Calling all new K-rama watchers! I have another classic drama that I think you’re going to LOVE, especially if you’re a fan of gorgeous historical costumes, Lee Min Ho, or time traveling. “The Great Doctor” has all three! Come check out why I think this drama is right for you.
The Story
Set in 918 AD during the Goryeo dynasty, “The Great Doctor” is about Choi Young, the king’s personal bodyguard and leader of the elite Woo Dal Chi, the soldiers charged with keeping the king alive. To help the fledgling king maintain his throne and to save the young queen’s life, Choi Young goes through Heaven’s Gate, a portal made legendary by the mythical Hwata, a skilled doctor from Heaven/the Sky Country who imparted his advanced medical knowledge to the inhabitants of Goryeo a thousand years ago before returning through the gate, never to be seen again.
When Choi Young goes through the gate, he lands in 21st century Korea near a medical convention. Adapting quickly to the environment, Choi Young takes charge and kidnaps Yoo Eun Soo, a rising star in plastic surgery, and brings her back to save the queen’s life and become Heaven’s Doctor to the king’s court. Eun Soo is desperate to get back to her own time but sticks to her medical oath and does her best to improve the lives around her.
Why You Need to Watch It
If you were ever a fan of Doctor Who, raise your hand. Me too! A lot of the first few episodes of “The Great Doctor” reminded me of early Doctor Who, especially with the special effects that almost get it right — we have swords painted with glow-in-the-dark paint that ALMOST look like lightsabers — and the mysteries laid out for our time traveler.
There’s a lot of politicking going on in “The Great Doctor,” but the king’s desire to build a country independent of neighboring Yuan is admirable and made me root for him even as I wanted to punch every one of his advisors and ministers right in the face. Opposing the king is Gi Cheol, the former empress’ brother, who wants to maintain ties to Yuan because they make him rich and powerful. Yoo Oh Sung plays Gi Cheol with mustache-twirling enthusiasm, but he was just charming enough that I didn’t hate him on sight.
Add on the delicate balance and ensuing romance between the king and queen (a political marriage that turns into a love match! Yay!), as well as Dr. Yoo’s growth into a serious character who’s more likely to take on responsibility than avoid it and Choi Young’s maturation into a true leader of the Woo Dal Chi, and you have a drama that’s worth watching for all 24 episodes.
Who’s Who
Choi Young (Lee Min Ho) – captain of the Woo Dal Chi, bodyguard to the king, kidnapper of Yoo Eun Soo, and can produce his own electrical charge (not kidding – he’s got a superpower)
Yoo Eun Soo (Kim Hee Sun) – a plastic surgeon who didn’t want to deal with patient trauma anymore, Heaven’s Doctor, kidnapping victim, and time traveler
King Gong Min (Ryu Deok Hwan) – the new king of Goreyo who has been living in Yuan for the past ten years
Queen In Deok (Park Se Young) – married to King Gong Min for two years, learned to speak Korean for fun, political mastermind
Gi Cheol (Yoo Oh Sung) – former empress’ brother, isn’t satisfied with his current wealth or status, recruits Goreyo-era mutants to bolster his powers (he has a girl who can summon fireballs and a boy with a death flute on his team. Really. Adds to the whole Doctor Who vibe, doesn’t it?)
Where You’ve Seen Them Before
I want to say there are a lot of faces you’ll recognize in this drama, and there are, but there are a couple who ended their career after this––more on that below.
Kim Hee Sun (Yoo Eun Soo) – “Alice,” “Room No. 9,” “Woman of Dignity,” “Angry Mom”
Lee Min Ho (Choi Young) – “Boys Over Flowers,” “Personal Taste,” “City Hunter,” “The Heirs,” “The Legend of the Blue Sea,” “The King: Eternal Monarch”
Ryu Deok Hwan (King Gong Min) – “Miss Hammurabi,” “God’s Quiz: Reboot,” “Special Labor Inspector Jo,” “Nobody Knows”
Park Se Young (Queen In Deok) – “School 2013,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “Whisper,” “Money Flower,” “Special Labor Inspector Jo”
Kim Mi Kyung (Queen’s attendant) – “Healer,” “The Heirs,” “I Hear Your Voice,” “Master’s Sun,” “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” “Go Back Couple,” “Grand Prince,” “18 Again,” “Sell Your Haunted House,” and SO MANY OTHERS, I LOVE HER SO MUCH!
Lee Phillip, who plays Dr. Jang and can also be found in “City Hunter” in a rather memorable role as a stuntman, sustained an eye injury on set and decided to go with a less risky career. Fun fact: He graduated from George Washington University on the same day as his dad and sister, all with degrees in systems engineering.
Notes for New Drama Watchers
“The Great Doctor” was produced during a period where fan reaction was EVERYTHING and often determined the number of episodes a drama would have. It was not a pre-produced drama — the common practice was to have a few episodes ready to air and to film the rest as they went, allowing audience input to influence the story and the production.
So now you can tell that “The Great Doctor” was popular during its time because it ended up having a whopping TWENTY-FOUR episodes! This means the story is definitely worth watching, especially for the compelling performance by Lee Min Ho, but that at times it will feel like the plot is being stretched out…because it is.
Why I Recommend It
In essence, “The Great Doctor” is about independence, the freedom to make our own choices. Choi Young wants independence to live his life free of palace politics. Yoo Eun Soo wants independence so she can go home. King Gong Min wants independence for his country, though not necessarily for himself. I think independence is a theme that will resonate with a lot of watchers. If not, stay for the awesome dialogue, the super-powered beings, and the mustache that Yoo Oh Sung desperately needs to twirl.
You can find “The Great Doctor” here on KOCOWA, fully subbed and ready for your next Lee Min Ho binge watch!
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