Resident Playbook tells the story of a young woman who picks herself up and endures the challenging first year of her medical residency. Unlike many medical dramas that focus on high-stakes emergencies, this show takes a more comforting and grounded approach. It highlights the everyday realities of hospitals and the professionals who navigate them, similar to its predecessor, Hospital Playlist.
While Hospital Playlist follows experienced doctors, Resident Playbook centers on rookie residents still learning the ropes. Early on, these fresh graduates seem unprepared for their demanding roles, but by the end of the first year, they earn enough respect to convince viewers that they will succeed.
The protagonist, Oh Yi-young (Go Youn-Jung), initially quits her residency at Jongro Yulje Medical Centre due to the overwhelming workload and perceived unfair treatment. However, financial pressure pulls her back, and despite frequent threats to quit, she perseveres. A pep talk from Choo Min-ha (Ahn Eun-jin) inspires her to push forward, finding purpose amid the challenges.
Yi-young’s journey isn’t just professional; she also finds romance with Ku Do-won (Jung Joon-won), a senior resident and colleague with a complicated family connection. Her storyline includes a surprising twist involving an unclaimed lottery jackpot, which would have freed her financially but arrives too late. This confirms her commitment to the job despite the hardships.
Romance weaves through the series, much like in Hospital Playlist, with workplace relationships developing among several residents by the finale. While this is somewhat expected in a K-drama, it feels formulaic and weakens the show, especially the improbable romance between studious Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji) and former K-pop idol Um Jae-il (Kang You-seok). A late karaoke scene nods to the musical roots of its parent show, revealing Sa-bi’s hidden fandom and sparking their connection.
As a medical drama, Resident Playbook deliberately avoids intense drama and medical crises, aiming instead to reassure viewers that doctors are competent and hospitals safe. This approach is comforting but results in a show that lacks tension and excitement, making it less engaging television.
Resident Playbook streams on Netflix for those interested in a gentle, character-driven medical story.
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