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Netflix Announces Production of New Korean Medical Drama "First Doctor" Starring Jung Ryeo-Won and Kim Mu-Yeol
Netflix has confirmed that it is developing a new original Korean medical drama titled First Doctor. The announcement, made on June 23 2026, comes with a full cast list and key production details.
The series will be directed by Hong Jong‑chan, who previously helmed the 2026 Netflix hit Teach You a Lesson and the 2022 drama Juvenile Justice. Screenwriter Kim Min‑seok, known for his work on Juvenile Justice, will pen the script. Filming is slated to begin in the second half of 2026.
First Doctor centers on a pediatric surgery department that is on the brink of closure. The story follows Heo Ji‑wan, a pediatric surgery professor played by Jung Ryeo‑won, who is known for her exceptional skill and blunt demeanor. After an unexpected incident forces her to return to Yeonhwa University Hospital, she must fight to preserve the department and protect the children who depend on it.
Ha Yoon‑kyung joins the cast as Ki Eun‑gyeol, a third‑year resident who clashes with Heo Ji‑wan. The character is described as bold and spirited, with a sharp mind and quick hands. The dynamic between the two leads is expected to drive much of the drama’s tension.
Veteran actors also appear in the series. Baek Hyun‑jin portrays Son Sang‑baek, the head of surgery at Yeonhwa University Hospital. Kim Jong‑soo plays Lee Chang‑gon, the hospital’s vice‑director, whose presence is said to add weight to the narrative. Kim Mu‑yeol, who gained international recognition through Teach You a Lesson, will play Bae Su‑wol, a professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine. Bae Su‑wol is described as friendly and reliable, a long‑time colleague of Heo Ji‑wan.
The production team has highlighted that First Doctor aims to go beyond conventional hospital dramas. According to Netflix’s statement, the series will explore the challenges facing modern healthcare systems and the emotional bonds formed between medical professionals and patients.
Netflix’s investment in Korean content has grown steadily over the past few years. The platform’s Korean dramas have attracted global audiences, with titles such as Squid Game and Kingdom achieving worldwide success. First Doctor follows this trend, positioning the streaming giant to tap into the popularity of medical dramas, a genre that has proven successful on Korean television.
The cast lineup brings together a mix of established and rising talent. Jung Ryeo‑won, known for roles in My Name Is Kim Sam‑soon and History of a Salaryman, is expected to bring depth to the lead role. Ha Yoon‑kyung, who has appeared in Hospital Playlist and Extraordinary Attorney Woo, adds further credibility to the medical setting.
While specific release dates remain unannounced, the production schedule indicates that the series will likely be completed in late 2027 or early 2028, aligning with Netflix’s typical release cadence for Korean dramas. The platform has not yet disclosed a planned premiere window.
In summary, Netflix’s First Doctor is a new medical drama that brings together a strong creative team and a talented cast. With a focus on a pediatric surgery unit facing closure, the series promises to combine medical realism with interpersonal drama. Production is set to begin in the second half of 2026, and the series is expected to join Netflix’s growing catalog of Korean originals in the coming years.
As the project moves forward, viewers can anticipate further updates on filming progress, release dates, and potential festival screenings. The drama’s development underscores Netflix’s continued commitment to expanding its Korean content library and delivering diverse storytelling to a global audience.
The series will be directed by Hong Jong‑chan, who previously helmed the 2026 Netflix hit Teach You a Lesson and the 2022 drama Juvenile Justice. Screenwriter Kim Min‑seok, known for his work on Juvenile Justice, will pen the script. Filming is slated to begin in the second half of 2026.
First Doctor centers on a pediatric surgery department that is on the brink of closure. The story follows Heo Ji‑wan, a pediatric surgery professor played by Jung Ryeo‑won, who is known for her exceptional skill and blunt demeanor. After an unexpected incident forces her to return to Yeonhwa University Hospital, she must fight to preserve the department and protect the children who depend on it.
Ha Yoon‑kyung joins the cast as Ki Eun‑gyeol, a third‑year resident who clashes with Heo Ji‑wan. The character is described as bold and spirited, with a sharp mind and quick hands. The dynamic between the two leads is expected to drive much of the drama’s tension.
Veteran actors also appear in the series. Baek Hyun‑jin portrays Son Sang‑baek, the head of surgery at Yeonhwa University Hospital. Kim Jong‑soo plays Lee Chang‑gon, the hospital’s vice‑director, whose presence is said to add weight to the narrative. Kim Mu‑yeol, who gained international recognition through Teach You a Lesson, will play Bae Su‑wol, a professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine. Bae Su‑wol is described as friendly and reliable, a long‑time colleague of Heo Ji‑wan.
The production team has highlighted that First Doctor aims to go beyond conventional hospital dramas. According to Netflix’s statement, the series will explore the challenges facing modern healthcare systems and the emotional bonds formed between medical professionals and patients.
Netflix’s investment in Korean content has grown steadily over the past few years. The platform’s Korean dramas have attracted global audiences, with titles such as Squid Game and Kingdom achieving worldwide success. First Doctor follows this trend, positioning the streaming giant to tap into the popularity of medical dramas, a genre that has proven successful on Korean television.
The cast lineup brings together a mix of established and rising talent. Jung Ryeo‑won, known for roles in My Name Is Kim Sam‑soon and History of a Salaryman, is expected to bring depth to the lead role. Ha Yoon‑kyung, who has appeared in Hospital Playlist and Extraordinary Attorney Woo, adds further credibility to the medical setting.
While specific release dates remain unannounced, the production schedule indicates that the series will likely be completed in late 2027 or early 2028, aligning with Netflix’s typical release cadence for Korean dramas. The platform has not yet disclosed a planned premiere window.
In summary, Netflix’s First Doctor is a new medical drama that brings together a strong creative team and a talented cast. With a focus on a pediatric surgery unit facing closure, the series promises to combine medical realism with interpersonal drama. Production is set to begin in the second half of 2026, and the series is expected to join Netflix’s growing catalog of Korean originals in the coming years.
As the project moves forward, viewers can anticipate further updates on filming progress, release dates, and potential festival screenings. The drama’s development underscores Netflix’s continued commitment to expanding its Korean content library and delivering diverse storytelling to a global audience.
