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it wasn’t bad it just wasn’t amazing
The quality and story was too nice to give it a 7.5 but multiple things just didn’t hit. I wouldn’t say it was boring like some people are saying it’s just not super climatic.Mental health issues were displayed so badly on this drama. I forgot the FL had depression basically the whole show and it was a big part of the plot. It felt like it was more focused on taking a break from a stressful life rather than going through life with depression. This drama barely held any weight or emotion
I feel like the series concluded around the 11-12 episode mark which is where I think they should’ve left it. I had no desire to continue any further and I still don’t.
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This review may contain spoilers
Fairly formulaic and good but why oh why the separating for your own good trope
8.5/10 is my rating. This is a 2024 South Korean romantic comedy medical drama with 16, 60 minute episodes.First I provide a unique synopsis then review
Synopsis
Nam Ha neul (Park Shin hye) is an intern on the path to being a professor and practitioner at a major medical university. The problem is her supervisory professor steals her work which keeps her from advancing. When she complains about her professor’s unethical behavior he becomes physically and emotionally abusive. After a period of putting up with him, she finally reaches a breaking point and has a screaming argument and resigns. Not seeing what went on behind closed doors, everyone blames her for the incident sending her career into a downward spiral. The abuse and her dying career prospects put her into a state of depression and anxiety. At the same time, Yeo Jeong-woo (Park Hyung-sik) was a successful, near celebrity, plastic surgeon until a tragic medical accident causes his career and his life to fall apart. Needing to live more modestly, he moves into a roof top apartment not knowing his high school academic rival, Ha neul, lives with her family in the building which they own. Once frenemies can these two doctors, who have hit a slump, recover their careers? Can both overcome their mental issues that developed from their highly stressful careers? Will rivalry turn to friendship then something more👅?
Review
It was a feel good romantic comedy. In some of the reviews I read others felt there was no chemistry with the leads. I thought they had chemistry, it wasn’t over the top burning chemistry but, given the show is a friends turned lovers premise that level of chemistry makes sense. The plot was well developed, the characters were interesting, and the premise had some unique twists to it. It ended well and happy with all major plot points wrapped up. I might watch it again if it was on and I would recommend it to others that are fans of the actors or that like this genre.
Spoilers
The pace for me was a bit off. I have to admit I am a bit Goldilocks in my determination of when the couple should get together. If the main couple gets together too early the rest of the series can feel somewhat pointless. On the other hand, if they get together too late it feels rushed. So there is a happy medium and many are able to find that balance. In this one it felt like they got together a little early and the only thing that saved it was there was enough story about the medical accident that it kept the plot moving. They may have gotten them together to build another plot point where she breaks up with him because the guy he sees as a great friend almost brother is the same person that mentally tortured her. It completely devastated her when she found out he did all that to her, kept her from becoming a professor, only so he could build his resume to do something else. I get that would be devastating. I had research stolen from me and it basically made someone else’s career so I know, all too well, how that feels. But, her being so devastated that she breaks it off with him made no sense and was unnecessary. I know it would have been hard at that point to tell him the person he thought so much of was not the person thought he was. I get she might have been afraid if she told him he would be conflicted and she did not want to add to his burden. But breaking it off? She just broke his heart at a time when it was hard for his heart to take it. I was disappointed they developed that point as I do not view that as something someone would do to someone they really loved.
The South Korean view on depression is interesting. The way it was portrayed in this show you would think she had some horrible, terminal disease. Her brain was “broken” she said in so many words. Depression is horrible. Anxiety is even more so. But it is not a fatal disease. With the right counseling, most people can recover from depression well. At times it is looking at what is going on with the person’s life and balancing nutrition. Some of the recent findings on medication indicate that may not be the end all. But there are things that can be done. I think her slump was completely driven by very real events as was her depression. But I did like they showed her recovery. It was just an interesting way to look at depression. His Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was well portrayed and completely valid for what he went through. The way she helped him was actually perfect. They both would be dealing with forms of PTSD for the rest of their lives. Depression, anxiety and PTSD are all things that don’t go away but you can learn to manage them. Part of the battle is how you view yourself and how you view those conditions and I thought the show talked about that very well at the end. It ended on a message of hope for those suffering from those conditions. I liked that.
