It has been three years since season one of “Dr. Romantic” ended, and second season has just come to an end as well!
Due to the success of season one, which obtained 20.4% and became the second highest rated Korean drama of 2016, the sequel was created and became highly anticipated ahead of its release. Thankfully, the new season retained the same charm we fell in love with during season one!
Lee Sung Kyung, Ahn Hyo Seop, and So Joo Yeon added interest as the main cast members added as the counterparts of first season’s main characters played by Seo Hyun Jin, Yoo Yeon Seok, and Yang Se Jong.
The drama premiered on January 6th and maintained an impressive performance as it ended on February 25th with 20.7% ratings, making it the first Korean drama to hit 20% in viewer ratings in first half of 2020.
The series follows Dr. Kim (Han Suk Kyu) as he goes to Geodae Hospital to recruit doctors for Doldam Hospital. He offers the job to Seo Woo Jin (Ahn Hyo Seop), who is bullied because of his troubled past but who has the delicate hands of a general surgeon. On the other hand, Cha Eun Jae (Lee Sung Kyung), due to her nausea, faints during an operation and ends up being penalized to go to Doldam Hospital. There, they meet the staff members and people of Doldam who each have a story to inspire.
Unlike other hit Korean series, “Dr. Romantic” season one and two doesn’t have complicated storylines or star-studded cast as their main strength. The cast is consistent with their own credibility as actors in every character they portray. It’s like they have their own color and impact to make. In every character they act, they have their own way of expressing their soul — something they also manage with ease in “Dr. Romantic 2.”
Through this feature, let me choose some of the biggest highlights from this drama:
1) FAMILIAR, YET INTRIGUING PLOT
The plot values everyone’s own perspectives in life in terms of decisions, morals, choices, and unexpected encounters.
Everything about the series takes place in the medical field, but the values apply to everyday living. That’s why the story line is realistic, yet unpredictable at the same time. As you anticipate the character’s action once a problem is encountered, you become immersed in how they choose to deal with it.
Notably, each episode has new medical cases to tackle. This manages to capture the story of every patient and doctor and paves the way in the development of characters who overcome their weakness as they save lives.
The plot is obviously well-written, and the cast is fantastic!
2) INSIGHT INTO THE MAIN CHARACTERS
Cha Eun Jae, played by Lee Sung Kyung, becomes a cardiac surgeon due to her mother’s influence. She experiences mishaps in her career which end up causing her to have issues in her chosen path. Upon meeting Dr. Kim, she frees herself to live a life of her own. Overcoming her anxiety, she musters up her strength in order to find her own brand of peace and love.
Seo Woo Jin, played by Ahn Hyo Seop, is an honest and smart general surgeon who faces bullying in the medical field after being a whistle blower. As someone who cannot stand injustice and is being chased by loan sharks from his family’s debt, he slowly finds the answers to his questions about life and becomes a more competent and dedicated doctor. Under Dr. Kim’s influence, we also see him becoming an even better person as well.
In addition to new faces in this drama, viewers were greeted by familiar faces as well.
Dr. Kim (or Master Kim as he is referred to) is played by Han Suk Kyu and is the icon of Doldam Hospital. He bravely fights against the antagonists in the series and establishes an impressive character that will go down in the history of Korean dramas as one of the most remarkable character in a medical drama.
Seeing the progress of the main characters as they struggle to find the right path as they grow into good people makes the drama even more meaningful.
Just like in season one, all the characters have their own unique charms. Each has their own hue that allows them to glow and stand out. Some characters have a cat-dog relationship to begin with, but eventually we seem them progressing into meaningful, friendly encounters.
3) TRANSPARENCY OF THE HUMAN RACE
There are many sensitive issues that this drama tackles, from car accidents and rape cases to the abuse of patient rights. The narration of the story leaves every viewer feeling as if they were on the site of events and feeling both the triumph and sadness of all the subsequent stories.
The series pays attention to each character’s back story and makes use of flashbacks to beautifully portray the profound pain of their history as each of their stories unfold.
AFTERTHOUGHTS OF THE DRAMA:
Overall, the drama has a lot to offer its viewers. It speaks about true life encounters and is very rich in giving life lessons. It wants to relay a message to everyone to find one’s purpose in life and to never give up on finding answers no matter what life throws your way. It is certainly a drama with a heavy dose of “adulting” that will both inspire and touch viewers. More than anything, perhaps, ot is a drama with an impressive story line and heartfelt characters which can even make you fall in love.
Congratulations to producer Yoo In Shik, writer Kang Eun Kyung and the rest of the cast and production team for a job well done!
The lingering feelings from this drama indeed make us hope that a third season will also be possible. Who knows? Perhaps the cast of both seasons one and two can come together for a powerhouse season three in the future.
Did you watch this drama? What did you think? Make sure to let us know your thoughts by tweeting to us @whatthekpop1!
ging1030 is a multi-fandom fan of Kpop since 2010. She enjoys watching Asian dramas and variety shows like “Running Man.” She is an avid fan of the Song triplets and Song Joong Ki. For her, K-dramas are life. They are her inspirations in life, so she can live on and do what her heart desires!
MEDIA: SBS