MBC’s warm human drama Hospital Ship courts Choi Jin-hyuk
by girlfriday
It hasn’t even been a week since Tunnel ended, but Choi Jin-hyuk is already planning his return to dramaland. He’s currently considering an offer to star in MBC’s new medical drama Hospital Ship opposite Ha Ji-won (The Time I’ve Loved You), due out later this summer.
Hospital Ship is a warm human drama about a ship that sails around the little islands to give medical care to the locals who live in rural villages. It’ll focus on the growth of the young doctors aboard the ship, and tell relatable stories that reflect today’s society. Directing is PD Park Jae-bum of daily drama Begin Again and legal drama A New Leaf, and writing is Yoon Seon-joo of Secret Door and Hwang Jin-yi.
Ha Ji-won has been offered the role of a surgeon who joins the hospital ship to get away from public scrutiny after her family is ruined. Choi Jin-hyuk is up to play Kwak Hyun, a doctor of internal medicine who has “warm hands, warm eyes, and above all, a warm heart.” Aw, he seems perfect for the part. The character is further described as caring but not soft, and strong but not offending. He has exceptional empathic abilities, and seems to always read how someone is feeling before they tell him.
I keep telling myself that more Choi Jin-hyuk can’t possibly be a bad thing; it’s just that I’m so engrossed in his latest drama Tunnel that I don’t want to imagine him playing another character. I just want to think of him as a gruff ’80s detective teddy bear forever and ever. That’s probably not the way he wants his career to go though, so he should probably take the drama, especially since the character sounds so lovely and warm. Surely by August I’ll have gotten over Tunnel and be antsy for him to star in a new drama!
Hospital Ship is slated to air in MBC’s Wednesday-Thursday slot in August, following Ruler–Master of the Mask and Man Who Dies to Live.
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Tags: Choi Jin-hyuk, Hospital Ship
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1 Mungbeanie 난 딩동, 넌 땡 ;)
May 26, 2017 at 3:09 AM
But really, get over tunnel? Never. Haha yehhh, can he be a warm hearted, warm eyed gruff doctor that only calls people with "you punk" or "hey kid" please! Pretty please!?
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azzo
May 26, 2017 at 4:42 AM
Yes, please!
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2 kdramaskimchi
May 26, 2017 at 3:13 AM
heol...now that am a strong choi jin hyuk fan..am excited for his casting news but i feel you @girlfriday...i still want to think of him as our park kwang ho and am not yet ready to let go. haha. But since i want him to be successful in his career and this drama doesn't sound bad..i hope he takes it coz i'll have choi jin hyuk on my screen any day anytime.
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3 outofthisworld 不愧是我 🏍
May 26, 2017 at 3:13 AM
Warm hands? Let me imagine ? them...
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Red mimi
May 26, 2017 at 5:55 AM
??
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4 ciruphan
May 26, 2017 at 3:13 AM
haha, if he's a good actor, then he'll make you love his next role too so no worries.
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chingu
May 26, 2017 at 11:31 AM
He IS a good actor, so if this role is exactly like how it's described, I know for sure I'm gonna love him!
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5 narcolepticsmurf
May 26, 2017 at 3:22 AM
Hey he's been a doctor before so let's see how he will portray this warm doctor! :) hwaiting
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chingu
May 26, 2017 at 11:32 AM
Oh that's right, he has!
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6 Aneleh
May 26, 2017 at 3:25 AM
Nooo, you already did a medical drama. You can't do this to me again.
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7 stringofpurls
May 26, 2017 at 3:25 AM
I just finished Tunnel last night and I'm still not over it. I want him to be Kwang Ho forever too. He's my new favorite Choi Jin Hyuk character. The premise sounds good for Hospital Ship but medical dramas tend to bore me. I'm happier when actors I'm less interested in join them so I don't feel compelled to watch. With that being said, I'd still give it a chance.
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Ally
May 26, 2017 at 3:48 AM
Even romantic doctor kim? That was not your run of the mill medical drama--I didn't think medical dramas were very good until I saw that one.
