I knew it was a fantasy in many ways, but I thought it would lack the 'hungry spirit' since it was born with a silver spoon. However, I didn't expect it to be this much. If the ‘Hospital Playlist’ series hadn't painstakingly crafted its achievements, there would have been no reason to be so delighted or to eagerly await it. Once the veil was lifted, it felt like a pretty, Go Yoon-jung-style youth melodrama.
tvN's new Saturday-Sunday drama ‘One Day, I Will Be a Wise Resident’ (directed by Lee Min-soo, written by Kim Song-hee, hereafter ‘Unsuljeon’) is a spin-off version of ‘Hospital Playlist’ (hereafter ‘Hospital Playlist’), depicting the growth process of residents dreaming of becoming doctors as they go through their rookie phase. The protagonists are not professors who have completed their growth as working adults, but rather young adults taking their first steps into society. Due to the impact of the collective strike of hospital residents that began in February last year, it is meeting viewers a year later than scheduled.
The hit-making PD Shin Won-ho and writer Lee Woo-jung, who have created hits from the ‘Reply’ series to ‘Prison Playbook’ and ‘Hospital Playlist’, participated as creators, but this is the first work for PD Lee Min-soo and writer Kim Song-hee as the main contributors. Popular actors Go Yoon-jung, Cynthia, Kang Yoo-seok, Han Ye-ji, and Jung Jun-won star in leading roles, and actors from ‘Hospital Playlist’ make cameo appearances in each episode.
The setting is the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Yulje Hospital in Jongno. It is the only place in the hospital where ‘birth’ takes place. Newborn babies who have just cried for the first time, first-year residents, and mothers starting the second act of their lives come together to spend their busy days.
Currently, episodes 1 to 4 have aired, introducing the hospital life of first-year residents Oh Yi-young (Go Yoon-jung), Pyo Nam-kyung (Cynthia), Eom Jae-il (Kang Yoo-seok), Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji), and fourth-year resident Koo Do-won (Jung Jun-won).
The ultra-speed ‘something’ between Yi-young and Do-won, who are in-laws at home and seniors and juniors at the hospital, along with the typical growth story of residents overcoming mistakes, jealousy, and inner walls, is depicted. Cameos by ‘Hospital Playlist’ actors Ahn Eun-jin, Moon Tae-yu, Ha Yoon-kyung, and Jung Kyung-ho add to the fun of the ‘spin-off’.
As a typical youth growth fairy tale, the vibrancy of the characters, the lively composition, the minimum level of relatability despite being a fantasy, detailed relationships, and the thrill of the medical drama genre must harmonize appropriately. Moreover, having already enjoyed the well-made ‘Hospital Playlist’ series, and with subsequent unique medical dramas like ‘Trauma Center’ and ‘Hyperknife’ gaining popularity, viewers' expectations have risen.
In this regard, ‘Unsuljeon’ falls short. The halo of the previous work is embarrassingly common. It raises doubts about whether it is a regression of the ‘Shin Won-ho team’ or a loss of original intent, as the quality is questionable.
If one were to nitpick, the patient episodes are where the dramatic virtues are somewhat alive, but in other areas, it is inferior to its predecessor. Only the visual of ‘manhwa-like’ Go Yoon-jung comes across as ‘complete’. Ironically, this acts as a significant factor that hinders immersion.
The fact that the story features residents as protagonists due to the collective strike that began in February last year is already a risk. Even without that external constraint, it feels excessively flat and old-fashioned. The way it conveys a good message resembles a traditional fairy tale.
The development of the youth's growth episodes also feels somewhat outdated. Their jealousy-laden conflicts, misunderstandings, and reconciliation processes are clichéd. Instead of relying on the strength of the story, the strengths that have been loved—solid and lively composition based on attractive characters, harmony of humor, humanity, and professionalism, and an appropriate gap between everyday life and fantasy—sadly seem to be missing. It simply feels like a youth drama featuring them in doctor gowns set in a hospital.
Given that it is labeled as a ‘spin-off’ of a popular previous work and a ‘medical drama’, it would have been nice if it had at least some minimal professional integrity and genre thrill. There are no noticeable weapons in terms of story either. As a result, rather than expanding the worldview, it appears to be more contracted.
Fortunately, the charm as a youth melodrama is definitely present. It feels fluffy. Excluding the aura of the previous work, it still has a likable and good-natured vibe.
Viewer reactions are not much different. Opinions are sharply divided. The ratings are on the rise, recording 5.1% (national standard) for the fourth episode. Perhaps the special appearances of the main characters from ‘Hospital Playlist’ add to the viewing pleasure. Since only four episodes have been released so far, I hope for further developments and upgrades in the future.
It airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM. Rated for ages 15 and up.
