hospital exists. I had a miraculous experience of being taught every look, tone of voice, and hand gesture, making everyone understand, and persuading them in one shot. This is the power of a character created by an actor! There was pleasure in being overwhelmed.
Q. Was Kang Dong-joo's appearance in season 1 in mind from the planning stage for season 3? What is the meaning of the epilogue of Yoon Seo-jeong returning to the stone wall?
A. I thought that the appearance of Monandol in season 1 should be premised from the planning stage. As the schedule was adjusted with actor Yoo Yeon-seok, the time and method of his return and what he would say were decided. The 15th episode of the 'Team Stone Wall' combine surgery centered on Sabu Kim is the reality of Sabu Kim's dream project. Not only did the angular stones who fell short of the standards of the world, pushed, alienated, and shunned, build their skills, achieve their dreams and grow through their efforts, but also accumulated their vocation, dedication, and sense of duty as doctors to save the lives of patients. The connection was the completion of the angular stone project that Sabu Kim had dreamed of. The trauma center was a system that could contain that dream, and the appearance of Kang Dong-joo in Season 1 was absolutely necessary to complete all these pictures. It seems that Yoon Seo-jeong's appearance in the epilogue is also an extension of that.
Q. If you were to choose one scene that you had the most trouble with while writing, what would it be?
A. I thought about every moment. From the North Korean defector episode that opened fire in the first episode, to the humidifier victim episode, the gunman, the building collapse, the Kang Dong-ju boycott situation, and the forest fire, none of the episodes were easy. Be sure though! dare! If I were to choose one of them, I would like to mention the death of the son of a provincial councilor. It is the starting point where politics and the trauma center collide, and as a result, Jung In-soo (Yoon Na-mu) is stigmatized as a medical accident, and Cha Jin-man (Lee Kyung-young) needs a strong enough opportunity to imprint his presence on everyone. (It was also the starting point of the dramatic force that made Cha Jin-man and Kim Sa-bu equal in value conflict.) One more symbol to show how many lives we lost due to the medical vacuum. It had to be a death.
Q. Is there a scene where you admired more than expected because of the acting of the actors and the directing of the director?
A. Episodes 9 and 10 of the reconstruction building collapsing. In fact, that episode would never have been written if it hadn't been for the trust in director Yoo In-shik. The scale is also a scale, but there were many emotions and stories that had to be conveyed clearly. The detail of the director who made it into a huge resonance by pressing it down without spilling a single grain! The director's directing, which does not miss human beings under any circumstances, makes me feel respect every time. In addition, Sabu Kim, as well as the evil acting of our young actors! The moment I saw it, I was 'just crazy!' I could only say that.
Q. Can you tell us about your impressions of completing season 3 and the possibility of season 4?
A. Season 3 was a series of emotions and feelings that cannot be explained in any words. That's about 7 years. For those seven years, it is as if we have lived together, laughing and crying together, holding the lives of Master Kim and Doldams in our hearts. I'm not sure how many lines I can describe that time. There is one person that comes to mind at this moment, and that is Lim Hye-min. I started as an assistant writer in season 1 and made a name for myself as a co-writer in season 3. Numerous surgical scenes, one of the pride of our drama, were created through writer Lim Hye-min's efforts. The difficult process was successfully completed. If Sabu Kim had Seo Woo-jin, I had Lim Hye-min.
And season 4 has really received that question the most since the end of the show, but in fact, when season 1 was over, I didn't know that I would be writing season 2, and when season 2 ended, I wondered if I could do season 3. Even now, 'Is a season 4 possible?' I am thinking But even so, you said you would wait for us again, and now I'm just so grateful for that.
Reporter Tae Yuna, Ten Asia youyou@tenasia.co.kr