Netflix has officially announced the production of its highly anticipated medical series, First Doctor (참교육팀 작가진 합작). Alongside the exciting production confirmation, the global streaming giant簡 unveiled a stellar main cast featuring Jung Ryeowon, Kim Mu Yeol, Ha Yoonkyung, Bek Hyunjin, and Kim Jongsoo.
Set in the high-stakes environment of a failing pediatric department, First Doctor promises to bring a gritty, deeply emotional, and heartwarming look at the medical professionals fighting at the frontlines of young lives.
The Plot: Fighting for the Most Fragile Lives
First Doctor centers on a pediatric surgery unit pushed to the absolute brink of closure. The series explores the breathless, intense day-to-day realities of healthcare workers who refuse to give up on their smallest and most vulnerable patients, finding warmth, solidarity, and the true value of life amidst chaos.
The newly announced character details highlight a dynamic clash of personalities:
- Heo Jiwan (Jung Ryeowon): A brilliant and deeply committed pediatric surgeon who finds herself cornered overnight. While her skills and sense of duty are unmatched, her blunt, uncompromising, and unfiltered personality makes her the ultimate “troublemaker” of the hospital. Forced by an unexpected incident to return to Yeonhwa University Hospital, she throws herself into a fierce battle to protect the future of the department and the children.
- Bae Suwol (Kim Mu Yeol): An incredibly charming, friendly, and easygoing professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine. Suwol is a longtime colleague and confidant of Jiwan, acting as a grounding presence in her turbulent career.
- Ki Eungyeol (Ha Yoonkyung): A confident, sharp-witted, and bold third-year resident at Yeonhwa University Hospital. Though she carries a slightly rebellious streak, she is exceptionally clever and quick with her hands. Eungyeol is set to form a high-friction, captivating mentor-mentee relationship with Jiwan as they clash at every turn.
- The Institutional Figures: Veteran actors Bek Hyunjin and Kim Jongsoo join the ranks to add political tension and realism. Bek Hyunjin portrays the realistic Head of Surgery, Son Sangbaek, while Kim Jongsoo controls the hospital politics as Vice Director Lee Changgon. Both will navigate complex, shifting dynamics with the hospital’s outcast, Heo Jiwan.
A High-Profile Creative Reunion
The excitement surrounding First Doctor extends well beyond the onscreen talent. The series marks the major creative reunion of Director Hong Jongchan and Writer Kim Minseok, the acclaimed duo behind Netflix’s smash-hit legal thriller Juvenile Justice.
This project also highlights a deep artistic bond between Director Hong and leading man Kim Mu Yeol. Having previously worked together on Juvenile Justice and the massive global hit Teach You a Lesson, First Doctor marks their third collaboration.
In a past interview, Kim Mu Yeol shared his immense respect for the creator, noting, “We stayed in touch after working together. Because I had such wonderful memories, I deeply wanted to collaborate again. I feel our passion and attitude toward storytelling align perfectly.” Director Hong mirrored this praise, commending Kim Mu Yeol’s patience, incredible work ethic, and his thoughtful, supportive leadership on busy filming sets.
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