Behind the White Tower
Also known as
  • White Tower
  • Great White Tower
  • Inside the White Tower
GenreMedical drama
Based onShiroi Kyotō
by Toyoko Yamasaki
Written byLee Ki-won
Directed byAhn Pan-seok
Starring
Music byLee Si-woo
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producerJo Joong-hyun
ProducerPark Chang-shik
Running time60 minutes
Production companyKim Jong-hak Production
Original release
NetworkMBC TV
ReleaseJanuary 6 (2007-01-06) –
March 11, 2007 (2007-03-11)
Related

Behind the White Tower (Korean: 하얀 거탑; RR: Hayan Geotab; lit. White Tower) is a 2007 South Korean television series that aired on MBC from January 6 to March 11, 2007 on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:40 for 20 episodes.[1][2][3]

Based on renowned Japanese novelist Toyoko Yamasaki's representative work Shiroi Kyotō,[4][5] the drama brings viewers deep into the political inner workings of the medical field by taking a satirical look at malpractice and power plays at a university hospital,[6][7][8] and contrasting the paths and personalities of two doctors played by Kim Myung-min and Lee Sun-kyun.[9] The medical drama was a critical and ratings hit in South Korea, gaining praise for its acting (particularly by Kim), writing, direction, and its intelligent and uncompromising story without concessions to melodrama or romance.[10][11]

Plot

Brilliant and ambitious, assistant professor Jang Joon-hyuk (Kim Myung-min) is a rising star in the Myeongin University Hospital surgery department. His knowledge and expertise is undeniable, but his cavalier confidence and cold personality has earned him more than a few enemies, including the department head. While Jang's drive stems from a desire for success and advancement, fellow doctor Choi Do-young (Lee Sun-kyun) is committed to the well-being of his patients, leading to frequent clashes with the practices and personnel within the hospital. With the head of the surgery department retiring, Jang seems to be the clear successor until a new rival emerges in the form of Noh Min-guk (Cha In-pyo), who has the backing of the department head. Jang, however, is determined to win at all costs.[12]

Cast

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2007
43rd Baeksang Arts Awards
Best TV Drama White Tower Nominated
Best Director (TV) Ahn Pan-seok Won
Best Actor (TV) Kim Myung-min Won
Best New Actor (TV) Lee Sun-kyun Nominated
20th Grimae Awards
 Best Actor Kim Myung-min Won
MBC Drama Awards
 Top Excellence Award, Actor Kim Myung-min[20] Won
Golden Acting Award, Actor in a Miniseries Lee Sun-kyun Won
PD Award Kim Chang-wan Won
Popularity Award, Actor Kim Myung-min Nominated
Viewer's Favorite Drama of the Year White Tower Nominated
2008
20th Producer's Awards of Korea
 Best Performer Kim Myung-min Won

References

  1. ^ Moon, Seok (March 20, 2007). <하얀거탑>이 남긴 것. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  2. ^ Go, Gyeong-tae (March 20, 2007). <하얀거탑> 에세이 1. 기를 쓰며 살어리랏다. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  3. ^ Jeong, Yi-hyeon (March 20, 2007). <하얀거탑> 에세이 2. 한순간도 당신을 미워하지 못했어. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  4. ^ "Fresh Japanese Wave Threatens Korean Pop Culture". The Chosun Ilbo. March 26, 2007. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  5. ^ Garcia, Cathy Rose A. (November 15, 2007). "Japanese Dramas Charm Korea". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  6. ^ Kim, Tae-jong (January 15, 2007). "Prescription for Melodramatized TV". The Korea Times via Hancinema. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  7. ^ Cho, Chung-un (January 31, 2007). "Medical dramas thrill local TV audience". The Korea Herald via Hancinema. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  8. ^ Lee, Jee-hoon (March 9, 2007). "Of Financial Institutions and Hospital Soaps". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  9. ^ Yang, Sung-hee (February 17, 2007). "Political drama isn't TV". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ "TV Review: In the White Tower, all you need is power". Korea JoongAng Daily. February 13, 2007. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  11. ^ "Korea in the Grip of U.S. Soap Fever". The Chosun Ilbo. May 22, 2007. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  12. ^ "Behind the White Tower". KBS World. Archived from the original on July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  13. ^ Jeong, Jae-hyeok (March 20, 2007). <하얀거탑> 배우 인터뷰 1. 장준혁 역 김명민: 사람들은 장준혁에게 옹호가 아니라 공감하는 거다. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  14. ^ "Kim Myung-min Still Haunted by White Tower Role". The Chosun Ilbo. March 16, 2007. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  15. ^ Yang, Sung-hee (August 22, 2007). "Intensity and sense of purpose create the materials for a star". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ^ Sung, So-young (June 18, 2010). "Actor faces a new test: Faith". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  17. ^ Jeong, Jae-hyeok (March 20, 2007). <하얀거탑> 배우 인터뷰 4. 최도영 역 이선균: 마음은 동적인데 겉으론 정적이고 너무 힘들더라. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  18. ^ Jeong, Jae-hyeok (March 20, 2007). <하얀거탑> 배우 인터뷰 3. 이주완 역 이정길: 격이 있는, 바람직한 미니시리즈이다. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  19. ^ Moon, Seok (March 20, 2007). <하얀거탑> 배우 인터뷰 2. 부원장 역 김창완: 안경 벗으니까 바로 악역이 되더라. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  20. ^ Kim was unable to attend the awards ceremony as his son was sick.

External links

Works directed by Ahn Pan-seok
Works by Kim Jong-hak Production
Categories