Park Hyung-sik plays a doctor who faces an unexpected setback in 'Doctor Slump.'
Doctor Slump is a Korean drama about two doctors, who were academic rivals and who reconnect during their darkest hour. A series of flashback scenes examines the the high school rivalry between plastic surgeon Yeo Jong-woo, played by Park Hyung-sik, and anesthesiologist Nam Ha-neul, played by Park Shin-hye. When playing students the actors wear school uniforms. It’s not the first time the actors have worn school uniforms for roles. More than a decade ago they wore them in the same drama, The Heirs. Donning uniforms again for Doctor Slump was more than nostalgic.
“When we put on school uniforms, we looked at each other and laughed at our embarrassment, but when it came to shooting, we tried to forget about that and immerse ourselves,” said Park Hyung-sik. “In The Heirs, I had few opportunities to work with Park Shin-hye, but we had a good atmosphere on set because we have been close since then.”
The characters in this SLL drama overcome their antagonism and become friends, supporting each other during difficult times. Park Hyung-sik’s character is a successful surgeon, whose career suffers when a patient unexpectedly dies during an operation. Jeong-woo loses confidence in his abilities and fulfilling a settlement forces him to liquidate his practice. However, Park Hyung-sik has some reassuring advice for his character.
“I would like to tell him that I know nothing I say will comfort him, but he is an amazing person,” said Park Hyung-sik. “And he’s gotten through something that is not easy for anyone, and to keep moving forward with his convictions and his warm heart.”
The characters played by Park Hyung-sik and Park Shin-hye find solace in their friendship.
Park Shin-hye’s character suffers burnout from difficult working conditions, which lead her to question her choice of career. As fate would have it, a suddenly broke Jeong-woo winds up renting the modest rooftop apartment at Ha-neul’s family home. Given a chance to naturally interact, they discover they don’t hate each other. They actually have a lot to offer each other.
“For Jeong-woo and Ha-neul, I think they are the only ones who could understand each other,” said Park Hyung-sik. “They were rivals competing for first place from a young age, and even though they thought they were doing well on their own, they weren’t, so that's what played the biggest role in creating empathy. Someone they could confide in better than anyone else. I reckon that's why Ha-neul and Jeong-woo need each other.”
Ha-neul likes Jeong-woo, even though he’s no longer successful or rich, and their relationship helps him recover his confidence. The drama is a healing romance between two vulnerable individuals and that’s part of what drew Park Hyung-sik to consider the role.
“I consider many things, such as the message of the work, and the message and charm of the roles,” said Park Hyung-sik. “Of course, the more I act, the criteria would change, and I'm sure I'll continue to choose works for a variety of reasons, but Doctor Slump was a work that appealed to me greatly because of the message of the drama and the charm of the characters.”
Park, who originally debuted with the k-pop group ZE:A, has appeared in a succession of dramas, including High Society, Happiness, Soundtrack #1, Our Blooming Youth and Strong Girl Bong Soon, which became one of the highest rated Korean dramas in cable television history. He also starred in the film Juror 8 and has appeared in a few unscripted shows, including In The Soop: Friendship Trip, with real-life friends Park Seo-Joon, Choi Woo-sik, Peakboy and BTS member V.
Produced by SLL, Doctor Slump airs on Netflix.
