Resident Playbook

I liked ep2 more, and i'm looking forward to more

they're trying a bit too hard to say they're "too young" that's why they're uncaring, unsympathetic and experienced, but 28 isn't that young, also these characteristics aren't just for "naive" people, I've met old adult drs like that



but I’m a sucker for two things, maybe three
1. Cuties, long haired fl is my favorite, ie my new cutie, honestly she works the hardest and learned the fastest

2. “Calm normal mls”, older ml is totally my type, minus his protective slightly nearing obsession interest in fl which I get cuz otherwise everyone is just a stranger and kdramas hate that

3. The cameo(s) showing the progress of the og cast, eventho I dropped s2

I still hate fl’s uncaring nature and silent expressions and existence, and I don’t like the smart fl “not understanding compassion”

Also now I understand why so many things were “lost” to me, cuz the Arabic subs don’t translate half the things going on


Rather than saying they’re dumb, they’re so, one dimensional

Fl, and her uncaring nature is just a frozen faced mong/blank look of “she can’t remember anything or anyone”, not even her high school classmate and she just “doesn’t care”
i mean i met a highschool classmate, we were friends but not that close and we were in different classrooms, I met her again after 5 or so years at the hairdresser/saloon, she looked at me and i'm a shy person so I thought she was working there hovering waiting for me to tell them how i wanted my hair cut xD my mom was with me and she asked her "do you know each other" and she said yes xD


Ml, is randomly suffering from the idol syndrome, not even big grouped members have that, he goes around signing and over complicating any syndrome
Glasses fl, the “smarts one” is emotionally detached
And last fl is just, a cutie who’s too emotional



older ml's connection to the fl that whole scene was so badly done... going in the apartment together, showing someone playing footsie then also suddenly showing the four on the table like a family without clarifying who the older woman was, just to find out he's her brother in law's brother... lol that's so long, but they can't just leave people without any connection ;p

I get both if honestly not all of the four are “privileged”, spoiled in the sense that they didn’t face hardships, and thus also “sheltered”, many ppl in this generation are like that because of the increased opportunities

And it’s not a bad or wrong thing, it’s a bit hypocritical when the “older” generation treat us as kids when they like, then also shame us for being “too old to be clueless”, spoil us then also get upset we don’t work till our bones hurt

So I don’t see it here as that much of an impact and I wish they focus more on the growing friendships, which for me was the best part of the og


Out of the thousand dramas I’ve seen, koo down is exactly my type, and out of those dramas, the hospital playlist series had the best most realistic and normal male leads

Honestly I’d choose them over the toxic hot oppas any day


Another thing the series excels at is the different dynamics between each character, and everyone has their own personality and presence
I’m also loving the female power
If they won’t make a second season, I hope they continue their style and make more of these slice of life relatable dramas


When someone smiles like that when asking you out for dinner, that’s a big “green light”
Yiyoung took too long to realize he was confessing
But they’re just so cute, he’s literally the sweetest ml ever

lol I love her so much, she really bites
Koo down in love is just so cute, his eyes sparkle even during the surgery scenes

I also love the ending scene, in laws, living together, dating

I'm glad he didn't "love her first and pinned for her", he obviously liked her as a person and cared for her, but he never thought of her as a love interest until she showed interest and he started looking at her with new eyes

The new nurse and pregnant professor were also cute additions



I’m really going to miss this show I hope they make a second season

Read More

Just okay, lacks the heart!

I know people have said this is a different drama, and fans of Hospital Playlist should not expect the same vibes. I agree and disagree. I don't think it's unreasonable for fans of Hospital Playlist to expect that this drama would be as good as Hospital Playlist, especially when from the get-go, they said this was a spin-off of the drama. At the very least, the quality of the drama should at least resemble, no? I'm obviously not saying the plot should've been the same but so far, I feel like this drama is lacking in many ways.

It's not realistic that almost all, if not all, residents are so unaware about BASIC practices like showing empathy to patients, or my favourite, Yi-young holding the scalpel in the wrong direction and hurting a fellow doctor DURING SURGERY, hello????? It's obviously not impossible, but the way it was enacted was too careless.

