Editorials 
Masterfully produced drama with the odd chinks in the armour
I deliberately waited for the hype to die down before I watched this but seeing season 2 is in the pipeline I thought I'd better get a move on. By the way, when I wrote this, there is already 12 pages of reviews so I don't expect mine to stand out but seeing that I binged the show in 2.5 days, I thought I should at least leave a few words for prosperity. :)No doubt many of the reviews have highlighted the skilful story telling, the direction. the stellar cast, friendship, the feels, etc, etc. I totally agree with the bulk of the sentiments and it was an ode to the doctors, nurses and allied health professionals (standing ovation). However, I did find a few chinks in their shiny armour.
First of all, the show started very confusingly. The size of the cast and the physical setting was just too big. This drama had five central characters plus each had his/her staff and then you have administrators, other doctors (both senior and junior) and nurses in at least five departments (not counting ER). The hospital was also huge physically. You just don't feel like you know how the place worked. You were bounced from people to people, location to location. This did get better after a few episodes when you start to recognise faces and group them into cliques (this is from a non-Korean point of view).
Some reviewers have commented on this show being realistic. I am not going to argue every case but I found a lot of the time, surgeries were carried out on patients who literally had a consult the day before. That level of availability would be the envy of the whole world.
Finally, I wished the drama would deep dive into some of the issue de jour. From migrant worker health care to child abuse to injury/death by overworking (and more) were touched upon but almost all of them came and gone within a few scenes and not always with a resolution.
Otherwise, the show was designed to hit you with the feels and they definitely delivered. You would expect no less from the team that brought us so many top notch hit dramas.
BTW, it begs the question, was it a medical drama with a strong romance undertone or a rom-com set in a hospital?
Acting - fantastic.
Production value - excellent.
OST - loved it! You gotta laugh at the joke they played on the FL.
Rewatch - absolutely (maybe not every episodes)
One final thought, the last episode was extra long and I appreciated that they gave all the characters time and space to tidy up their own story arcs but while some questions were answered, more were left hanging so please bring on season 2! Ppalli ppalli!
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I kept falling for each friend in the group! Probably had huge attachment issues to them so I could not wait for more episodes. Personally, I enjoyed this more than Reply 1988 just a little bit more because I love the stories between the patients and doctors (a huge fan of love between people -- weird way to call it, but truly what I most value in life). Hospital Playlist delivered, exceeded our expectations and probably changed our lives too.
In short, my all time favorite Kdrama.
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When Scrubs meets Reply 1988
Just love for this show. This drama reminded me of the American medical sitcom Scrubs with a slighty more emotional touch (nothing too excessive, just the right amount). This drama's biggest plus I believe is the cast. The actors are so well-chosen and the whole cast delivers such a great performance that whatever future project the actors may act in, you will not be able to unsee their Hospital Playlist character. They didn't act, they lived their characters.So realistic, so balanced, so well-written. And here I thought I'd seen everything medical dramas had to offer, but no Hospital Playlist taught me better.
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my HEART. the FEELS.
My first review ever! :DNot sure how this will go, but let's dive into it.
I've watched many dramas before, but Hospital Playlist is the first one I watched while it was airing. The first time I heard about this drama was when Yoo Yeon Seok got casted, and because I really enjoyed Romantic Dr. Teacher Kim, I was curious to see how he would perform in this one. So, I started watching the first episode on Netflix as per a friend's recommendation and was immediately hooked. In the span of that first hour-and-a-half-ish, I cried so much and laughed so hard. I knew right then and there that Hospital Playlist would become one of my favorite - if not favorite - dramas.
As the episodes progressed, I found that I really came to love each character featured in the story. I came to appreciate their roles in the overarching narrative of the drama, and especially loved the way writer-nim and PD-nim had them interact with the main cast (Kim Jun as Uju was especially adorable!) One thing that I really noticed was the chemistry between cast members. I think altogether they were able to portray a realistic and relatable story that truly truly warmed my heart.
Another thing that made this drama enjoyable for me was that there was no dramatic conflict-inducing incidents that are common in a lot of K-Dramas (i.e. hospital politics, a murder, chaebol families disagreeing to a relationship, etc.). The essence of this drama was really just the lives of the doctors and medical staff at Yulje Medical Center, and how they pour their hearts and souls into making sure that their patients receive the best care.
I would rate this show infinity/10 if that was possible at all. I cannot fathom how much I actually love this drama. I have the casting directors to thank for introducing me to such amazing actors - I'll definitely be looking out for more of their (future) work!
