Doctor on the Edge
| Doctor on the Edge | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 존버닥터 |
| RR | Jonbeodakteo |
| MR | Chonbŏdakt'ŏ |
| Genre | Medical drama |
| Based on | Endurance Doctor by Kim Tae-poong |
| Written by | Kim Ji-soo |
| Directed by | Lee Myoungwoo |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| Production | |
| Production company | The Studio M |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
Doctor on the Edge (Korean: 존버닥터) is an upcoming South Korean television series written by Kim Ji-soo, directed by Lee Myoungwoo, and starring Lee Jae-wook and Shin Ye-eun. Based on the webtoon Endurance Doctor by Kim Tae-poong, it tells the story of two people who arrive on the isolated island, where unsettling signs begin to appear from the very first day. It is scheduled to premiere on ENA, and will also be subsequently streaming on Genie TV.
Cast and characters
- Lee Jae-wook as Do Ji-ui, a public health doctor[1]
- Shin Ye-eun as Yook Ha-ri, a nurse[1]
- Hong Min-gi as Hyun Chi-yeon[2]
- Kim Yoon-woo as Yong Joo-cheon[3]
- Lee Soo-kyung as Uhm Jeong-seon[4]
Production
Development
In May 2025, Lee Myoungwoo, who helmed The Fiery Priest (2019), was attached to direct.[5] The drama is produced under The Studio M and the screenplay is written by Kim Ji-soo. It is based on webtoon Endurance Doctor by Kim Tae-poong.[1]
Casting
In March 2025, Lee Jae-wook reportedly received an offer.[6] Two months later, Shin Ye-eun was cast as the female lead.[7] On September 5, 2025, Hong Min-gi and Lee Soo-kyung were cast.[2][4] Three days later, Kim Yoon-woo joined the cast.[3] By September 18, 2025, Lee Jae-wook and Shin Ye-eun were confirmed to lead the series. Lee expressed enthusiasm for his first role as a doctor, citing the intriguing island community setting. Shin, convinced of the drama's potential after the script reading, stated, "I want to confidently make it a great drama.[1]
Filming
Principal photography began in September 2025.[8]
Release
Doctor on the Edge is scheduled to premiere on ENA in 2026, and will also be subsequently streaming on Genie TV.[1]
Controversy
The Studio M, the production company, issued a statement on January 9, 2026, apologizing for issues arising during drama production, thanking staff for their efforts, and acknowledging concerns about filming hours. They stated they would take responsibility and address the issue. The Studio M further stated that they had adjusted schedules and reviewed production methods, but failed to adequately consider filming intensity and staff fatigue. They committed to adhering to a 52-hour filming week going forward and pledged to discuss solutions with staff for past instances exceeding this limit. The Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center reported the previous day that staff on the series had worked more than 52 hours per week.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e Ha, Soo-jung (September 18, 2025). 이재욱, 입대 전 마지막 작품은 '존버닥터'..신예은과 호흡 [공식] [Lee Jae-wook's final project before enlistment is Doctor on the Edge...working with Shin Ye-eun]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ a b Jang, Jin-ri (September 5, 2025). [단독]홍민기, '존버닥터' 주연 낙점...이재욱의 '냉미남 라이벌' 된다 [Exclusive: Hong Min-gi lands lead role in Doctor on the Edge and becomes Lee Jae-wook's "cold-faced rival"]. SPOTV (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ a b Jang, Jin-ri (September 8, 2025). [단독]'연인' 김윤우, 철부지 의사 된다...이재욱·신예은과 '존버닥터' [Exclusive: Kim Yoon-woo of The Lover Becomes a Reckless Doctor... Doctor on the Edge with Lee Jae-wook and Shin Ye-eun]. SPOTV (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ a b Jang, Jin-ri (September 5, 2025). [단독]이수경, '폭싹 속았수다' 신드롬 후 차기작 정했다...'존버닥터' 캐스팅 [Exclusive: Lee Soo-kyung, after the Fooled by My Father phenomenon, has decided on her next project, casting in Doctor on the Edge]. SPOTV (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Kim, Beom-seok (May 13, 2025). 이재욱, 입대 전 마지막 작품은 '존버닥터'..신예은과 호흡 [공식] [PD Lee Myung-woo returns to directing Jeolla-do for Doctor on the Edge following the Chungcheong-do setting of "Boys' Generation"]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Park, A-reum (May 21, 2025). 이재욱 '존버닥터' 되나 "제안받은 작품 중 하나"[공식] [Lee Jae-wook to Become Doctor on the Edge: "It's One of the Projects I've Been Offered"]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Ha, Soo-jung (May 5, 2025). [단독] '정년이' 신예은, 이재욱 만난다...'존버닥터' 여주인공 [Exclusive: Shin Ye-eun, who is currently in her 20s, will meet Lee Jae-wook as the female lead in Doctor on the Edge]. Osen (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ a b Choi, Ji-yoon (January 9, 2026). '존버닥터', 주 65시간 노동 사과 "책임있게 해결" [Doctor on the Edge apologizes for the 65-hour workweek, saying, "We will resolve it responsibly."]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
