Actor Kim Bum is accelerating his busy schedule with a bold new move. The star has confirmed his lead role in the upcoming short-form medical fantasy drama I Regressed and Became an SSS-Rank Doctor, marking his first-ever challenge in the rapidly growing short-form format.
A Hit Web Novel Comes to Life
The series is based on the popular web novel of the same name by author Gulliver W, which ran from December 2022 to March 2023. The story follows trauma surgeon Ahn Do-il, who mysteriously returns to his rookie days as a doctor. After the regression, he gains the extraordinary ability to see people’s remaining lifespans—setting the stage for high-stakes rescues, moral dilemmas, and cathartic victories over systemic injustices.
Kim Bum will portray Ahn Do-il, leading a fast-paced fantasy medical narrative that blends supernatural elements with intense clinical drama.
What Makes This Project Different: Short-Form Storytelling
Unlike traditional TV series, I Regressed and Became an SSS-Rank Doctor is produced in a short-form format. Each episode runs approximately 1–2 minutes, with the full story unfolding across 50–100 episodes. Designed for mobile-first viewing, the format mirrors the consumption style of platforms like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels—an approach that has seen explosive global growth.
For Kim Bum, this project represents a fresh storytelling challenge, requiring concise yet impactful performances within a condensed runtime.
A Return to Medical Drama After Three Years
This marks Kim Bum’s return to the medical genre for the first time since tvN’s Ghost Doctor, which concluded in early 2022. In Ghost Doctor, he earned praise for his role as Go Seung-tak, a privileged but endearing resident whose comedic timing and emotional growth resonated with viewers. The drama achieved strong domestic ratings and enjoyed notable international popularity.
More Projects on the Way
Kim Bum’s momentum does not stop there. He is also set to appear in the upcoming SBS drama Today Is Sold Out Again, scheduled to air in the first half of the year. The series centers on intertwined lives involving a multi-job farmer and a home-shopping host. Kim Bum will play Seo Eric, an executive director at a global cosmetics brand, sharing the screen with Ahn Hyo-seop and Chae Won-bin.
Release Plans
Details regarding the release platform and premiere date for I Regressed and Became an SSS-Rank Doctor are currently under discussion. With casting nearing completion, production is expected to begin soon.
By stepping into short-form storytelling while continuing to lead major TV projects, Kim Bum is proving his versatility—and signaling a new phase in his already dynamic career.