Hospital Playlist: Episode 12 (Final)
by lovepark
The final episode of Hospital Playlist is a long one, but every minute feels worth it knowing that this is the end. Filled with heart-wrenching moments as well as gut-busting scenes, it’s an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. The show leaves its viewers with some satisfying answers, but with another season in the works, don’t expect all to be revealed quite yet.
EPISODE 12 RECAP
After meeting with Gyu-wool, Rosa lies to Jung-won about having plans with Jong-soo and runs away. Back in the garden, Ik-joon spots Gyu-wool sitting in a daze, and he guesses her problem is related to Jung-won. He wonders when her crush started, and she stares at him blankly, as if it should be obvious.
Chi-hong visits Song-hwa in her office and tells her that he wants to move to Sokcho as well. She shoots down his idea since he would be giving up his chief position, and advises him to think of his career. To her surprise, Chi-hong says that he’ll decide for himself and leaves.
Love problems seem to be in the air as Joon-wan stares at his couple rings before calling Ik-soon. Though it’s late, he tells her that he’s coming to see her.
Ik-joon and Song-hwa pop into Seok-hyung’s office to ask if he wants dinner, and they immediately notice his glum expression. Flashing back to earlier that day, Seok-hyung and his mother read Chairman Yang’s will: he left all his assets to his son, Seok-hyung.
When asked about the will’s date, the lawyer told them that the chairman wrote it up the day he learned of the mistress’s pregnancy and left her nothing. Mom scoffed at her late husband’s selfishness, disgusted by his lack of responsibility and morals.
Back in Seok-hyung’s office, Song-hwa and Ik-joon ask if the chairman at least left his family any last words, and Seok-hyung says that he did. However, instead of repentance, the chairman was selfish to the end, ordering Seok-hyung to quit his job and take over the company. Ik-joon asks if he’ll quit, but Seok-hyung only sighs.
Residents and interns line outside of Song-hwa’s office for consultations, and even Seok-min is there for dating advice. Ik-joon cuts the line to take Song-hwa out to lunch, but she waves aside her friend since Jae-hak is next. The chief resident pushes his way in and chants praises for Song-hwa, which even includes a dance. Heh.
Without his usual lunch buddy, Ik-joon pops into Joon-wan and Jung-won’s office, but neither of them is there. Rummaging through their desks, Ik-joon steals chocolates from Joon-wan, but when he opens Jung-won’s drawer, he only finds a Bible and rosaries.
An emergency liver laceration patient arrives, so Jung-won calls Gyu-wool to set up an operating room. She stops mid-meal and runs out of the room without even the slightest hesitation.
In the end, Ik-joon has lunch with Min-ha, and she tells him that she’s helping Seok-hyung with his paper. When Seok-hyung joins them, Ik-joon scolds him for asking a resident to help with his research, but his friend looks at him confused. Watching Min-ha’s reaction, Ik-joon puts the clues together and excuses himself from the room.
After lunch, Ik-joon meets with a family and tells them that couples have to register their marriage for a year before they can donate. He asks why they haven’t registered their marriage yet even though they held the ceremony months ago, and the husband’s mother speaks up. Since her son was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, she didn’t want to leave someone’s precious daughter a widow. It’s an unfortunate situation, but the wife promises to maintain her health and come back in a year to donate.
Once the family leaves, Ik-joon swivels around and throws a pop question at Hong-do. The medical student guesses how the couple met, and the others giggle at his silly answer. Ik-joon explains that he was asking about the criteria needed to qualify for a brain-dead donor, and Hong-do hangs his head since he doesn’t know.
Jung-won operates on his emergency patient with Gyu-wool as his assistant, but since she hasn’t eaten, her stomach gurgles. The anesthesiologist mentions how he sees Gyu-wool the most and suggests to Jung-won that he buy her a meal afterwards. She says that it’s okay, but Jung-won offers to treat her after the patient heals.
Song-hwa drops by the residents’ office and invites Chi-hong and Yoon-bok to dinner since the faculty cafeteria only has one table available. Since Chi-hong is the new chief resident and Yoon-bok will be an intern, Seon-bin and Seok-min are left behind.
Seon-bin is amazed by Song-hwa’s forethought, but Seok-min confesses that she did it for him. He told Song-hwa about his crush on Seon-bin, and uses this moment to indirectly confess his feelings. She sits there in shock, so he puts off dinner for next time and leaves.
After the surgery, Jung-won’s patient moves to the PICU, and her family huddles by the door, hoping for a peek inside. Jung-won goes out to explain the patient’s condition to them and promises to stay nearby until the worst is over.
