Controversial Drama 'Mary Kills People' Struggles with Ratings Despite Strong Performances

Tae Yuna from TenAsia reports from the scene, breaking down the elements of the drama based on firsthand observations. In an era of drama overflow from numerous channels, we aim to be the eyes and ears for our readers.

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The controversial theme of 'assisted death' has led to an 'adults only' rating, hindering the drama's success. Starring Lee Bo-young, MBC's Friday-Saturday drama 'Mary Kills People' recorded a 2% viewership rating by its second episode, marking a sluggish start. Despite the strong performances from a talented cast, the drama has struggled to resonate with a broad audience.

Premiering on the 1st, 'Mary Kills People' follows a doctor who assists terminally ill patients in dying and a detective who pursues her. This marks Lee Bo-young's return to MBC dramas after 13 years, tackling a sensitive ethical topic that earned the series an 'adults only' rating for all episodes—a rarity for a weekend mini-series on a major network.

While the protagonist is a doctor, 'Mary Kills People' diverges from typical medical dramas. Lee Bo-young's character, Woo So-jung, administers a lethal cocktail to patients meeting three criteria: 'deemed incurable by three or more doctors,' 'suffering from unbearable physical disabilities,' and 'pain unmanageable by any medication.' If the dosage fails, she resorts to suffocating them with a pillow.

Woo So-jung's actions, though well-intentioned, are pursued as murder by the police, who secretly form a team to track her down. The drama poses the heavy ethical question, "Can the right to self-determined death be respected?"

Given its subject matter, the drama's tone is somber and dark. The inclusion of terminal illness and a homosexual subplot has led some viewers to find it uncomfortable to watch. Lee Bo-young's character's appearance, with her long, unkempt bangs obscuring her eyes, has also been divisive. Some suggest this reflects her character's uncertainty about the morality of her actions. Additionally, a scene where Lee Bo-young kisses terminally ill patient Ban Ji-hoon (played by Lee Min-ki) felt abrupt, making emotional connection difficult.

The consensus is that 'Mary Kills People' struggles to garner widespread viewer empathy. The production team noted that the 'adults only' rating was likely due to regulations against promoting suicide, contributing to the discomfort viewers feel. Consequently, ratings dropped from 3.2% in the first episode to 2.1% in the second.

In the same time slot, SBS's 'Try: We Become Miracles' achieved a 5.4% rating in its fourth episode, consistently breaking its own records. Industry experts attribute this to its lighter, more accessible sports growth narrative, blending comedy, conflict, and satisfying resolutions to maintain viewer interest.

'Mary Kills People' faces significant rebroadcast restrictions due to its 'adults only' rating, limiting its airtime to post-10 PM slots and reducing its rerun frequency compared to other dramas. As of the 6th, it ranked 20th on Wavve and 7th on TVing, failing to gain traction on OTT platforms.

The show's potential for a comeback lies in the public's trust in Lee Bo-young. Known for her strong performances across various genres, her choice of projects is highly regarded. Lee Bo-young explained her decision to join 'Mary Kills People,' acknowledging the controversial nature of her character. She found the topic of assisted death intriguing and felt it was a story worth telling, especially as she contemplated her future and retirement.

Starting from the third episode, the conflict between Lee Bo-young's character and the police intensifies. The revelation at the end of the second episode that Lee Min-ki's character is an undercover detective posing as a terminal patient is expected to propel the narrative forward. All eyes are on whether 'Mary Kills People' can overcome its initial struggles and gain momentum.

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr