Dr. Brain (TV series)

Lore & Background

The series follows Sewon Koh, a brilliant brain scientist who loses his family in a mysterious accident. To uncover the truth, he performs 'brain syncs' with the deceased, searching for clues hidden in their memories. However, the process blurs the line between his own experiences and those he accesses, creating psychological tension. The main cast includes Lee Sun-kyun as Sewon, Lee Yoo-young as his wife Jaeyi Jung, Park Hee-soon as private investigator Kangmu Lee, and Seo Ji-hye as Lieutenant Jiun Choi.

Reader's Guide

Dr. Brain is significant as the first Korean-language original series on Apple TV+, marking a milestone for the platform's expansion into South Korea. The series received generally favorable reviews, with an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 71 out of 100. Critics noted its cerebral thrills despite a ponderous pace. A second season was officially announced on January 27, 2022, but was never produced following the death of lead actor Lee Sun-kyun on December 27, 2023. The series remains a notable entry in the growing catalog of Korean-language content on global streaming services.

Did You Know?

• Dr. Brain is the first Korean-language show produced for Apple TV+.
• The series debuted on November 4, 2021, to accompany Apple TV+'s launch in South Korea.
• A second season was announced on January 27, 2022, but no official confirmation has been made regarding its cancellation or production status following Lee Sun-kyun's death on December 27, 2023.
• The series is based on a Daum webtoon by Hongjacga.