'Doctor on the Edge' ratings soar past predecessor as Lee Jae Wook and Shin Ye Eun drama opens strong at 4%

The new ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'Doctor on the Edge,' starring Lee Jae Wook and Shin Ye Eun, is off to a strong start.

ENA’s new series 'Doctor on the Edge,' directed by Lee Myung Woo and written by Kim Ji Soo, premiered on June 1 amid high anticipation. The drama is based on the KakaoPage webtoon 'Jonbeo Doctor' by Kim Tae Poong.

According to Nielsen Korea on June 2, the first episode recorded a nationwide rating of 4.045%, surpassing the premiere rating of its predecessor, 'The Scarecrow,' which opened at 2.9%. It also outperformed ENA dramas such as 'Honour' (3.1%) and 'Climax' (2.9%), making it the highest-rated ENA Monday-Tuesday drama premiere of the first half of the year.

The episode introduced Do Ji Ui (played by Lee Jae Wook), a public health doctor fulfilling his mandatory military service. Though awkward during basic military training, his medical skills shone when treating an emergency patient, revealing his background as a university hospital plastic surgeon. While hoping to avoid being stationed on an island, he is unexpectedly assigned to the remote island of Pyeondongdo.

His arrival immediately turns chaotic. Struggling while relying on medication, Do Ji Ui attempts to save Yook Ha Ri (played by Shin Ye Eun), who is standing dangerously near the edge of a ferry deck, only to fall into the sea himself.

Amid the confusion, Do Ji Ui realizes their bags were switched and discovers targeted cancer medication inside hers. Haunted by Yook Ha Ri’s sorrowful expression, he becomes increasingly curious about her.

However, Yook Ha Ri later reveals the truth: contrary to Do Ji Ui’s hazy memories, it was actually she who carried him to safety while he was hallucinating under the influence of medication. Their unusual first encounter hinted at a deeper connection between the two.

Life on the island proves even harsher for Do Ji Ui. From outdated medical equipment at the health clinic to insect-infested living quarters, adapting to Pyeondongdo becomes a nightmare. His first patient, Park Choon Sik (played by Woo Hyun), dismisses his chest pain as indigestion, but Do Ji Ui suspects a heart attack. Although Park Choon Sik ignores the warning to avoid disrupting business, the doctor’s diagnosis proves correct when the man collapses. Thanks to quick CPR and helicopter transport, the patient narrowly survived.

Another challenge soon follows. Unable to board a boat due to severe trauma connected to the sea, Do Ji Ui suffers intense panic and flashbacks. In that moment, someone gently places headphones over his ears, calming him with music. Standing before him is Yook Ha Ri.

The episode closed with the warning, “The three things to avoid on the island: people, incidents, and love,” as Do Ji Ui reflected on his turbulent first encounters with Yook Ha Ri, heightening anticipation for their budding romance.

Viewers responded enthusiastically online with comments such as, “Lee Jae Wook is great at comedy too,” “The chemistry between these two actors is impossible to resist,” “Shin Ye Eun is both talented and beautiful,” and “Lee Jae Wook found the perfect character.”

Webtoon Adaptation Draws Attention

'Doctor on the Edge' is based on the KakaoPage webtoon 'Jonbeo Doctor,' which has been serialized since 2022. The story follows public health doctor Do Ji Ui, who is assigned to the isolated island of Pyeondongdo, where he treats emergency patients while forming heartfelt bonds with the residents.

The original webtoon gained popularity for its colorful island characters, emotional storytelling, and realistic medical episodes, leading many fans to request a live-action adaptation.

To celebrate the adaptation, the original creator also unveiled a special poster personally illustrated for the drama. Both the webtoon and drama posters feature Do Ji Ui heading toward the island alongside the warm smile of Yook Ha Ri, who eases his anxiety, set against a peaceful seaside backdrop.

The production team teased that the drama will go beyond medical treatment to portray the emotional healing and romance between the two leads.

Webtoon creator Kim Tae Poong shared his excitement, saying, “The amazing production team created a drama even more touching and exciting than I imagined. I was inspired by heartfelt social media posts written by a doctor acquaintance who worked as a public health physician. I hope viewers will pay close attention to the stories of medical workers filling the gaps in Korea’s healthcare system.”

Special promotional events are also underway to coincide with the drama’s broadcast. KakaoPage is offering “3-hour free viewing” benefits and cash rewards for readers of Jonbeo Doctor through July 13, while KakaoWebtoon has made Season 1 available for free and is offering rewards to readers who complete more than 84 episodes.

A Healing Medical Romance Set on a Remote Island

'Doctor on the Edge' is a medical human romance drama centered on public health doctor Do Ji Ui and mysterious nurse Yook Ha Ri as they navigate life on the infamous island of Pyeondongdo.

Director Lee Myung Woo, known for dramas such as 'Boyhood' and 'The Fiery Priest,' teamed up with writer Kim Ji Soo for the project.

At a previous press conference, Lee Myung Woo explained, “The drama tells stories of mistakes, pain, healing, love, and growth that young people experience or may experience. The isolated island setting became the starting point for Doctor Someboy. Even though transportation has improved greatly, there are still many places where emergency medical care cannot easily be reached. That isolation is one of the drama’s key themes.”

The director also praised the youthful cast, including Lee Jae Wook, Shin Ye Eun, Lee Soo Kyung, and Hong Min Ki.

Speaking specifically about casting Shin Ye Eun, he said, “I actually hesitated because she was even prettier than the image I had in mind for Yook Ha Ri. But when I met her in person, I saw an innocence and brightness that television couldn’t fully capture. That convinced me she was right for the role.”

Despite the pressure of following the well-received drama Scarecrow, Lee Myung Woo remained optimistic.

“There’s always pressure when the previous project succeeds,” he said. “But rather than focusing on that, we simply did our best to create a meaningful drama. I think this is the project that made me cry the most while working on it. We didn’t try to force viewers to cry, but I hope audiences can connect with the sense of healing at the heart of the story.”