‘Thank you’ marks the return of Jang Hyeok after a stint with the South Korean army. Jang impresses once again with his acting chops as the angst-filled, talented surgeon in this story set against the quiet countryside of a fictional Pureundo Island (Jeungdo of Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do).
Jang was nursing the pain from the recent loss of his girlfriend to a fruitless battle against a fast-spreading cancer. He found relief miraculously through a single mother, a child diagnosed as HIV positive and a senile grandfather, a family of three living life graciously rather than wallowing in their misfortunes.
It is precisely this spirit of treating life as a gift, even under unfavourable circumstances that liberates Jang from past pain and tribunes. And it is also this gracious spirit that has won the hearts of South Korean audience.
‘Thank you’ started screening in South Korea as a relatively low-profile production in comparison to ‘Devil’ and ‘A Witch In Love’. What the series doesn’t possess in packaging, it more than makes up with a strong storyline, which tugs at the heartstrings and wins the audience. Credit goes to screen-play writer, Lee Kyung Hee and the excellent cast. Jang Hyeok is backed by other outstanding performances from his fellow cast including the affable Seo Shin Ae, who steals hearts with her portrayal of a bright, brave and innocent eight-year-old HIV positive patient.
As with ‘The Way Home’, ‘Thank you’ is yet another quality South Korean production that combines an excellent screen play with a strong cast.
I’m yet again awed by the talent of young South Korean actors/actresses.
Gen X-I 
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