I think they couldn't do that because Korean names are normally made up of standard elements (and a very small number of family names) and usually exactly 3 characters. It just tends to create the name duplication. I think there were 4 women with the exact same name in one school in one drama? And unlike the US where you could tweak a name like Michael to be Mike or Mikey or Mikeal, you just can't make a variant of "Min Ho". You'd have to completely change it.

If you hadn't caught on, sometimes pop group members use their band name like it's a surname in introducing themselves. For instance Choi Min Ho from Shinee will say "I'm Shinee Min Ho!" Also a handful of actors have tried to go with just their personal name. or even used their western name a lot. For instance, one of the actresses named Kim Soo-Hyun usually goes by just "Soo-Hyun" or "Claudia Kim" while the full name is usually associated with the male actor from "You from the stars." But, there's 4 other actors and actresses with the same name, just all at much lower levels of fame.

I didn't know that! Thanks for clarifying.

Sorry for the bad pun, @peony. I love RDTK and Doldam ("stone wall") Hospital to bits. It was an intensely cracktastic live-watching experience here at DB. PRIEST has an ER doc in it, just as RDTK did (Seo Hyun-jin). But in light of the demonic-possession dramas I've been watching, I couldn't resist referencing Doldamned. ;-)

@peony,

IIRC, the translation of Doldam Hospital's name may have been in one of the recaps.

Other rock and stone imagery in RDTK:

Ep. 15: "CORNERSTONE SYNDROME" (DB recap) / "Syndrome of Being the Rough-edged Stone" (OnDemandKorea subtitle or name of episode) -- I don't recall exactly how this was meant.

http://www.dramabeans.com/2016/12/romantic-doctor-teacher-kim-episode-15/

However, after experiencing so many of In-bum’s lies and his hazy principles, Teacher Kim says he prefers the “Do” who is clear in his own mind and own objectives (referring to Dr. Do as a cornerstone) rather than the “Do” with unfocused priorities (referring to In-bum as a plain, round stone). Therefore, he adds, In-bum has no further need to be at Doldam Hospital.

I don't know if the surname Do refers to stone, but the above passage jumped out at me from @tineybeanie's recap. I'm also wondering if what is really meant is a dressed, squared-off stone versus a natural, unworked rock or boulder, especially a water-rounded one that can roll.

FYI, I looked through the ep. 15 recap comments and found my post on rocks, stones, and the hospital's name. I hope it's helpful. ;-)

http://www.dramabeans.com/2016/12/romantic-doctor-teacher-kim-episode-15/#comment-2627779