[Interview] 'Romantic Doctor' marks turning point in Yoo Yeon-seok's life

Yoo Yeon-seok, left, in a scene from "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim" / Courtesy of MBC

Yoo Yeon-seok poses during an interview in Seoul, last week. / Courtesy of King Kong Entertainment

By Park Jin-hai

Yoo Yeon-seok, a 32-year old actor, who shot to fame in 2013 hit drama "Reply 1994," has achieved another milestone with his latest role in the medical drama "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim."

The recently ended 20-part drama told the story of a celebrated surgeon who leaves his former famous workplace to work in a small rural hospital, where he becomes "Teacher Kim." Teacher Kim, played by veteran actor Han Seok-kyu, teaches two young doctors the true meaning of their profession. The drama drew a large viewer rating, reaching a record 27.6 percent.

Yoo portrayed a young talented doctor Kang Dong-joo whose background holds him back. After meeting Teacher Kim, Kang changes from a success-obsessed doctor to one with sincere aspirations.

Yoo didn't expect the drama to be so successful. "I didn't expect that the drama would be loved so much. Yet, I had a positive feeling from the very first script reading, from the combination of the entire cast and team of staff members," he said during a recent interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in southern Seoul, last week. "I couldn't predict the viewership at the time, but I was somehow confident that I could be in a drama that I would not be ashamed of."

He gave credit to the great teamwork between caring and cooperative cast members and staff for the success of the drama. "People cared for others. With skilled staff, all of us worked as members of a team from early morning until dark. It was fun and reminded me of my old days as a stage actor," he said.

Yoo didn't hesitate to say that it was his second milestone in his 14-year acting career, after "Reply 1994."

"This drama has become another turning point in my life. In no other drama, was I featured as such a multi-dimensional character as this time. Kang played a character that underwent dramatic changes," he said. "From an immature, success-minded human being, who is faced with emotional conflicts, he has gradually grown into what a true doctor should be, taking after his teacher," said Yoo, adding that he worked hard to portray Kang as a clear-headed and single-minded person in the early part of the drama, because in real life he is not.

As Teacher Kim and the young doctors were portrayed as medical staff, who stand firm against social ills and stick to the oath of saving lives, the drama earned the respect of many viewers. Citing the episode when Kang was requested to cover up for the death of a deserter who was beaten to death, was the most memorable. Yoo thinks people loved the drama so much because it raised various social issues.

"On the day to celebrate the drama's closing, we visited a children's hospital where we shot the drama. Patients and their parents gave us a warm welcome. I was proud when some real-life doctors came to me and thanked us, saying that the drama rekindled the doctor's oath that they'd forgotten for a while," he said.

"Romantic Doctor delivered the message, ‘What do people live for?' and I was able to ask myself that same question. Early in my career, I wanted to be recognized and become a good actor and after my name became known, I had an ambition to become a top actor. But, now I think I would like to be an actor people need," he said. "Wouldn't it be meaningful when viewers look at a character and wish that I were playing the role, even after my retirement. And staff members would think that the role needed me?"

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