Behind the White Tower

For the Japanese novel, film and television drama, see Shiroi Kyotō. For the Taiwanese drama, see The Hospital (TV series).
Behind the White Tower
Also known as White Tower
Great White Tower
Inside the White Tower
Genre Medical drama
Written by Lee Ki-won
Directed by Ahn Pan-seok
Starring Kim Myung-min
Lee Sun-kyun
Theme music composer Cho Yoon-seung
Country of origin South Korea
Original language(s) Korean
No. of episodes 20
Production
Executive producer(s) Jo Joong-hyun
Producer(s) Park Chang-shik
Running time 60 minutes
Saturdays and Sundays at 21:40 (KST)
Production company(s) Kim Jong-hak Productions
Broadcast
Original channel Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation
Original run January 6, 2007 – March 11, 2007
Chronology
Preceded by Miracle
Followed by Que Sera, Sera
Related shows Shiroi Kyotō
The Hospital
External links
Website

Behind the White Tower (Hangul: 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 (20 March 2007). <하얀거탑>이 남긴 것. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  2. ↑ Go, Gyeong-tae (20 March 2007). <하얀거탑> 에세이 1. 기를 쓰며 살어리랏다. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  3. ↑ Jeong, Yi-hyeon (20 March 2007). <하얀거탑> 에세이 2. 한순간도 당신을 미워하지 못했어. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  4. ↑ "Fresh Japanese Wave Threatens Korean Pop Culture". The Chosun Ilbo. 26 March 2007. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  5. ↑ Garcia, Cathy Rose A. (15 November 2007). "Japanese Dramas Charm Korea". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  6. ↑ Kim, Tae-jong (15 January 2007). "Prescription for Melodramatized TV". The Korea Times via Hancinema. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  7. ↑ Cho, Chung-un (31 January 2007). "Medical dramas thrill local TV audience". The Korea Herald via Hancinema. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  8. ↑ Lee, Jee-hoon (9 March 2007). "Of Financial Institutions and Hospital Soaps". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  9. ↑ Yang, Sung-hee (17 February 2007). "Political drama isn't TV". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  10. ↑ "TV Review: In the White Tower, all you need is power". Korea JoongAng Daily. 13 February 2007. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  11. ↑ "Korea in the Grip of U.S. Soap Fever". The Chosun Ilbo. 22 May 2007. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  12. ↑ "Behind the White Tower". KBS World. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
  13. ↑ Jeong, Jae-hyeok (20 March 2007). <하얀거탑> 배우 인터뷰 1. 장준혁 역 김명민: 사람들은 장준혁에게 옹호가 아니라 공감하는 거다. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  14. ↑ "Kim Myung-min Still Haunted by White Tower Role". The Chosun Ilbo. 16 March 2007. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  15. ↑ Yang, Sung-hee (22 August 2007). "Intensity and sense of purpose create the materials for a star". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  16. ↑ Sung, So-young (18 June 2010). "Actor faces a new test: Faith". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  17. ↑ Jeong, Jae-hyeok (20 March 2007). <하얀거탑> 배우 인터뷰 4. 최도영 역 이선균: 마음은 동적인데 겉으론 정적이고 너무 힘들더라. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  18. ↑ Jeong, Jae-hyeok (20 March 2007). <하얀거탑> 배우 인터뷰 3. 이주완 역 이정길: 격이 있는, 바람직한 미니시리즈이다. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  19. ↑ Moon, Seok (20 March 2007). <하얀거탑> 배우 인터뷰 2. 부원장 역 김창완: 안경 벗으니까 바로 악역이 되더라. Cine21 (in Korean). Retrieved 2014-03-13.
  20. ↑ Kim was unable to attend the awards ceremony as his son was sick.

External links