Though it’s past one in the morning, Jung-won remains in the PICU, Seok-hyung works on his paper, Joon-wan is still operating, Song-hwa is studying, and Ik-joon works on his presentation. On his break, Jung-won stops by Song-hwa’s office and offers to rescind his request about the Daddy-Long-Legs program since Song-hwa’s health comes first. She rejects his suggestion and explains how eager she’s been about the program.
Seok-hyung visits Ik-joon on his way out to confirm the cancelled band practices for the next two weeks. Before he leaves, Ik-joon spins in his seat and tells his friend that Min-ha likes him. Of course, this isn’t news to Seok-hyung, and he tells his friend about Min-ha’s confession.
However, he already turned her down, and lists all the reasons why they shouldn’t date. Ik-joon points out that Seok-hyung didn’t mention not liking her back, but Seok-hyung says that he likes being alone. Though having friends is great, Ik-joon tells Seok-hyung that family is important, too, and it pains him to see his friend cut ties to other people.
Seok-hyung confesses that he doesn’t want to hurt people like he did to his ex-wife, and wonders if he’s pitiful. Ik-joon shakes his head and suggests getting drinks. The two bicker as they leave, and end up entangled in a tango-esque position as they guide each other out.
Joon-wan goes home after finishing his surgery and talks with Ik-soon over the phone. As he stands by the curb for a taxi, he tells Ik-soon that there’s a person who looks just like her. As the familiar silhouette comes closer, Joon-wan smiles since it is her! She runs into his arms, and embracing each other, they kiss.
Jung-won seems almost as relieved as the parents to see his emergency patient improve, and the parents watch him with appreciation as he treats their daughter with love and care. Unfortunately, not everyone hears good news today as Song-hwa tells her patient that his cancer relapsed. She offers to schedule a surgery, but the patient wants to think about it first. Song-hwa understands his decision since he already experienced the difficult process once before.
Ik-joon studies Spanish in his office—a stack of how-to books on his desk—when Joon-wan comes to see him. He asks if he’s going to the airport tomorrow to see Ik-soon off, and Ik-joon wonders how he knew about his sister’s departure date. Joon-wan asks Ik-joon out for drinks, but as usual, Ik-joon turns him down. Before Joon-wan can protest, he receives a call about an emergency patient.
While Song-hwa is on her rounds, Dr. Min’s patient asks her a question about his upcoming tests. Though Seon-bin is the resident in charge, Chi-hong steps in and answers the patient’s question—even covering for his colleague so Song-hwa won’t misunderstand.
As expected, it’s a busy day at the hospital with Joon-wan having an emergency operation and Ik-joon checking on his patient (the one whose family pressured his wife to donate). It’s already 10 at night when the friends can eat, though Joon-wan is still in the operating room and Jung-won is in the PICU.
Even more family members of Jung-won’s emergency patient arrive at the hospital, and Jung-won tells the small crowd about the patient’s improvements. The family thanks him for saving their daughter, recognizing the many nights he stayed up because of it.
Jung-won eats dinner in Song-hwa’s office with a smile plastered on his face, and it’s immediately obvious to Song-hwa that his patient improved. He wonders how she knew, and Song-hwa laughs, calling it a lucky guess. Between mouthfuls, he asks about her move, which also coincides with Ik-joon’s departure date.
Despite operating for twelve hours, Joon-wan fails to stop the bleeding and decides to move the patient to the ICU. He informs the guardians of the situation, and that night, he sleeps in his office to stay close.
Outside Seok-hyung’s office, patients occupy every seat down the long corridor and complain about the wait. Min-ha tries to explain to a cranky mother that today isn’t even their busiest day, but Seok-hyung stops her.
Dr. Kwon’s patient can no longer receive a liver because of a heart attack, which puts their coordinator in a bind. Meanwhile, Joon-wan decides to meet with his patient’s guardians and tells them that the bleeding won’t stop. The mom breaks down and begs him to let her touch her son one last time.
The next patient in Seok-hyung’s long line is called into his office, and another patient asks the nurse how long the wait will be. The pregnant lady is clearly agitated (which is reasonable since the hospital scheduling system is flawed), but the nurse remains kind and helpful—her professionalism defusing the tension just a bit.
The transplant coordinator makes a few calls, but no one is ready to receive the liver in time. Suddenly, it dawns on Ik-joon that his patient matches, and he rushes out of the lounge to prepare for the transplant.