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stringofpurls
May 26, 2017 at 4:32 AM
I haven't watched that one yet. I'll have to put in on my list and give it a shot the next time I hit a drama drought.
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fab
May 26, 2017 at 6:31 AM
No, you need to watch it NOW before this one comes out.
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stringofpurls
May 26, 2017 at 8:17 AM
I'll try to fit it in my schedule.
zoeyandcoco
May 26, 2017 at 7:52 AM
I tend to avoid medical dramas because I just end up scratching my head at the "medical booboos" they do (e.g., defibrillating a flat line patient, etc.) I'm an emergency med doc so I can't help but notice and get dismayed by these things.
But I would have to agree with you on romantic doctor teacher Kim. I'm quite impressed with this drama because apparently they've really hired a medical practitioner to guide them on how to make the medical aspect of the drama realistic.
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madlily
May 27, 2017 at 5:32 AM
Nurse here, I have to agree with you on my biggest bugbear of medical dramas and that classic 'shocking a flatlined patient!!' grrr!
Romantic Dr, Teacher Kim was great to see though in terms of their medical shenanigans! I was surprised at how well they carried out some of their cases.
I will definitely check out a medical drama with CJH in it though, he was just amazing in Tunnel!
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I Quit
May 26, 2017 at 7:11 AM
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
May 26, 2017 at 2:55 PM
I don't think she is that great either, but most of her characters are the strong ones that people easily love her - because viewers including myself love strong female character. I don't want to bring this but in Time We're Not In Love, when her character was still a strong one, she also needed to act with cutesy, and I cringed a lot. I love her, but I am not a huge a fan. It is always her roles that I always love more - because it is always the strong, smart, badass ones and as a result the love transfer to her too.
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I Quit
May 27, 2017 at 7:54 AM
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The first_Strawberry
May 27, 2017 at 11:37 AM
I'm a big anti-fan of medical drama, be it K-dramas or American series. I generally avoid them like a plague. I initially came to Romantic Doctor Kim for Han Suk Kyu (the man is phenomenal veteran actor imo) and approached it with trepidation, but boy the story sucked me in fast. So I would really recommend you to give it a try ?
I'm not a fan of Ha Ji Won, either. She's tolerable at most when playing a strong, badass character as Sera The Ms Temper described, but when she tried to act all cutesy... oh, my goodness CRINGE. Yikes. So yeah, not exactly dancing with joy to hear this (possible) pairing, plus this is another medical drama. But if CJH accepts, I might take a peek at the first episode... maybe ?
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8 millian
May 26, 2017 at 3:28 AM
Warm doctor? That actually fits him pretty well.
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Red mimi
May 26, 2017 at 8:57 AM
Yap. I think so too.
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9 Dark Mago
May 26, 2017 at 3:37 AM
It sounds like the Japanese drama. Don't remember the title though. Haha
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dramalatte
May 26, 2017 at 3:54 AM
I thought it was a remake of Umi no Ue no Shinryoujo when I read it.
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dramalatte
May 26, 2017 at 3:59 AM
Except the main guy in jdrama was describe different to this character.
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vanillacoffee
May 27, 2017 at 12:05 AM
Are you referring to Clinic on the Sea? That was also about a hospital ship that moves from island to island. But this one sounds very different, as far as I have read, especially in terms of the characters and their histories.
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10 AussieGrl
May 26, 2017 at 3:44 AM
As long as he smiles a lot, I'll be happy ?
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stringofpurls
May 26, 2017 at 4:36 AM
OMG, his smile. It kills me so hard. In the first episode of Tunnel where he's at his desk and thinking about Yeon Sook? His smile slayed me and I was so on board with his relationship with her. Normally, theses "poof! now they are together" parts don't suck me in, but Choi Jin Hyuk was really able to convey Kwang Ho's love for her so well that I was convinced instantly. It really invested me into his desire to go back home.
