Lee Bo-young's 'Mary Kills People' Faces Ratings Decline Amid Controversial Theme

Lee Bo-young's much-anticipated return to MBC with 'Mary Kills People' has seen a rocky start. The drama, which began with a 3.2% viewership rating, dropped to 2.1% by its second episode and has since remained in the 1% range for episodes three and four. Despite high expectations for the 'trustworthy actress' Lee Bo-young, the show's controversial theme of 'assisted death' and its '19+ rating' seem to have hindered its mainstream appeal.

The fourth episode, aired on Saturday, August 9th at 10 PM, showcased a tense confrontation between Woo So-jung (played by Lee Bo-young) and Ban Ji-hoon (played by Lee Min-ki), highlighting their stark differences in beliefs and justice. Lee Bo-young's character delivered a shocking 'self-sacrifice ending' by becoming a hostage to a drug dealer.

In the episode, Woo So-jung confides in Choi Dae-hyun (played by Kang Ki-young), expressing regret over her misplaced trust, saying, "I ruined everything. I trusted him too much." She also hides the fact that she was threatened by Goo Kwang-chul (played by Baek Hyun-jin), who took compromising photos of her, adding to the tension.

Woo So-jung encounters Ban Ji-hoon at the hospital and, overwhelmed by betrayal, attempts to walk past him. However, when Ban Ji-hoon grabs her arm, she slaps him. Ban Ji-hoon pleads with her to stop her actions, warning, "What you're doing is murder. I will catch you." Woo So-jung retorts, "You can't catch me. I'm not guilty," escalating the tension. Later, she informs Choi Dae-hyun and Choi Ye-na (played by Yoon Ga-i) that she will temporarily cease her activities to evade the police.

Meanwhile, Ban Ji-hoon and the police, under orders from Detective Ahn Tae-sung (played by Kim Tae-woo), search Woo So-jung's emergency room with a warrant. Despite her disdainful gaze, Ban Ji-hoon avoids eye contact. He later witnesses Woo So-jung helping a terminal cancer patient, Lee Yoon-hee (played by Yang Jo-ah), receive free treatment at a welfare hospital, questioning her motives.

Goo Kwang-chul decides to eliminate drug dealer Kim Si-hyun (played by Oh Ui-sik) after he acts out of line. Kim Si-hyun, wounded, seeks help at Woo So-jung's emergency room. As the police guard the room, Goo Kwang-chul threatens Woo So-jung, revealing that the police are aware of their dealings. Ban Ji-hoon, investigating Kim Si-hyun, confronts Woo So-jung, recalling his own traumatic past.

Goo Kwang-chul pressures Detective Ahn Tae-sung to halt the investigation into Kim Si-hyun. He also threatens Woo So-jung, accusing her of misusing his products. Despite the threats, Woo So-jung refuses to comply, stating, "You handle Kim Si-hyun yourself."

Amidst her anxiety, a fire breaks out in the hospital cafeteria, injuring several people. Goo Kwang-chul reveals plans for another attack, prompting Woo So-jung to take drastic measures. She decides to become a hostage to save lives, secretly handing Kim Si-hyun scissors and whispering, "I'll be the hostage, you escape."

Kim Si-hyun threatens Woo So-jung with the scissors and escapes, with both getting into Goo Kwang-chul's car. As Ban Ji-hoon desperately chases after them, the episode ends with Woo So-jung's fate hanging in the balance, leaving viewers eager to see what happens next.