Balanced medical drama + killer bromance => great watch => great rewatch
Only Rain and Kim Bum could pull off this bromance and make this drama shine... the main romance otherwise was kind of lackluster, but the bromance more than made up for it. Liked the concept overall of certain doctors being so dedicated that even as ghosts they cannot leave their life's work of saving people, and a passionate but jaded doctor as well as an inexperienced but idealistic newbie coming to a middlepoint to cooperate and save lives. It was also nice that the antagonist bad doctors weren't just one dimensionally evil for no reason from the beginning, rather they lost that passion over the years as they had to be realistic to keep their careers; the "bad" doctors also come around and help the younger passionate doctors when they can do it. Overall the plot didn't drag, which is amazing for a medical drama that focuses on hospital politics (by the end they usually have to play out politics that viewer's aren't interested in anymore, but in this show it really never dragged). Could've done with a little less Uee/Rain melo scenes, those were the only ones I 2xed or fast forwarded.Was this review helpful to you?
A Feel-Good Watch
This marks my first K-Drama in about two years (not counting Netflix dramas). The reason why I enjoy K-Dramas are the goofy love triangles or the angsty family rivalries. I didn't get ANY of that with this drama.Why did I rate this drama so high? Because the character development was AMAZING! There isn't a laser focus on 1-3 characters. You learn, get to know, and relate with every single character that gets at least 5 minutes of screen time.
Although I do love a good ole fashioned love triangle K-Drama, I appreciated the fact that this one wasn't oversaturated with unrequited love. It focused on the message of being a good doctor and why they all became doctors.
To keep this review short and sweet. This was a great step back into the world of K-Dramas for me. It was refreshing in both comedy and the drama storytelling. The entire cast was a perfect fit for their parts. I couldn't imagine a "x could have done it better" scenario.
I would suggest this drama to any new or old K-Drama fan. Maybe not as a binge (there are some filler episodes that are kind of mean to get through), but definitely to either fall in love with K-Dramas or find your love for them again.
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In addition to that, I was uncomfortable the way ghosts casually used (or borrowed, or whatever you want to call it) a human's body for their purposes and then, discarded it, leaving the human confused and frightened. Having consent to do so is another thing, but the way the cleaning lady's body was used, especially, gave me the chills. I found her bafflement to her environment after being returned her body scary, not funny (this reminds me a lot of !TRIGGER WARNING! drug rape after-effects !TRIGGER WARNING! so please be cautious regarding this.)
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A+ Bromance, D- Romance
This had the potential to be really good, but got bogged down by the annoying romance storyline with Dr. Cha and his ex-girlfriend (and the exact same cut scenes of their relationship ten years ago...). I adored the bromance between Dr. Cha and Seung-Tak, and the ghost storyline and medical storylines were both very good, but I couldn't make it through any more of the romance. That aside, the villains were pretty 1-D and didn't add much to the story. So, I dropped this at episode 12.TLDR:
+ bromance and acting of two male leads
- poorly done romance
- underutilized female leads
+ ghost/medical storylines
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Bromance yes. Romance no.
I loved the premise from the start. The cast works well together. Except the FL. If she’s even that. I’ve never seen a worse performance in my life. She’s supposed to be a strong doctor but she’s trembling and crying and walking about like a small child. Physically she moves like she’s timid. And her expression never changes. It’s as if she’s the one in a coma.Overall I’m enjoying this but I could gladly forget the utterly unnecessary romance plots.
The MLs are growing on me. That makes up for the poorly written and acted female characters who seem to be here only to worry and react to Dr Go.
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Enjoyable
Such a good cast who were a pleasure to watch.There were both witty and some very moving scenes, although I didn't often feel the tension that I think I should have.
It felt quite drawn out at times and became melodramatic, with some scenes being repeated (when used to reflect or for background on the story as it progressed), too often.
The plot was lacklustre and lacking somehow, although I can't quite put my finger on why.