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Gidget
May 26, 2017 at 12:32 PM
If that got to you, look for stills of him smiling in the first two episodes of Gu Family Book. He owned my heart in that drama.
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AussieGrl
May 26, 2017 at 12:58 PM
Absolutely, when he has the giant bouquet of flowers, that smile captured my heart ?
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stringofpurls
May 26, 2017 at 2:24 PM
Daddy Gumiho was the best.
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11 Solo
May 26, 2017 at 3:50 AM
Ha Ji Won + Choi Jin Hyuk! Yes please!
I still feel the narrative for this drama might be draggy but I'll see anything with these two!
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12 Hg
May 26, 2017 at 3:56 AM
Ha ji won and Choi Jin hyuk will surely burn the screens?
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13 Nerea loves Beanies
May 26, 2017 at 4:03 AM
I would watch anything with HJW in it. With CJH, it's cherry on top of the cake.
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14 songsong
May 26, 2017 at 4:29 AM
Choi Jin Hyuk seems to pair up with noona well. Before Song Ji Hyo now Ha Ji Won.
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15 Lunabird
May 26, 2017 at 4:34 AM
I loved Choi Jin Hyuk as Kwang Ho in Tunnel and I'll never get over it. He was also great in Emergency Couple with Song Ji Hyo and Pride and Prejudice with Baek Jin Hee. That only goes to show how he can portray so many different characters with the same type of humor. I loved his shows and this one with Ha Ji Won is a must watch.
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16 giocare 🌻💛
May 26, 2017 at 4:37 AM
But I haven't been able to properly grieve Tunnel :( it's gonna take more than the summer to get over this show
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17 azzo
May 26, 2017 at 4:40 AM
I don't think I'll ever be over Tunnel, it made it's way into my top 10 favorite dramas! I can't imagine him playing another character yet but I'm so happy for him! If he says yes then I'll definitely be watching this!
Now, can anyone give Yoon Hyun-min a leading role, too?
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Zepthee
May 26, 2017 at 7:04 AM
Yes yes yes please..anyone? Yoon hyun min deserves more main roles,too. I have watched many yoon's dramas,but tunnel makes me his die hard fan.
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azzo
May 26, 2017 at 7:39 AM
He was great in Tunnel! His Jung Ho-young chase scene is one of my favorite scenes of the drama! The viciousness in that scene, OMG, he blew me away with his performance!
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irenah
May 27, 2017 at 12:34 AM
Yep, that was one memorable sequence. I cant take my eyes of the screen, so riveting.
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18 lifeamongbooks
May 26, 2017 at 4:48 AM
"warm hands, warm eyes, and above all, a warm heart" and "caring but not soft, and strong but not offending" fits Choi Jin-hyuk perfectly. And since I am already missing his face, I am ready for a speedy return of him to tv land.
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19 loveblossom🌸
May 26, 2017 at 5:02 AM
I just squealed out loud! Loved him after seeing him for the first time in Tunnel. He totally fits the warm, caring doctor role.
I really like Ha Ji Won too. She needs a good drama after the awful The Time We Were Not In Love.
But dang, that writer though. I couldn't finish Secret Door.
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mango
May 26, 2017 at 5:27 AM
I hope it will be a good drama comeback for Ha Ji Won too !
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⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
May 26, 2017 at 2:58 PM
Secret Door was bad, but Hwang Jin Yi was good. sigh. Dilemma. Maybe the writer's reunion with Ha Ji Won could help to establish good writing. Who knows...
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20 Hanami
May 26, 2017 at 5:14 AM
Love him and would love to see him in another drama asap but.... this drama sounds so boring compared to Tunnel... So I hope he waits a bit and goes for something better hehe!
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21 bqk318
May 26, 2017 at 5:18 AM
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22 yongsital 🐧 ❄️
May 26, 2017 at 5:41 AM
Sooo can Hyun Min play like an awesome buddy doctor along CJH? ? Ugh this Tunnel withdrawal I swear.
