No one masterfully crafts entertaining rom-coms like K-dramas do. It’s because they don’t stick to conventional storytelling, and rather indulge in a mixed bag of genres. Park Hyung Sik is often attached to these quirky romantic comedies that tug at heartstrings.
Ever since he was discharged from the military in 2021, Park Hyung Sik’s choice of picking diverse dramas has been the talk of the town. From Happiness, the wildly addictive apocalyptic thriller series opposite Han Hyo Joo, to the currently airing Doctor Slump, a medical rom-com series tackling mental health amongst young adults opposite Park Shin Hye, the Strong Girl Bong-soon star has made a deliberate effort to not stick to the norm.
Doctor Slump, which is produced by SLL HighZium Studio and can be streamed on Netflix, follows two doctors, who have fallen into a life slump, both professionally and personally. Yeo Jeong Woo (Park Hyung Sik) is a charismatic and popular plastic surgeon, whose life turns upside down when he gets embroiled in a medical scandal. On the other hand, Nam Ha Neul (Park Shin Hye) is a reserved but hardworking anesthesiologist, who suffers from burnout at the hands of a medical professor’s wrongdoings.
The two meet each other at the worst phase of their life, but they already have a history. They used to attend the same school and competed against each other to be the top students. When the once-bickering classmates meet as struggling adults, Jeong Woo and Ha Neul find a home in each other. Not only does love blossom between the couple, but they also regain their lost zest for life, particularly, in their profession.
One aspect of your acting range that viewers are appreciative of is your knack for physical comedy, which is prevalent in Doctor Slump. How do you approach comedy as opposed to emotional scenes?
I’ve always been a big fan of funny comedy movies and dramas, and I think that’s influenced my acting. I had the opportunity to watch the movies of Jackie Chan and Jim Carrey when I was younger, and I always loved their movies because they made me laugh, and that’s a big part of who I am today.
You and Park Shin Hye have reunited after a decade. From The Heirs to Doctor Slump, how would you say Park Shin Hye has changed as an acting partner?