I found myself losing concentration and interest during the overly long and repeated operating procedures and other scenes that didn't feel necessary to the plot. For a top hospital, too many of the surgeons and senior staff seemed incompetent and lacking in confidence.
I am not a fan of Uee, but this was one of her better characters, for sure.
Overall, this was not a bad watch, but neither was it memorable, or a drama I'd return to.
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It’s just amazing
As someone who doesn’t speak Korean, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started watching this show, but I was absolutely blown away. From the very first episode, I was hooked. The storyline, the acting, the production – everything came together so perfectly. Even though I had to rely on subtitles to understand the dialogue, it never once took away from the emotional impact or the overall experience. In fact, it made me appreciate how powerful the performances were, especially from Rain, who completely stole the show for me.Rain is truly an incredible actor and idol. His screen presence is magnetic, and he has this unique ability to convey so much emotion with just a look or gesture. It’s no wonder he’s such a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. I had heard of Rain before watching this series, mostly in relation to his music career, but I was honestly amazed at how talented he is as an actor. His performance in this show was nothing short of phenomenal. Every scene he was in felt real and powerful, and I found myself deeply invested in his character's journey.
The show itself was perfectly paced, with just the right amount of suspense and drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. There were so many moments where I thought I knew what was going to happen next, only for the story to take a completely unexpected turn. The small cliffhangers at the end of each episode were just enough to keep me pressing “next episode” over and over again. It’s one of those shows that you can’t stop watching once you start, and before you know it, hours have gone by. The suspense was perfectly balanced—not too overwhelming, but just intense enough to keep you emotionally involved.
The production quality was also top-notch. The cinematography, the soundtrack, the set design—everything worked together to create an immersive and believable world. Even the supporting cast was impressive, and each actor brought something special to the table. The relationships between the characters felt genuine, and the emotional moments hit really hard. I laughed, I cried, I gasped—this show took me on a complete rollercoaster ride, and I loved every second of it.
What really stood out to me was how universal the story felt. Even though it’s a Korean show, the themes of love, betrayal, ambition, and redemption are things that anyone can relate to, no matter where you’re from. That’s what made it so enjoyable for me as a non-Korean speaker—it reminded me that great storytelling transcends language and culture.
Overall, I would give this show a 10/10 without hesitation. It’s rare to find something that grabs your attention so completely and leaves such a lasting impression. I can’t say enough good things about it. Whether you’re a fan of Korean dramas or just looking for something new and exciting to watch, I absolutely recommend giving this show a try. You won’t regret it!
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Me surpreendeu tanto ?
Jamais imaginei que esse dorama iria mexer tanto comigo! A história é linda, mas quem diria que me ensinaria coisas importantes para a vida? Realmente me surpreendeu muito e, com certeza, vou indicar ele para minhas amigas dorameiras.A história se passa em um hospital, com dois médicos protagonistas ligados por algo, o mistério, a curiosidade de saber o que liga eles é grande, dá vontade de assistir sem parar para descobrir o motivo, além disso, as histórias de amizades verdadeiras e amor entre as personagens são do tipo que aquecem o coração
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A Beautiful Journey of healing, heartfelt moments and filled my heart every minute
A Beautiful Journey of healing, heartfelt moments, and the best bromance and filled my heart every minute.I started watching Ghost Doctor without much planning, just casually. But episode by episode, the drama drew me in more and more.
Cha Young-min — I’m not a huge fan of Rain, but every time I watch him in a drama, I can’t help but be captivated by his acting. And Ko Seung-tak — I had almost forgotten about Kim Bum since I hadn’t seen him in a drama for a while, but this role made me fall for him all over again. His cute, lively acting was so lovable and eye-catching. The other actors also did a wonderful job and added so much depth to the story.
As for the story itself — even though it’s a fantasy, it felt incredibly real. At no moment did it feel unbelievable; instead, I often thought, this could actually happen in real life, hidden from what we see.
