Resident Playbook Review (2025): Worth Watching?
Resident Playbook, which aired from April 12 to May 18, 2025, on tvN and Netflix, set itself apart as a powerful spin-off to the beloved Hospital Playlist. The series brought viewers back to the fictional Yulje Medical Center, this time to its Jongno branch, where a fresh set of young doctors navigated the early years of their medical careers. With a delicate blend of realism, heartfelt storytelling, and humor, Resident Playbook delivered an emotionally grounded narrative that honored its predecessor while boldly charting new territory.
A Story Rooted in Purpose and Passion
The drama focused on four first-year obstetrics and gynecology residents—Oh Yi-young, Pyo Nam-kyung, Um Jae-il, and Kim Sa-bi. Each of them entered the medical field for different reasons, and together, they faced the grueling demands of life in one of the most emotionally and physically taxing departments in the hospital.
The show opened with Oh Yi-young, portrayed by Go Youn-jung, who returned to the hospital after a period of personal loss and burnout. Unlike the typical overachieving doctor, Yi-young admitted that her initial decision to resume residency stemmed from financial pressure. Yet, as the series unfolded, she rediscovered her love for healing and patient care. Yi-young’s growth remained at the emotional core of the drama. She overcame insecurities and fear of failure, eventually embracing her calling with renewed conviction.
Pyo Nam-kyung, played by Shin Si-ah, struggled to maintain emotional detachment from patients. Early in the show, she allowed her empathy to cloud her judgment, but through mentorship and hard lessons, she learned to navigate the fine line between compassion and professionalism. Her character explored the burden of emotional labor in medicine, especially for young women expected to remain composed in the face of pain and loss.
Um Jae-il, portrayed by Kang You-seok, added an unconventional layer to the story. A former K-pop idol, Jae-il left the entertainment industry to pursue medicine after a personal revelation. His past as a celebrity constantly haunted him, especially as he tried to earn respect in the rigid hierarchy of medical culture. Jae-il’s journey highlighted themes of reinvention, proving that people can redefine themselves when they commit to purpose over prestige.
Kim Sa-bi, played by Han Ye-ji, dealt with the silent pressures of perfectionism. Raised in a strict family that demanded success, she projected an image of control but battled intense self-doubt beneath the surface. Sa-bi’s story explored the psychological toll of striving for approval in an unforgiving system, especially for women in male-dominated departments.
Themes That Echo Real Life
Resident Playbook tackled more than just hospital procedures. It pulled back the curtain on the emotional cost of becoming a doctor. The drama portrayed harsh 36-hour shifts, surgical mishaps, moral dilemmas, and sleepless nights filled with second-guessing. The show didn’t dramatize medicine—it humanized it.
The series aired during a period of heightened public attention on healthcare in South Korea, where junior doctors had gone on strike to protest working conditions. The timing lent real-world weight to the story. Viewers connected with the characters not just because they faced fictional challenges but because they represented thousands of real medical professionals under pressure.
The drama also addressed broader social issues. It explored gender bias in medicine, such as how female doctors often face condescension or skepticism from patients and peers. It questioned rigid hierarchical systems that silence junior voices. The characters challenged medical elitism, pushed for patient-centered care, and supported each other in moments of vulnerability.
Character Chemistry and Growth
Unlike the ensemble cast of Hospital Playlist, which centered on long-time friendships, Resident Playbook built relationships from scratch. The four residents didn’t start out as friends. They mistrusted each other, competed for approval, and often clashed under stress. But over time, they built a genuine support system through shared experiences.
Their dynamic felt natural and earned. The writers gave each character space to grow individually while intertwining their arcs organically. They laughed together after chaotic deliveries, cried over patient losses, and covered for one another during breakdowns. By the series finale, their bond had matured into a chosen family grounded in mutual respect.
Senior doctors also played critical roles. Professors and attending physicians provided mentorship without falling into the “wise elder” cliché. They made mistakes, offered harsh feedback, and demanded excellence, but they also taught the value of humility, honesty, and care. The teaching hospital environment created an ideal backdrop for character evolution.
Performance and Production
Go Youn-jung carried the emotional weight of the series with quiet strength. She portrayed Yi-young’s uncertainty and gradual confidence with nuance. Shin Si-ah brought depth to Nam-kyung, particularly in scenes where internal conflict clashed with external responsibilities. Kang You-seok offered a refreshing mix of charm and sincerity as Jae-il, while Han Ye-ji’s portrayal of Sa-bi struck a balance between stoicism and emotional vulnerability.
The show maintained high production standards, using detailed sets that accurately reflected hospital interiors. Medical scenes felt authentic, thanks to well-researched terminology and professional consultation. The cinematography favored warm lighting, giving even tense moments a sense of intimacy. Music direction leaned on soft instrumentals, allowing emotions to take center stage without manipulation.
Reception and Public Response
Resident Playbook started with modest ratings, hovering around 4.8% in its first week. However, as word-of-mouth spread and emotional arcs deepened, viewership steadily increased. The finale drew an average nationwide rating of 8.1%, peaking in metropolitan regions.
Critics praised the show’s realism, character development, and grounded storytelling. While some viewers missed the lighter tone and musical interludes of Hospital Playlist, others appreciated the more serious tone of Resident Playbook, calling it a more focused and poignant reflection on the early years of medical life.
Cameo appearances from Hospital Playlist alumni, including Jo Jung-suk and Yoo Yeon-seok, thrilled longtime fans. Their brief appearances felt meaningful rather than gimmicky and reinforced the thematic continuity of the shared universe.
Final Thoughts: A Moving Spin-Off with Its Own Voice
Resident Playbook didn’t try to replicate Hospital Playlist. Instead, it forged its own path by telling a story about starting over, embracing imperfection, and surviving the chaos of life in scrubs. It spotlighted the human stories behind the hospital curtains—the sacrifices, triumphs, and quiet moments of grace that define healthcare workers.
With strong performances, relevant themes, and a deeply emotional narrative, Resident Playbook proved that the journey of becoming a doctor can be just as compelling as the story of being one. It gave viewers not just entertainment, but empathy—a rare and powerful achievement in today’s fast-paced content world.
