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NDTV
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Resident Playbook Review: The Hospital Playlist Spin-Off Struggles To Find Its Heartbeat
New Delhi: If medicine were a stage, then Resident Playbook tries hard to be a compelling drama set under its harsh, unforgiving lights, but often, it feels like a rehearsed script struggling to find its rhythm. Following the enormous success of Hospital Playlist, expectations were sky-high for this medical spinoff. It arrived on Netflix after a delay that was as much about timing as it was about political sensitivities, with South Korea's medical crisis casting a long shadow over the series' debut. Set against the backdrop of a healthcare system in turmoil, the show attempts to capture the lives of young doctors in the underappreciated and high-pressure speciality of obstetrics and gynaecology. Unfortunately, despite a promising premise and a cast of fresh faces led by Go Youn-jung, Resident Playbook falls short of the emotional depth and character chemistry that made its predecessor a phenomenon. The show centres on Oh I-yeong, an ex-wealthy woman who, burdened by family bankruptcy and debt, returns to medicine after previously failing out. The series introduces her alongside an ensemble of ambitious, socially awkward, or uniquely motivated junior doctors at the fictional Jongno Yulje Medical Centre. These are characters who represent the new generation of physicians - ambitious but worn down by the realities of gruelling hours and a strained medical system. The setup promises plenty: the complex personal dynamics, the struggles of long shifts, and the ethical challenges that come with life-or-death care. Yet, for all the effort to portray authenticity, right down to the exhausting 88-hour workweeks legally permitted for residents and the sobering salary figures, Resident Playbook often feels weighed down by its desire to be earnest and socially relevant. It is clear the creators intended to shine a light on a systemic crisis: the mass resignations of trainee doctors protesting government reforms, the shortage of medical professionals, and the fractured trust between healthcare workers and the state. These real-world tensions undeniably add layers of urgency to the story. However, the series sometimes lets these larger societal issues overshadow its narrative heart, resulting in a show that struggles to balance the emotional arcs of its characters with its broader political subtext. The main characters, including Oh I-yeong's high school classmate Pyo Nam-gyeong, the former K-pop idol turned doctor Um Jae-il, and the top student Kim Sa-bi, are introduced with potential but are not given enough time or development to make viewers truly care about their personal journeys. Acting-wise, Go Youn-jung carries the show with a decent performance, but her character's backstory is teased rather than fully explored, leaving a sense of missed opportunity. The supporting cast, though promising, often falls into typical K-drama archetypes without enough nuance or growth, which dulls the impact of their struggles. The show's pacing, especially in the initial episodes, can feel sluggish, as it tries to juggle medical procedural elements, personal drama, and social commentary all at once. Moments meant to be intense or heartfelt sometimes come across as formulaic or overly didactic. Visually and technically, Resident Playbook is polished, benefiting from the expertise of writer Kim Song-hee, known for her work on Reply 1988. The medical settings feel authentic, and the depiction of hospital life - both its chaos and its quiet moments - is realistic. But the series lacks the warmth and camaraderie that made Hospital Playlist so endearing, and it doesn't capture the lighter moments or character chemistry with the same effortless charm. The show's attempt to depict the often brutal realities of residency -the grueling hours, the low pay, the emotional and physical toll - is commendable, but these aspects sometimes overwhelm the storytelling rather than enrich it. Instead of deepening character development, the focus on the system's failings can feel like a weight dragging down the narrative momentum. Moreover, for viewers unfamiliar with the South Korean medical education system or the current healthcare crisis, some plot points may feel opaque or overly technical. By the time the first few episodes end, Resident Playbook offers a sobering glimpse into the lives of young doctors caught between passion, exhaustion, and a system that seems stacked against them. Yet, it rarely sparks the emotional connection or binge-worthy momentum that elevates the best K-dramas. While it's a thoughtful watch and certainly worthwhile for anyone interested in medical dramas grounded in real-world struggles, it falls short as an engaging series that can stand independently from its more beloved predecessor. In the end, Resident Playbook is like a well-intentioned trainee doctor itself - brimming with potential but not quite ready to perform at the top of its game. It deserves credit for its ambition and relevance, but as a drama meant to capture hearts and minds, it feels more like an introduction than a fully realised story. If you're looking for light medical drama with a dose of romance and nostalgia, it may do the trick - but don't expect anything groundbreaking.
