'Master Kim 3' Han Seok-gyu "We'll be together for 1/10th of our lives"

The hit drama 'Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim', which exceeded 27% in viewership ratings in both seasons 1 and 2, has returned for season 3. Led by Doldam Hospital's 'Master Kim' Seok-gyu Han, Hyo-seop Ahn and Sung-kyung Lee from Season 2, and Hong-nae Lee have joined the cast. The actors were thrilled to be able to be together until season 3. Although the scale was larger in Season 3, he emphasized that the 'human scent' that 'Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim' had pursued was still maintained.

On the 26th, the production presentation of SBS' new Friday-Saturday drama 'Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim 3' was held at SBS Hall in Mok-dong, Seoul. Director Yoo In-sik and actors Han Seok-gyu, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Seong-kyung, Kim Min-jae, Jin Kyung, Im Won-hee, Yoon Na-mu, So Ju-yeon, and Lee Hong-nae attended.

The 'Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim' series is a drama depicting the story of a 'real doctor' set in a shabby Doldam Hospital in a rural area. Season 1 in 2016 recorded the highest viewership rating of 27.6%, and Season 2 in 2020 recorded the highest viewership rating of 27.1%.

Director Yoo said, "Following seasons 1 and 2, I am coming back for season 3. When I sit down and look at the actors' profiles, I feel touched even though it is an official event. I have also grown a lot through this series. I am touched to see the actors have matured as well. is new. The scale is larger than Seasons 1 and 2, and it contains a variety of stories. All the actors who appear here are the main characters, so the story is densely packed. It contains stories of people's lives, warm emotions, and concerns about life, so please enjoy it a lot." I said hello. Also, during the three seasons, I never really thought that I would be able to do another season. It was a tough challenge. The writer said he would never be able to write a medical drama again. However, Season 2 was completed, and the process leading up to Season 3 was dramatic. “It would have been difficult if the actors didn’t agree,” he said, thrilled.

When asked what was the driving force behind making it to season 3, Director Yoo said, "It's the viewers who waited. The number of people asking if there will be a season 2 decreased after a year or two, but it gradually increased. After season 2 ended, there were a lot of people waiting for season 3. “Those people were sincere,” he emphasized. In addition, "Another driving force is that no matter how earnestly the heart is, it is not normal for many actors who became even more stars through season 2 to adjust their schedules and return to the same hospital. The fact that it has come true in 3 years is everyone's wish. "It worked. The actors were very close to each other. Lee Sung-kyung played a big role in bringing them together by asking how they were doing in the group chat room," he said.

When asked about the pressure of directing a popular series, Director Yoo said, "There is pressure every time you do it. There is no 'genealogy' that tells you what to do to become popular. The burden of season 3 is the burden of what viewers loved in seasons 1 and 2. And what if we lost the part we loved? I was worried about the new public's level of attention, but I was worried that if I worried too much about it, I would lose the identity of the 'Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim' series. More than that, they said they would love our best. “I believe it,” he replied.

Regarding the difference between Season 3, he predicted, "A trauma center will be created in Season 3. The scale of incidents and accidents that need to be dealt with has also increased. As the scale grows, you will see pictures that were not seen in 1 and 2."

The main characters of Season 1 were Han Seok-gyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Seo Hyun-jin, and the main characters of Seasons 2 and 3 were Han Seok-gyu, Ahn Hyo-seop, and Lee Sung-kyung. Director Yoo said, "Seasons 1 and 2 introduced new protagonists. Seasons 1 and 2 had a strong feeling of newbies in society. Will they be able to survive as doctors at Doldam Hospital, which requires dedication? In Season 3, what will they look like when they become seniors? “I was curious about whether it would be shown. Season 3 will have fun with juniors coming in and their struggles as seniors,” he said.

In the play, two couples who have been dating for three years appear. Director Yoo predicted, “It is true that the emotions are deeper than in season 2 and it feels like lovers who have known each other for a long time. Still, you will be able to see these two’s bubbly and sometimes prickly sides.” He also said, "I can't go into specifics, but a big obstacle will appear. How they overcome this obstacle will be another source of fun."

Han Seok-gyu played the role of Sabu Kim, the only triple board surgeon in Korea. Han Seok-gyu said, "I was driving last week and suddenly thought, 'There will come a time when I won't be able to act.' It seemed like it would remind me a lot of the drama 'Master Kim'. I once expressed my gratitude. I expressed those feelings to my colleagues. “I want to convey this,” he said. He continued, "It's been over 6 years, and now it's been 7 years. Isn't 6 years one-tenth of the years in my life? Personally, I feel very lucky. The team atmosphere is really good. I feel happy when I sit alone and greet each person. "I couldn't stop laughing. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to my colleagues who couldn't participate," he said proudly.

