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Kang Ki-youngknown for her sparkling roles, is set to surprise viewers in Mary Kills PeopleMBC's dark and sensitive new drama, which opens on August 1. Adapted from the hit series of the same name, Mary Kills People explores a theme rarely tackled in K-Drama: assisted euthanasia. The story follows Woo So-jung (played by Lee Bo-young), an underground doctor who helps dying patients go out with dignity, and a detective on her trail.
In this unsettling universe, Kang Ki-young plays Choi Dae-hyun, a former plastic surgeon whose license has been revoked.. A long-time friend of So Jung, he becomes his accompliceready to support him in his radical choices, navigating between deep tenderness and a shaken conscience.
A character between strength and cracks
The first glimpses of Dae Hyun show the complexity of the character: sometimes immersed in meditation, eyes closed under the flickering glow of a candle, sometimes gazing into the distance, inhabited by a thousand thoughts. Despite his past wounds, he appears as a reassuring ally, a support to So Jung and his patients.
When asked why he chose such a project, Kang Ki-young admits he thought long and hard about it: "We don't talk much about euthanasia, so I approached the subject with caution. There are a thousand ways to say goodbye, but a farewell prepared by the one who is leaving has a unique meaning."
Emotion but also complicity
While Kang Ki-young acknowledges that the theme weighs heavily on every scene, he points out that the chemistry between his character and Lee Bo Young's subtly lightens the atmosphere. Their complicity, made up of verbal jousting and moments of tenderness, brings a healthy breath of fresh air to the story.
Dae Hyun, despite his apparent lightness, actually conceals an inner strength forged by pain: "He's not carefree, but serene. His resilience is what touched me most," confides the actor. Already acclaimed for his ability to blend humanity and depth, Kang Ki-young promises to deliver a skin-deep performance. "Even though Dae Hyun is a doctor, without a license, he operates in the shadows. This borderline side takes some of the pressure off, especially when it comes to medical jargon," he jokes.
Beyond assisted dying, Mary Kills People promises to tackle family love, dignity and the right to choose, all universal themes that will touch audiences to the core.
See you on August 1 at 10pm (KST) on MBC.