If you're like me and enjoy slice-of-life type dramas, and want an easy-going drama to watch, you would definitely enjoy Hospital Playlist. That being said, I can't wait for Season 2 to be released and to find out more about how relationships between some of the characters will develop <3
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This drama is one of greatest I have watched from acting to score everything was so perfect that it flet like a moving painting which was made by very gentle hands this is one of its kind that you can watch with your family a perfect rthyme for life ,
A slice of life medical drama
I have never watched this perfect in my life the work done by production team, writers and the director was soo on point.
I will recommend everyone to watch this Drama in there spare time
Please definitely watch this drama.
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But several episodes into the drama, I almost dropped it. I'm not saying that I did not enjoy the drama, because I did. But it was just at the moment of watching an episode. After watching one, I had to find the motivation to watch the next week's episode. Why would I force myself to watch it if I don't like it? I usually would not have. But I really did like all the characters, Junwan was my favourite followed by Seokhyung, and I wanted to know what happened to them, to all the couples I shipped (Please don't hate me, but WinterGarden was not one of them). And when the final episode aired I was so relieved that it was over.
I tried to keep my rating as objective as possible because despite everything it really was a good drama, and I just happened to not like it as much as everyone else did.
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A rare medical drama that goes beyond the walls of the hospital. This is a story about friendship and the slice of life of five ordinary yet extraordinary doctors. This drama will teach you the value of family, how to treat and be patient with others, and how to be more understanding. It encourages you to take a pause, be brave, and live in the moment.
Kudos to the director, screenwriter, staff, and actors for a well-executed drama where even the anticlimactic scenes become exciting and enjoyable to watch.
The supporting actors and their characters are also outstanding, making me eager to catch a glimpse of their stories too. There is never a dull moment at Yulje Hospital.
Music: 11/10 – that’s how good it is. Every week, you won’t just be waiting for the next story, but eagerly anticipating the next song.
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An Interesting Medical Drama With a Bit of Everything
This is not a fresh from the oven review, I finished the drama eons ago and never felt like writing a review on it. However, I need to practice reveiwing for my book blog so here I am rambling, while trying hard not to get distracted. I'm failing it, I know.[[[[ REVIEW WARNING ]]]]
1. I'm not a professional reviewer, so most of the time I couldn't care less bout the characteristics that a proper review must have.
2. I have no idea what I'm talking about. For example, I can't even tell the different between a bass and an electric guitar - and this will show through the entire review.
3. English is not my main language, so yeah, don't wonder too long over my weird wordings and stuff, because it is more likely that I myself also have no idea what I'm trying to say in the first place.
[[[[ THE STORY ]]]]
The drama was a medical drama featuring five friends who have been friends since their undergraduate days. They went to the same medical school and then worked at the same hospital (as for at the moment, previously? I have no idea..). And oh, they also formed a band for fun.
[[[[ THE CHARACTERS ]]]]
First, there was Lee Ik Jun, the single father family guy.
Secondly, there was Ahn Jung Won, the rich paediatrician who wanted to be a priest.
Thirdly, there was Kim Jun Wan, a friendly reformed playboy(?) who was secretly dating Lee Ik Jun's sister.
Fourthly, there was Yang Suk Hyung, a softie divorcee who was scarred by his failed marriage.
Lastly, there was Chae Song Hwa, the only girl in the group, a sweetheart everyone in the group swarmed to.
[[[[ THE DRAMA ]]]]
The drama featured:
1. Friendship. Everyone were friends and the drama brilliantly showed how they started and then how they grew as friends through the many years they were together. Each character was different but somehow they complimented each other. They loved each other and were always there to support and protect each other.
2. Romance. It was a slow burn romance and as with the writer's other amazing works, we were constantly left guessing as to where and how the romance will go. It is complicated, but amazing as well.
3. Medical Stuff. They were doctors and the drama portrayed their daily lives and interactions with their patients. It was never over the top like so many other medical dramas, it was more towards the realistic kind (not that it is really realistic (come on, it is a drama after all), just not absurd like other dramas). Every treatment was showed nicely, without making the doctors act like sought after doctors that were super brilliant and can magically heal everyone sent to them.
4. Music. I don't remember much of the music but I do admit that it wasn't grating on my nerve so it wasn't so bad. The actors sang the songs themselves, and many said that they were good at it. However, since I'm tone deaf and music deaf, I simply base my opinion on my taste alone. With that being said, I didn't like the music or the band thingy, it was boring to me.
