This review may contain spoilers
At first I wasn't going to watch this. It looked like it was going to be another boring and cliched love story. I watched the first episode and was caught. Even though the title said "emergency couple," especially with the way it started, I wasn't expecting the medical drama aspect. This kept my attention and made the show more enjoyable. There was only one "potential" couple from the supporting cast that wasn't quite believable, they could have left out. There were a few slow portions towards the end but overall, I was happy. Yes, it had the same character types that every Kromance has, like the mom, who hates the love interest, but it had aspects that didn't fit the "norm," and that's what had me till the end. One more key item....I haven't laughed out loud at a show in a while, but this had me laughing several times. No other comedy/romance had done that for me previously. I think that made it stand out more for me.
spoiler: I'm still waiting for Dr. Ang to get punched 5 more times.
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The drama itself plays out at a steady, average pace, there's not really much or major incidents pushing the drama forward aggresively as we're used to, but I really enjoyed it anyways! I did put it on hold for a few months though but that's because I had trouble with the site I was watching on and I fell out of it.
The characters are A+ in this drama! They're all very mature and respectful! No one was a true bitch in it! The characters all acted like adults should and they really understood each other. There was no hard feelings happening between the women being in love with the same man which was REALLY nice for a change! Even the "evil" mother-in-law changed and realized how she was behaving!
The ending wasn't grand and it wasn't the "fairytale-ending" some of you might want but I actually liked it better that way. It was realistic. Fairytales rarely ever occur in real life and the drama dealt with some important question (i.e parenthood and career from the females perspective). They also viewed the consequences of hesitating and not confessing or making a move on the person you have an interest in.
I hope this review was of any help, this is my first time writing one so please keep that in mind if it was a mess! I just really wanted to make a review to tell people how great the characters are in this drama!
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I'm happy to inform you that Emergency Couple is the exception to the aforementioned rule; to wit, its premise: A prince and a servant maid, who are in love, defy their elders and marry but just as quickly fall out of love and divorce. Coincidentally, they meet again as fellow medical doctors in training and fall in love all over again.
At first, I was skeptical. The ads had me thinking that it would be a silly comedy with a lot of improbable situations thrown in for the sake of cheap laughs. Boy, was I wrong. There was silliness, but for the most part, human flaws and how they undermine our best intentions were the show's focal point. Funny, sad, and poignant is how I would characterize the general tone and tenor of the show.
For any show to succeed, the main leads have to shine and they did. That the supporting roles almost impressed me as much is an endorsement of the show that needs no further comment.
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A Medical drama focuses on Romance, Relationships and Character Development - not medical cases
“Emergency Couple” holds up pretty well even after 10 years. Although most of the scenes are spent in the ER, I would say this is not a true medical drama as it focuses on romance, relationships and character development more than medical cases. The patients help with fostering the interns growth and maturity, which I quite like. But if you want a true medical drama, you might want to look elsewhere.What I Like:
Choi Jin Hyuk - I always thought he’s a handsome guy but this is the first time I realized what a great actor he is. I hated his character in the first few episodes and couldn’t wait for his character development to happen soon. He was great in making me hate him, and made me laugh and smile when he’s acting adorable, petty and jealous. But I was most impressed with his emotional scenes towards the last quarter of the drama. His eyes can act and emote very well.
Oh Chang Min (ML) - How I hate him in the first few episodes. I wanted to punch him in the face during those early scenes before the divorce. I definitely enjoy his character development the most throughout the drama. He went from an asshole → doctor with a reputation → doctor who couldn’t live up to his reputation → maturing doctor → doctor who cares → a real doctor. He also went from an impulsive sweetheart → demeaning husband → sabotaging ex-husband → adorably-in-love but pushy loverboy → heartbroken but understanding ex → hopeful boyfriend. I actually think he should forget about his ex-wife and go find someone else. He’s too good for her.
Medical cases - They are not too complicated and don’t last too long. Their injuries and treatments seem realistic enough. The drama does not go into the background stories and nor try to make you feel a certain way. The patients do not take the spotlight away from the doctors. If you are watching this as a medical drama, you might be disappointed. But since I am a romance-junkie especially for second-chance romance, I think the amount of screen time for the medical cases and hospital politics are perfect for me.
No evil secondary characters - It’s so refreshing, especially for an older drama, to have a non-toxic love hexagon. No one is forcing their feelings on others. No one is doing or saying anything to drive the leads apart from each other. In fact, they are all too nice.
Acting - Acting is pretty good all around, including those in supporting and minor roles. I don’t really have any complaints.
