Lee Sun-kyun is set to star in Apple TV+'s show, Dr. Brain, based on the popular Korean webtoon of the same name. Sun-kyun is widely known for his recent role as the Park family's patriarch in Bong Joon-ho's Parasite, which became the first foreign-language film to take home the Oscar for Best Picture. The South Korean actor's newest project, Dr. Brain, will continue to bring South Korean content to international audiences as Apple TV+'s first Korean-language show.
The series follows a brain scientist who's obsessed with discovering new kinds of technologies that allow access to memories and consciousness. After his family perishes in a strange accident, he uses his understanding of the brain to access his wife's memories in the hopes of uncovering the mystery of what happened. Kim Jee-woon (A Tale of Two Sisters, I Saw the Devil) will write, direct, and co-executive produce the series, which is currently in production in South Korea and is expected to release some time later this year. Bound Entertainment, launched by Samuel Ha, a producer on Bong's Snowpiercer, will produce alongside Studioplex, Dark Circle Pictures, and Kakao Entertainment.
Sun-kyun has been officially cast in the forthcoming series Dr. Brain, according to Deadline. The Parasite actor previously starred in the romantic drama, Paju, the romantic comedy, All About My Wife, and the action thriller, A Hard Day, as well as many arthouse films from his frequent collaborator, Hong Sang-soo. Sun-kyun is currently the only confirmed cast member of Dr. Brain.
Regardless of the cast, the series' premise seems to be interesting enough to attract even those viewers who are completely unfamiliar with the original webtoon. It's exciting to see that a Korean-language series will be made easily available to international audiences, and hopefully they'll jump on the opportunity to consume what should be quality content. Many foreign-language TV shows like, Dark, Money Heist, and Lupin have been huge successes in the U.S., proving to close-minded viewers that Hollywood is just one small and often exclusive bubble within the vast film and TV industry.
Fans of Parasite will likely be inclined to tune into Dr. Brain due to Sun-kyun's casting. But no matter the names attached, the series is a step in the right direction both for Apple TV+ and for streaming as a whole, as it has the potential to introduce viewers (particularly American viewers) to a side of television and cinema that may be entirely new to them. Hopefully Dr. Brain encourages the creation of more and more international content that is made readily available to diverse audiences across the globe.
Source: Deadline