[[[[ MY THOUGHTS ]]]]
Just like the writer's other works (they were all my favourites dramas), I loved this drama. It wasn't overly focused on romance and we were treated with heavy doses of friendship, humors and angsts as well. And the producers and writers were amazing good at what they do, portraying everything in a way that you enjoy every moments of it. And they don't only focus on the main characters only, they also paid attention to the side ones as well. I loved not only the main characters, but the side characters as well.
However, I won't go as far as saying this drama is my favorite drama ever (it is still Reply 1988) because I still find flaws that I couldn't accept. Nah, everything was amazing so these so called flaws were just my preferences actually. What didn't work for me (hence the not perfect rating) were:
1. The cliffhanger. Duh, life is short, I don't need that.
2. The characters' choices. Yeah, I know it's their choices but I choose to dislike them nonetheless lol
3. The episodes. Why so few, I need moreeeeeeeeee TT.TT
[[[[ THE CONCLUSION ]]]]
Hospital Playlist is an amazing drama, watch it. Or don't watch it. Just do whatever you feel like doing ;)
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This review may contain spoilers
Wish I had friends like this, now I want to join a band.
First review! Hospital Playlist is about a group of 5 friends who happen to be doctors. A few of them were friends before they all met at medical school, and they come together when hiding in supply closet to avoid the usual "talent competition" section of their medical school Orientation. They form a band, and have been friends since.It takes a while to learn about the separate personalities and each character's story, but I have to say it was easy to fall in love with all of them as they are all compelling in different ways. So the story and characters are awesome.
* Song Hwa, the only girl, is a superwoman. She has it all and does it all uh ... except singing well, in that area she's slightly challenged. She's smart, cute, efficient, gets things done and is also empathetic and kind to everyone. If I were a man I would absolutely be trying my best to put a ring on it.
* Lee Ik Sun is the genius in the group, gets the best grades without studying, is kind, funny AND a good father. The interactions between him and his cute, chubby cheeked son had me going awww numerous times, too adorable.
* Jun Wan the heart surgeon seems like a jerk at the start, but he's the most driven of them all, and is blunt when needed.
* Suk Hyung, the chubby obstetrician with the terrible haircut, has had the most DRAMA in his life, I'm sure not all of it is revealed but suffice to say his dad is a real piece of shit and has damaged the son to the extent the son doesn't want to be in any relationships ever.
* Andrea (Jung Won) is the sensitive, new age, super Catholic guy. He wears all his emotions on the surface and of all the characters I wanted to cuddle him the most, just to protect him from being hurt.
Then, there's the band/music aspect. One is a terrible singer, but Ik Jun is really good. I had the warm fuzzies during most of their band / karaoke sessions, LOVED Aloha by Cool (Light of my life), Canon Rock, many of the songs in this were fitting with the story. I don't know if these are pop songs or released for the show, but the soundtrack elevates this from a great drama to a 10.
Watching this I realized when I moved countries I lost my Karaoke friends and we used to drink way too much and sing a lot either in public or even in private rooms. I miss that a lot, it's been over 20 years since I've had a fun karaoke time like these guys had. I wouldn't even mind joining a band, except I have no idea how to find people to do this in the age of COVID.
Loved the drama. Please, give me season 2 as soon as possible. I need more.
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100% recommended
I'm pretty much mentally attached to this drama, its one of the best dramas of 2020. everything in this drama is so perfect, can't wait until the second season comes. it made me cry , laugh and have a emotional breakdown in some episode. i don't have enough words in my vocabulary to describe how good this drama is. each episode is 100/10 .I'm gonna miss those five doctors so badly:((
just give it a try and you will love this drama, especially if you liked reply series you will surely love this show as well.
it's one of the best medical dramas i have watched and will be my fav drama from now on for a very long time.
hope season 2 comes soon!!
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"The Epitome of Korean Drama Perfection"
I've just done watching its last episode. Hospital Playlist S1 is a total package. The plot, characters, main events, virtually the entirety of the series has been portrayed in detail and with love. OSTs are the best! It is no surprising that the word "Playlist" included in the title has been justified. All featured songs have serenaded me throughout the 12 episodes. I can't help but search them on YouTube after listening to them in some scenes. The scenario of the professional world of Doctors are so realistic that the actors made me think they were doing the actual operations. Finally, the legacy it had left on me is the realization that the role of Doctors and front liners they played in times of uncertainty has been given emphasis. Thus, not only does the series merit good reviews and international attention, but it also becomes worthy and timely during the health crisis the 21st-century people are facing today.Highly Recommended!
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