Netflix just dropped this season’s first medical drama, and there are plenty of reasons why you should binge it right away — starting with the fact that it’s a spinoff of the beloved Hospital Playlist. Starring Go Youn Jung, Shin Si Ah, Han Ye Ji, Kang You Seok, and Jung Joon Won, Resident Playbook premiered on April 12 and quickly shot into the Top 10 trending lists in several countries. And judging by the response to the first two episodes, we’re pretty much convinced this one’s got a solid shot at keeping its viewers hooked through all 12 episodes. But if you are still on the fence, here are a few reasons why this Lee Min Soo directorial, penned by Kim Song Hee of Hospital Playlist and Reply 199 fame, might just be the medical drama you’ve been waiting for.
Hospital Playlist spinoff Resident Playbook debuts on Netflix
The iconic medical drama starring Jo Jungsuk, Yoo Yeonseok, Jung Kyungho, Kim Daemyung, and Jeon Mido as seasoned medical professionals became the ninth highest-rated Korean drama in cable TV history at the time — and easily one of the best in its genre on Netflix. While there’s still no confirmation on Season 3, the makers have shifted the narrative, turning their attention to fresh faces in the newly released Resident Playbook. This time, the story revolves around first-year OB-GYN residents at Jongno Yulje Hospital — Oh Yi Young, Pyo Nam Kyung Um Jae Il, and Kim Sa Bi (character names)— as they deal with the chaos, bullying, the constant urge to quit and the challenges of making it through the first year. While the original was set in the main Yulje branch, this spin-off takes the story in a fresh and exciting direction, giving fans something new to hold on to.
Fresh storyline, new faces, but same old Yulje feels
No one likes it when their beloved franchise gets distorted in any way, but the way Resident Playbook has tried to maintain the essence of Yulje with new faces actually looks promising. Introducing the four 99-liners, each dealing with their insecurities, getting scolded by their mentors, and constantly contemplating whether they should quit already, the show brings in a fresh cast that fits right in. Go Youn Jung, who already gave Netflix a hit with the Alchemy of Souls and a sequel, Shin Si Ah, known for The Witch: Part 2, Kang You Seok from Payback, and Han Ye Ji from Soul Busters, while not complete rookies, are still new enough for fans to discover their range. The character arcs are just interesting enough to keep us coming back. Especially the lead girl, Oh Yi Young — one episode in and she’s already drowning in 50 million won of debt, torn between pushing through and calling it quits after career setbacks, but too exhausted to start over.
Of course, there is Romance
It won’t be a medical drama if there’s no romance. Even Hospital Playlist had one, and by the end of episode two, Resident Playbook starts dropping subtle hints, making us wonder if Gu Do Won (Jung Jun Won) is going to have an interesting role in Oh Yi Young’s life, especially since there’s already a personal connection between the two. We might just get more of that backstory as the show moves forward. But as episode two wrapped up, we couldn’t help but notice an always-irritated and frustrated Dr. Oh, who didn’t smile once in the first two episodes, finally giving the softest little grin after Dr. Gu stood up for her in front of the other doctors. The show keeps its gentle rhythm, not rushing anywhere, moving at its own quiet pace, and it can be your next comforting K-drama to binge.
Cameos which will make your day
Since it’s a spinoff and being marketed as one, we can definitely expect plenty of cameos from Season 1. Resident Playbook follows first-year residents, while Hospital Playlist focused on veteran doctors who, deep down, were still residents at heart. We already got one cameo in Episode 2. Ahn Eun Jin returned as Chu Min Ha. This time, she’s newly married and is seen comforting Dr. Oh, who was about to run away with her backpack after just a week in the hospital. Also, reports say the official cast of Hospital Playlist contributed to the Resident Playbook OST. The beloved fictional band Mido and Falasol are returning!
Story continues below this ad
The unexplored- OB-GYN department
There are too many K-dramas out there on neurology, oncology, and cardiology, but it’s rare to see one focused on OB-GYN. Through this, K-drama fans get a closer look at what really happens just minutes before a baby is delivered — the new mother’s emotions, the chaos, the first aid, and even what you might do if you ever find yourself in that situation. And with each episode running over an hour, the writers clearly want us to really follow the lives of these young doctors. There’s Dr. Sabi, trying to convince a cancer patient to sign a surgery form while the patient keeps questioning why she ended up with such a disease. Dr. Oh accidentally delivers a baby and then gets bullied by a senior. Another doctor deals with endless nagging but ends up forming a bond with a patient. And then there’s the K-pop idol turned doctor, convinced he’s being underestimated and going all in to prove he belongs.
