The songs we featured during the recap:
Lonely Light by Kwon Jin Ah
While Living Life by Oohyo
Our first impressions of the five doctors and why their friendship immediately makes this show so engaging.
The different surgical specialties represented by our five leads, and how they shape both the medical cases and the storytelling.
How medical education works in South Korea, including the six-year medical school program students enter immediately after high school.
The origin story of the five friends, who met during medical school after hiding out together instead of participating in an initiation talent show.
The succession battle at Yulje Hospital and why Ahn Jeong Won's family wants trusted family friend Ju Jong Soo to become chairman.
Ahn Jeong Won's secret philanthropy through the Daddy Long Legs program and why he keeps both his wealth and generosity hidden from his closest friends.
How Jeong Won reunites his friends at Yulje Hospital by offering them new positions, higher salaries, and—most importantly for Yang Seok Hyung—the chance to bring their band back together.
The heartbreaking patient stories that reveal the compassion and humanity of the doctors, including discussions about end-of-life care, financial hardship, and Korea's healthcare system.
The memorable ending that reunites the band, ends Kim Jun Wan's troubled relationship, and leaves Chae Song Hwa's romance hanging after her boyfriend is caught kissing another woman.
A look ahead to Episode 2, where we'll also dive into the life and career of Yoo Yeon-seok, who plays pediatric surgeon Ahn Jeong Won.
References
K Drama Chat is a weekly podcast where we take one Korean (K) Drama each season and and recap and analyze each episode. K Drama Chat is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Pandora.
I found this first episode quite confusing originally, and didn't really get where all the lead characters were supppsed to have been working, so thanks for straightening that out.
ReplyDeleteGreat to have Sung-hee on board to comment on the medical stuff!
Is the US the only place where people go to 'College' between senior schooling and getting a med or law degree?
It's not a thing where I'm from. Used to be straight to a 6 year med degree from school, now you have to do a special entry test for that, otherwise its a science degree first.
Doremi, glad we were able to straighten out where everyone came from and all of the relationships. Sung Hee and I had to rewatch this episode several times and do research to work it all out ourselves!
DeleteNo idea how medical school works in other countries. Let's all do research and report back!
* I thought this was a solid first episode. Introduced characters, and setting. Gave us some emotional moments, and some humourous ones.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I can’t say I am hooked, invested, or formed an immediate connection with characters. I am just happy to see some actors. The doctor who asked for the band to be formed. I liked his character and acting so much in Miseang.
But, I don’t have anything negative to say about it other than its length.
So, lets see how things goes from here.
Some random comments about the podcast
*Calling someone Uncle. Where I am originally from it is exactly the same. I have now past 50, but I still address my parents generation as “Uncle” & “Auntie”.
Generally speaking, the addressing customs have lots of similarities with South Korea. I think I have already mentioned this, but watching Kdrama was fairly straightforward experience from a culture point of view.
Of course there are differences, new things, and certain things are taken few notches up, or down, but I easily understood the behaviour of characters and dynamics between them.
In many ways, they reminded me the series I grew up watching before switching to American(and Western) TV.
I must admit though that I initially thought he was his biological uncle.
*An Jeong Won: I can understand him hiding his wealth. People will ask him for money, and he will have doubts about the sincerity of their feelings. I also like this actor. First time I have seen him he was also a doctor in “Doctor Romantic”.
*Wealthy being burden by wealth: I am afraid I strongly disagree with Joanna on that point. Yes, there are tens of thousands of very wealthy people who are amazing , and give up most of their wealth, or use it for some great things.
But, the overwhelming majority not only try to increase their wealth, but often work to deny that for others.
If they were really burdened by their wealth, there are literally billions who would love to help them out and lessen their burden lol.
*loved all the medical comments from Sung-hee.
I am still not watching anything. Just too busy with work.
Thanks so much, Seven Seas, for giving this show a fair chance! It’s not perfect because no show is, and I agree with Doremi about it being confusing on who worked where. But I had hoped that its obvious empathy and respect for the patients and the medical professionals would make it worth watching for you.
DeleteWith restraint and humor, to me, it shows how hard it is for the experienced doctors, and the student interns and residents, to do this work. And anyone who has ever been a patient or a worried family member can identify with that side of things.
On the writing, I think it gets better as the series progresses. In the early episodes, a lot of time must be spent setting up the characters, but they did it well.
I just love this show so much, even more so this time around since we're going so deep! I hope everyone finds something to love this season!
DeleteI'm new to Hospital Playlist, so I'll be watching weekly in tandem with the podcast -- my favorite way to enjoy k-drama!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this first episode -- the "tight group of friends" is an appealing element, and the "let's start a band!" aspect is hilarious and fun.
I was so immediately taken with the female lead Jeon Mi-do who plays the "tone-deaf" Chae Song Hwa I had to look her up, and your comment "she actually has a great voice" is quite the understatement -- the reason I haven't seen her in much is that it's more accurate to think of Jeon Mi-do as an accomplished, award-winning stage actress who stars in MUSICALS and also has done a little tv work! So it's quite the joke that her character is a terrible singer!
I'm curious to how they're gonna play this -- perhaps Chae Song Hwa will receive a bump on the head that suddenly reveals her to be an amazing singer? It's a little late for singing lessons...maybe she'll sing wonderfully in dream sequences? Surely we won't have to endure crap singing throughout the season (a personal pet peeve of mine -- commercials w/ kids or adults singing off-key or poorly, as a way of catching your attention)?
And I do think it's weird that such close friends would have NO IDEA their bestie was super-rich with a parent that owns the hospital where he's employed! (I can absolutely see him "playing it down" but keeping your closest friends in the dark or lying to them?). This seems like a "k-drama" thing more than a "real life" thing, but perhaps there's a cultural aspect to it as well. Yoo Yeon-seok has quickly become one of my absolute favorite actors, so I can easily let it slide.
I think Andrea/Buddha/Dr Ahn's secrecy about his family is just a way to characterise him as a modest, decent human being in spite of his wealth.
DeleteAs for Dr Chae's singing ... just you wait!
Jeff, thank you for watching, listening and commenting! So fun!
DeleteYes, Jeon Mido is amazing. We talk about her in 15.2. Wow, she is a powerhouse. We knew she was good, but didn't realize HOW good an entertainer and performer she is!
And I agree with Doremi, just you wait.
I hope you continue to be charmed by this group of five friends! We love them so much!
I am really enjoying watching Hospital Playlist for the second time and your information has been so helpful in making it a truly wonderful experience. I couldn’t believe both of you did not like Agent Kim Reactivated. Although it was a little too much violence for me, I loved the story. And I was especially amazed at Seo Sumin and her amazing debut. It was so much fun to learn that she basically was found through her Instagram video.
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy you're discussing Hospital Playlist! I am catching up.
ReplyDelete