What I have Mixed Feelings:
Main Romance - I really enjoy the first ¾ of the drama when it comes to romance. I like enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romances. I think both leads have great chemistry together, especially when they are fighting. Because of how much I disliked the ML in the beginning, I love seeing him try to chase FL back and grovel. I also like how FL is taking the more cautious approach to the relationship. However, when it comes to the last few episodes, I do not like how FL starts to change her mind and wants to get back together. Not that I don’t like them together, but I don't like the writing of the process and development. It feels off and not genuine for some reason.
Oh Jin Hee (FL) - I felt so bad for her in the early episodes and was rooting hard for her to be a successful doctor. Even after successfully starting her internship and obviously doing a pretty good job, she just keeps on apologizing. She’s also very wishy-washy with her feelings towards the Chief and her ex-husband. I do not like her character towards the end. I also don’t like how she acts when she’s trying to woo her ex back. I blame the writer for doing a poor job here.
(Non) Romance - As I mentioned above, I do not like FL’s wishy-washy unclear feelings, especially towards the Chief. She was giving out all these mixed signals, asking if the Chief would consider someone who makes his heart flutter or someone he’s comfortable with. Now you got his answer and then what? I know she could still be confused about her feelings or resisting certain feelings, it was still a frustrating watch. The Chief demonstrated in the earlier episodes that he might like FL, and nothing happened for the longest time until the last few episodes. He has no chemistry with FL. I started to question Lee Pil Mo’s (Chief) acting a little because he seemed so restrained, then emotionless and then acted his ass off in a conflicted/embarrassed/shy/heartbroken way in the last episode during that one-on-one conversation with FL. On another note, Chief has so much more chemistry with his ex, Dr. Shim, and seems to be giving her mixed signals as well. I kept on going back and forth whether he still has feelings for her or not, especially, when I am not feeling anything towards FL.
Pacing - I think the pace is pretty good for the first half of the drama. But 21 episodes is way too long. Even though I know older dramas tend to be about 16-20 episodes long and not the 8-16 format these days, 21 is way more than enough. Not a whole lot happened and the romances in this drama dragged on for too long. There’s a lot of talking but not a lot of doing/actions taken.
What I don’t Like/Don’t Care for:
ML’s Mother - OMG… I hated her so much. I really want to believe somewhere in there, all her actions and mean words, come from her love for her son. But it’s really hard to not want to strangle her. I fast-forwarded most of her scenes in the first ¾ of the drama. I have mixed feelings about her character redemption in the end.
FL’s sister - I really don’t care for the sister and her boyfriend. The kid is cute enough, but their story really didn’t add much to the main plot.
Overall, I had an enjoyable time, especially during the first half of the drama. I was going to give this an 8.5 up until the last few episodes when I start to dislike FL more and more. As I said, I do not like how the romance came around and started, and felt that the last episode is just a filler. But seeing that this is a 10-year old drama, I don’t find too many things cringey.
Other Random Observations:
1. Who knew CPR could be so sensual. LOL 🤣
2. FL was running around looking for ML, no wonder her heart was beating fast! It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s because of ML (but of course, that’s what my brain says, not what the drama’s point).
3. I find it a little cringey when FL was trying to seduce ML in the last couple episodes.
4. Does anyone find Song Ji Hyo (FL), Han Ji Min (One Spring Night), Hwang Jung Eum (Kill Me, Heal Me) look alike? OK, maybe just me then. 😁
Completed: 2/11/2024 - Review #402
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No Hesitation - Entertaining Drama
Loved this drama so much. Very entertaining from first Episode right until the end. The plot, the acting, the script kept my attention each episode. I find the characters of the divorce couple Choi Jin Hyuk (he acted as Lee Minho's older brother in 'Heirs') and Song Ji Hyo very entertaining as their relationship had to struggle, when the meet again as interns in a hospital Emergency Ward. Each episode gradually sees them re-discovering their respective qualities which they did not notice before, when they were married at a younger age. I found myself laughing quite a bit too. Lots of highs and lows emotionally and would definitely watch again one of these fine days.I was pleasantly surprised by this drama. It was very entertaining from the first episode to the last. The chemistry between the two leads were perfect. Imagine a divorce couple, meeting again after many years as interns in the hospital Emergency Room. With a bad history in their relationship, it was good to see as tempers and resentment flares in the place of work, but it was obvious also that there is much feeling of love and care un-resolved. Through all the trials at work, they begin to support one another and are able to come to a more mature feeling of love and support. Of course, to add to the tension there is a triangle with the senior but the roles were managed well and tastefully and the ending was perfect towards the end of an eventful drama series. Highly recommended for those who loves being entertained from beginning to end.
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1. Choi Jin Hyuk's face.
2. There were some funny moments that were able to make me smile.
What I didn't like about this drama?
1. Overly generic storyline. Everything was predictable, and frankly quite bring. I'm not sure how I even finished it.
There were too many useless flashbacks and other scenes that did not contribute to the storyline or character development. It became rather repetitive.
