Park Eun-bin, Sul Kyung-gu face off in mentor-disciple drama 'Hyper Knife'

Director describes Disney+ series as 'dark, twisted fairy tale'

By Park Jin-hai

The new Disney+ original Korean series, "Hyper Knife," pits two powerhouse actors — Park Eun-bin and Sul Kyung-gu — against each other in a gripping battle of talent and tension.

Park, known for her remarkable acting prowess in the 2022 hit show "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," steps into her first streaming series as Jung Se-ok, a genius surgeon with a touch of madness, while veteran actor Sul makes his medical drama debut in a role unlike any he has played before.

Consumed by her fascination with the brain, Se-ok stops at nothing in operating rooms. However, her medical license is revoked by her mentor, Choi Deok-hee (Sul), forcing her to live as a clandestine "shadow doctor." Sul's character, Deok-hee, is a neurosurgeon of unparalleled skill, but he callously casts aside his cherished student, Se-ok, creating a strained mentor-student relationship.

Park, who received acclaim for her portrayal of a brilliant lawyer with autism in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," is set to take on yet another high-intensity character — one who is both deeply passionate and dangerously unpredictable.

Drawn to the "raw intensity of the script," Park completely sheds her previous image to embody a character that is impulsive and straightforward.

"I don't usually seek out difficult choices, nor am I someone who thrives on challenges. But I always think about what I can do. When I was filming, I just listened to my gut feelings. I found a new side of myself that I didn't know I had. I didn't think this role was hard to choose," she said, highlighting the distinctive nature of the project, during a press conference for the series at Conrad Seoul in Yeondeungpo District, on Monday.

"I'm really excited to show you all the feelings this character will bring. She's quite mad, to be honest, but I hope you'll all tune in to see this unique role."

The 32-year-old actor also expressed her excitement about working alongside Sul for the first time.

"The entire experience was fascinating, as I was exploring both an unfamiliar genre and a unique character," she said. "But what truly stood out was how Se-ok and Deok-hee expose each other's most vulnerable sides. Working alongside Sul for the first time was incredible. Every scene with him was a 'dopamine rush' for me. It was a truly stimulating experience."

Sul, known for his versatile and powerful performances in films such as "The Merciless" (2017), "Kingmaker" (2022) and "Kill Boksoon" (2023), takes on the role of a doctor for the first time in his career.

Sul disclosed that the opportunity to work alongside Park was the deciding factor for him to join this project.

"I was incredibly curious and excited to work with Park," he said.

Sul's character, Deok-hee, is described as "someone trapped on an island called the brain."

"He keeps everyone at a distance, with no close juniors or disciples. He lives solely for his own brilliance, commanding authority and respect. He's completely inept in all areas outside of his expertise," Sul said.

Unlike typical medical dramas, "Hyper Knife" stands out by centering its narrative on a complex mentor-student relationship. Despite diverging paths due to a single incident, the core of the story revolves around the conflict between two individuals bound by a shared destiny. Deok-hee, a mentor who coldly rejected his student, seeks her out again, setting the stage for an inevitable clash.

Director Kim Jung-hyun, who helms the series, was quick to praise Park’s performance.

"I said 'crazy' a lot while watching Park on set," Kim said with admiration.

He further emphasized how "Hyper Knife" offers unique character dynamics in the world of K-drama.

"The bizarre narrative that unfolds when these diverse characters meet is what sets us apart. Each character is extraordinary, unlike anything you'd typically see in Korean productions, including my previous work. It felt like a dark, twisted fairy tale."

"Hyper Knife" will premiere on Disney+ on Wednesday.