Life
At the intersection of life-saving medicine and ruthless corporate ambition lies the gripping K-drama Life. Set in the prestigious Sangkook University Hospital, this medical drama delves deep into the ethical dilemmas and power struggles that occur behind closed doors. Lee Dong Wook plays Ye Jin Woo, a principled emergency room doctor who believes patient care should always come first—no matter the cost. When Cho Seung Woo enters as Koo Seung Hyo, the newly appointed hospital president with a cold, business-first approach, tensions erupt. Seung Hyo is determined to restructure the hospital like a corporation, focusing on efficiency and profit, while Jin Woo fights to protect the integrity of the medical profession. Their ideological clash forms the backbone of the series, creating suspenseful moments and morally complex situations. Adding emotional depth is Won Jin A as Lee No Eul, a compassionate pediatrician caught between personal convictions and hospital politics. Supporting characters like Lee Kyu Hyung as Ye Seon Woo (Jin Woo’s brother) and Moon So Ri as Oh Se Hwa, a senior doctor with secrets, round out a compelling ensemble that reflects the pressures and hierarchies within the Korean healthcare system. Life is more than just a hospital drama—it’s a thought-provoking look into medical ethics, institutional corruption, and the fragile balance between business and humanity. With stellar performances, particularly from Lee Dong Wook and Cho Seung Woo, this Korean drama captures the emotional and moral complexity of those working at the frontlines of life and death.
Details
🙂 Native Title: 라이프
🌎 Also Known As: Ra-i-peu
🎭 Genres: Drama, Medical, Political
🏷 Tags: Hospital, Power Struggle, Corruption, Sibling Relationship, Ethical Dilemma
✍ Screenwriters: Lee Soo Yeon
🎬 Directors: Hong Jong Chan, Lim Hyun Wook
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 16
🗓️ Aired: July 23, 2018 – September 11, 2018
📅 Airing Days: Monday, Tuesday
📺 Original Network: jTBC
⏰ Duration: 70 minutes per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
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Emergency Room Chaos (Ep. 1): The opening scene sets the tone with high-pressure intensity and moral urgency, showcasing Jin Woo’s dedication to saving lives.
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Jin Woo vs. Seung Hyo’s Confrontation: Their ideological clash about whether hospitals should operate like businesses becomes a defining moment in the series.
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Boardroom Power Play: Seung Hyo outmaneuvers senior staff in a pivotal strategy meeting, revealing how deeply politics are embedded in the medical system.
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Jin Woo’s Emotional Breakdown: Lee Dong Wook delivers a powerful performance when Jin Woo faces a patient loss, highlighting the emotional cost of being a doctor.
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Final Surgery Debate: The team must decide whether to operate under pressure, blending medical ethics, emotion, and tension into one unforgettable scene.
Filming Locations
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Seoul National University Hospital (exterior shots): Used for authentic-looking shots of the hospital’s exterior, adding realism to the medical setting.
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Asan Medical Center (inspired interiors): While interior scenes were built on sets, real hospitals inspired the realistic layout and design.
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Mapo District: Several outdoor scenes including tense conversations and commutes were filmed around this central Seoul district.
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jTBC Studio Sets: The ICU, emergency rooms, and surgery theaters were meticulously recreated to reflect a functioning hospital.
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Yeouido Business Area: Corporate meetings and scenes reflecting the hospital’s administrative and financial dealings were shot here.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Realistic Medical Wardrobe: Doctors and nurses wear authentic scrubs, lab coats, and ID tags to heighten realism and immersion.
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Cho Seung Woo’s Business Style: As Koo Seung Hyo, he maintains a sharp, corporate look that visually distinguishes him from the medical staff.
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Color Palette: Muted tones dominate to mirror the seriousness and moral complexity of the drama’s subject matter.
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Detailed Hospital Equipment: From oxygen tanks to surgical tools, set designers recreated a fully equipped medical environment.
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Lighting Design: Clinical white lighting dominates operating and patient rooms, while warmer tones are used in personal scenes for emotional contrast.
Themes and Messages
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Ethics vs. Economics: The central theme questions whether hospitals should prioritize profit over patient care.
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Power and Corruption: Shows how even medical institutions are vulnerable to hierarchy, favoritism, and political maneuvering.
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Moral Dilemmas in Medicine: Doctors must constantly choose between what’s right and what’s required by policy or protocol.
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Family Bonds and Loyalty: Explored through Jin Woo and his brother Seon Woo, adding emotional weight to the professional narrative.
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Public Health as a Business: Challenges the viewer to reflect on healthcare privatization and the cost of systemic reform.
Interesting Facts
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From the Writer of ‘Stranger’ (Secret Forest): Lee Soo Yeon, known for complex narratives, brought the same intensity to Life.
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Lee Dong Wook’s Real-life Medical Research: He shadowed emergency staff to prepare for his role as Ye Jin Woo.
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Cho Seung Woo’s First Medical Drama: A new challenge for the veteran actor, known for legal and musical roles.
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Critically Acclaimed Dialogues: The script was praised for its sharp, thought-provoking monologues on morality and policy.
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Inspired Real Discussions in Korea: The drama sparked national conversations about how healthcare is managed in Korean society.
Awards
The South Korean television series “Life” received recognition at the 2018 Seoul Awards. At this event, Moon So-ri won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the series. Additionally, “Life” was nominated for the Grand Prize (Daesang) and Cho Seung-woo received a nomination for Best Actor.
Real-Life Loves on Set
There have been no confirmed real-life romantic relationships among the cast members of the Korean drama Life. While the on-screen chemistry between actors such as Lee Dong Wook and Won Jin A was praised by fans, there have been no official reports or public confirmations of any off-screen romance. The cast maintained a professional relationship throughout filming, and no dating rumors were substantiated during or after the drama’s release. All known interactions have remained respectful and work-focused.
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Music / OST
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