2. The music was horrible, and a lot of it did not fit.
3. Most of the main characters were annoying, particularly Oh Jin Hee.
4. The resolution was too sudden and there was not much that lead up to it.
Overall, bad writing. Bad everything, actually. I do not recommend this drama, but you may like it if you're into generic love stories that are drama (cough, most Korean dramas).
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I instantly shipped her with the chief:-) I didn't care for the ex-husband at all!:-)
Well, they met in the hospital at circumstances that were most dramatic and funny!:-) The first episode drama peaked on THEIR first introduction. And it continued... If it was not romance, then it was fromance, I didn't care. I just ENJOYED it...:-) And so, the other parts of it, I considered those all side-characters. Her family as the sister and her guy, the ex-husband (typical korean girly face, and the character was not that likeable either), or the ex in-laws (pretty unwatchable)...First, I thought her past was just something she needed to get... well, past. I didn't realize the scriptwriters intended some kind of getting back story. But it's true she's got her ex and he's got his ex, there in the hospital every day. So, instead of the two people I liked getting together, they were both supposed to get back to their respective exes?
I never watched the opening credits till when I was 10 episodes in... Then I finally realized that the leading role seemed really to be the ex-husband. So, the whole time I shipped different couple than was intended!:-) At epi 9-10, I could see the script TRIED to look romantic for the two leads, but why was I only looking forward when the chief would show up? Epi 12, the ex-husband started to act real creepy. NOT what I wished to watch here... I really don't like Choi Jin Hyuk and his type of face (even after a decade of watching korean dramas, I'm still having trouble to accept how their MEN look like).
Epi 18, I had to smirk when the lead girl ran several floors upstairs and then let the ex husband listen to her heart thumping as a romantic "proof". That way I am in love with my aerobic trainer, LOL. But the chief... he admitted to his ex there is someone new to his heart! Aw... So cute!:-) And episode 14, there is him interacting with a little boy with no parents, which could be so annoying or soppy but instead, it was touching in a brilliant funny way. So, was I really shipping the wrong guy? I don't think so!:-)
But, I admit my viewing enjoyment rather dropped... When I was occasionally having a good time during an episode that has a lot of scenes with the chief (he was SO cute and funny at the same time:) then still the ex-husband got in the middle of it and spoilt the party for me. I really didn't get what his "drama" was. That story of their past marriage was so dead from the start. Why didn't they just let the new drama flow? The new surroundings, chief was clearly dominating the scene. I might not just as much as NOTICE the ex-husband if not for the constant inserted flashbacks. But then, even the chief had to split his endearing scenes in between the main heroine and the ex-girlfriend of his own. It's really like the opening credits. We just GOT TO have her and her ex. Him and his ex. Not just her & him. *Sigh*.....
I grew more and more bored and disengaged with the main story (I found even the hospital cases more interesting)... By episode 19 out of 21, I was still rooting for the chief. And it was not just him, also her. She repeatedly showed more than common interest in him. I do know many k-dramas suffer with the "second lead syndrome". Still, this seems rather extreme case. Right from the start to almost end of this drama, I mostly ignored the supposedly main guy and the drama did not suffer for it.
But seriously, I just don't see the point of having a second guy for the main heroine there untill the LAST EPISODE, watching wistfully as she kisses somebody else. Even if I imagined that he's NOT more likeable than the lead, why keep having him there? Why for TWENTY ONE episodes, he must keep hanging? Is this called drama writing? Forgive me, but I consider this incompetent scriptwriting, morelike. GOOD romance doesn't need a third person. Having additional one to keep the story going proves there's not much good about the story to begin with. Also, there will always be some viewers liking the other guy more and I don't see any reason to undermine the main romance like that. Even in less extreme cases as this. Anyway, the final was as draggy and uneventful more than anything else, lol. The most emotional moment was when a SECONDARY character received a POSTCARD. Now, read the previous sentence again, as it speaks best about this drama on the whole.
I liked the main actress, also her character. She knew how to be humble, not just feisty:-)
NOTE: I don't like the poster. The main girl has different hair colour, her face is unrecognizable, plus she's there with the wrong guy.
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I felt really bad for her. The ending is ok, just what I expected. Felt it was done out of pity and I honestly felt no chemistry from the main leads. I would never watch it again.
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The amount of epsiodes is good too. For me less than 16 is to short becasue then the story isn't going to be well played out and if it is over 25-30 episodes then they story is to long and they are dragging it out to much and in the end you have forgotten how it all started and the story loses the tension. I also think that when there are too many episodes and they tend to drag out on the tensions then it is hard to make the final really good or that thet put to many obstacles in the way for the main character to reach it goals so you give up on the way watching the drama.