Joon-wan and Jae-hak watch as the patient’s parents place his baby clothes over his chest. The mom wonders when her son got so big and tells him that she isn’t ready to let him go. With the dad’s muffled cries in the background, the mom asks her son not to leave them just yet. Oof, I’m already crying.
Seok-hyung’s patient tells him that her baby has been quiet for the last couple of days, and his face falls at the news. He suggests an ultrasound, and looking at the monitor, his expression darkens. Back in the ICU, Jae-hak cautiously asks Joon-wan if they could operate from the front, and Joon-wan looks up in surprise. After checking the patient’s status, he agrees to Jae-hak’s suggestion.
Seok-hyung tells his patient the bad news: her baby’s heart has stopped. Unable to accept reality, the patient asks if her baby is dead, and Seok-hyung confirms it. She breaks down, and her cries echo in silent hall.
The patient apologizes for taking up his time, but Seok-hyung hands her a tissue and tells her to stay as long as she needs. Min-ha offers to make up some excuse to tell the people waiting, but Seok-hyung says that there’s no need. Outside, all the expectant mothers hold onto their stomachs—each of them aware of the tragedy that just transpired.
Song-hwa informs her patient’s family that she’s brain-dead and will likely die in a week or two. As the family cries, so does Yoon-bok in the back. Afterwards, Song-hwa tells Chi-hong and Yoon-bok about a patient she had during her residency, and how similar the situations are—even their names are the same.
Yoon-bok tears up, realizing the doctor from her youth was Song-hwa all along. As Yoon-bok hugs her, Song-hwa asks what’s wrong, and she sobs that she misses her mom. Song-hwa seems to put the pieces together, and wipes away Yoon-bok’s tears, telling her that her mom would be so proud of her.
Chi-hong finds an old patient waiting for him outside the office (it’s the police officer who got the courage to try again thanks to him). The officer hands him a gift, hoping the resident might make an exception just this once. He claims that it’s a cheap pen, but regardless of the monetary value, he wants it to serve as a reminder to Chi-hong during the hard times that he saved a patient’s life.
Ik-joon tells the family about the successful transplant, and then uses sign language to communicate with the young son. Flashing back to the family’s first consultation, Ik-joon realized the child was deaf, so he wrote on a piece of paper, telling the son to hug his crying mom. The perfect person might not exist, but dang, Ik-joon sure is close to it!
In her office, Song-hwa tells Jung-won that she agrees with his decision before he even tells her. She explains that there are three types of people in the world. The first are those who are the happiest when they eat—prime examples are Ik-joon and Joon-wan. Cut to: Joon-wan stealing ramyun from Ik-joon who tries to steal it back.
The second type is people who are happiest when eating alone. The perfect example is Seok-hyung, who laughs while watching variety shows on his phone in his office, but his face falls when someone knocks on his door. Min-ha comes in with her own bowl of ramyun and joins Seok-hyung who doesn’t seem to mind her company.
The last type is those who are happiest when seeing others eat, and Song-hwa tells Jung-won that he’s the third.
In the lounge, Ik-joon mentions his sister and how she’s probably in the air, and Joon-wan jumps up screaming. After coming to terms with his blunder, Joon-wan sits numbly at his desk and reads the messages Ik-soon sent him before she left.
Though she missed him, she understood his busy schedule and was more worried that something terrible might have happened to him. She promised to call him after the plane lands and told him that she loved him. Joon-wan hangs his head and tells Jae-hak that no one’s here when he comes knocking.
However, Joon-wan changes his mind and invites his chief resident for some fresh air. In the garden, Jae-hak confesses his doubts about the profession. His biggest fault is his indecisiveness, yet being a doctor requires making important decisions every moment. He turns to Joon-wan for guidance, and his mentor tells him to just come ask him. Aw, I love these two.
This time, Joon-wan turns to Jae-hak for advice on his love life, and wonders if he should give Ik-soon the ring. Jae-hak tells him to ask her directly because she has the answer. With the tables turned, he shakes his head at Joon-wan and comments on how he’s so bad at dating. Pfft.
Ik-joon says bye to Woo-joo before his trip, and asks his son to repeat the acrostic poem he learned at school. Ik-joon is over the moon after hearing his son’s adorable poem, but it turns out, Woo-joo ends all his poems with “bye-bye” regardless of the last syllable. He’s so cute!
At the hospital, Joon-wan holds a package addressed to Ik-soon, and the two promise to wear it at all times. After he hangs up, he stares at the ring on his finger.
