Review by saronline

As someone who's never been a K-drama regular-with the glorious exception of Alchemy of Souls, which I found utterly spectacular-I approached Resident Playbook with cautious optimism. The only reason I even gave it a shot was the involvement of Go Youn-jung, whose performance in Alchemy of Souls was magnetic. She had presence, subtlety, and an almost regal intensity that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.

So, yes, my hopes were high.

Unfortunately, Resident Playbook is not so much a drama as it is a slow drip of unseasoned porridge-lukewarm, flavourless, and somehow exhausting. I couldn't even make it through the first episode. It felt like a never-ending prologue, where nothing of note happens except characters orbiting one another in what seems like an endless haze of forced charm and directionless dialogue. I kept waiting for something-anything-to happen. A twist, a tension, a heartbeat. But all I got was a wall of soft hospital lighting and platitudes.

To be clear: Go Youn-jung is not the problem. If anything, she remains the only flicker of light in an otherwise dim and uninspired production. Her performance is poised and grounded, proving again that she has both range and emotional depth. But even the best actors can't salvage a script that gives them nothing to work with.

Having sampled a few other K-dramas after finishing Alchemy of Souls, I was hoping Resident Playbook might renew that rare spark. Sadly, it's only deepened my sense that Alchemy might've been the exception, not the rule.

Verdict: If you're here for Go Youn-jung, maybe skim a highlight reel. Otherwise, life's too short-and this show feels even longer.