The second couple was so cute! I loved their story. The way they started noticing each other just by helping out with single parenthood is such a solid foundation. It also showed something I strongly believe, that kids benefit the most from having each gender influence. The little boy needed and craved a father figure and the young girl needed that female influence. I loved how it showed us pictures of the four and how they had formed a family. The personalities of the two characters were such a perfect fit for each other. He was such a nice guy. And I liked that the female character specifically mentioned that about him. The fact that he and main guy patched up their broken friendship was a super bonus. I think love and friendship are such wonderful and unique human conditions that it is heartwarming to me to see those friendships and relationships restored. And main guy needed that friend.
They seemed to like the “we need to separate” trope because first they did the unnecessary separation early in the series and then they were threatening another one later when she was going to take the overseas assignment. I guess they wanted us to be happy that her assignment was cancelled and they were able to stay together. I would have preferred that she chose not to go. Careers are important but I do not think anything like that is more important than the person you love. Life is too short and precious to waste a second doing something that is not essential. Doing that tour was something nice to do and may have helped her career minimally but you can never get those six months back. If something happened to the person you love or even at the end are you really going to look back and think man I am so glad I spent that six months away. Nope. Very few people would think that way. I want to see the best romance and to me the best is where those in love realize how precious that is. They protect it and they do not do unnecessary things like separating just to build their career. Especially when the relationship is new. That initial period when they are first in love and you are presenting the very best of yourself to the other person is fleeting. That period of newness and romance does not last, for many people, beyond the first year.
I loved main girl’s family. They were just eccentric enough to keep it interesting. I loved the way they embraced him and treated him like a son. He needed a real families’ support and they provided it.
So often they either show someone wronged either being completely vengeful or totally forgiving. In this one they struck a balance. And that was the advice mom gave him. You don’t owe anyone forgiveness and you don’t have to forgive now. If not forgiving helps to heal you, then be angry about it. If forgiving is what you need to heal then do that. Maybe you forgive some things someone did but not others, that is something that can be done as well. The show did a good way of depicting that forgiving or not forgiving is up to the individual and there is no right way or right mix of forgiveness and anger or resentment.
I was worried when it was approaching the ending, that it would be one of those endings where they were together but hadn’t actually did a solid commitment. In their case that would not have been a satisfying ending because she had a tendency to be on a solid path and then just break up or change course. So I was happy when it said they had the wedding shoot and the epilogue showed wedding shoot photos. I wanted to know with them that their relationship was solid after all they went through. That made it a happy ending for me. If they ended it with them just going out that would not have been very satisfying.
#DrSlump
#ParkShinHye
I’m #ParkHyungSik
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A serious drama turns light and fluffy in a blink
To be honest, this show does tick a lot of boxes if you are looking for a sweet rom com/healing drama. It also have a nice looking OTP that can work magic when the condition is right. However, this is also where things can get a little awkward.Let's backtrack a bit. Both leads have suffer major setbacks in their career and their lives are spiralling ever downwards. It is into this maelstrom that they rediscovered each other and supported each other through thick and thin. Once a bit of historical misunderstanding is cleared up, they realised that they are each other's first love in high school. Yes, very tropey.
Nevertheless, these are solid foundations so let's roll with it. I do appreciate that the show put some mental conditions front and centre. Bullying, overwork and PTSD are just some of the challenges our leads have to face. They are serious conditions but the show doesn't do a deep dive into them. It is a little light on diagnosis and treatment. Cough, the self assessment questionnaire is ... interesting. I suppose we should be thankful that at least those conditions are acknowledged rather than just sweep under the carpet.
This light touch extends to the main plot as well. While the initial set up and execution was very impactful, once the major hurdle has been cleared, the plot took the easy way out. The main plot literally died. What is left is your standard rom com trope.