Seok-min visits the hospital, saying that he’s looking for Chi-hong, but he’s really there to ask Seon-bin out to dinner. Yoon-bok she pretends to get an emergency call from Hong-do to give the two some space, but her phone rings on her way out (argh, so embarrassing). Left alone, Seok-min invites Seon-bin to dinner, and she accepts.
Ik-joon visits Song-hwa at her new apartment and asks for advice. He started liking an old friend and doesn’t know what to do. He’s worried that confessing will make their relationship awkward, but if he doesn’t confess this time, he might regret it for the rest of his life. Song-hwa doesn’t know what to say, and Ik-joon tells her to take her time.
Chi-hong opens a package at his new apartment, and unboxes a pair of shoes that have “chief” written on them. He reads the note from Song-hwa, which includes three pieces of advice for him on how to be a better doctor. As he stares at the shoes, he thinks back on his memories with her from his confession to the day he noticed her worn shoes.
It’s December 23rd, and the five friends are gathered for band practice. Ik-joon and Song-hwa asks Seok-hyung what he decided, and inform the others about the chairman’s will. After Ik-joon shakes Seok-hyung into answering, Seok-hyung looks at his friends who wait with bated breaths. He tells them that he isn’t quitting, and everyone is relieved to hear it.
Joon-wan decides to play devil’s advocate, telling him to accept the position for a while, but Seok-hyung thinks it’s a waste of time. He wants to do the things he wants from now on, and confesses that he used his friends to start the band for that very reason. The others call him absurd, and they share a good laugh together.
Song-hwa gulps down a cup of raw eggs since she has a line in this next song, and the others (minus Ik-joon) copy Song-hwa’s vocal warm-ups. Heh. The song today is “Me to You, You to Me” and each friend sings a verse, though Song-hwa’s voice cracks as she sings. Pffft.
Christmas Eve arrives, and Jung-won is busy watching patients in the PICU. He steps outside and is greeted by his old patient with the large family. The little girl hugs Jung-won, and the mom explains how he was in their thoughts during the holidays.
As for Joon-wan, his patient is discharged today, and the happy family goes home to eat a home-cooked meal together. The same goes for Ik-joon who tells his patient to vacate his room since he’s all better now. In the hall, Ik-joon throws a pop quiz at Hong-do, and this time, the student gets it right. Yeah!
The patient who experienced multiple miscarriages cries in Seok-hyung’s office, and her usually stoic husband weeps next to her. She asks Seok-hyung to repeat the good news again, so he tells them that they don’t have to worry about a premature birth anymore.
Christmas arrives, and Joon-wan looks for nail clippers in his office. He looks through Jung-won’s desk, but stops when he opens a drawer. On his way out, he receives a call about a package—the ring was returned.
Gyu-wool visits Jung-won in his office, and with her lips quivering, she confesses her feelings to him. She asks if he could stay at the hospital and remain at her side. Jung-won stares back at her, his eyes glistening with tears as well, and he approaches her. He pats her head and then moves in for a kiss.
Winter garden has sailed! I repeat, winter garden has sailed!
We finally get to hear Gyu-wool’s answer of when she first liked Jung-won, and as Ik-joon dreaded, it was love at first sight. (Can you blame her?) As for Jung-won, Min-ha was right when she said he would have come if he loved her, since Jung-won did go to the emergency room after hearing about Gyu-wool’s illness, but he wasn’t able to go inside.
Flashing back to his earlier conversation with Song-hwa, she told Jung-won that he made the right decision, knowing that he chose to remain at the hospital. He asked her not to tell the others yet because he wanted to inform someone else first. Song-hwa agreed, a knowing smile on her face, and she looked out the window, commenting on how winter (aka, “Gyu-wool”) has arrived. Hehehe.
The scene goes back to Joon-wan looking through Jung-won’s desk, and his usual drawer filled with rosaries and a Bible is now empty. Back in the present, Jung-won stares at Gyu-wool and then goes in for another kiss.
On his way out, Seok-hyung receives a text from Min-ha, inviting him out for dinner on Christmas. He texts back, “sorry” and writes out “Merry Christmas” before erasing it. As he leaves, he receives a call from Shin-hye, his ex-wife. He closes his eyes, as if mentally preparing himself, and answers.
COMMENTS
These two hours were filled with laughs and tears with the first half dealing with tales of loss. Though each circumstance was different, the overarching emotion was the same, revealing the complexity of grief as well as its universality. The first moment came from the parents and their adult son. Unlike the others, their story ended up on a happy note. They portrayed the potential of loss and the grief that comes with knowing your loved ones are dying. It’s hard to give up, and even more so when that person is your child because no matter how much they grow up, they’ll still remain a baby to their parents. Hearing the father cry in the background, unable to say a word, while the mother held back her tears to talk to her son was heart wrenching because it’s never easy to say good-bye, especially when it’s unexpected.