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Zepthee
May 26, 2017 at 7:06 AM
Exactly.. i need this forever pair in upcoming drama. They are too cute for words.
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Tien
May 26, 2017 at 7:44 AM
You can See Hyun min at drama beautiful mind with Jang hyuk and park sodam he plays a doctor.
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loveblossom🌸
May 26, 2017 at 8:09 AM
Yeah, but his role there wasn't great, especially compared to Tunnel.
Hope to see him in another good drama soon though. ^^
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dee
May 27, 2017 at 5:17 AM
or in Inspiring Generation despite his very minor role.
and in Geum Sa Wol, he was lead in that family-drama. Gosh I already love him since forever and watched him in every single of his drama
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23 Playstore, Okay Or Not Okay
May 26, 2017 at 6:10 AM
Yay! It's always good news to see more of Chou Jin Hyuk.
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24 Adal
May 26, 2017 at 6:23 AM
If he's in this drama, then I'm definitely watching it. I've liked him since Pasta, and though I admit some of his roles have been hit or miss for me, Tunnel ignited my love for him again. And I'm excited to see where he'll go with this new character. Plus with Ha Ji Won, what could go wrong?
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Gidget
May 26, 2017 at 12:35 PM
One thing: if the production is bad she'll bail.
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25 haeseleyes
May 26, 2017 at 6:52 AM
This sounds like a Japanese drama I watched a couple of years ago. I'll have to see if I can track the name of it down.
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harunomasu
May 26, 2017 at 9:11 AM
just posted it below lol
It's called umi no ue no shinryojo
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26 Zepthee
May 26, 2017 at 6:59 AM
He's always been park kwang ho to me..??
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27 sharreb
May 26, 2017 at 7:37 AM
Its more likely to hit the iron while its still hot. N a character this warm n kind.. I can already imagine him the tall handsome hot doctor with a heart of gold.. My only hesitation is the scriptwriter.. Not familiar with her works
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28 allaroundfangirl
May 26, 2017 at 8:00 AM
yay for this! more Choi Jin-Hyuk please! and excited to see one of my girl crushes again- Ha Ji-Won.
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29 Melania
May 26, 2017 at 9:04 AM
I was a fan of him before, but after Tunnel, he became a must-watch actor for me. So YES. Take the role. Make me lose more sleep.
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30 harunomasu
May 26, 2017 at 9:08 AM
I think this has the same plot as a J-drama called "umi no ue no shinryojo" played by matsuda shota and takei emi? I watched that drama from beginning until the end therefore I immediately recognized the main story. Or maybe it's just a coincidence because there's no story about it being a remake. Still, if it has the same story as the J-drama, then that means there will be mystery by the end of the drama and I couldn't wait for it to air!
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31 Diana Hansen
May 26, 2017 at 9:10 AM
oh count me IN! the drama gods have heard my hearts (and eyes) plea to have CJH back ASAP! i will love tunnel forever but really, CJH forever! so happy to have him back in our lives. <3
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32 Lena S.
May 26, 2017 at 9:47 AM
I hope he accepts it! I like the character description for this drama, and at least he's not playing a cold chaebol lol. And i'm a Ha Ji Won fan so i'm excited to see both of them together.
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33 Dreamer
May 26, 2017 at 10:00 AM
Well... I'm ready to watch him anytime... :)
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34 kimchikay
May 26, 2017 at 10:19 AM
Literally just finished watching the last episode of Tunnel minutes ago and I see this wonderful news! Oh man, let me finish crying because I'm still reeling from how amazing Tunnel was!!!
I always knew Choi Jin Hyuk was someone to look out for...I've watched pretty much everything he's been in. I know he's played a doctor before (Emergency Couple) but hoping this is a bit different from his role in that.