I wish there was a balance showcasing all residents' growth journey, in a way that does not make them look like they're college students, they're already doctors for crying out loud! The hand-holding is just way too much for such a profession.

My other qualm about this show is the love storyline, to ME - it feels very forced, and frankly, unneeded. The in-laws falling in love trope is not the worst but also, why? LOL. I'm genuinely confused about how we got here - it felt so sudden that Yi-young just started liking and pursuing Do-won? I'm sure they'll likely show us the backstory in later episodes, and he may have liked her first, we'll see. It feels like that has become a key focus of the show - the show is literally called Resident Playbook, LOL. Shouldn't it then balance showcasing all residents' journeys, in a nuanced, meaningful manner??? So far, the other residents characters lack depth, IMO, for a show that was marketed as an ensemble? For instance, I thoroughly enjoy Shin Siah's acting and character so I'd love to learn more about her outside of her seemingly being boy obsessed and her flaws at work. I know GYJ is the main lead so obvi more screen time but I actually wish they let us watch GYJ's character develop first before this love plot. It'd be interesting to watch how her relationship to work evolves, the debt issue (which 6 episodes in has not been properly explained yet but has been presented a major reason why she has to work again), her relationship dynamics with her colleagues, and her internal growth journey, in a deep, meaningful way. I truly feel like this love plot is a distraction because otherwise, the drama plot would be very shallow. I think this is also why there are so many HP cameos, to fill in the gaps in the writing.

There have been a few heartwarming moments, especially with the patients, which I've truly loved, and appreciated, so it's not ALL bad :))

I read reports that there were several re-shoots and I'm also aware that the drama delayed airing because of the doctor strike in SK so may be they got rid of critical scenes that would have made me feel more connected to the cast and the plot, but as is, the storyline feels all over the place and the characters journeys are not compelling enough including the love plot, idk. I'll keep watching and hope things get better.

Edit: Another insight, and this is likely an unpopular opinion - despite GYJ having the majority screen time, her acting in this project felt a bit subpar, in comparison to her most recent projects. I enjoyed her acting in Moving & Death's Game, so maybe it's just this project, or maybe her acting strengths come out more depending on which actors she's working with(?), and obvi the writing. I'm drawing her out because she's the lead in this project, so she should ideally stand out, but I found myself more wowed by Shin Si-ah's acting, who is seemingly a rookie actress - her facial acting was especially quite good, and her acting generally felt more organic. I'll come back after I finish the last 2 episodes!

Final Edit: I wrote a larger part of this review only 6 episodes in, and I was hoping my views would change significantly after the show, but I'm afraid that's not the case. I truly believe there was great potential for this show had they given us well-rounded characters and delivered an actual ensemble cast. The overfocus on the FL's story (debt, unmotivated to work, convenient romance) became boring at some point. The romance plotlines (including the potential one with Jaeil & Sabi, and Namkyung and the intern) were too predictable, and I wish they'd offered us something new and refreshing, even if that meant further exploring the developing camaraderie and conflicts amongst the residents. In fact, I'd argue, the romance with Yiyoung and the anesthesiologist could have been more interesting and convincing. It generally feels like the writers were afraid to take risks so here we are!

Read More

Didn’t Expect to Love Resident Playbook—But Here We Are

Resident Playbook is actually the first K-drama I’ve ever watched that focuses on doctors, and honestly, I didn’t expect to love it this much. The show was so good it even made me start watching Hospital Playlist afterward—and that says a lot.

What really stood out to me was how the drama balanced everything—comedy, emotional scenes, and even real-life lessons. I genuinely learned a few things about OB-GYN while watching it. It gave me a new perspective on what doctors (especially residents) go through and how they grow, mess up, and eventually figure things out. I liked how each character was so different from the others. At first, I didn’t think they would get anything right, but the way they slowly improved and found their rhythm was beautiful to watch.

By the end, I was emotional—I didn’t want it to be over. Some people might not feel the same, but for me, the final episode hit hard. I was already missing all the characters by the time the credits rolled. It just shows you their daily struggles, the patients they care for, and how hard it is to be a doctor, especially as a resident. It makes you appreciate everything from a different angle.

