What does it feel like when a rising actor steps into his first leading role and finds himself in the spotlight? How exhilarating is it when that actor finds himself opposite one of Korea’s most sought after young actors? And how excited can you get when two engaging actors are set to share the screen as rivals?
The answers can be found in ENA’s upcoming drama Doctor John. Actor Hong Min-ki, who has always been cherished for his indie film delectability and his supporting roles, has officially found himself in a leading role. He will play Hyun Chi-yeon, a cold, tsundere-style public health doctor who has become the icy rival to Lee Jae-wook’s Do Ji-i.
This casting isn’t just another gig — it’s a milestone in Hong Min-ki’s career, placing him in one of the hottest dramas of 2026. Let’s take a look at why this drama has gotten so much attention, and in what ways it can alter Hong Min-ki’s future in the world of Korean entertainment.
From Webtoon to K-Drama: The World of Doctor John
Doctor John will air on ENA as part of the network’s new original dramas. The show is based on a popular Kakao Webtoon serialized since February 2022 and is reportedly well received by audiences for its mix of human drama, suspense, and emotional storytelling.
The story is about a plastic surgeon named Do Ji-i, who must go work as a public health doctor on the isolated Pyeondongdo, an island that most people don’t dare to visit anymore. For a year, he will have to cope with the island’s ghostly atmosphere, with its unique inhabitants, and with patients with strange ailments. As he copes with what initially feels like work, he and he thinks he must survive, find compassion, and discover himself.
The Creative Force Behind the Drama
This high-stakes adaptation is in the capable hands of PD Lee Myung-woo, a director with an exquisite portfolio. His past dramas include The Fiery Priest, Punch, Whisper, and You’re All Surrounded — which have all been recognized and praised for their scorching plots, lovable characters, and humanistic approach to emotional storytelling.
With PD Lee in charge, viewers can look forward to Doctor John balancing its darkest mystery island with warmth and layered drama. PD Lee can dramatize both suspense and heart, and this will not just be another medical drama, it will have real flavor and resonance.
Clash of Rivals: Hong Min-ki vs. Lee Jae-wook
Hong Min-ki is at the center of the drama. He plays Hyun Chi-yeon, a doctor who has the classic “cold on the outside, warm on the inside” tsundere archetype. Hyun’s defined personality and temperament lay the groundwork for him to be the rival to Do Ji-i (Lee Jae-wook). Their rivalry isn’t just professional, since their characters are more rivals than enemies.
Therefore, this is a rivalry that will hit home for all the viewers, making it one of the most buzzworthy soap opera rivalries that fans are most excited to see resolved sometime in 2026. The audience will be invested in the clock ticking down, when we see again two equally strong characters in the ring to take a swing at competing philosophies, competing emotions and inclinations, and competing ambition for the same power, person and position. Sparks are sure to fly as they would in any good boxing match.
Hong Min-ki’s Journey: From Indie Gem to Rising Star
Hong Min-ki’s ascension is steady but remarkable.
- Min-Ki’s first roles were in indie films like 187cm 155cm and 30cm Between Us, and web dramas like Because I Don’t Want to Go Home, which left audiences captivated with his sincere, relatable acting.
- Min-Ki then moved into youth dramas, including The Night Has Fallen and Love on a Single-Log Bridge, which emphasized vulnerability and yielded his first major breakthrough roles with Barney and Brothers (first love Jin Hyun-oh the basketball player who had to deal with change) and Study Group (the tough yet secretly dependable Park Gun-yeop).
- Most recently in Netflix’s Trigger, we see his acting range again, playing Kang Sung-joon, the perfect student to teachers yet a nightmare to his peers as a bully. The chilling duality of this role solidified Min-ki as a risk taking, versatile actor.
Through all of these performances, Hong Min-ki has built up a resume as a next generation star – one who adapts easily to complex roles while naturally embodying who they are on-screen.
A Role That Changes Everything
Doctor John is much more than another entry on Hong Min-ki’s resume; it’s a career milestone.
- It’s his first major lead role, a step completely away from all of the supporting and indie work and into mainstream K-drama recognition.
- Hyun Chi-yeon’s multi-dimensional character – cold in appearance but complex and torn over his ilk, it gives him a space to showcase intensity and vulnerability.
- Working opposite Lee Jae-wook, one of Korea’s quickest rising stars, has lent Hong Min-ki maximum exposure and placement.
This role could solidify Hong Min-ki’s name among the regulars of K-drama fandom, exposing his acting range to a world audience.
Why Doctor John Is Already a Must-Watch of 2026
Doctor John is already one of the most anticipated dramas of 2026 – but with good reason.
- That webtoon success creates excitement with a built in audience eager to watch the adaptation.
- The PD Lee directing consistently means consistency and impact.
- The Hong Min-ki x Lee Jae-wook rivalry adds an interesting dynamic of curiosity.
And the industry is looking on to see how Hong Min-ki handles his first lead challenge. If he succeeds, not only will that raise his profile (and add to Lee Jae-wook’s success) he could quite literally reinvent himself as a face of the next era of K-dramas
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
Conclusion
Hong Min-ki has had a marvelous metamorphosis from indie film to Netflix, and now a primetime ENA drama. Where it has all been about growth, daring and diversity in Strangers As We Are, the question remains as to whether Doctor John will be the tipping point — the role that transitions him from “rising talent” into a bona fide leading man.
The story is saturated, the director is well known, and the rivalry is set to engage the audience, both in Korea and globally. For Hong Min-ki, this is not just another project, it marks the opportunity to step under the spotlight fully.
While we count down to 2026, we must conclude that Hong Min-ki is the focus and the drama that might possibly define his next decade.