There is nothing wrong with a good rom com. The problem here is the interaction between the leads. On paper, they are well matched and look lovely together. While the FL has a mature/straight-laced demeanor, the ML is prone to exaggeration once he is in love. He goes full aegyo to get her attention. It is cute and sweet but it can feel like a noona romance at times. This is awkward because they are the same age and both are doctors.
How much you'll enjoy this show will depend on how well you can handle sugar hits. It gets sweeter and sweeter as the show progress until it is pretty much sugar overload by the end of the show.
Acting is fine from the ensemble. There is a fair amount of overacting from the support cast. There are heartfelt and emotional scenes which showcase our leads' talent.
The series ran through a number of serious societal issues but none of them are given in-depth treatments. It is better than nothing but you can sense that nothing is going to get in the way of a HEA ending. Once you get past the confronting plot, it is angst lite and sweet but it can also give you a toothache.
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A Reflective Dive into Mental Health with Humor and Heart
Doctor Slump is a drama that truly stands out for its thoughtful exploration of mental health and the various ways people cope with depression. It delves into the complexities of what happens when life takes unexpected turns, presenting these themes with sensitivity and depth. The inclusion of comedic moments throughout the series is masterfully done, offering a balance that lightens the heavier subject matter without diminishing its importance. Park Hyunsik delivers an outstanding performance, bringing his character to life with depth and realism that adds significantly to the drama's impact.The pacing of Doctor Slump is on the slower side, which may not cater to everyone's tastes. However, this deliberate pacing allows for a more in-depth examination of the characters and their journeys, making the narrative more impactful for those who appreciate a show that takes its time to develop. Personally, I found this approach to be one of the drama's strengths, as it gave me the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the story and connect with the characters on a deeper level. This drama is a beautifully crafted drama that resonates long after the final episode, especially for viewers who are looking for a meaningful and insightful look at mental health, buoyed by strong performances and well-placed humor.
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PLOT: The FL anesthetist resigns following burnout. ML, a popular cosmetic surgeon, faces trial for a medical accident in his clinic. He loses everything and comes to live above the FL. They meet again when they were sworn enemies and rivals in high school. They will support each other to overcome scandal, depression and PTSD together.
PROS:
+ A magical duo of actors. OK, I'm a fan of the 2 leads, but they are talented, beautiful, subtle,...
+ Realistic, intelligent story, with a good description of depression: wanting nothing, staying in bed, loss of self-esteem, unstable mood, need for a therapist, medication, ... and no miraculous healing process.
+ Secondary characters (played by talented actors) are human, endearing, well developed. I really like the slow development of CL2's romance, too.
+ The production is dynamic, efficient, and also knows. maintain the right balance of seriousness / emotion / humor. Some commentators consider Jeong Woo's character in love childish, it's true, but this aspect also aims to lighten the drama's atmosphere.
+ Excellent OSTs (some performed by Hyun-Sik, I think, I'll check).
CONS:
- This series should not be labeled "medical" because the medical aspect is not the priority of this drama. Apart from the adorable romance, it deals more with psychological disorders and mental health than with medical cases.
=> A very comforting little gem ♡o｡(๑๏‿ฺ๏๑)｡o♡.
*********************************************************************
Drama très attendu avec Park Hyun-Sik et Park Shin Hye, à juste titre ♡o｡.(✿ฺ｡ ✿ฺ)
PLOT : La FL anesthésiste, démissionne suite à un burn-out. Le ML, chirurgien esthétique en vogue, fait face à un procès pour un accident médical dans sa clinique. Il perd tout et vient habiter au-dessus d e la FL. Ils se retrouvent alors qu'ils étaient ennemis jurés et rivaux au lycée. Ils vont s'épauler pour surmonter ensemble scandale, dépression et PTSD.
PROS:
+ Un duo d'acteurs magique. OK, je suis fan des 2 leads, mais ils sont talentueux, beaux, subtiles,...
+ Story réaliste, intelligente,avec une bonne description de la dépression : envie de rien, de rester au lit, perte d'estime de soi, humeur instable, nécessité d'un thérapeute, médicaments, ... et pas de processus de guérison miraculeux.
