Once rumored and now confirmed..
From a masked hero to a lovable spy, Joo Won is now set to act the role of an autistic pediatric surgeon in residency. Yes, you just read those words together, an autistic pediatric surgeon. Shall we take a moment to think about that?
. . . . .Now, I don't know how you feel, but Joo Won aside, I'm intrigued already.
The drama, Green Scalpel (also known as Green Mass) is currently in the works to premiere on KBS 2TV this August. As we've already established, Joo Won has been confirmed to take the lead in this medical drama, playing the role of Park Si On--a character regarded as the epitome of innocence. During his childhood years, So On endured the misfortune of abuse by his father, ultimately increasing the severity of his autism and a developmental disorder. Luckily he is discovered by the director of a health care center, Director Choi, and is taken in and cared for at the health care center.
So why would a director decide to just take a child--a child with autism that is--in so abruptly? Surely there is a reason.
There is. (Or course there is.)
Si On is a genius! Have you ever heard of savant syndrome? It is a rare condition in which a person with developmental disabilities, including autism, demonstrates profound and prodigious capacities and/or abilities far in excess of what would be considered normal (Source). See where I'm going? Director Choi takes notice of Si On's genius ability and decides to support him from that moment on. He eventually develops Si On into a pediatric resident.
Despite Si On's progress and success, he still endures major difficulties in the fact that he suffers from various disabilities. That aside, Si On has the innocence of a child and the most caring heart imaginable, characteristics of which are said to have attracted Joo Won to the role.
So, what do you think? Clearly this is new kind of role for Joo Won, and in my opinion is definitely something worth waiting to see. And now that I think of it, the only way I can imagine Joo Won playing Si On is if I imagine him as Lee Kang San (his brother in Bridal Mask) when he acts as a fool. Then again, I am not well versed with Joo Won's dramas, so please leave your thoughts and opinions below. I'd really like to know your thoughts.