In a rare and emotionally candid moment, top actress Lee Bo-young shared that she once discussed the possibility of assisted dying with her husband, fellow actor Ji Sung. The revelation came during her appearance on the July 31 broadcast of MBC FM4U’s “Today’s Morning with Yoon Sang,” where she promoted her new drama “Mary Kills People”, alongside co-star Lee Min-ki.
Lee Bo-young explained, “This is perhaps the first Korean drama to directly address the topic of assisted dying.” The actress revealed that just before receiving the script, she and Ji Sung had come across a news story about an elderly couple who chose to end their lives together through assisted dying. This deeply resonated with them.
“We talked for a long time. Watching that couple made us think, ‘This is not a bad option. When we can no longer do things on our own, rather than becoming a burden to our children, wouldn’t it be a blessing to make such a choice together?'” Lee shared.
When host Yoon Sang remarked on the emotional depth of that conversation, Lee reflected further, saying, “As parents, we naturally start to think about the future. We want to avoid becoming a burden. Being able to make such choices while we’re still healthy doesn’t seem like a bad thing.”
Lee Min-ki also shared that he had prior interest in the topic due to documentaries and news reports, which made him eager to explore it through acting.
Lee Bo-young emphasized that her intention isn’t to claim what’s right or wrong but to spark dialogue. “I gravitate toward dramas that present meaningful topics for discussion. This script gave me that chance, and I felt it was worth sharing.”
“Mary Kills People” deals head-on with the controversial issue of euthanasia and assisted dying—topics still illegal in South Korea but increasingly debated in public discourse. With her new role, Lee Bo-young hopes to offer a respectful portrayal that inspires viewers to reflect on dignity, aging, and family responsibility.
Daum
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