Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Director Kim Jee-woon's 'Dr. Brain' to be released on Apple TV+ this year
A scene from the web comic “Dr. Brain,” which is being made into a live action series. / Courtesy of Apple TV+
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Director Kim Jee-woon's new sci-fi thriller series “Dr. Brain” will be released on Apple TV+ this year, the streaming giant said Monday. The Apple TV+'s first Korean-language project is currently filming in Korea.
Based on the popular Korean web comic of the same title, the series revolves around a neuroscientist who tries to access the consciousness and memories of the brain in order to find out the truth behind a terrible tragedy that occurred to his family.
Actor Lee Sun-kyun, who rose to fame after starring in Oscar-winning “Parasite” (2019), plays the lead role.
Kim, who previously helmed thrillers such as “A Tale of Two Sisters” (2003) and “I Saw the Devil” (2010), said the premise of “Dr. Brain” was interesting to him.
“It was interesting to follow the protagonist's journey as he looks into a mysterious accident and unravels what actually happened to his family and why. I think I can offer a unique take on the sci-fi thriller,” he said.
“I also loved the theme and subjects it explores. The series demonstrates how a character becomes self-aware of the ironies in life by accessing the minds and memories of others and studying how others had perceived him. He also rebuilds a broken relationship.”
Dr. Brain is being produced for Apple TV+ by Korea-based studio Bound Entertainment along with Kakao Entertainment, Studioplex and Dark Circle Pictures. Kim will serve as an executive producer alongside Ha Yeun-ju, executive producer of Kim's “Illang: The Wolf Brigade” (2018) and director Bong Joon-ho's “Okja” (2017).
Director Kim Jee-woon, left, and actor Lee Sun-kyun / Courtesy of Apple TV+, Kidari ENT
Kim also expressed excitement about partnering with Apple TV+. The company has not initiated its service in Korea yet, but is cashing in on Korean original content to benefit from the hallyu boom, or Korean Wave.
It is also producing the TV adaptation of the award-winning novel “Pachinko” written by Korean American author Lee Min-jin. The series delves into a story of four generations of a Korean family living in Japan and the U.S. It will star Korean actors Youn Yuh-jung and Lee Min-ho and will feature Korean, Japanese and English dialogue.
In February, Netflix announced its plan to spend $500 million on Korean films and TV series this year, with 13 works of Korean-language original content to be produced this year.
The surge in investment came after the massive success of the zombie period series “Kingdom” (2019-2020) and monster horror series “Sweet Home” (2020) among the global audience. Original content from Korea has seen concurrent breakout successes across Asia, which triggered the global streaming giant to invest more in Korean productions to grow its business in Asia.
Meanwhile, the Walt Disney Company is also gearing up its plan to launch in Korea this year. It recently announced new Asia-Pacific leadership team and confirmed its first original Korean TV series on Disney+, tentatively titled “Our Police Class.” K-pop star Kang Daniel is in talks to star in a major role.