According to industry insiders on January 7, Kim Bum has been cast as the male lead in the upcoming short-form drama Reborn as an SSS-Class Doctor. The project marks his first foray into the rapidly growing short-form content format.
The drama is adapted from the popular web novel of the same name written by Gulliver W, which was serialized between December 2022 and March 2023. The original work gained strong popularity for its fast-paced storytelling and satisfying blend of fantasy and medical themes.
Reborn as an SSS-Class Doctor follows trauma surgeon Ahn Do Il, who suddenly regresses to his days as a rookie doctor. After returning to the past, he gains the extraordinary ability to see people’s remaining lifespans. Armed with both supernatural powers and exceptional medical skills, he saves patients while confronting corruption and injustice within the medical system.
Kim Bum will portray Ahn Do Il, leading the spectacle-driven fantasy medical narrative. The role is expected to showcase both intense drama and cathartic moments hallmarks of the original novel’s appeal.
The series will be produced in a short-form format, consisting of approximately 50 to 100 episodes, each running 1 to 2 minutes. This structure aligns closely with platforms such as YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, a format that has seen explosive global growth.
As more established actors explore short-form storytelling, Kim Bum’s participation signals increasing industry confidence in the format as a legitimate narrative medium.
This project also marks Kim Bum’s return to the medical genre for the first time in three years, following his successful role in tvN’s Ghost Doctor, which concluded in February 2022. In that series, he played Go Seung Tak, a privileged but emotionally evolving resident doctor, earning praise for his comedic timing and character growth.
Ghost Doctor achieved ratings in the 8% range and received strong international attention, further solidifying Kim Bum’s global fanbase.
Kim Bum is also preparing for his next television project, SBS’s upcoming drama Sold Out Today, scheduled to air in the first half of this year. The series centers on the intertwining lives of a triple-job farmer and a home-shopping host.
In the drama, Kim Bum plays Seo Eric, an executive director at a global cosmetics brand, starring alongside Ahn Hyo Seop and Chae Won Bin.
The release platform and premiere date for Reborn as an SSS-Class Doctor are currently under discussion. Production is expected to begin soon after the remaining cast members are finalized.
Sources: Daum
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