In the new upcoming medical drama “Yong-pal,” popular actress Kim Tae-hee takes the role of Han Yeo-jin, a chaebol heiress who is in the hospital for a prolonged period from a medically induced coma.

Dubbed as the “sleeping beauty,” she lies down on the VIP floor of the hospital as a result of her wicked half-brother’s scheme to take control of the company.

That is, until her so-called prince comes to rescue. The prince is actor Joo Won, who takes the role of a talented surgeon Kim Tae-hyun, who accidentally runs into Yeo-jin in a coma.

Kim -- who is returning to the small screen after a two-year hiatus since 2013 periodic drama “Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love” -- decided to focus on feelings of despair and revenge in playing a mysterious, multimillionaire heiress Yeo-jin.

Actress Kim Tae-hee (left) and Joo Won pose at the “Yong-pal” press conference on Thursday at SBS’ headquarters in Mok-dong, Seoul. (OSEN)

“She is an only daughter who is bright and cheerful, but gets betrayed from her closest person,” Kim explained about her role at a news conference for the show on Thursday at SBS’ headquarters in Mok-dong, Seoul. “She is in great despair and plans to take revenge.”

“When other people see her, she may have everything,” Kim said. “But she lost everything that is important in her life, including family, love and friends. She could be the most miserable woman.”

Opposite Kim, Joo Won is gearing up for his second doctor’s role in “Yong-pal.” In 2013, he played an autistic savant surgeon in “Good Doctor.”

“After starring in ‘Good Doctor,’ I have wondered if I will be able to play in another medical drama,” said Joo referring to difficulties of medical drama which includes hard medical jargons. “But when I read the script to ‘Yong-pal,’ my mind immediately changed. It’s a different kind of medical drama, with an unconventional plot.”

“The drama’s script came at a time when I felt the need to change as an actor, by taking on unique and different roles from the past,” he said.

His role Tae-hyun is an atypical surgeon who is on house call for any patients -- including gang members -- in private places to pay off the debt caused by his sick younger sister.

“I went inside the sewage, abandoned factories and room salons,” said Joo, adding that the experience was very interesting.

From left: Cast members Joo Won, Jo Hyun-jae, Kim Tae-hee, Chae Jung-an, Stephanie Lee and Jung Woong-in at the “Yong-pal” press call in Seoul, Thursday (OSEN)

Actor Jo Hyun-jae plays the half brother Han Do-joon, while veteran actor Jung Woog-in, singer-turned actress Chae Jung-an and model-turned actress Stephanie Lee join the star-studded cast of the drama

The 16-episode series is created by director Oh Jin-suk (“Goddess of Marriage,” “Modern Farmer”) and written by Jang Hyuk-lin (“Reset.”).

The Wednesday-Thursday drama “Yong-pal” will hit the airwaves on SBS at 9:55 p.m. on August 5.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)