Mary Kills People premiere shocks K-drama fans with euthanasia and same-sex themes
Veteran actress Lee Bo-young stars as Woo So-jung, an ER doctor who moonlights as a secret angel of death for terminally ill patients. Adapted from the Canadian series of the same name, the Korean remake reimagines the morally gray original with a culturally specific twist - one that's already igniting debate across Korean social media.
Euthanasia enters the K-drama spotlight
The opening sequence sets the tone: a gravely ill man named Choi Kang-yoon (played by special guest Lee Sang-yoon) calmly declares his intent to die. "This is my choice, and I feel happy and satisfied at this moment," he says, raising a glass of champagne dosed with pentobarbital.
"How long will it take?" he asks. Woo So-jung's reply is emotionless: "Usually, it ends in an instant." And just like that -he's gone.
Queer-coded teens raise eyebrows
But the episode doesn't stop there. A provocative subplot features So-jung's teenage niece Jae-yeon (Kim Sang-ji) and her friend Woo-mi (Kang Na-eon), who spend a sleepover sharing moments that blur the line between platonic and romantic.
"My mom thinks it's totally safe if it's just girls," Woo-mi scoffs. "She thinks she knows everything but knows nothing." The tension builds as the girls exchange lingering glances and tender compliments, including Woo-mi telling Jae-yeon, "Your eyes are really pretty."
Pushing the boundaries of primetime
From assisted dying to queer-coded adolescent intimacy, Mary Kills People is making it clear: this isn't your average K-drama. The premiere has already sparked fierce online discussion - some praising its plot while others are calling it deeply uncomfortable.
Regardless of the views of K-drama fans, Mary Kills People has started a conversation Korea wasn't ready to have - but can no longer ignore. Episode 2 airs August 2 at 10 PM KST on MBC. For viewers abroad, fans can watch it on Prime Video.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
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