19 K-drama doctors who stole the show (and saved lives)

Tatler Asia

24-04-2025

Dr Yang Jae-won from 'Trauma Code: Doctors on Call'
Above Dr Yang Jae-won can't deny his mentor's surgical brilliance. (Photo: screencap from 'Trauma Code: Heroes on Call,' Netflix)
Dr Yang Jae-won (Choo Yeong-woo) was a general surgery resident until trauma expert Dr Baek Kang-hyuk saw his potential and took him under his wing. And although Baek's unorthodox methods often leave him frazzled, Yang can't deny his mentor's surgical brilliance. As Baek's reluctant protégé, he gradually comes into his own, growing into a skilled trauma doctor who would make even prickly Dr Baek proud. Dr Lee Ik-joon from 'Hospital Playlist'
Above Resident matchmaker and mischief maker Lee Ik-joon (Photo: tvN)
The assistant professor of general surgery at Yulje Medical Center, Ik-joon is known as the resident matchmaker and mischief maker. Always effortlessly top of his class, his playfulness hides his exceptional surgical skills. Beyond the operating room, his wit, warmth and ability to connect with patients make him a beloved and well-respected doctor at Yulje Medical Centre. Dr Ahn Jeong-won from 'Hospital Playlist'
Above Yulje Medical Centre's 'Buddha' (Photo: tvN)
Paediatric surgeon Ahn Jeong-won's (Yoo Yeon-seok) devotion to his Catholic faith almost made him give up his white coat for a priest's robe. But in the end, his heart chose the right path forward. Nicknamed 'Buddha', he is warm and patient, constantly winning the trust and adoration of not just his young patients but the rest of the medical staff as well.
See also: 5 best Yoo Yeon Seok K-dramas to watch after 'When the Phone Rings' Dr Kim Jun-wan from 'Hospital Playlist'
Above Don't get on his bad side. (Photo: tvN)
Dr Kim Jun-wan (Jung Kyung-ho), thoracic surgeon at Yulje Medical Centre, has a reputation for being surly and brusque. Uncompromising and meticulous, his juniors see him as a terror professor. But beneath his gruff exterior lies a true softy. To his close friends, he can be silly and—unintentionally—funny. Dr Yang Seok-hyung from 'Hospital Playlist'
Above Shy mama's boy Yang Seok-hyung (Photo: tvN)
Yulje Medical Centre's OB-GYN professor Dr Yang Seok-hyung is a quiet homebody and mama's boy who would rather watch his favourite variety shows than socialise. Shy and gentle, it can be hard for his junior to get a read on him, but he always treats his patients with care and sensitivity. The one other thing that he enjoys aside from his job and his shows is band practice with his fellow Yulje doctors. Dr Chae Song-hwa from 'Hospital Playlist'
Above The heart of the 99s (Photo: tvN)
The saying 'all good things come in small packages' perfectly sums up Yulje's top neurosurgeon, Chae Song-hwa. Hardworking to a fault, she is beloved and respected by patients and peers. She's always open for professional—and often personal—consultations. She may be petite, but she also keeps the 99s in line by bossing them around. She also has a legendary appetite rivalled only by Jun-wan's. Dr Oh Yi-young from 'Resident Playbook'
Above Thinking of quitting again? (Photo: tvN)
Oh Yi-young (Go Youn-jung) has no interest in becoming a doctor, or working any job for that matter. But family circumstances and a mounting debt have forced her to return as a first-year resident at Jongno Yulje Medical Centre. Constantly on the verge of quitting a second time, she somehow resists the urge. And although she may not be aware yet, she is gradually becoming a competent and compassionate doctor, despite herself. Pyo Nam-kyung from 'Resident Playbook'
Above Ready for a break (Photo: tvN)
Going from always well put together to constantly dishevelled may not have been on Pyo Nam-kyung's (Shin Shi-A) bingo card when she joined the OB-GYN department at Jongno Yulje Medical Centre, but she quickly learns that a resident's life is far from glamorous. Sleepless nights and demanding patients have left her tired and stressed, but she soldiers on with a surprising amount of grit and determination. Um Jae-il from 'Resident Playbook'
Above One-time K-pop idol (Photo: tvN)
Dr Um Jae-il is always ready to point out his K-pop idol past to anyone who would listen. This first-year resident is bubbly, personable and charming, and a favourite among patients and nurses. He's as eager to please as he is to learn. But while his enthusiasm is endearing, his professors sometimes find his overzealousness a little overwhelming. Still, there's no denying his heart is in the right place.