When asked what kind of romance is needed in today's era, Han Seok-gyu honestly shared his thoughts. He said, "The question I get asked the most on set is, 'How did you end up acting?' It's fun to hear that story. When I hear that story, a story from the past comes up and I tell my own story. The point of the question is, 'What are you feeling? ‘Did I start this career after eating? And how am I doing now?’ While asking questions, I think to myself. How did I start and do I still like it? A question I get asked a lot recently is, ‘What does it mean to be good at acting?’ Such questions “In the end, I think I listen to it myself and remind myself,” he said. He also said, "The story is different for each person. It is different for each era. The stories I hear from senior teachers are different from the stories I hear from juniors. But what goes through it all is that I want to portray people through acting. I want to portray the beauty and ugliness of people that I felt. “Wanting to be seen by others through my body is probably the biggest point of penetration. What I want to achieve through that is up to each person to think about,” he said.

He said, "The most necessary romance is precisely the intention of this (drama). 'What am I living for, what am I going for? What am I? It may be useless to ask such questions, but it is the greatest romance needed in this era. “I think this is it,” he said, receiving applause.

When asked about the charm he felt while acting in a season-based work, Seok-gyu Han said, "Season 3 was something I didn't expect. It wasn't originally planned as a season. Thanks to the great interest and support of viewers and audiences, season 3 was possible." He continued, "I once talked about the three elements of a play at an awards ceremony. The script, the stage, and the audience. I said I wanted to add one more thing to them and make them colleagues. It's just that I did it first, but the people who are there now are my colleagues. It's not about emotions. Isn't it a profession that deals with related work? There are times when you fall apart. Not only us, but there are times in life as well. If you play golf, you don't know what to do with something that went so well, you get scared, you lose confidence, and there are times when you break down. At those times, you need help from your colleagues. “I want to become that person. I see that and I want to be helpful if I can, and I want to share that kind of story with my juniors. But if you do it too much, it’s bad luck,” he said, making people laugh and feel touched.

Ahn Hyo-seop played the role of Seo Woo-jin, a general surgery (GS) specialist. After taking a group photo, Ahn Hyo-seop laughed and said, "It's rare to have a production presentation this crowded. There's no time for me to step down anymore." He continued, "I'm grateful to be able to return to the warm setting. I'm still filming, and I'll do my best until the end."
Ahn Hyo-seop, who participated in Season 3 following Season 2, aroused admiration by saying, "There was no reason why I did Season 3. My heart just said I had to do it." When asked how he felt about filming a medical scene after a long time, Ahn Hyo-seop laughed and said, "I got used to it right away after filming the operating room. It was awkward at first, but I got used to it quickly."

Lee Sung-kyung played Cha Eun-jae, a cardiothoracic surgeon (CS) specialist. Lee Sung-kyung said, "Everyone's hearts were able to come with loving hearts for 'Romantic Doctor'. That's how touching it is. No matter what situation comes at any moment, the reason we can overcome it without difficulty is the fact that we are still together. We miraculously came together and came back. “I hope (viewers) will enjoy it more than ever.” Lee Sung-kyung also expressed her affection for the work, saying, "Of course I have to be at Doldam Hospital. There are patients there, so where should I go?"

Lee Sung-kyung, who joined Season 3 following Season 2, said, “We have become friends who can make more mature decisions like a doctor.” He also said, “The treatments and surgeries were fun in Season 2, and they were fun this time too.”

In the play, Seo Woo-jin and Cha Eun-jae, who have been lovers for three years, show a deeper relationship. Ahn Hyo-seop said, "It also helped in terms of timing. In season 2, I wasn't that close to Seong-kyeong. That was the boundary between Eun-jae and Woo-jin that didn't cross the line. And in reality, three years have passed in the drama. We became close for three years. “I think it shows a couple who has been in their third year together because they have love as friends,” he said.

Lee Sung-kyung said, "I got to know my personal tendencies well without any boundaries. At first, I was cautious when I didn't know much, but as that faded away and I became more comfortable, I think it was natural to include a couple of three years together." He continued, "We wanted to show how we have changed. But didn't the director say 'not to lose our identity'? He will hold on to Eunjae and Woojin until the end so that they don't lose their chemistry, so you will be able to see the chemistry and charm that you saw three years ago. “He said.

Kim Min-jae appears as Park Eun-tak, a dedicated nurse. Kim Min-jae said, "I am grateful to be able to experience such a moving and glorious time once more. I think you can look forward to season 3. I am having fun filming it."

Kim Min-jae said, "I took on this work when I was just starting out. I learned acting, but I also learned a lot about what kind of actor I should be. I wanted to do Season 2, and when I heard that I could do Season 3, I really wanted to do it. This is how I have grown. “I am grateful to be able to add a little help to ‘Master Kim 3.’ I am happily filming as I return to season 3 and reminisce about how I should live and what kind of person I was,” he said.