And the OSTs — absolutely beautiful. The moment “I can fly awayyy” part of the song played, my heart raced and danced with excitement. The other songs were equally moving and matched the story perfectly.
Overall, I truly loved this drama. It was heartfelt, meaningful, and unforgettable.
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This review may contain spoilers
Angels Among Us
What happens when a gifted heart surgeon is devoid of empathy and feeling? He becomes a robot; a man who builds walls around himself to avoid feeling much of anything. This is part of the premise of this series in which Dr. Cha Young Min has forgotten the important part of being a doctor: caring and being there for the patient. It doesn’t matter how amazing your skills are. A doctor without feelings is truly no doctor at all.Dr. Cha Young Min finds himself having to relearn this lesson when a car accident puts him into a coma. Before the incident, he’s cold and surly toward everyone, especially the new young intern, Dr. Ko Seung Tak as well as his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Jang Se Jin. He doesn’t approve of Dr. Ko’s lack of interest in his job. While Dr. Ko doesn’t seem interested in the least in learning about being a doctor, he does seem to care a great deal about the patients, especially those in the coma wing. And Dr. Cha still doesn’t understand why Dr. Jang returned from America after leaving him suddenly, nor does he care to find out.
We find out early on that Dr. Ko has a special gift as well. He’s able to see ghosts. Not only is he able to see them, but he can also communicate and interact with them. This is an ability he seems to have had since he was a child. Of course, he does his very best to hide it, but when Dr. Cha appears as a coma ghost, he realizes that his only link to the real world is Dr. Ko. Thus begins an unlikely friendship that begins tenuously at best. Why? Because we also find out that Dr. Cha is able to possess the body of Dr. Ko.
This sets up a fascinating premise as well as an often funny one, in which Dr. Cha utilizes Dr. Ko’s body in order to perform the most complex surgeries. This brings instant notoriety from the senior staff as well as the administration as to how he’s able to do this. After all, they only see Dr. Ko suddenly doing surgeries that even the most senior members are unable to do—except for Dr. Cha who is revered as the hospital’s best and most gifted surgeon.
Interestingly enough, Dr. Ko has no recollection of what happens once Dr. Cha takes over. Initially, he’s understandably upset and even forbids Dr. Cha from doing it again, but soon Dr. Ko finds himself realizing what can be done for the patients, not to mention his growing fame. Never mind that the hospital staff is left completely puzzled at how a mere intern is suddenly able to perform these surgeries. They chalk it up to Dr. Ko being like Dr. Cha: blessed with unprecedented skill. It’s here that partnership is formed between the two doctors.
Meanwhile, we find that there’s more to Dr. Cha’s accident than meets the eye, and there is also a conspiracy operating within the hospital as the Dr. Ko’s cousin, and hospital administrator, is looking to gain more power and money for himself, and Dr. Cha is in his way. Dr. Jang regrets leaving Dr. Cha the first time around, and she creates a private room where she can look after him 24 hours a day.
Dr. Cha is able to move around the hospital, but he’s limited due to the distance between himself and his body. If he finds himself too far away, he begins to fade away into oblivion which would also lead to the death of his body. He’s able to use his spirit form to find out just how indifferent and cold he’s been to nearly everyone, and he vows to be a different man should he ever regain consciousness. He’s heartbroken to see how much Dr. Jang has always loved him, and her leaving him for America those many years ago had nothing to do with him as she finds herself in the middle of her own power struggle with her mobster bully of a half-brother who’s trying to take their father’s fortune by whatever means necessary.
We quickly find that there are the ghosts of several other coma patients wandering around the hospital, as well as that of a long-since passed surgeon who simply goes by the name of “Tess.” He has a connection to one of the other doctors and finds himself unable to leave the hospital. Unlike Dr. Cha, he’s able to possess anyone at any moment, obviously learning how to master this feat in order to help others. He also has the wisdom that both Dr. Cha and Dr. Ko lack. Dr. Cha needs to remember how to be a caring surgeon again, and Dr. Ko has to learn how to be a proper surgeon by studying and taking the job seriously.