Don't miss: 7 hidden details in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' that fans spotted—but you might have missed Kim Sa-Bi from 'Resident Playbook'
Above Academically gifted Kim Sa-bi (Photo: tvN)
Academically gifted, first-year OB-GYN resident Kim Sa-Bi (Han Ye-Ji) is the one you go to if you need literal textbook answers to your medical questions. But when it comes to building rapport with patients, she's still a work in progress. Her preoccupation with being first at everything hasn't won her many fans, but beneath the competitive streak is a young doctor eager to prove herself, both in skill and heart. Dr Jung Se-ok from 'Hyper Knife'
Above Brilliant and unhinged (Photo: Disney+)
Mentored by the great Choi Deok-hee, Dr Jung Se-ok (Park Eun-bin) skills as a neurosurgeon are unparalleled. Unfortunately, she's also disturbingly unhinged and murderous. Brilliant, obsessive and endlessly curious about the workings of the human brain, she walks the fine line between genius and madness.
Don't miss: Park Eun-bin's top 7 roles that prove the K-drama queen's versatility and range Dr Choi Deok-hee from 'Hyper Knife'
Above Unhinged mentor (Photo: IMDb)
If anyone could rival Jung Se-ok's surgical brilliance, it's the man who trained her—Dr Choi Deok-hee (Sol Kyung-gu). Calm, cool and methodical, he is an expert at wielding a scalpel on—and off—the operating table. Because just like Se-ok, Deok-hee hides a dark side. Like mentor, like mentee. Dr Kim Sa-bu from the 'Dr Romantic,' 'Dr Romantic 2,' 'Dr Romantic 3'
Above 'The Hand of God' (Photo: SBS)
Kim Sa-bu (Han Suk-kyu) has been nicknamed 'The Hand of God' for good reason. He is the only doctor in South Korea to be certified in general surgery, cardiac surgery and neurosurgery. Beyond the OR, he is also a legendary mentor, teaching his juniors with tough love and deep compassion, and creating extraordinary doctors out of ordinary ones. Dr Kang Dong-ju from 'Dr Romantic' and 'Dr Romantic 3'
Above Yoo Yeon-seok's first doctor role (Photo: SBS)
Kang Dong-joo (Yoo Yeon-seok) carries a chip on his shoulder and a desperate need to prove himself—which makes him ambitious, cocky, and just a little rebellious. But more than his sharp mind and even sharper surgical skills, it's his emotional growth under Kim Sa-bu's mentorship that transforms him into a true doctor. Dr Yoon Seo-Jung from 'Dr Romantic'
Above Passionate and driven Dr Yoon Seo-jung (Photo: screencap from 'Dr Romantic,' Netflix)
A passionate trauma surgeon with a complicated past, Yoon Seo-jung (Seo Hyun-jin) is driven by guilt, grit and a desperate desire to prove herself. Inspired by her mentor Kim Sa-bu, she strives to earn her cardiothoracic surgery certification and grow into the doctor she always wanted to be. Dr Seo Woo-jin from 'Doctor Romantic 2' and 'Dr Romantic 3'
Above Seo Woo-jin overcomes his troubled past (Photo: SBS)
Under Kim Sa-bu's mentorship, Seo Woo-jin (Ahn Hyo-seop) is finally given the opportunity to hone his raw surgical skill despite his difficult past and unfortunate reputation. Cynical and standoffish at first, Woo-jin slowly begins to lower his guard thanks to his time at Doldam Hospital, under Kim Sa-bu's guidance.
See also: Ahn Hyo-Seop on being perfectly imperfect, his sources of joy, and his most challenging roles Dr Cha Eun-jae from 'Doctor Romantic 2' and 'Dr Romantic 3'
Above Getting past her OR anxiety (Photo: SBS)
Bright and diligent, Cha Eun-jae (Lee Sung-kyung) has what it takes to become an excellent surgeon, if she can only overcome her anxiety at performing surgeries. Thankfully, Kim Sa-bu sees her potential and takes him under his wing, helping her become a compassionate and capable doctor. Dr Park Shi-on from 'Good Doctor'
Above The first ever 'Good Doctor' (Photo: screencap from 'Good Doctor,' Netflix)
Park Shi-on (Joo Won) is a paediatric surgeon with savant syndrome who is blessed with eidetic memory but struggles with social cues. Often misunderstood and underestimated, he overcomes harsh work discrimination by showcasing his brilliant skills and unwavering dedication.
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