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Binge-worthy: Rising star Go Youn-jung shines as rookie doctor in K-drama Resident Playbook
Resident Playbook (NC16) Netflix ★★★☆☆ Set in the fictitious South Korean hospital Jongno Yulje Medical Centre, Resident Playbook is a spin-off of the popular Hospital Playlist series (2020 to 2021). While the original focused on the lives of five specialist doctors and their tight friendship, Resident Playbook is a coming-of-age series about four junior doctors starting their medical careers in the obstetrics and gynaecology department. The plot is straightforward, one that revolves around the first-year residents being put through the wringer. Expect lots of drama as the quartet – played by Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-a, Kang You-seok and Han Ye-ji – bumble through their tasks, are constantly scolded by their superiors, and learn to get along with one another. Here are three reasons you should stream this 12-episode K-drama on Netflix. 1. A star on the rise Since Go's show-business debut in 2019, the 29-year-old has been making her mark in high-profile shows, the last being 2023's science-fiction drama Moving. Her Resident Playbook character Oh Yi-young is apathetic and disinterested, who drags herself to work because she needs to pay off her mounting credit card debt. Her jaded attitude towards work is not lost on her peers, surgeons and patients. But as the episodes unfold, Oh's demeanour melts and her superiors recognise that she possesses the qualities of a good doctor. Go plays the role to perfection. She also nails the deer-in-the-headlights expression, disdainful pout and spaced-out look. 2. New faces to watch While Hospital Playlist starred acclaimed veterans such as Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jeon Mi-do, Jung Kyung-ho and Kim Dae-myung, Resident Playbook rides heavily on untested newcomers. Go is strongly supported by her co-stars who, like their characters, are rookies in their profession. K-drama Resident Playbook, starring (from left) Han Ye-ji, Shin Si-a, Go Youn-jung and Jung Joon-won. PHOTO: NETFLIX Han, in her acting debut, plays the socially awkward top student Kim Sa-bi, whose by-the-book personality sees her locking horns with Shin's carefree Pyo Nam-kyung. Kang, who has a bit part in the hit K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025), rounds up the ensemble cast as the enthusiastic former K-pop idol Um Jae-il. The chemistry between the four of them is sizzling, making it easy to root for the underdogs. Fans of Hospital Playlist can also look out for the series' key characters such as Yoo, Jung, Ahn Eun-jin and Kwak Sun-young, who make cameos in various episodes. 3. Reflection of reality The characters are seen working long hours, a reality said to be faced by South Korean medical interns and residents. Labour challenges were among the reasons leading to the country's prolonged nationwide doctors' strike in 2024, which coincided with the show's initial release. Public opinion turned against the doctors who abandoned their patients, causing a year-long postponement of Resident Playbook. Despite the delay, it has been criticised for romanticising residents' lives. Regardless of the backlash, Resident Playbook remains one of Netflix's global top 10 non-English shows since its premiere on April 12. The show and Go earned the top spot on South Korean data analytics company Good Data Corporation 's weekly list of dramas and stars that generate the most buzz. Joanne Soh is a lifestyle correspondent at The Straits Times, with a special interest in entertainment and pop culture. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
South China Morning Post
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
K-drama casting news about Chae Soo-bin, Lee Jae-wook, Go Youn-jung and more
One of the most revered writers of Korean dramas prepares her return, while young stars line up for a range of tantalising new fantasy projects in our latest round of Korean casting announcements. 1. Honey Jar Project Last seen in The Impossible Heir , Lee Jae-wook is reportedly set to lead the coming eight-part Netflix series Honey Jar Project. Advertisement The show is described as a horror fantasy about a thirty-something man who starts a part-time job that leads him into unexpected situations. Lee Jae-wook (left) and Go Youn-jung in a still from Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow. Photo: tvN Known for Alchemy of Souls , Lee is already teaming up with Netflix in the period drama Dear Hongrang, which is scheduled to launch in May. He is also due to appear in the series Last Summer alongside Choi Sung-eun. Honey Jar Project will be directed by Kim Da-min, who made waves with her indie film FAQ, which debuted at the Busan International Film Festival in 2023, before penning the scripts for the series A Killer Paradox The creator behind the show is Han Jun-hee, known for directing the film Coin Locker Girl and Netflix's acclaimed D.P. series. He is also the creator behind Weak Hero Class 1 , which returned for its second season this week. 2. Everyone Is Fighting Against Their Own Worthlessness Currently on screens in the Hospital Playlist spin-off Resident Playbook , Go Youn-jung is being eyed for a leading role in Everyone Is Fighting Against Their Own Worthlessness, the new series from Park Hae-young, the celebrated writer of My Mister and My Liberation Notes
South China Morning Post
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Netflix K-drama Resident Playbook: Go Youn-jung leads Hospital Playlist spin-off series
Lead cast: Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-ah, Kang You-seok, Han Ye-ji Advertisement Latest Nielsen rating: 3.99 per cent Four years after Hospital Playlist season 2 , we return to the Yulje Medical Centre for the spin-off series Resident Playbook. Only this time it is about an entirely new set of characters at a different branch. Leading the new faces is rising star Go Youn-jung ( Moving ) as Oh Yi-young, a medical school graduate who quit during the first year of her residency. Saddled with debt and with few other prospects, she is compelled to give it another go. She returns to Yulje Medical Centre's Jongno branch, joining three other residents in the obstetrics and gynaecology department.
Korea Herald
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Resident Playbook,' set to air in April, faces backlash
Highly anticipated 'Hospital Playlist' spinoff delayed over year due to doctors' strike "Resident Playbook" is finally set to air in April, following a yearlong delay credited to negative public sentiment stemming from a prolonged nationwide doctors' strike. But the series is facing criticism before its release, as many residents who resigned in protest of the government's decision to increase the quota for medical school admissions have yet to return to work. "Resident Playbook," a highly anticipated spinoff of hit drama series "Hospital Playlist," stars Go Youn-jung and Shin Si-a as obstetrics and gynecology residents at Yulje Medical Center. It follows the rookie doctors as they navigate the hectic world of hospital life, encountering various patient cases while also pursuing personal and professional growth. The series was initially scheduled for a March 2024 release following tvN's megahit "Queen of Tears." However, the series launch was postponed amid hostile public sentiment toward doctors, as doctors and medical students went on strike over the government's plan to increase medical school admissions. With a growing number of patients failing to receive treatment, public sentiment turned sharply against doctors who refused to return to hospitals. The series faced further delays as the doctors' strike prolonged. The broadcaster announced that the series will premiere on April 12, but the strike continues to cast a shadow over the show's debut. The show's creator has responding to criticism by emphasizing that the central focus of "Resident Playbook" is the characters' personal growth. Shin Won-ho, the series producer, said in a press release that "Resident Playbook" is "a story about all beginnings in life, such as friends just starting their social lives and babies newly born into the world. Watching various characters experience awkwardness and grow ... will allow viewers to laugh, cry and share emotions together."