STORY- It was a really good story if you like it to be near reality. They didn't go overbord with what you actually can do in real life. Some can think that it is a minus but I liked it. It is very similiar to the American drama "Grey's Anatomy". The plot is not the same but it circulates around the main role who is a female and how she gets through life with love and work. The difference is that in "Emergency Couples" it's about how the main characters has to find a way to heal the old scars and at the same time work together. When in the American drama they start out sleeping together but just like in the korean drama they find each other at their new workplace.
For me, in korean drama it tends to be to much around the family issues more than around the couple and often I think that there is to much and I get bored watching the families ruining the life of their childrens realtionship weather it is a good or bad relationship, I feel that the family butts in to much. But it was just enough of that in this drama, so I really liked that and it had a very nice ending as well. I don't like it to be to much of "and they lived happily for the rest of their days" or a big cliffhanger that leaves me heartbroken and depressed for weeks until I can fnd another drama to drown my sorrows in.
ACTING/CAST- Daebak! Seriously, with the emotions and facial expressions over the top, the actors did a great job. I'm all for the crazy acts and funny faces which they all did really good. I especially had a weak heart for Yoon Jong Hoon as Im Yong Kyu. His puppy facial expression was reall good not to talk about Choi Jin Hyuk's (Oh Chang Min) crazy expressions. He and Song Ji Hyo's (Oh Jin Hee) chemestry was very good shown. The same goes for Clara who played Han Ah Reum, her facial expression was as good as Yoon Jong Hoon's. Escapially for the heartbroken scenes.
MUSIC- The music was okay, not the best. I didn't pay so much attention to it so it couldn't be that great, but after all it was okay. It didn't add much to the feels.
REWATCH VALUE- Totally worth rewatching. I would rewatch it over and over just because the were so many good parts where you could feel the chemestry between the characters bad or good. The acting was really good to, so I would reawatch it just becasue of that.
OVERALL- A really good drama, the only thing that I would want to change is the music maybe. And I would recommend you to watch "Grey's Anatomy" if you liked this drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
There's always a 2nd Chance in LOVE~!!
This drama gave me that emotions I longed to for quite a while now. I've always appreciate drama pieces which tackles Couple misunderstandings such as divorce and break-ups because seeing the characters growing and maturing always satisfies my crave.I love how the Main Lead handle theirselves up after they experienced hurdles and misjudgement with their marriage. It was a new feeling seeing the characters trying to start over after their marriage failed. The hesitations, worries and guilt they felt made it emotional but the appreciation, time and love they used to have kept on becoming the greatest tool for them to start all over again.
Learning to appreciate your spouse; not just his good qualities but also his flaws and mishaps requires so much emotion and this drama delivers all that. I saw various emotions and maturity on both sides that it move me to tears several times. Some of it were painful but realizing, rebuilding and rekindling their once passionate love is the sweetest.
Story - 10, Story like this just where couples try to rekindle their love always moves me. This story is the best! I love how they handle the situations rationally and didn't ended up hurting each more while expressing their love to each other.
Acting/Cast - 10, They're all good. What can I say? Song Jihyo and Choi Jinhyuk did an amazing job expressing their characters and i received it greatly. The 2nd leads and the other couples are good too.
Music - 10, When it comes to K-drama OSTs, You can always trust! I was crying while Choi Jinhyuk was seeing that Ballad song ughh. T.T
Rewatch Value - 10, One of my favorite among all dramas I have watched! It's definitely on TOP of my list and will watch whenever I needed some good advices when it comes to making huge marriage decisions.
Overall - 10, Well deserved. I love how it is mature enough to handle great decisions and for that I must say that I was sold! This piece do have some flaws but it was overshadowed by how good the plot and dialogues are.
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My 1st Favorite Medical Drama
This is my first favorite medical drama........................................................................................................I watched this drama for 4x.............................................................................................................................
Although I hate the way Oh Chang-Min (the male lead) hurts the female lead (Oh Jin-Hee),
I like the fact that she's still his one and only love....................................................................................
The drama shows that aside from cheating, there are more reasons for a couple to fall apart..
Misunderstanding... lack of communications... selfishness... over thinking... Immaturity... etc.
I love the theme song.................
I love the actors.............................
I love the story development...
I love everything...........................
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The story line was kind of unoriginal, yet fresh and I think that's because of the actors that were cast.
I never expected Song Ji-hyo to move me to tears and make me re-evaluate parts of my life, but she did. I'd only ever seen her on Running Man, so her performance really surprised me.
The dynamics of family and reconnecting after a tumultuous relationship and divorce really hit home for me in this.
I think that the characters were developed well, and I seemed to find a redeeming factor in all of them, even the ones I thought I'd hate forever.
The chemistry is good, not just between the leads, but between all the characters. How Chang-min interacts with his ex in laws and the hospital staff interact with eachother.
I'd strongly recommend the drama to anyone who hasn't already seen it. I've seen it twice myself.
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