Also, I have to say—I was waiting to hear Um Jae-il’s song when they finally played it i was so happy. That was such a great moment. The soundtrack in general was really okay i didn’t really listen to them because they didn't feel right.

Overall, Resident Playbook is a drama I’ll always remember, and I’m really hoping we get a Season 2. There’s still so much more to see from these characters, and I’d love to continue the journey with them.

Read More

Disappointed

Just my personal opinion, but here's what I liked and what I didn't:
LIKED:
-Music, especially when the cast of HP was singing
-the cameos
-Lee Bong Ryun as Professor Seo. She had a commanding presence, but could be supportive when need be. I think she was my favorite character.
NOT SO MUCH:
-FL. Pouty, threatening to quit, even as late as the last episode. Being a doctor isn't something you just "put up with". Plus, she wasn't a true first-year, so she should have known a lot more than she did.
-The other first-years. He was an idiot, one was a robot, and the other seemed like she wanted to be some kind of influencer or something.
-The leads were all unlikeable and didn't gel with one another. I will say things got better after episode 10.
-The stories weren't that interesting.

Now, I'm not saying not to watch it. Please do, since I tend to be harder on shows than others.

Read More

A Great Addition to Medical KDramas

Is it worth all the hype? YESSS!!

If you’re a fan of medical dramas, watch this! If you enjoy shows that both break & heal your heart, watch this! If you like seeing a team go from newbies who don’t mesh well to experienced staff/friends who help & support each other, watch this! If a sweet love story that’s a bonus rather than the focus is your jam, watch this!

And even if none of those are what you look for in a drama still watch this because it’s so good - you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll get annoyed, & you’ll be delighted… it’ll take you through all the emotions that these precious 1st year residents feel as they experience life at the hospital under their professors (who can be amazing or horrific depending on their mood!) Thankfully they have one guy who’s always on their side, even when they’re screwing up🫶🏻

Also, all the CAMEOS of our beloved Hospital Playlist friends are ACES!! 💕 Push play, my fellow drama lovers, & enjoy the antics of this chaotic cast!

_________\\__________//________


-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


.


…


….


……

The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.9 💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

Read More

A drama that flatlined and somehow never came back to life!

This drama is categorized under the medical and slice of life genres, two of my favorite genres. Unfortunately, it somehow managed to miss on both fronts and by quite a lot.

Starting with the medical aspect, since the poster has people dressed in scrubs, I thought it was safe to assume that this tag would dominate the rest.
My personal preference when it comes to medical dramas leans towards bustling hospital corridors, tense surgeries or a team coming together when lives are at stake under pressure. Unfortunately, the drama lacked that urgency and adrenaline rush. The cases felt very underwhelming. It moved neither the characters on screen as well as me as the viewer. I felt a lot of potential wasted since I am usually an easy crier.

Now, onto the "Slice of life" angle, I was waiting for moments and scenes to sneak up on me and hit me hard, but instead, all I got was boredom. I barely felt a nick. After 12 episodes, I wasn't attached to any of the characters and honestly didn't look forward to their story. It felt more like background noise in hospital aesthetics.

I feel the root cause of this imbalance is the drama heavily centered around FL and making everyone and everything orbit around her like they were all supporting characters. While I appreciate a strong woman with struggles and a learning curve, it came here at the expense of team dynamics which is very necessary when it comes to medical dramas. I found other interns more interesting than her story. Somehow her antics and stubbornness, even when she is in the wrong, may have rubbed me in in a certain way.

The romance, which isn't even listed as one of the genres, was ironically the only thing that kept me somehow (barely) invested. Just when I feel the drama has drained me completely, a soft romantic moment here and there would gently resuscitate me and bring me back to life.
It wasn't exactly sweeping or unforgettable to cover all the flaws, but it did have its moments. I enjoyed the subtle tension between Do Won and I Yeong.

Another thing that made this harder to get through was the length of each episode being more than an hour, and the finale being literally 1 hour and 40 minutes, which kind of seems ridiculous to me. Somebody needs to convey to the kdrama gods that we can't be getting movies in the name of episodes.