So Joo-yeon appears as Yoon Ah-reum, an emergency medicine (EM) doctor. So Joo-yeon pledged, "It is meaningful to be able to participate in a scene full of romance and love once again. I will film well without changing this feeling until the last filming."

In the play, Eun-tak Park has been in a relationship with Ah-reum Yoon, an emergency medicine doctor, for three years. However, they encounter bad news, such as being involved in an accident and an uninvited guest visiting. Kim Min-jae raised expectations by saying, "This season, our couple's sweet side is shown, but there is also a crisis. It will be fun to see how each other faces and overcomes it. It's very sweet." So Joo-yeon said, “I am relying on Min-jae while filming. He is a great help.”

Yoon Na-mu played Jeong In-soo, an emergency medicine (EM) specialist. Yoon Namu said, "Our time is precious and valuable. We are working happily every moment and we will continue to do so in the future. We created one scene and one word with our seniors and colleagues. Please watch our teamwork until the end." paid it

Jin-kyung played the role of head nurse Oh Myeong-sim. Jin-kyung said, “I am so touched to be able to see you again in Season 3. Please give us lots of love.” Im Won-hee played the role of administrative office manager Jang Ki-tae. Im Won-hee expressed confidence, “I am so blessed to be able to sit through season 3 of such a good drama. Season 3 is just as fun as the previous season.”

Lee Hong-nae, who is new to Season 3, appears as Lee Seon-woong, a first-year thoracic surgery fellow. Lee Hong-nae said, "I am having fun and working hard while filming with my respected director, writer, seniors, and fellow actors. I think all I have to do is work hard. I ask for your interest and love."

When asked about expectations for viewership ratings, Director Yoo avoided giving a direct answer, saying, "The broadcasting environment has changed rapidly and we have also moved to a different time zone than the previous season. There is also an OTT environment, so I cannot predict accurately." When MC Park Seul-gi said, "Viewer ratings don't mean much, right?", Director Yoo responded, "Viewer ratings mean a lot. I made eye contact with the production company's CEO," causing laughter.

In a similar time slot, JTBC's 'Doctor Cha Jeong-sook' is already generating good viewership ratings. Director Yoo said, "It is a drama that deals with the issues of people living and dying. When we go to the hospital when we are very sick, we realize that what we thought was most important was actually nothing. 'Wise Doctor Life' and 'Doctor Cha Jeong-sook' are also like that. I think it was planned. It is difficult for a medical drama to take a completely different path. However, we have a unique location called Doldam Hospital and a rare character named Master Kim. A person who asks the question of what is most important even in moments of urgency. "I think that the backbone of the 'Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim' series is that it doesn't waver. We have to do our best to keep going without losing sight of that. It's a good drama. Even if it wins first, I hope it receives all the love from viewers," he said.

During his talk on this day, Seok-gyu Han revealed that Min-jae Kim is scheduled to enlist in July. Kim Min-jae was embarrassed by the unexpected story and even burst into laughter. Kim Min-jae, who has been with me since Season 1, said, "I think this will be my last work in my 20s. I was really worried about how to say it, but I think my senior told me. It's not confirmed yet. 'Master Kim', the beginning of my 20s, is 20. “I think it will be the last time for this project. I will tell you when it is confirmed,” he said, expressing his meaningful feelings.

Yoon Namu said, "The number of patients has increased compared to the previous season. The 'Doldam Jerseys' do more work. I like the 'Doldam Jerseys' modifier because they seem like human-like heroes. Please check their activities hidden in various places through the broadcast. “He informed.

Lee Sung-kyung said, "I thought there would be many variables as the scale grew. But what came to the same conclusion every time it was difficult was that all the actors said, 'We're romantic doctors, so let's hug each other and go together.' Even if we don't like it, let's go together even though it's hard. ' Everyone said that. They said we're cool and that we love each other. I was touched that we were able to film with this kind of heart. It's a work that reflects our romance and love more than ever before. I hope the viewers who made it like it will like it. “I hope so. Thank you,” he said. Ahn Hyo-seop also said, "I am grateful to everyone who loves 'Master Kim'," and "I am honored that we can get together again. I am happy. I am grateful. It has been a long time since I heard these inner feelings, but it seems even more so now that I heard it officially." did.

Director Yoo said, "I ate delicious food at a restaurant three years ago, but wouldn't it be nice if I stopped by three years later and the taste hasn't changed? In our drama, the store has grown and the number of employees has increased, so people will say, 'This is the romance I felt back then.' The romance I felt back then. “Please feel it,” he said.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr