Director Park Jun-woo Discusses Themes of Assisted Death in 'Mary Kills People'

On July 31, 2025, a press conference for the new MBC drama 'Mary Kills People' (메리 킬즈 피플) was held at the MBC headquarters in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The event featured cast members Lee Bo-young (이보영), Lee Min-ki (이민기), Kang Ki-young (강기영), Kwon Hae-hyo (권해효), Yoon Ga-i (윤가이), and director Park Jun-woo (박준우).

'Mary Kills People' is a suspenseful drama that explores the story of a doctor who assists terminally ill patients in dying and the detective who investigates these cases. During the press conference, director Park addressed concerns regarding the portrayal of assisted death in the series. He clarified, "Our story does not advocate for euthanasia or suggest that it is necessary in Korea. Each situation and case is different."

He elaborated on the internal conflicts faced by the characters, particularly the protagonist So-jung (이보영), who grapples with her decisions. "There are moments when she tries to dissuade Dae-hyun (강기영), and vice versa, leading to ongoing conflicts. Even the character played by Lee Min-ki shows confusion about the situation," he explained.

Park emphasized that there is no definitive answer regarding euthanasia, as it is a deeply personal issue. He noted that in Korea, the term 'dignified death' is often used, which he believes is a precursor to euthanasia. He remarked, "It’s a choice that may not be suitable for everyone, and while some countries like Europe and Canada see 3-5% of terminally ill patients opting for it, I cannot say it guarantees a happy death or is the best solution."

The drama 'Mary Kills People' is set to premiere on August 1, 2025, at 10 PM.