The late director Ahn Pan-seok’s final posthumous work, Ahn Pan-seok last drama titled ‘Romance Doctor,’ concluded its run on the 10th. As a longtime fan of the director, I watched his final television series scene by scene, savoring every moment. There is a saying that a person truly dies not when they leave this world, but when memories of them fade away. Fortunately, he has left behind several brilliant dramas that will never be forgotten in the public’s memory.
‘Romance Doctor’ is a drama set in a robotics graduate school research lab, depicting young men and women awkward at love overcoming their scars and wounds to achieve romance. Choo Young-woo plays Park Min-jae, a character who lost a leg to osteosarcoma and uses a prosthetic limb, constantly hesitating about love before crossing paths with the boldly direct Lim Yu-jin, played by Kim So-hyun. Although its broadcast ratings on ENA hovered around the 2% range, the show achieved massive success by topping Disney+ Korea and entering the top 10 in over 34 countries worldwide. Unlike typical K-dramas driven by clichΓ©-ridden, highly stimulating fantasy elements, this series won high praise for delivering a grounded, realistic romance rooted in everyday life.
Even while battling lung cancer, the director personally oversaw shooting, post-production, and editing. By utilizing thorough pre-production and a strong sense of on-site direction to minimize unnecessary takes, he shortened a standard 7 to 8-month shooting schedule down to just three months. Behind-the-scenes footage and script-reading clips showed a smiling Ahn directing his crew with shorter hair due to his medical treatments, maintaining a bright atmosphere until the very end.
Ahn Pan-seok was a star producer beloved by critics and viewers alike over a 40-year career. Following the massive success of the medical drama ‘White Tower,’ his name became a brand synonymous with quality. He also broke new ground for TV directors entering Chungmuro with the film ‘South of the Border.’ His trademark style features realistic, socially critical romances such as ‘Something in the Rain,’ ‘A Wife’s Credentials,’ ‘Secret Love Affair,’ and ‘One Spring Night.’ These works critique the hypocrisy and snobbery of elite professional groups while showcasing lovers defying social prejudice to redeem one another.
‘Romance Doctor’ embodies the core essence of Ahn Pan-seok’s romantic storytelling, focusing closely on a man hesitant to love due to physical pain. Even in the final episode, which typically serves as fan service for couples who have finally united, the drama introduces conflicts like cancer recurrence and the threat of separation. The camera lingers long on Choo Young-woo and Kim So-hyun walking silently apart after a third cancer diagnosis before finally holding hands tightly. Rather than worrying about receiving less love due to his illness, another character advises Choo to focus on giving love more deeply.
Above all, ‘Romance Doctor’ stands out as a major discovery of actor Choo Young-woo. Known for giving breakout roles to stars like Jung Hae-in, Kim Myung-min, Yoo Ah-in, and Kim Hee-ae, Ahn gifted Choo with a definitive career milestone. Choo delivered exceptional performances, seamlessly portraying natural prosthetic walking, delicate emotional tremors, and powerful dramatic bursts. Kim So-hyun also shone brightly with her determined acting, particularly in a memorable 1.5-minute long-take ending in episode 9 where Choo’s character wanders the streets in a daze after parting ways.
Ahn Pan-seok’s romances possess a unique power not only to convey the fluttering feelings of affection but also to question the very essence of what love means. In a YouTube video, Choo Young-woo recalled that the director emphasized how they were making art and literary masterpieces despite working in commercial television. Through ‘Romance Doctor,’ the late master leaves behind a final gift that demonstrates how true love can conquer even the fear of death. We once again offer our deepest condolences and wish him eternal rest.
