Medical shows are popular. Some like watching the guts, some like the life and death decisions and some are roped in by the romantic links. "Doctor John" (2019) presents a lot of complexities of pain and the end of life and oh yes, links.
This series starts in a prison. We are soon introduced to one prisoner Cha Yo-han who somehow, with scant information is able to diagnose difficult medical situations. We learn he had been convicted of performing euthanasia on a murderer who had killed two young daughters of a prominent person.
We are also introduced to a romantic interest, Kang Shi-young. She was brought to the prison by her uncle who was in charge, to use her as a temporary medical person. When she is interrupted by the diagnoser she asks if he is a doctor and he replies "no". They have a short interaction in which he demonstrates an amazing ability to diagnose.
A year or so passes and he has been released from prison and is able to be employed at a hospital where Shi-young works, that is managed by her relatives. We learn that her father is in a coma and she is blamed for involvement with the accident that caused the injury. Over time we learn that Yo-han is immune to pain which might sound like a good thing, but the problem is he can suffer injury or disease and not know it. Over time it is revealed he takes detailed precautions.
There is a nurse in the hospital Chae Eun-jeong who vehemently opposes Yo-han for the killing of the children murderer and she aligns with a legal prosecutor, Son Seok-ki. Throughout the series they are looking for a chance to prosecute Yo-han and take away his medical license.
Some authorities want Doctor John to be dismissed when they learn he does not experience pain, rationalizing he can't understand patients. He says that pain is a communication, telling where your body has a problem.
The series is a forum on euthanasia and other end of life issues. Aside from the initial situation when Doctor John euthanized a murderer there are some other cases that force a viewer to see another perspective.
In one case a mixed martial arts fighter is on the verge of death and had issued a no resuscitation notification, however Doctor John had diagnosed an underlying medical issue and was able to revive him. There was concern that he defied the notification and at first, the fighter was upset.
1n another dilemma, a former female movie star had a cancer on her nose that forced one eye to move in a grotesque manner. She had wanted to contact Swiss authorities that could arrange assisted suicide. Everyone recognized there was no cure and intense pain. She was encouraged to see her son who she said earlier she did not want him to remember her in this horrifying manner. After being persuaded, at the meeting time her son said he was too scared. This prompted her move to the top of a building and after begging for a better way to die, she jumped. She was rescued and with difficulty intubated, but someone turned off the ventilator. That action was charcterized as attempted murder. This case has a relatively "happy" ending as her son did accept her and express his love.
Assisted dying is difficult in South Korea. Some have applied to go to Switzerland to end their suffering, but apparently the government can prosecute anyone who accompanies them. There may be exceptions, but they are very resdtricted and rare. The movie advocates a humane way of dealing with unending suffering.
Most movies strive to be realistic to sell their story. Here are some of those who brought the idea of this series to life.
Young Hwan-Kim was the director with 6 directing credits.
Ji Woon Kim was the writer. He has 4 writing credits including "Melancholia" (2021) and "When the Phone Rings" (2024). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/01/when-phone-rings.html
Moon Seong-nam was involved with the music. He has 24 composing credits.
Ji Sung played Cha Yo-han. He has 31 acting credits.
Lee Se-yeong played Kang Shi-young. She has 34 acting credits and 1for soundtrack.
Kim Hye-eun played Min Tae-kyeon, a senior doctor and mother to Shi-young. She was a television weather forecaster for several years before getting into films. She has 35 acting credits including "Itaewon Class" (2019) and "Twenty-five Twenty-one" (2021).
Shin Dung-mi played Chae Eun-jeong who had had a daughter murdered by the man that Yo-Jon had euthanized. She has 43 acting credits including "A Hard Day" (2014) and "Welcome to Samdal-ri" (2023). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/06/welcome-to-sandal-ri.html
Lee Kyoo-hyung played Son Seok-ki, the lawyer wanting to prosecute Yo-hon. He was involved in theater, especially musical. He has 31 acting credits.
For some, this may be a difficult movie to stomach, but for many others it is mind opening about things we would rather not think about. In some ways it is hopeful. You can catch it on Netflix subtitled. I recommend it.
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