Latest news with #YuljeMedicalCenter
Korea Herald
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Resident Playbook' finally to air as doctors' strike subsides
Creator says up to viewers to decide how they perceive drama series "Resident Playbook," the much-delayed and hotly debated medical drama series, is finally airing this week. The tvN series delves into the lives of rookie doctors working as obstetrics and gynecology residents at Yulje Medical Center. A spinoff of hit series "Hospital Playlist," 'Resident Playbook' sees the return of producer Shin Won-ho, the creator of the beloved human drama. Originally slated to premiere in May 2024 as a follow-up to tvN's ratings megahit 'Queen of Tears,' the series was shelved for nearly a year despite having wrapped filming. The delay came amid nationwide protests and strikes by doctors and medical students opposing government plans to increase the medical school admissions quota. With some resident doctors yet to return to work and the tensions still unresolved, the drama now faces a complicated launch as it finally premieres this week on cable network tvN. At a press conference on Thursday in Sindorim-dong, Seoul, producer Shin addressed the controversy surrounding the series and the timing of its release. 'The script had already been submitted, filming was underway and then this situation erupted midway through production, with no way of knowing when it would end,' Shin said. 'We had just one concern. The beautiful story that we, these young creators, had carefully prepared needed to be seen purely as an enjoyable piece of content.' 'But we were worried that it might be misinterpreted or viewed through a different, skewed lens due to the circumstances. That's why we kept discussing the scheduling with tvN and gradually postponed the broadcast,' he continued. 'We believe that our responsibility is to create and present the story. Consuming it is entirely up to the viewers. Whether people watch it as it is, criticize it, or examine it from different angles — all those perspectives belong to the audience, and all we can do now is wait for their judgment.' According to Shin, the tone and the scope of the series differs greatly from "Hospital Playlist." ''Hospital Playlist' was a story about experienced medical school professors becoming even wiser, while 'Resident Playbook' is about rookies who aren't wise yet, gradually growing and becoming more skilled.' On the series' visual identity, Shin pointed yo a symbolic design element in the show's poster. 'In 'Hospital Playlist,' there was a hospital symbol in the upper right corner. This time, it's a crooked bandage mark — something that can't quite stand upright. It symbolizes mistakes, falling down, getting hurt.' Reflecting on his own early career, Shin added, 'I think I was the same way when I first started out as a producer. Nobody starts off with a strong sense of calling or responsibility. As a first-year, you're just scrambling to get through your tasks, take care of patients and hoping you can clock out early. That kind of raw, unpolished reality is reflected in the show. You'll see them gradually grow, and I believe that will be touching.'
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."