+ Des personnage secondaires (interprétés par des acteurs tous talentueux) sont humains, attachants, bien développés. J'aime beaucoup le lent développement de la romance du CL2, également.
+ La réalisation est dynamique, efficace, et sait également. maintenir le juste équilibre sérieux / émotion / humour. Certains commentateurs estiment le personnage amoureux de Jeong Woo, puéril, c'est vrai, mais cet aspect vise aussi à alléger l'atmosphère du drama.
+ D'excellentes OST (dont certaines interprétées par Par Hyun-Sik, je pense, je vérifierai).
CONS:
- Cette série ne doit pas être étiquetée "medical" car l'aspect médical n'est pas la priorité de ce drama. Hormis la romance, adorable, il traite plus des troubles psychiques et de la santé mentale, que de cas médicaux.
=> Un petit bijou ♡o｡(๑๏‿ฺ๏๑)｡o♡ très réconfortant.
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Being a hard to please person- but this is solid 10
So I will start with the fact that I normally hate writing long reviews and usually do if the drama was extremely annoying or extremely good to waste my time writing reviews :D This was one of those rare gems that will resonate the best with you if you go through hardships or feel depressed. Definitely understand what some commentators mentioned that this is slow, nothing much happens and there is a lot of filler- I'm afraid I have to disagree. This was the perfect length and after all, it was not meant to be an action or a thriller. It is about healing and relationship all mixed with a bit of comedy. Gives you the perfect recipe to feel better even if you don't manage to see the sunrise and all your morning by the ocean are cloudy. I was glad to see a normal, warm family with flows and yet great family. I was sick and tired of the ambitious cold mums and family overall from the previous kdramas I have seen. This is a drama that you can watch over again, just to feel good and to make you optimistic. Loved the ending, loved the closure of the characters, loved the healing, and the messages that were scattered in every episode. Great work, great TV show.Was this review helpful to you?
Great potential but failed
not what i expected. The characters and plot has a lot of potential, but they bleached with cringy-sweet annoying scenes. I would prefer have a more mature drama than a "forced" rom-com like that. The first episodes was a great introduction, the mental-health, the struggles with job, career and all the accusations/investigation plot was really good, but after that is a free fall to the floor.Totally unwatchable, maybe the last episodes are better, but i don't gona lost my time with that cringe escenes and stupid dialogues.
You have the best actors doing their best... what are the writer/director were thinking with that script?
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drama fake repeat very very repeat scenes doctors 2016
drama fake repeat very very repeat scenes doctors 2016please not watching
As a drama about trauma and healing there are far too little conversations with psychotherapist and far too much accidental overhearing, eavesdropping, retelling and etc. (there must be some ethical boundaries, that were crossed multiple times?). Please tell the writers that there are other ways to move the plot forward!!!
As for the Depression - it is very ugly, and yes it varies from person to person, but I (personally) just feel from the writing and FL a "a bit depressed" vibes and "it will pass" thinking. Bish, no it won't! Not until you'll take it seriously.
I would have loved if the writers would have digged deeper and looked into darker corners of this illnes
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This review may contain spoilers
NOT IMPRESSED BY
Park Hyung-SikDoes he lose weight? I can see his cheek bone, when he smile there's obvious deep wrinkles around his eyes. His baggy cloths, some part he acted childish. He's probably just acting cute, but he's a surgeon, did he forget his actual character that none of surgeon ever act cute? He's mischaracteristic his part. While Park Shin-Hye didn't make a better impression either (why did she flip her hair so much?).
Holding hand scene
Sigh....seriously though. They're not in High School anymore. 2 adults who acted like kindergarten first love, especially when they're both medical doctors who know so much about human anatomy and biology, why should they acted squeamish, petrified than simply shy. Although they both adults (not young anymore) first time in love, their acting was barely.
SYSTEM IN KOREA
I don't understand the system in Korea. Is that true that doctor can get pay cuts easily? A Professor can bully and scream on top of his lung humiliating intern just like that? 2nd ML got no patients because of....(he wasn't in tik-tok?), administer drugs to patient in operating room without knowledge from the anesthesiologist? Is it really hard to find job as a doctor in Korea?
