Different kind of healing

South Korean actress Ha Ji-won gets an eye-opening role in the medical drama series

FOR the first time in her 20-year career, award-winning K-drama actress Ha Ji-won, 39, tackles the role of a doctor in her latest series,

Ha plays Song Eun-jae, a doctor looking for a fresh start onboard a hospital ship, a life-saving initiative which provides medical services to those in rural areas.

Working with a team of young doctors, Eun-jae grows to understand that life can be simple yet beautiful.

She fell in love with the story after reading the script and agreed to be part of the 40-episode show.

”Beyond the general concept of a doctor in a medical series, I felt a connection with Eun-jae and her journey in said the star.

”I like the way she matures and the purpose of the ship is heartwarming and touching.

”The Hospital Ship members and village elders grow in strength.”

Airing Thursdays and Fridays at 7.50pm on Oh!K, the series also stars Kang Minhyuk, Lee Seo-won, Kim Kwang-gyu and Kim In-shik.

Ha talks more about

below.

WHAT ELSE DREW YOU TO THE SERIES?

Usually, it’s the patients who visit doctors but in the doctors head out to visit people in rural areas and look into their health.

There are many islands in South Korea that do not have proper medical services. Once a month, hospital ships visit those islands. Many of the residents are elderly.

DID THE SHOW REFERENCE A REAL HOSPITAL SHIP?

Actually, there are no surgery departments in a Hospital Ship. However, in this drama, there is a surgery room setting.

To better understand my character and her job, I read a lot of materials written by surgeons. In the process, this also made me curious about the life of a surgeon — their feelings when meeting patients postsurgery and those in an emergency.

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THIS MEDICAL DRAMA FROM OTHERS

AND DO YOU FEEL THE PRESSURE TO RAKE IN HIGH RATINGS?

In the doctors build a close, family-like relationship with patients. You get to know their life stories.They not only heal illnesses but also the hearts of many.

Even Eun-jae, a cold-hearted doctor from a university hospital, changes after his stint on the ship.

In terms of ratings, I feel the pressure to succeed every time I shoot a series. I always give my best but I am not sure how the ratings will turn out.

CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE A BEHINDTHE-CURTAINS POWER GAME IN A HOSPITAL SIMILAR TO THE K-DRAMA

In some episodes, Eun-jae is thrown into conflicts stemming from relationships.

Also, you will see some funny episodes between Eun-jae and the Hospital Ship team due to her introvert personality.

THERE IS QUITE A DIFFERENCE IN

AGE BETWEEN YOU AND KANG MINHYUK AND LEE SEO-WON.

I was not aware of the big age gap until I met them. Our age does not matter in the drama. Both of them play their characters really well and it was a pleasure to work with them.

It was fun and there wasn’t any awkwardness or pressure to perform in a certain way.