Live Up To Your Name

Live Up To Your Name (Korean: 명불허전; RR: Myeongbulheojeon) is a 2017 South Korean television series that aired on the cable network tvN. The drama explores the intersection of traditional Korean medicine and modern Western medical practices through a time-travel narrative.

Promotional poster for the drama series — Promotional material for the series.

Plot

The story follows Heo Im, a physician from the Joseon Dynasty recognized for his exceptional skills in acupuncture and moxibustion. Despite his medical talent, his professional advancement is hindered by his low social status. Through a mysterious event, Heo Im travels forward in time to present-day Seoul. There, he encounters Choi Yeon-Kyung, a cardiothoracic surgeon who relies strictly on modern medical science and harbors a deep skepticism toward traditional methods.

Production and Broadcast

The series was directed by Hong Jong-Chan and written by Kim Sun-Soo. It consisted of 16 episodes and was broadcast on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:00 KST. The show premiered on August 12, 2017, and concluded on October 1, 2017. It occupied the time slot previously held by the series Stranger and was followed by Revolutionary Love.

Actor Kim Nam-Gil — Kim Nam-Gil portrays the historical figure Heo Im.

Actress Kim A-Joong — Kim A-Joong plays the role of surgeon Choi Yeon-Kyung.

Historical Context

The protagonist, Heo Im, is based on a real-life historical figure from the Joseon Dynasty known for his contributions to acupuncture and his authorship of medical texts.

Cast

Kim Nam-Gil as Heo Im
Kim A-Joong as Choi Yeon-Kyung
Yun Ju-Sang as Choi Chun-Sool
Tae Hang-Ho as Min Byung-Ki
Yoo Min-Kyu as Yoo Jae-Ha / Yoo Jin-O
Eom Hyo-Seop as Heo Jun
Mun Ka-Young as Dongmakgae
Shin Rin-Ah as Yeon-Yi
Oh Dae-Hwan as Doo-Chil
Roh Jeong-Eui as Oh Ha-Ra
Ahn Suk-Hwan as Shin Myung-Hoon
Lee Dae-Yeon as Professor Hwang
Lee Jae-Won as Kang Man-Soo
Sung Joo as Kim Min-Jae
Seo Jung-Yeon as Jung Yi-Yeon

Actor Yun Ju-Sang — Yun Ju-Sang as Choi Chun-Sool.

Actor Tae Hang-Ho — Tae Hang-Ho as Min Byung-Ki.

Actor Yoo Min-Kyu — Yoo Min-Kyu as Yoo Jae-Ha.

Actor Eom Hyo-Seop — Eom Hyo-Seop as Heo Jun.

Actress Mun Ka-Young — Mun Ka-Young as Dongmakgae.

Actress Shin Rin-Ah — Shin Rin-Ah as Yeon-Yi.

Actor Oh Dae-Hwan — Oh Dae-Hwan as Doo-Chil.

Actress Roh Jeong-Eui — Roh Jeong-Eui as Oh Ha-Ra.

Actor Ahn Suk-Hwan — Ahn Suk-Hwan as Shin Myung-Hoon.

Actor Lee Dae-Yeon — Lee Dae-Yeon as Professor Hwang.

Actor Lee Jae-Won — Lee Jae-Won as Kang Man-Soo.

Actor Sung Joo — Sung Joo as Kim Min-Jae.

Actress Seo Jung-Yeon — Seo Jung-Yeon as Jung Yi-Yeon.