"The Great Doctor (2012)": The Romance of a Medieval General and a Modern Doctor

Korean Drama "The Great Doctor"

Today, I'd like to introduce you to a drama that was more popular overseas than in Korea. It's called "The Great Doctor (2012)". This historical romance drama is set in medieval times and tells the story of a modern-day doctor who travels back in time and falls in love with a general. In this post, we will discuss the pros and cons of the drama, introduce the cast, and explore the unique features that make "The Great Doctor" stand out from other dramas.


Plot Summary (synopsis)

"The Great Doctor" is a historical romance drama that aired in 2012. It tells the story of a modern-day doctor named Eun Soo who is kidnapped and taken back in time to the Goryeo Dynasty, where she meets the warrior general Choi Young. As she tries to find her way back to the present, Eun Soo becomes involved in the power struggle between the various factions vying for control of the throne. Meanwhile, she finds herself falling in love with Choi Young, despite their vastly different backgrounds.



Main Cast

The-Great-Doctor-poster


  • Lee Min-ho as Choi Young
  • Kim Hee-sun as Yoo Eun-soo
  • Yu Oh-seong as Ki Chul
  • Lee Philip as Jang Bin
  • Sung Hoon as Cheon Eum-ja


Lee Min-ho is a well-known Korean actor who has captured the hearts of many fans around the world. He rose to fame with his breakout role as the charismatic Gu Jun-pyo in the hit drama series "Boys Over Flowers" in 2009, and has since become one of the most popular actors in the Korean entertainment industry. Lee Min-ho is known for his striking looks, impressive acting skills, and his ability to bring a wide range of characters to life on screen. He has starred in numerous successful dramas and films, including "City Hunter", "The Heirs", and "The King: Eternal Monarch". 

Kim Hee-sun is an actress who is always mentioned when discussing the most beautiful actresses in Korea. She gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s for her roles in several popular Korean dramas, including "Propose" and "Sad Love Story". Throughout her career, Kim has showcased her versatility as an actress, taking on a range of challenging roles and earning critical acclaim for her performances. "The Great Doctor" marked her return to acting after a six-year hiatus following her marriage. 


Attraction Points

Luxury Casting

The cast of "The Great Doctor" is top-notch, with Lee Min Ho and Kim Hee Sun delivering standout performances as the lead characters. "The Great Doctor" was already making waves when the two were cast. Lee Min Ho's portrayal of the stoic, yet deeply caring Choi Young is particularly noteworthy, while Kim Hee Sun's performance, returning after a long absence, was also satisfactory.


Time-Travel

"The time-travel element adds a unique twist to the drama, allowing for a fresh take on the traditional historical drama genre. In fact, just three months before "The Great Doctor" aired, a drama called "Dr. Jin" had a similar plot, which some viewers thought was tiring. Although both dramas revolve around a doctor traveling through the past, "The Great Doctor" stands out by incorporating a fantasy element to history.



Ratings and reviews

Rating

"The Great Doctor" was highly anticipated prior to its release, boasting a superstar cast. Although the premiere episode achieved a decent rating of 9.4%, the show failed to gain momentum and ended with a disappointing 10.1% rating. Although the drama had a lot of enthusiastic fans, this was lower compared to the ratings of other dramas during the same period.


Review

"The Great Doctor" received mixed reviews from viewers, with some criticizing the somewhat far-fetched premise and slow-moving plot that failed to capture the attention of fans. However, they also praised the performances of Lee Min-ho, who gave his best in the role of Choi Young, and Kim Hee-sun, who made her first TV appearance in a long time and reminded viewers why she's such a respected actress. "The Great Doctor" has a moderate rating of 3.2 on the Korean ratings site WATCHA.

"The Great Doctor" was better received overseas than in Korea: in Japan, it was named the best Korean drama of 2014, and in the Arab world, it was a hit thanks to Lee Min-ho's popularity.




behind the scenes

Here are some interesting facts about "the great doctor"

  • The Korean title of the drama can be translated as 'Faith', which can also be translated as 'The Great Doctor'.
  • Lee Min Ho underwent intense training to prepare for his role as a warrior general, including learning how to ride a horse and wield a sword.
  • Originally, the male lead was a time-traveling doctor, but as the writing staff changed several times, the plot and setting of the male lead's role changed significantly.
  • After the show ended, the actors and staff were left unpaid, which led to the PD's suicide.



Overall, "The Great Doctor" had its fair share of strengths and weaknesses. While the drama's unique twist on the traditional historical genre and the strong performances of Lee Min-ho and Kim Hee-sun were definite highlights, the slow-paced plot and far-fetched premise left some viewers disappointed. Despite this, fans of the actors will still be able to find satisfaction in their performances.