Behind the 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.
Based on renowned Japanese novelist Toyoko Yamasaki's representative work Shiroi Kyotō, 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, and contrasting the paths and personalities of two doctors played by Kim Myung-min and Lee Sun-kyun. 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.
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.
Cast Kim Myung-min as Jang Joon-hyuk Lee Sun-kyun as Choi Do-young Cha In-pyo as Noh Min-guk Song Seon-mi as Lee Yoon-jin Kim Bo-kyung as Kang Hee-jae Lee Jung-gil as Lee Joo-wan Kim Chang-wan as Woo Yong-gil Byun Hee-bong as Oh Kyung-hwan Im Sung-eun as Min Soo-jung Jung Han-yong as Min Choong-shik Ki Tae-young as Yeom Dong-il Lee Seung-min as Ha Eun-hye Lee Hee-do as Yoo Pil-sang Han Sang-jin as Park Geon-ha Kim Yong-min as Ham Min-seung Park Kwang-jung as Park Chang-shik Jung Young-ook as Joon-hyuk's mother Jang So-yeon as Yoo Mi-ra Lee Moo-saeng as Kwon Hyung-jin Nam Yoon-jung as Kim Young-ah Yang Hee-kyung as Hong Sung-hee Son Byong-ho as Kim Hoon Park Hyuk-kwon as Hong Sang-il Kim Do-yeon as Lee Young-soon Jang Hyun-sung as Jo Myung-joon Park Young-ji as Oh Nam-ki Jung Kyung-ho as Kwon Soon-ki Kim Jung-hak as Lee Jae-myung Lee Ji-eun as Lee Jin-joo Shin Kwi-shik as Won Yong-min Choi Beom-ho as Kwon Soon-il
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Recipient Result 2007 Best TV Drama White Tower Best Director (TV) Ahn Pan-seok Best Actor (TV) Kim Myung-min Best New Actor (TV) Lee Sun-kyun Best Actor Kim Myung-min Top Excellence Award, Actor Kim Myung-minKim was unable to attend the awards ceremony as his son was sick. Golden Acting Award, Actor in a Miniseries Lee Sun-kyun PD Award Kim Chang-wan Popularity Award, Actor Kim Myung-min Viewer's Favorite Drama of the Year White Tower 2008 Best Performer Kim Myung-min
References
External links
Behind the White Tower at MBC Global Media