Draft:Doctor on the Edge
Upcoming South Korean television series
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Doctor on the Edge (Korean: 닥터 섬보이) 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.
| Doctor on the Edge | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 닥터 섬보이 |
| RR | Dakteo seomboi |
| MR | Takt'ŏ sŏmboi |
| 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 | |
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] In February 2026, the production renamed the show from 존버닥터 to 닥터 섬보이, opting for a less vulgar title.[6]
Casting
In March 2025, Lee Jae-wook reportedly received an offer.[7] Two months later, Shin Ye-eun was cast as the female lead.[8] 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.[9]
Release
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.[9]