Dr. Romantic (2016) 낭만닥터 김사부
Literal title: Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim
Directed by Yoo In-shik and Park Soo-jin, starring Han Suk-kyu as Kim Sa-bu (Teacher Kim) / Boo Yong-joo, Yoo Yeon-seok as Kang Dong-joo, and Seo Hyun-jin as Yoon Seo-jung.
Watched 31 May - 5 June 2025 — 20 episodes (KOCOWA/NETFLIX)
*I had high hopes for the first season of this popular and well-received series, and though I really like it, I was also a bit disappointed that I didn't like this as much as I like Hospital Playlist. Part of it has to do with the characters of Kim Sa-bu and Kang Dong-joo. I didn't like them right away. Dr. Kim is a quirky character but not always likeable. Though you know he has a good character and is a brilliant surgeon, his social skills leave a lot to be desired. Fortunately I really grew to like him during the course of the show. I also didn't like how Kang Dong-joo forced himself upon Yoon Seo-jung in the first episode. I did like Seo Hyun-jin as Yoon Seo-jung but thought she was much too nice for Dong-joo.
*So the romance started on the wrong foot for me with the forced kiss in episode 1 but my initial unfavourable opinion of Kang Dong-joo gradually changed. He and Yoon Seo-jung had cute scenes together and I liked them as a couple. I also appreciated the fact that the romance never took center stage.
*In Hospital Playlist there are no mean higher-ups (which was refreshing), but here we have Choi Jin-ho as Do Yoon-wan, Director of Geosan University Hospital, and Jang Hyuk-jin as his spy Dr. Song Hyun-cheol, Chief of Surgery at the same hospital. Dr. Song is just stupid and Director Do is mostly unpleasant.
*This medical drama is not your standard hospital series, dealing with a small country hospital (Doldam Hospital) with little staff. At times it didn't feel realistic how there was only a handful of doctors and nurses holding the emergency fort with other staff members being away. Or the hospital staff was just standing around and not acting immediately when an emergency occurred. Another incredible thing ... In ep. 19, it's rather ridiculous how Dr. Kim and Kang Dong-joo are discussing the case of Dong-joo's father in front of the other patients for everybody to hear. While there was an emergency situation on hand with one of the patients! There is a lot of screen time dedicated to the detailed surgeries, by the way, graphically filmed. It was almost becoming too much.
*Fortunately there are plenty of other likeable characters. I love Jin Kyung as Head Nurse Oh Myung-sim. She's very knowledgeable, feisty and has a hands-on mentality. I hope she and Dr. Kim will become a romantic item. I also like Kim Hong-pa as Yeo Woon-young (Director of Doldam Hospital who is soft-hearted; just look at that sweet face!), Im Won-hee as Jang Gi-tae (Manager of Doldam Hospital who provides the comic relief; he could also be annoying), Byun Woo-min as sweet Nam Do-il (a freelance anesthesiologist who also runs a restaurant), Kim Min-jae as Park Eun-tak (a friendly male nurse), Joo Hyun as Chairman Shin (a higher-up who's likeable and who entrusts his artificial heart transplant operation to Dr. Kim, always being on Dr. Kim's side) and Seo Young as Manager Joo (Chairman Shin's assistant, I really liked her).
*I don't really know what to think of Seo Eun-soo as Woo Yeon-hwa. I didn't particularly like her, but felt sorry for her every time Do In-beom (played by Yang Se-jong) was mean to her and I was glad Park Eun-tak stood up for her. Her infatuation with Dong-joo seemed like puppy love. I was also glad Do In-beom became more likeable once he cooperated with Dong-joo on operations and behaved less like a jerk.
*The series has 20 episodes but there's an extra episode (ep. 21) which is not really part of season 1. It's actually billed as a prequel, but honestly .... it's basically an extension of the series continuing the story. The finale (ep. 20) ends with the guest appearance of Kim Hye-soo as Lee Young-jo, Kim Sa-bu's former love who also happens to be a doctor and went abroad to work for Doctors Without Borders. Episode 21 continues with them meeting again and gives some insight into their backstory. It's nice to know Dr. Kim has been romantically involved with someone, although I think Nurse Oh is a better match with him, chemistry-wise. I thought this special would be focusing more on the characters but we also get to see more of the hospital work with emergency operations. Fortunately Kang Dong-joo and Yoon Seo-jung get a proper happy ending in this special episode.
*Looking forward to watching season 2! I know Kang Dong-joo and Yoon Seo-jung will not be part of the second season but I don't mind and I'm eager to meet the new members of the team!