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35 chingu
May 26, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Eeeeeeppp!! Yay! Loving Choi Jin-hyuk in Tunnel rn, so I'm happy to see that I might get to see more of him after I finish the show. It's even more exciting that he may possibly costar alongside Ha Ji-won–In a medical! Kyyyaaaa~ His character description already has my heart, what with all the warm and fuzzies! Gaaahhh, he sounds perfect! ... Almost TOO perfect... Hehe, I can totally see Choi Jin-hyuk being all of the above and making me ~melt~.
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36 Rach ^^
May 26, 2017 at 12:25 PM
I can barely sit through medical dramas, the last I watched was Yong Pal. Please don't make me watch another medical drama.
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37 Gidget
May 26, 2017 at 12:26 PM
Honestly, I wish it was a different lead actress* but the role seems perfect for him. I've loved Jeon Hye Bin in the things she's done. So maybe her.
*I have a really big problem with actresses/actors who throw their co-leads under a bus when they're stuck in a bad project. HJW foot-acted her way through TTILY, as soon it became clear that the powers-that-be were going to ruin the show. Similarly Park Hae Jin is forever on my **** list for how he handled the awful directoral decisions in Cheese. Throwing a colleague (who's just doing what he's told) to the media/public wolves is never ok. I can't respect people who are willing to be so profoundly unprofessional. They're both going to have to show better professional character before I'll ever be enthusiastic about them again.
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38 risa
May 26, 2017 at 12:31 PM
It's nice to know I'm in good company-- when I read this post's title, I nearly shrieked, "No... I'm not ready to let go of Kwang-ho yet!". I think we all want to make sure Kwang-ho doesn't get yanked away from his family again. I'll just have to see them as living in a parallel universe to this drama's.
Medical dramas aren't my favorite, but I actually really dig this premise. I hope the writing is good because it sounds like it could be very touching. And I'm already squeeing at the thought of all the crinkly-eyed smiles his character is sure to make. I sure hope he accepts, 'cause now I'm all excited about the prospect.
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39 littlemoonstar
May 26, 2017 at 2:45 PM
YES PLEASE
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40 bambi
May 26, 2017 at 2:52 PM
I'm just so happy that so many people have jumped on this Choi Jin-hyuk fan ship. I can't do medical dramas though, so too bad. I'd like it if he only did mysteries but but hey, if this drama ends up being good then all the best to CJH.
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dukseonnoona
May 27, 2017 at 1:12 AM
Same, not a fan of medical dramas. Though I stuck with him through all episodes of Emergency Couple. ? But I loved him most as daddy gumiho ?
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41 LookieLooWho
May 26, 2017 at 4:04 PM
Please and thank you! I need this confirmed as soon as possible. I'm still shooting Ha Ji Won residual side-eye after her last drama. Anything that makes me forget that travesty is gladly welcomed.
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42 jillian
May 26, 2017 at 11:24 PM
I agree with you. I want to think of him as KwangHo for a long time. Not yet over Tunnel.
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43 dukseonnoona
May 27, 2017 at 1:11 AM
Choi Jin Hyuk oppa is on a roll! ?
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44 Momo
May 27, 2017 at 3:32 AM
i dont know about this. i think it's better for him to take some time before venturing into another drama. his image as Park Kwang Ho is too strong to shift to another character.
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45 nelly
May 27, 2017 at 3:38 AM
I'm not gonna lie, I don't like doctor dramas (all that death you see), but this sounds AMAZINGa and Choi Jin Hyuk is a definite plus.
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46 Sandi Potter
May 27, 2017 at 7:23 AM
I'm really excited about HJW in this. Girl crush.
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47 Krish Haki
May 27, 2017 at 9:52 AM
It's been a while I found a good medical drama. This one hopefully will break the negative streak.
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48 Mrs. and Mr. Clarewalt joint account
May 27, 2017 at 7:30 PM
I've enjoyed most the medical dramas I've watched so far. I am very looking forward to this.
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49 chousaurus
May 29, 2017 at 10:04 AM
god he was such a cute doctor in emergency couple LOL
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50 chousaurus
May 29, 2017 at 10:05 AM
ohh emergency couple vibes! hehe
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