INTERVIEW Kim Min-jae shares how 'Dr. Romantic' series changed his life
Actor Kim Min-jae plays the role of a nurse in the SBS medical series “Dr. Romantic 3.” Courtesy of SBS
By Lee Gyu-lee
When actor Kim Min-jae was starting his career, he landed a supporting role in the SBS medical romance series “Dr. Romantic” in 2016, which became a huge hit ending with a 27.6 percent viewership rating. The role won him a rising star trophy at the broadcaster's year-end awards ceremony.
Actor Kim Min-jae / Courtesy of YamYam Entertainment
Seven years later, the actor has wrapped up Season 3 of "Dr. Romantic," having spent his entire twenties working on the series.
“I met 'Dr. Romantic' in my early 20s, a time when you begin to shape your perspective. Through the series, I not only learned about acting, but it also had a profound impact on my understanding of life and how we should live," the actor shared during an interview with The Korea Times, Monday, at a cafe in Gangnam District.
The medical series, which ended its third season on Saturday, revolves around people at a small hospital named Doldam, in a remote countryside area, led by the genius doctor, Kim Sa-bu (Han Suk-kyu). Kim chose to abandon his position at a renowned hospital in favor of a peaceful life at Doldam, calling himself “Doctor Romantic.”
Within the hospital, Kim Sa-bu and his colleagues encounter diverse patients, each with their unique stories, and learn to provide care not only on the surface, but also on a deeper, emotional level.
Director Yoo In-shik, known for his previous work on the hit series, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," returned as the director for the latest season, successfully leading all three seasons of the show.
A scene from the series “Dr. Romantic 3” / Courtesy of SBS
In his role as a nurse practitioner at Doldam, Kim Min-jae's character has a life-altering encounter with Kim Sa-bu, prompting him to leave behind his troublesome life and join the staff at Doldam as a nurse.
The actor revealed that working on each season, spaced three years apart, served as a constant reminder to apply the series' message to his own life.
“My definition of 'romance' is courage; to look at the world with more warmth and not compromising on what is wrong. Taking the high road, making the right choices, and taking responsibility make me feel like a better person,” he said.
“I try to live that way but it doesn't always work. And working on this series almost every three years allowed me to reflect and check on myself to see if I've been doing the right thing.”
This series will mark Kim's final project before starting his mandatory military service later this year. The actor shared that he is looking forward to the major changes in his life.
“I felt I needed to take time to move on to the next phase (of life) and I believe military service will help me grow, so I'm more excited than worried or anxious,” he said. “I'm looking forward to my career in my 30s after being discharged from the military. I'm curious how my perspective would change afterward.”