Lee Jae-wook “Appears” at Doctor Island Boy Press Conference via Standee and Video! Shin Ye-eun Promises a Military Visit

Actor Lee Jae-wook, who is currently fulfilling his military duty, made a surprise appearance! From a life-size standee to a video message, it almost felt like he was actually there.

The production press conference for ENA’s new Monday-Tuesday drama “Doctor Island Boy” (Written by Kim Ji-soo, Directed by Lee Myung-woo, Planned by KT Studio Genie, Produced by The Studio M) was held on the 26th at The Saint in Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul.

Director Lee Myung-woo and actors Shin Ye-eun, Hong Min-ki, Lee Soo-kyung, and Kim Yun-woo attended the event, while lead actor Lee Jae-wook was absent. Born in 1998, he enlisted on the 18th to fulfill his military service. Although he completed filming, he was unfortunately unable to attend the press conference held ahead of the broadcast.

Lee Jae-wook’s absence was filled by a life-size standee. Appearing during couple photos with Shin Ye-eun, the standee wore a doctor’s gown over a military uniform, fitting his role as a public health doctor. Shin Ye-eun brightened the mood by posing with “cheek hearts” next to the standee. The standee, with its arms crossed, stayed through the group photos to minimize the “real” actor’s absence.

Before the Q&A session, Lee Jae-wook appeared once more, this time via video. “I really wanted to attend the press conference, but I’m greeting you through a video as I fulfill my military duty,” he said, expressing his apologies to co-stars Shin Ye-eun, Hong Min-ki, Lee Soo-kyung, and Kim Yun-woo.

Lee Jae-wook also shared his reasons for joining the project and introduced his character, noting, “I heard so many great things about the director. He is very delicate, and I had so much to learn emotionally from him. I relied on him a lot, and it was a very happy filming set.”

Lee Jae-wook transforms into Do Ji-yi, a public health doctor with trauma regarding the sea and islands. Do Ji-yi is a character who grows through various incidents on Pyeondong Island. Director Lee Myung-woo praised him, saying, “He has a lovely, calm, and sweet vibe, yet possesses charisma. I think he’s one of the few young actors who has it all. It’s a shame he couldn’t be here due to his military service. Needless to say, Lee Jae-wook is the perfect actor for Do Ji-yi.”

Director Lee Myung-woo also lamented his absence, calling him the mood maker of the set. “Lee Jae-wook always arrived first to welcome the staff. He led the set in a way that made the staff feel comfortable. He played the role of a mood maker among the staff and actors. I think that’s why his absence feels so empty here,” the director said.

The actors promised to visit Lee Jae-wook for a military visit and take a proof shot, regardless of the show’s success. Shin Ye-eun stated, “If we get a good result, we’ll all go visit Lee Jae-wook and leave a proof photo.” Initially, Shin Ye-eun wanted to discuss a target viewership rating, but Director Lee Myung-woo suggested going “regardless of the ratings,” and Shin Ye-eun agreed, making the visit a promise.

Lee Jae-wook stayed with the event until the end via video, sharing the key points of “Doctor Island Boy.” He said, “I cried a lot while reading the script. I cried just looking at the text, and since I believe this is a drama that can deliver such emotion, I hope viewers say they were touched or healed. I received a lot of comfort while filming, and I hope it becomes a drama that provides comfort to others.”

Meanwhile, ENA’s new Monday-Tuesday drama “Doctor Island Boy” will premiere on June 1st at 10 PM on ENA and will also be available on KT Genie TV and Disney+.