Coming to acting, I am not particularly impressed by the FL's acting. It may be because of how her character is written but somehow it didn't do anything for me. Han Ye Ji as Kim Sa Bi was impressive, and I found her adorable, and the way she portrayed her character seemed genuine, considering this is her first acting project. Kang You Seok was in his element as well, but I didn't get connected to any of the characters.
Taking the whole experience in consideration, the acting felt rather ordinary to me.

Overall, this was more of a missed opportunity. The combination of medical and (in/with) slice of life didn't work for me.
Will I recommend this? Maybe after playing 20 questions to see if the genres align with your taste and you have got an unusual amount of time on your hands to binge 12 movies.

P.S.- This review is my personal experience with this drama. By no means does it mean that it is the most terrible drama out there or that one shouldn't watch it. My review might be a bit harsher than I intended, but considering I spent over 14+ hours on this (blame my NDD) and that’s a lot of time to invest and when it doesn’t pay off, well... you get the picture. So, take my review with a grain of salt.

Thank you for reading my review! I sincerely hope you enjoy this drama more than I did if you pick it up! <3

Read More

Great side dishes but average mains

Like its previous namesake "Hospital Playlist" this was a hospital centred drama, but it failed to live up to the standard set by its seonbae (선배) . There was a lot to like in the case studies that played out through the series. I think these side dishes held the best writing and even sometimes, the best acting of the show. They were varied and often quite moving, with frequent opportunities for a bit of weeping. But the mains really lacked that spice that locks you in and changes something from OK to good.

The writers should shoulder a large chunk of the blame, in that the characters of the four 1st year residents were somewhat one dimensional. There was some character development, but to be honest it was more a progress through learning a skill set and becoming a bit more mature. Only one of them really had their personal life filled out to any extent, which meant that we didn’t really see any rounded characters emerging. A slightly better attempt was made to showcase their group interactions, but it didn’t really dig far enough or get down and dirty enough to reveal the layers of the characters. I think it was an opportunity missed to make the whole thing much more engaging for the audience. At twelve 80 minute episodes they were hardly short of time.

I’m not a great fan of unlikely and convenient romances, and by the end of the series we were drowning in them. Surely in this slice of life genre there is opportunity to explore a range of different types of relationship. Overall, it was not a bad watch, but not a particularly good one either.

Read More

Light-hearted goodness

This is similar to Hospital Playlist in its slice-of-lifeness, where we get to follow a few characters around the hospital and just living their lives. The main cast of characters is fun to follow and they have a really enjoyable dynamic, and of course I loved seeing all the cameos each episode.

I do think the plot starts getting a little muddied? It's hard to explain because there's not really a clear A-plot, but I do think that as the episodes went on, they started to blur into each other a little bit because the main characters weren't having such clear plotlines, and the subplots of their patients also became less memorable and impactful, with less clear messages or ends. Some arcs that started were wrapped up a little haphazardly, and I wish we'd gotten more character development for our main girl; she started off in a lower place and while it was clear from the start that she was a good doctor and cared about people, I feel like the actual trajectory of her attitude was more told to us than shown.

Ultimately, I still think this was a really enjoyable watch and it's something I think people could rewatch as a feel-good show. I'm honestly not sure if I'll remember anything from it but I made my weekends relaxing.

Read More

Unconsistent with some flaws but a great cast

In my opinion, the show starts off a bit slow, but then it begins to improve. It dips again for a while, but the last four episodes are really good—except for the very last one. I feel like they tried to show too many things in that final episode without prioritizing the right ones.

There were also a few things I really wanted to see: certain relationships that deserved more development and screen time (hello, Sa-Bi), and some moments I kept waiting for that never came.

What bothers me the most is knowing they've confirmed there won’t be a second season. It feels like they had originally planned to continue the story, which makes the ending feel a bit poor imo.

Read More

Resident Playbook: A Soft, Honest Look at Tired Hearts in White Coats

After being delayed for over a year, Resident Playbook, the spinoff of Hospital Playlist, finally aired and it really lived up to expectations. The story is told from a fresh angle, the point of view of residents. They are not complete beginners like interns and not yet experienced doctors either. They are in that tough middle stage where the real struggles begin and it was interesting to see the medical field through their eyes.

