Trish

Solo-leveling of Medical Dramas

It's an action-packed "high-stakes" medical drama that packs in a lot of punch but lacks impact. In simpler words, it's an amusing k-drama to watch that is entertaining from beginning to the end. The writing is very self-indulgent with flashy characters who are fun to watch, stunts that definitely don't belong in medical dramas (but I'm not complaining), and an arrogant Mary Sue for a main character.

I think drama does well what it sets out to do. It's only eight episodes long, which is a smart choice because this drama is like a chocolate mousse which is to say it is mostly just fluff. The characters are one-dimensional, no one has any interesting stakes, there is no over-arching plot, and the premise is basic. However, it shines with execution. The tone of the show leans into shock-value based humor that doesn't turn cheap because it ends in eight episodes, the music and cinematography really highlights the stakes in each case in a way that leaves you wanting to watch just until this case ends, and just until this conflict is resolved, and just until the show ends. There is never a boring moment.

I think there are three criterion for a great story: characters, premise, and execution, but you only need to do one of these really well to be a decent story. This drama, as another reviewer put it, is "stylish." It does not have the charming characters of Hospital Playlist, the convoluting premise of Doctor Lawyer, the realism of Scrubs, but that also owes to the fact that it isn't exactly in the same category as those. This drama is less heart and more adrenaline. It's a fun watch, but it's no literary masterpiece - and that's okay. It's a self-indulgent, fast watch.

Now, do I recommend this? Honestly, yeah. You don't need an attention-span or media literacy to enjoy this. Tbvh, imo, it is slightly better than Solo Leveling in the "cool action but no substance" genre, because it comes off more as a trailer than a full show. I am curious about the nurse, and the protégé, and the anesthetist. If a second season delves into their lives, backstories, and relationship, and does it well, I will watch it. But Solo Leveling had one character and everyone else, well, i don't remember, don't care about. can't be paid to read ragnarok.

Overall Rating: 7.0

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