Residents of Chaos and Comedy
As someone who never watched Hospital Playlist, I went into Resident Playbook fresh—and I still found it warm, chaotic (in a good way), and emotionally satisfying. Even though the characters and technicalities weren’t groundbreaking, I genuinely enjoyed the journey. It didn’t wow me at first, but if I kept watching to the end, that must mean it had me hooked. I didn't realise until episode 10 that the episodes were actually on the longer side with the average being 1hour and 20mins or so, and to not check the episode lengths even once meant that I really was interested and invested in the show although at the beginning, I didn't feel much like that.
Yi Young & Do Won’s romance: They’re one of my top 10 K-drama couples now! Their chemistry was subtle but strong—though I do wish we saw more of their relationship before the matching rings moment. Like pls, give me some slow, cheesy couple stuff!!
The cozy chaos of the OBGYN setting: AHHHH. SO GOOD. 10/10 comedic relief. The whole show is full of small, cozy, chaotic, laugh-out-loud moments that make the medical stress bearable. It goes without saying the residents were so funny and I really loved their bonding moments and small stuff like them eating together. It gave comfort drama vibes. Not in a warm-sweater way but in a “these people are my friends now” way.
Pyo Namkyung & Jaeil x Sabi: Namkyung was probably my favorite character overall. My queen. Most relatable, most endearing, most chaotic energy. Her ending experiencing the whole cycle of life and death with her patient Yeom Miso? Oh, that hit. Jaeil and Sabi were just adorable, especially in the final scenes—give us more of them, please!!
Supporting cast: Everyone delivered. All the professors, nurses and other residents were very enjoyable. That one professor (you know who I’m talking about) with the worst dad jokes?? Actual legend. I love him. I loved that this show didn't focus on only certain duos, they actually explored all the professors and residents duos, which helped us see their characters and dynamics with eachother more clearly, and see the OBGYN department as a whole. But Prof. Seo Jung-min and Yi-Young were definitely the most iconic! Myeong Eun-won’s arc was chef’s kiss—her not being selected as professor? ICONIC humbling moment.
Everyone brought something. Acting? Really solid across the board. Go Youn-Jung obviously stole the show. No notes. Everyone else did amazing with what they were given.
OST magic: The soundtrack is stacked. My favorite is "When the Day Comes" by TXT, which I’m looping as I write this. Also featuring D.O, DK, Minnie, Winter, Yujin—actual K-pop takeover! One of the best aspects of the entire series.
One-dimensional characters: Even though I liked them, they could’ve been deeper. Do Won, especially, had potential for more layers. There is so much potential for the characters if a S2 occurs.
Lack of diversity in patient stories: Most cases were childbirth or surgeries in older women. I'd love to see broader age ranges and more unique stories.
Season 2 Wishlist:
New R1s!!!
Residents becoming R2s (and maybe having changes in their personality now?)
Jooyoung and her husband's reaction to Do Won and Yi Young dating
More Yi Young x Do Won domestic cuteness
Jaeil x Sabi finally dating
Namkyung mentoring Gi On (and their romance possibly??)
More departments! More unique cases!
Explore Do Won’s character better
Jooyoung and the whole “moving on from IVF” thing—if they bring that back, they better not erase the emotional weight of her decision.
The show managed to make each case feel heartfelt. Even if you’re not the baby-loving type, or the "empathetic for old women" type, the emotions of the women, the doctors, and everyone in between pulled you in. The realism was there, and the character growth was very nice. The way the characters were growing, it was very relatable. It's not like they just changed overnight. They didn't, but they shifted little by little. Like how people do in real life—through experiences, quiet realizations, and moments that stick with you. That’s what made Resident Playbook hit different.
Final Verdict:
Not a masterpiece, but Resident Playbook was a solid comfort show that gave me warmth, soft romances, and a few tears by the end. I had fun. I cared. And that’s more than enough.
Now give me a Season 2 or I’ll start throwing dad jokes at the writers.
Yi Young & Do Won’s romance: They’re one of my top 10 K-drama couples now! Their chemistry was subtle but strong—though I do wish we saw more of their relationship before the matching rings moment. Like pls, give me some slow, cheesy couple stuff!!
The cozy chaos of the OBGYN setting: AHHHH. SO GOOD. 10/10 comedic relief. The whole show is full of small, cozy, chaotic, laugh-out-loud moments that make the medical stress bearable. It goes without saying the residents were so funny and I really loved their bonding moments and small stuff like them eating together. It gave comfort drama vibes. Not in a warm-sweater way but in a “these people are my friends now” way.
Pyo Namkyung & Jaeil x Sabi: Namkyung was probably my favorite character overall. My queen. Most relatable, most endearing, most chaotic energy. Her ending experiencing the whole cycle of life and death with her patient Yeom Miso? Oh, that hit. Jaeil and Sabi were just adorable, especially in the final scenes—give us more of them, please!!
Supporting cast: Everyone delivered. All the professors, nurses and other residents were very enjoyable. That one professor (you know who I’m talking about) with the worst dad jokes?? Actual legend. I love him. I loved that this show didn't focus on only certain duos, they actually explored all the professors and residents duos, which helped us see their characters and dynamics with eachother more clearly, and see the OBGYN department as a whole. But Prof. Seo Jung-min and Yi-Young were definitely the most iconic! Myeong Eun-won’s arc was chef’s kiss—her not being selected as professor? ICONIC humbling moment.
Everyone brought something. Acting? Really solid across the board. Go Youn-Jung obviously stole the show. No notes. Everyone else did amazing with what they were given.
OST magic: The soundtrack is stacked. My favorite is "When the Day Comes" by TXT, which I’m looping as I write this. Also featuring D.O, DK, Minnie, Winter, Yujin—actual K-pop takeover! One of the best aspects of the entire series.
One-dimensional characters: Even though I liked them, they could’ve been deeper. Do Won, especially, had potential for more layers. There is so much potential for the characters if a S2 occurs.
Lack of diversity in patient stories: Most cases were childbirth or surgeries in older women. I'd love to see broader age ranges and more unique stories.
Season 2 Wishlist:
New R1s!!!
Residents becoming R2s (and maybe having changes in their personality now?)
Jooyoung and her husband's reaction to Do Won and Yi Young dating
More Yi Young x Do Won domestic cuteness
Jaeil x Sabi finally dating
Namkyung mentoring Gi On (and their romance possibly??)
More departments! More unique cases!
Explore Do Won’s character better
Jooyoung and the whole “moving on from IVF” thing—if they bring that back, they better not erase the emotional weight of her decision.
The show managed to make each case feel heartfelt. Even if you’re not the baby-loving type, or the "empathetic for old women" type, the emotions of the women, the doctors, and everyone in between pulled you in. The realism was there, and the character growth was very nice. The way the characters were growing, it was very relatable. It's not like they just changed overnight. They didn't, but they shifted little by little. Like how people do in real life—through experiences, quiet realizations, and moments that stick with you. That’s what made Resident Playbook hit different.
Final Verdict:
Not a masterpiece, but Resident Playbook was a solid comfort show that gave me warmth, soft romances, and a few tears by the end. I had fun. I cared. And that’s more than enough.
Now give me a Season 2 or I’ll start throwing dad jokes at the writers.
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