User reviews

Though the first episode of Resident Playlist felt a bit chaotic and overwhelming, Episode 2 manages to pull things together beautifully. The storyline is more grounded, the pace steadier, and the characters begin to show real emotional depth. It's the kind of episode that hooks you in - not through high drama, but with the subtle charm of everyday life in a hospital setting.

One of the biggest strengths of Episode 2 is the acting. The cast delivers layered performances that help us understand their characters not just as residents, but as young people trying to survive an intense, competitive environment. There's vulnerability, camaraderie, and quiet resilience, all of which come through without being overdone. We're beginning to see their personalities unfold - some are awkward and anxious, others overconfident but clearly masking insecurities. It feels authentic.

There's a natural temptation to compare Resident Playlist with Hospital Playlist. For many of us, Hospital Playlist was more than just a show - it was comfort TV, full of warmth, friendship, and slice-of-life moments that made us laugh and cry. The bond between the five friends, their jam sessions, and their steady rhythms made it a favorite.

Resident Playlist, however, is intentionally different. The tone is more intense, the atmosphere more high-pressure, reflecting the brutal realities of residency. Instead of five best friends who already have their lives figured out, we see fresh doctors trying to find their footing, unsure of themselves, often clashing with seniors, and dealing with unpredictable emergencies. It's not as cozy, but it's real. Episode 2 really leans into this - showing us how challenging and emotionally taxing the residency period can be.

That said, the show is slowly building heart. We see glimpses of mentorship, small moments of kindness, and the beginning of bonds forming among the residents. It doesn't rush to make them best friends - which is actually refreshing. The show takes its time to develop relationships, much like in real life. And that's where its strength lies.

The cinematography and background score remain subtle and effective, reminiscent of the calming vibe we loved in Hospital Playlist. While it doesn't have the musical interludes or nostalgic charm yet, it's beginning to create its own atmosphere - one rooted in chaos, but not without warmth.

In short, Episode 2 is where Resident Playlist finds its footing. It's not trying to replace Hospital Playlist, and it shouldn't have to. It's telling a different kind of story - of uncertainty, struggle, and growth. And for that reason alone, it's definitely worth watching. If the coming episodes continue on this path, this might just turn out to be another comforting-yet-real medical drama we'll grow attached to.

The first episode didn't impress me and looks liked another cliche medical drama but I didn't give up and watched the other episodes and I glad I did it.

Like the four residents don't caring about the patients in the begining I didn't care about the residents but them I realize the main characteres are not the residents but the patients. They are the teachers who show the residents not to be doctors but human beings.

The emphasis the writers give to the patients are the strenght in the show.

They are not passive characters, they tell the residents what is wrong.

The resident O I Yeong (Go Youn Jung) is the character who represents better the transformation, being heartless in the begining to cry with the patients with the time. Highly recomend the show.

After watching 9 episodes one character who grow on me is the resident Kim Sa bi (Han Ie ji). She is emotionless like Spock and is very funny. The episode when she turn into patient is hilarious.

This is a fun show. Perhaps not as good as the Hospital Playlist series from which it was spun off, with four leads who collectively and individually don't match up to the megawatt charisma of the five leads of the parent show. By confining the leads to the Ob-Gyn section of the Yulje Hospital, the variety of cases is not as great either. But still an enjoyable watch with an engaging cast. I am looking forward to a medical show in which the senior doctors treat the younger ones with a little more patience and kindness - there's one saint in this show and a lot of abusive behavior. Just as abusive parents beget abusive children, abusive doctors make miserable role models for their subordinates and will turn even the best of them into similarly abusive replicants. I'm wondering what our four residents will be like when they do a follow-up show in a few years time.

I must also protest the incessant and obtrusive Subway product placements. Leave aside that I consider Subway one of the less desirable fast food chains, and even accepting that eating fast foods is the lot of first year hospital residents and, this being a Korean show, meals are always needed to fill up every episode, I just don't want any product, even one I like, to be in my face the way it is in this show. My recommendation: fast food forward through every Subway-infected scene. You won't miss one morsel of the plot. If we must have product placements, please may we have a bite more subtlety?

I have been waiting for this series since I am a big fan of medical dramas and also a big fan of Hospital Playlist. I was really heartbroken when it was postponed but now that it's here I couldn't contain my excitement and watch the 2 episodes available.

I really like how the main characters are chaotic and messy, really depicts a resident's life, if you are on your first year of residency and you haven't ever thought of quitting, are you even human? HAHAHA. I remember my boyfriend crying to me every night complaining how tired he was and he doesn't want to be a doctor anymore, watching the first and second episodes brings me back to that memory when he was a struggling first year resident, he is the reason why I like watching medical dramas.

I am very excited for their growth but I hope they keep the banters and chaos even in the next episodes, it's what makes the show refreshing and relaxing. You will really see how residents struggle with adjusting and realizing the weight of their responsibilities will somehow scare them but their passion to save will always be there.

Another masterpiece from Shin PD. I can't wait for the next episodes!

(april 14, 2025)

The storyline is good and the intro was showing the backstory of why Go Younjung has currently no passion in life and interest. It explores the career path she took and how is she dealing it realistically just like in real life. I would love to see more medical terms and the operations to solve diseases. Additionally, I found people see the movie somewhat slow or boring but guys, this is a medical drama it's not like those lovely lovely kdrama that we often see. I mean that's why there is genre in the first place right? I can't wait for saturday and sundays, 2 episodes is out just now, so let's wait further to before sharing our criticism ^^.

