When Kang So Ra showed up to film the final episodes of "Doctor Stranger," the cast was surprised to see that she wore a neck brace.
The brace was the result of a minor car accident she suffered earlier in the month. After the accident the actress experienced a stiff neck and sore muscles, which are symptoms of whiplash. She was prescribed a neck brace to hold her neck comfortably in place until her muscles healed.
A representative from her agency, Will Entertainment, said that the accident was not serious and the actress did not require an ambulance.
"The cars bumped into each other," said the Will Entertainment representative. "She did not have to get treated in a hospital but she felt pain in her neck muscles and thus she wears a detachable brace around her neck."
The injury happened while Kang So Ra was still filming the SBS drama and she continues to wear the brace now that filming has begun for the movie version of "Doctor Stranger." She takes the brace off every time she has to step in front of the camera.
Although the actress was in pain, drama representatives said that she was in a good mood and that contributed to the upbeat mood on set.
The actress is not expected to suffer any permanent effects from the accident.
Kang So Ra, Lee Jong Suk, Jin Se Yeon, Park Hae Jin and the other members of the "Doctor Stranger" cast began working on the film version last week. The feature-length film opens in Chinese theaters later this year and will be shown only in China.
To create the film, the 1,4000 minute drama will be cut down to 120 minutes but additional footage is also being shot. An additional week of shooting was scheduled. After that Chinese actors will dub the voices.
While the film version of "Doctor Stranger" will stick to the basic premise of the medical espionage thriller, some aspects of the storyline may be changed out of consideration for the Chinese audience. While the producer had no comment on the changes, it is expected that the negative way that North Korea is portrayed may be toned down. China and North Korea are allies.
Kang So Ra will next appear in the drama "Misaeng," which is based on a web cartoon. Also up for parts in "Misaeng" are ZE:A's Im Si Wan and Kang Ha Neul.