It's a bad directive, not good acting, too much fillers, this drama can be finished by 10 ep top.
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My patience's Slump
This drama starts off sluggishly, with the first seven episodes feeling like a test of patience. Luckily, it finally finds its rhythm though it dips back around episode twelve. 😑😑Park Shin Hye’s portrayal of a submissive character was something new. Although her extreme botox and altered appearance took away the charm.
Park Hyung Sik brings his familiar charisma , my darling!!! he passes his virus to every FL ( ep 11 3:00- 4:00) how come he makes all his co actresses act cute in the same way .. he did the same thing in strong woman as well 😂 😂 😂 it almost feels like the man casts a spell on all his co- actresses.
The storyline Unlike the classic ER/trauma setup was little inclined to plastic surgery a theme very relevant to current Korean medical trend( though very less to do with medicine itself . This setup brings a fresh perspective, exploring PTSD among the aesthetic surgeons and showing that even plastic surgery has its high stakes.
A few things that I find extremely disliking about this drama is
1. The character of FL bestie.. this character was so frustrating and unnecessary. I mean really this might be my personal vendetta but I don't like people who don't respect boundaries and understand when to keep things private, especially during a sensitive time for you.the ML wanted to stay by FL's side during her harsh times but this insensitive woman spoke everything out,like she is the worst.Every time this ugly woman calls the FL saying ' I am not sure if telling you this will help her or not' .. like the STFU .. if you aren't sure just let it be ...
( I have met a woman very similar to this character and watching the same crap I was beyond myself with rage I was like just write a loose plot and hit her with a truck .. damn it !!! )
2. ML’s overly calm response to the FL’s accident, which feels out of place given the situation. Honestly I wanted him to loose some cool there instead of acting all doctor-ish and explaining it to her family. In real life nobody can act this calm no matter how successful of a doctor you are.
overall I am not impressed a fairly talented cast loss it's potential to a weak plot . This storyline would have been better if created into a movie instead of full length drama.
Totally not my cup of tea , so I am not recommending this one 😔 😔
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This review may contain spoilers
Cringe fest
Clearly, the show didn't know whether it was a comedy or a drama. The plot had very serious elements relating to mental health, trauma, and PTSD. And, then we had Jeong Woo rolling in bed and throwing temper tantrums in every episode. If that was supposed to be comedy, it was cringey as hell.The romance was underwhelming with very bland chemistry. I wasn't sure why because they did have some cute moments. Maybe because it took them half the show to finally kiss. Maybe because the funny scenes looked stupid and extremely overacted, mostly by Park Hyung Sik. Maybe because their trauma was undermined by immature behavior that was completely unnecessary. If a man acted like Jeong Woo in real life, no amount of good looks would make him attractive to women.
The villain who caused the medical incident was also badly written. His motivations were just so very shallow. He decided to punish Jeong Woo because his mom didn't let the villain see his dad and dad died. So, Jeong Woo, who happened to be his best friend and who did nothing wrong, had to be put through hell and back for the villain to feel vindicated. Crappy reasons, motivation, and extremely lazy writing.
I like Park Hyung Sik and I was looking forward to this drama, but it left me extremely disappointed. I am going to take a break from him and watch something else for a while.
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love this drama♥
I really liked the drama, let's start with the perfect casting of the cast, it seems that Park Hyung sik just played his real life (you can see in fan meetings and interviews that this is his mindset) seriousness and maturity alongside childishness (they say that in every mature person, there is also a little child). The drama deals with healing and recovery, competition for achievements and success alongside failure and disappointment. friendship, and support. Insights that you get after crises (financial and mental), satisfaction in the face of fulfillment... a race for achievements in life where along the way you forget to enjoy the small things (sunset, going for a walk, enjoying nature from the blossoms and even eating ice cream) and the mental price that you pay because of the race for life. It is true that there are some childish scenes (not compatible with the model of a doctor) but they fit so well against the very sensitive subject of mental exhaustion and depression. I totally recommend watching the drama and examining it in depth and not superficiallyWas this review helpful to you?