The series is very light in its overall tone. The true brilliance of the story lies in the chemistry and friendship that develops between Dr. Cha and Dr. Ko. Rain and Kim Bum give fantastic performances. You can tell that they had a lot of fun with their roles! Their light banter and bickering also provide a lot of fun and humorous interactions between them. However, as with so many great K-dramas, there are also plenty of heartfelt and touching moments between the two as well. Add Dr. Jang, beautifully played by Uee, and Dr. Oh Soo Jung, who has an obvious crush on Dr. Ko, and you have the perfect scenario for some fun and light romance.
Tess, however, is my favorite character of the series. He’s like a wise sage who wanders around the hospital with a glint in his eye, seeking small things to try and help or fix. He only interferes when he absolutely has to, as he also understands the importance of not imposing himself upon the human condition. He knows that, for some people, it’s simply their time to go. He also has a beautiful connection with Dr. Ko’s past as well. While compassionate, he also has no problem treating Dr. Cha and Dr. Ko like the two petulant children that they are sometimes.
There are no contrived plot elements or silly, immature romantic triangles in this series. The premise that we can all strive to be better people, and even skilled people like doctors, often need such a reminder. Take your job and your passion seriously, but never leave out the human element. Both are necessary, like two sides of the same coin. And most importantly, let people do what they want in life. Stop imposing your will upon someone else. When you do that, it’s selfishly only about you and not the other person.
It doesn’t matter if you believe in ghosts or not. It doesn’t matter if you believe in angels or not, but it certainly warms the heart to know that perhaps your friends and loved ones are in your corner and helping you out in ways you couldn’t possibly believe or fathom. And what’s wrong with that?
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This review may contain spoilers
Great Medical Drama!
This medical drama has an original approach with focus in bromance!There are many shows that suffer from having more than 12 episodes lately, since they would feel like the plot is either going nowhere, dragging or adding last minutes elements that make no sense. I am glad to share that it is not the case with this show; The show has a great pace with the plot and character development which never feels like dragging even after those infamous episode 12 to 16.
I enjoy romance, so I am disappointed with the lack of closure from the young main couple, but extremely happy with the happy ending for the older main couple. If left a feeling of an open ending when the last interaction between the young main leads was the male lead feeling jealous because the girl was getting close with another guy and nothing else after that. On the other hand, everything else had a proper closure.
The medical drama and bromance are the main thing here, and the slight romance, specially for the old main couple are the driver for a lot of actions within the plot and the cherry on top at the end.
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Was gonna be a flop....
A very strong contender for the worst medical drama. The equivalent of filming two patients' beds and calling it a "hospital". From the very beginning they did such a poor job in setting building that it's constantly sticking out in your face. To give a few examples: The hospital is completely dependent on a single skillful witch doctor that otherwise everyone would be dead without his witchcraft which eliminated any hierarchy in the hospital. The hospital had no rules, anyone can come and go as they please, anyone can get a patient into the operation room and perform a surgery and no one faces consequences to anything they do because writing such scenes would take more effort. The hospital management is non-existent, there's only one guy in charge (the bad guy Tae In Ho) with no one around him or beside him managing the hospital. Even worse, the actor is known for his side roles as a subordinate character so giving him a position in charge while lacking any intimidation and gravity to his character has ruined the role and killed the little tension the drama had. There are more examples to this lackluster hospital setting but these were the most obvious.However, if you managed to over glance the entire setting and just hyper focus on the main 2 leads then the drama is alright. The 2 main leads first encounter and the first episode had an abhorrent and despicable dynamic to watch on screen but, to my surprise, it got a lot better later on and turned out to be fun which was the only reason that saved the drama and made it watchable.
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