The story follows four OBGYN residents, each with their own distinct personality. They have their own ideals, fears and personal struggles making them feel real and relatable. Unlike most dramas where rookies are portrayed as overly enthusiastic and high spirited, this drama captures a more honest reality i.e. most residents are overworked, mentally drained and constantly questioning whether they should continue. Their emotional fatigue and lack of drive may come across as pessimistic or even frustrating but its a raw and accurate depiction of what many residents actually experience.

The slice of life charm and realism that defined Hospital Playlist are very much present here. Every episode highlights how residents navigate the challenges of patient care, the pain their patients endure, the lessons they learn and how they grow, not just as doctors but as people. Its a slow, deeply human story that quietly leaves a strong impression.


Each of the four main characters offers something unique:

Oh Yiyoung is laid back and seemingly unambitious, doing her residency only to repay a debt. As the lead character, she defies the usual bright and inspiring protagonist trope and instead leans heavily into pessimism. While that might be off putting at times, its a brave and unconventional choice.

Pyo Nam Gyeong, the fashionista of the group, maintains a balanced outlook. She isnt overly positive or negative, she exists somewhere in the middle, to whom people can relate.

Kim Sabi is the smart one, a total genius. But even though her IQ is high, she struggles to understand emotions. She doesnt always get what patients are feeling but she wants to improve, which makes her journey interesting.

Uhm Jaeil, my personal favorite, is the heart of the show. He is cheerful, kind, endlessly optimistic and hardworking. Though not the most brilliant academically, he makes up for it with compassion and effort. His desire to connect with patients and make them feel seen is both touching and admirable. His kind spirit, resilience and charm make him a standout character.

While romance wasnt the central theme, i wasnt particularly invested in the main romantic pairing between Yiyoung and Dowon. Their dynamic felt dull, both are quiet and emotionally reserved, which made their relationship feel stagnant. Dowon also appeared significantly older than Yiyoung, further reducing the chemistry. I couldnt help but think that pairing Yiyoung with someone like Uhm Jaeil, with a completely opposite personality, would have made for a far more compelling and dynamic relationship.

On the other hand, i really enjoyed the subtle hints of romance between Jaeil and Kim Sabi. Though their relationship was only beginning to develop by the final episode, i wish it had started earlier, it would have been lovely to watch their connection grow throughout the series.

Resident Playbook keeps the heart and warmth of Hospital Playlist alive. It tells a more realistic and emotional story about young doctors and it absolutely met my expectations.

Read More

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE DRAMAS OF 2025 WITHOUT A DOUBT

Well, I’m not really sure where to start talking about this amazing drama, but I’d like to begin by saying that this series has been super special to me — not just because it’s about one of my favorite genres, medical dramas, but also because it’s part of the Hospital Playlist universe.

I felt like I had to write something about this drama because Hospital Playlist is my all-time favorite, and I also wrote a review for it back when I watched it.

To get straight to the point and leaving comparisons aside, Resident Playbook isn’t a drama for everyone. It has a slow, more relaxed pace, it’s not like other medical dramas that are packed with action or suspense. This one really focuses on telling the story of a group of first-year residents in depth, showing how their friendships grow and how they develop as professionals. It also gives a lot of importance to the stories of the patients, which adds a touching layer to everything.

The characters in this drama are super charismatic. Each of them has a unique personality, and honestly, it’s impossible not to grow fond of them and even the supporting characters are lovable.

The OST is also amazing and brings back Mido and Falasol, which makes it feel even more special.

I’d also like to say that, if we compare it to Hospital Playlist, I think this series really holds up. It gives off the same vibes, makes you care about the characters in a similar way, but still manages to have its own identity. While Hospital Playlist feels a bit more mature and less youthful, Resident Playbook is the total opposite. It focuses on young people just starting their professional journey — they’re going to mess up, learn, and build strong bonds along the way. And that’s what makes this drama special: watching everything take shape from the very beginning and seeing how they add humor to everyday situations to make life at the hospital a bit easier.

To wrap it up, I’d say that if there’s one word that describes both this drama and Hospital Playlist, it’s HOME. Every episode makes you feel like you’re part of the group, part of the story. And even though it might not be for everyone, I truly think it’s worth giving it a shot.

If you’ve read all the way to the end — thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the drama if you decide to give it a chance.

Read More