This drama is good, and I can't wait to see the other episodes. Actually, this is much more than I expected because you know that a lot of people have been waiting for this because this is a spin-off from Hospital Playlist, and you know how good the Hospital Playlist series is. I can't wait to see the character and more storyline. I know that a lot of people are disappointed by the plot, but again and again this is the story from the point of view of a resident. And this drama is worth watching from my perspective. You can expect more from this drama, and if you know, you know that these dramas only have 2 episodes by now.

I am now watching episode 8 and have continued to keep telling myself this show is better than I think it is because as people say in these reviews I want it to be better as I have become a fan of lots of these Korean drama series when life gives you tangerines is one of the best series I've ever seen for example, but the lead actress in this series just doesn't do it right, the show is a little funny and sometimes the stories are a little sad and maybe even a little romantic or a little interesting, nevertheless, it's all forced, the actors and actresses aren't really great, oh, the lead actress is overdoing it and someone you tell her that, her blank expression is starting to drive me crazy to the point that I don't know if I can keep watching although I've invested so much time in it, and not really a spoiler here but she was honestly getting close to someone and then inexplicably and not easily understood suddenly she starts giving attention to another person, which makes her not a very good person no matter what!, it's starting to feel like they've run out of ideas and the cliches keep coming, anyway, again, the lead actress with her lip injections doesn't make you feel anything unless of course you don't feel anything to start with, all in all, I think I would skip this one if I were you, I suffered for you mildly at best.

Very good drama and every episode is very interesting to watch. The storyline is not boring, where we can watch while learning about pregnancy and women's health, and each episode presents a different case. A story that depicts the lives of people at Jongno Yulje Medical Center. The professors, ob/gyn residents, and the friendships between these people are told, including first year ob/gyn resident Oh Yi-Young. Set in the Jongno branch of Yulje Medical Center, the series follows the hospital life and turbulent friendships of young Obstetrics and Gynecology residents who proudly enter the unpopular department in an era of low birth rates.

A spin-off of Hospital Playlist, Resident Playbook is centered around 4 1st year residents, as they go through the chaos in their daily routine of hospital life.

Although the story starts well, with day-to-day medical emergencies encountered by doctors in real life. While the show was good, but it didn't meet my expectations and was a par show compared to another medical drama released this year, The Trauma Code.

The main characters didn't have an impact and while I love Go Youn Jung, she didn't seem at her best with this drama. The positives include good real-life medical setting with a sense of urgency and chaos and honest part played by the side characters. The negatives I would say are the leads, as expectations were high from them and a bit stretchy runtime with less emotional impact.

Overall, Resident Playbook is a good medical drama show that shows a real side of medical life, but couldn't reach the heights of being excellent due to a stretchy runtime with little plot and disappointing main leads.

My Rating : 3.5/5.

This is my first K drama and I'm absolutely in love. The cast members are all very likable and the depiction of a fast paced hospital setting is very well executed. The lead characters dowan and oh yung are my favorite, got impeccable chemistry. It was refreshing to see the female lead pursue her crush and her unabashed admiration for the male lead. The senior doctors are also amazing and talented. I've watched many hospital dramas but this one's got a unique back story for the lead. I wish the show got a season 2, would be a shame if we didn't get to see the characters return. Are you listening Netflix.

Unique Focus: By centering on obstetrics and gynecology, the show explores a less commonly depicted medical specialty, providing viewers with new insights into the field.

Decider Realistic Portrayal: The series delves into the grueling realities of medical training, reflecting issues like long working hours and systemic challenges within the healthcare system.

Time Character Development: Lead actress Go Youn-jung portrays Oh Yi-young, a former intern returning to complete her residency, offering a narrative of redemption and personal growth. Plus, i love gyj tho, she's doing great as an actress. GYJ FIGHTING!

At first I didn't think I would like this show very much because I don't usually watch shows like this. But it was the opposite of what I thought. I love it. I'm still in the process of choosing a profession and it made me think about obstetrics. I would love this series to continue, but I was sad to learn that the new season is unlikely to be released. Anyway, this series is good because they have shown everything in all its transparency. So they show how hard the doctors really work, how tired they are, but also medical things. For example, the medical words are on the side. And it's explained. I really like that.

Soo real and good acting. Its a realll must watch show as it shows how doctors and nurses struggle and take risk to save the patients and all it really reflects the hardworking of doctors.

At the first episode it might seem kind of slow but its really worth of watching.

Sometimes when we go to hospitals and we are in a hurry or worry we might act cold and mean to doctors out of frustration of worrying about ourself or someone u are with in the hospital it really could disappoint their whole day like just imagine u are hardworking all day and boom one patient or his/her guardian is scolding u for a mistake which might not be yours .... just like that that we can see the things that happens everyday in a hospitals .... we should reallly respect the doctors and other hospital departments workers....

As much as I have watched of this series, I am horrified at the thought that I might, in a hospital, encounter residents so wholly unqualified to practice medicine. Perhaps things are different in Korea. (I am an American, though not speaking with the intent of defending medicine as practiced here.) And I understand a creator's desire to create a real multi-episode story arc, in this case from self-absorbed, spoiled not-post-adolescence, to caring, curious healer. But the length of this particular arc is too long. And because indolence and insensitivity are the starting point, any sympathy or interest in the character is drained away. Why should I care about such people? Or not tremble with dread at the prospect of being admitted to this hospital?

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.

I love Hospital Playlist but I find the resident playbook part boring and too focused on the romance that the content is light. I don't learn anything from these gynecologists. They have been doctors for years before becoming residents but have less skills and responsibilities than interns in my opinion.

I'm tired of the villainous characters that are created to make the main character stand out. I like medical series where the villain is the disease or the difficult situation that the solution will eventually lead to victory.

I hope they make a season 3 of hospital playlist. It's fun to watch and I love their friendship more than in resident playbook.