#ResidentPlaybook Mini Review

Synopsis: Set at the Jongno branch of Yulje Medical Center, the series follows the hospital lives, loves and friendships of new generation doctors/young OB-GYN residents.

Like Weak Hero Class 2, I entered the world of Resident Playbook (RP) without seeing its predecessor Hospital Playlist (HP) although again, it is not a requirement. After 2 highly rated seasons of HP and after almost four years comes RP which is supposed to be a spin-off, with the same hospital setting and cameo from HP characters. 

• #GoYounJung as Oh Yi Young – whom I loved in #Moving, repeat first year resident

• #ShinSiAh as Pyo Nam Kyung 

• #KangYouSeok as Um Jae-Il – whom I first liked in Kim Woo Bin’s Black Knight, then saw him again in #WhenLifeGivesYouTangerines

• #HanYeJi as Kim Sabi

• Male lead is #JungJoonWon as Ku Do Won – a 4th-year and chief resident of OB-GYN and the brother-in-law of Yi Young’s older sister.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like it, seeing how Yi Young seemed to be demotivated and disengaged with her life, but because of You Seok, I decided to give it a try. And boy, what a ride. I fell in love!!!

What I love about the drama:

1. The male lead and female lead’s chemistry. While some k-netz would insist that Youn Jung is too pretty for her on-screen partner, I find Joon Won so attractive, charming, adorable and he could pass as Jung Haein’s brother (I thought he was older but turns out he’s also an 88er). They look so good together and I couldn’t help but swoon every time. I wanted them to end up together so baaaddddd. I especially liked that Yi Young was the first to say she likes him. I love strong female characters who will not hesitate or are not shy to admit their feelings. It doesn’t matter if these feelings will be reciprocated or not. Willing to wait, no pressure. I simply lost it during the jaw-dropping moment when she held his hand during a department photo session. OMG. I understand why Do Won took it slow. Their siblings are married, they live under the same roof, they work in the same hospital. It could be complicated. And I guess, if he liked her first, he just wasn’t acknowledging it or he wasn’t ready, considering the circumstances.

2. Like I said, I thought I wasn’t going to like Yi Young. But as the story continues, I realize that she is just unaware that she is good and that she is beautiful. At the time of this writing (waiting for Episode 11), we don’t know yet why she quit her previous job. What was told to us was her rich father planned to open a hospital but got scammed, she needed to pay back her overdraft, she paid a deposit on an apartment where she didn’t move in anyway. So, she was working not because she wanted to or because she liked the job, but because of her debt. Edited to add: We finally learn that she quit after biting one of the doctors who was harassing a nurse. 

3. Um Jae Il deserves his own paragraph in this review.  What a lovely actor. One couldn’t help but notice how chiseled his nose is and if you look past his untidy permed bangs, you see a beautiful face. As for his character, Um Jay, a former idol and member of Hi Boyz, a one-hit wonder in mid2000s (I guess even older than BTS?), his IQ and mental skills led him to medical school. He still wants to be recognized as an idol, but no one seems to remember the group. He is like a mother who has a carry-all bag - from hangover drinks to power bank to fabric cleaner to camera. He is too nice (not really a pushover), he’s just too kind-hearted and warm by nature. He may be an overthinker or clingy or annoying to his seniors, but he is a sweet person.

4. Their relationship with colleagues, patients and the backstories as well (too many to mention though). But there are a lot of moving and memorable scenes.

5. Kind mentors who are not really “witches” but are just professional and strict. And that there is also competition, power play, struggles in their level.  And there will always be nasty and difficult superiors or co-workers, and credit-grabbers.

6. The special cameos from beloved HP characters – again, for someone who didn’t watch HP, I can follow the story without them, but it was a nice way of seeing how settled our senior characters are now with their lives and loves. That they come back to their roots, show loyalty and gratitude, and help and inspire colleagues is endearing.

7. Episode 9 is THE one for me. There is an actual Hi Boyz full performance video! When the Day Comes” featuring You Seok as Um Jay, and TXT’s Yeonjun, and Soobin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMuFTog_Xv8

8. Births and death being fundamental aspects of life, hopes and fears, small and big wins, learning from mistakes and experiences, earning trust and respect from mentors and colleagues, building confidence, making the right decisions, growing up. No intricate plot twists or villains or scenes that will make your blood boil to the max, although of course we didn’t exactly like Dr. Eun Won. The romance between the leads is not the main focus, but they added to the thrill and charm of the drama. The “wrapping up” part in the final episode gives you hope and a glimpse of better things to come; and at the same time, makes you realize that some things may or may not change or are still work in progress. 

9. The OST. Simply amazing. Star-studded lineup which includes DO, DK of SEVENTEEN, aespa’s Winter, TXT, Stray Kids' Lee Know, Mido, and Falasol.

10. I have always believed in dramas where you ‘re not really a fan of the cast, but you end up loving the story, the characters and their struggles and growth, and simply everything. And when it ends, you feel the sepanx.

#ResidentPlaybook tells us that love can be shown in many ways – it doesn't have to be flashy or loud. It can be just sitting silently in a corner or waiting nearby, but it doesn't mean it’s not worthy or is less important.  

That you cannot force love. If it is meant to happen, it will just happen. That if it is meant for you, it is meant to be, all the pieces will fit at the right time.

That sometimes the simplest of things are the ones that matter. Moments, milestones and memories that guide you and help shape your life and the person that you are. The ones that don’t often make it to the headlines or social media are perhaps more real and lasting and will continue to reside in your own playbook.

Resident Playbook and Hospital Playlist are streaming on Netflix.

#BuhayKPam