Next came the mother who lost her child. The wave of emotions that flashed across her face as she slowly came to terms with her loss was amazingly portrayed (an applause to all the actors who played side characters; they really completed the show). Contrary to the older couple, she never got to see her child grow up, but that doesn’t make her loss any less tragic. I also found it poignant that even during this moment of heartache, the patient thought of the other mothers waiting outside, but just as she was considerate of others, they were thoughtful, too. The silent moment of solidarity of the patients waiting outside, each holding onto to their child, only emphasized the weight of the loss and the shared understanding of loss and grief.
Then the show caps off with Yoon-bok as she recalls the loss of her mom. While the other groups focused on the parents, this moment was about the child and their perspective. Not only was this a brilliant way for the show to bring back Yoon-bok’s story about the resident who motivated the siblings, but it served as a wonderful contrast to the stories of loss before it. What elevated the moment was the fact that it wasn’t about Song-hwa or finding the resident from the past, but about Yoon-bok. Though it’s been years since she lost her mother, Yoon-bok still misses her, and that longing will probably never go away. It’s especially heartfelt that it was Yoon-bok who got to experience this moment since she was the one who seemed more composed when talking about the past. However, just as much as Hong-do, Yoon-bok is grieving, and I’m glad Song-hwa was there to comfort her. While most children know that they have to say good-bye to their parents one day, it doesn’t make the loss any easier or less painful.
While I did cry buckets of tears, not all was doom and gloom in the last episode. For the all the winter garden shippers, rejoice! Of all the possible romantic pairings the show set up, it was Gyu-wool and Jung-won that was confirmed at the end. While I would have liked a bit more insight into Jung-won’s mind, I liked the way the show played out their confession and affirmation. Instead of seeing every interaction as romantic, we watched these two characters grow as mentor and mentee. Over this past season, Gyu-wool grew as a doctor because of Jung-won, and I’m glad the show developed this aspect of their relationship first. Rather than put Gyu-wool into a box and make her story all about her crush, she was a doctor, first and foremost, with struggles just like Jung-won. For the most part, she kept her crush a secret (though as the saying goes, you can’t hide sneezing or love), and it was only at the end that she let herself be completely vulnerable in a final attempt to keep him from leaving.
In some ways, the confession felt rushed, but I think that was the point. By setting a deadline, Gyu-wool was forced to make a decision, and for these two slowpokes, I think the external push factor was needed. Luckily, Jung-won finally came to a conclusion by then, and returned her feelings. Though the other characters seem to think he’s an open book, I thought Jung-won and his feelings for Gyu-wool were opaque on the whole. Granted, keeping certain scenes hidden from viewers does make the final reveal feel grand, but it can also be frustrating when the show keeps too many secrets just for a surprise. In this case, though, the final reveal didn’t feel like a gotcha moment, and besides the emergency room scene, there really wasn’t a lot of information withheld. Since Jung-won was still wrestling with his emotions and life calling, the audience wasn’t privy to his emotional state because he, himself, was unsure of how he felt. Thus, the confusion surrounding Jung-won’s feelings for Gyu-wool is more a characteristic of Jung-won as a person than solely a narrative choice by the writer.
In a time of unrest and great injustice in the world, Hospital Playlist offered a moment of comfort. Even if for just a few hours a week, watching this show felt like a glimpse at a world that still had hope and love. Where those in power wielded their authority with wisdom and grace. Where people still cared for each other. Though it was a show about doctors, more importantly, it was a story about people. It’s a shame to let these lovable characters go because it feels like there’s still so much story to tell (curse you seasons format!), but instead of seeing this as the “end,” I’ll treat it as a break. Hopefully making the show in seasons means better working environments for the production crew, writers, and actors, so when they come back, it’s even better than before. Until then, stay healthy and happy watching.
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Tags: Hospital Playlist, Jeon Mi-do, Jo Jung-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, Kim Gab-soo, Kim Hae-sook, Yoo Yeon-seok
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1 Blue (@mayhemf)
June 6, 2020 at 10:18 AM
❤️
This show had heart!! Thanks for talking about the amazing actors who played secondary roles as patients or caretakers. They all were amazing.
This show was like a warm blanket on a cold winter day. I will miss this warmth. Season 2 come soon!!!
And thanks @lovepark for sharing your thoughts. It was a pleasure reading them.
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2 dee23
June 6, 2020 at 10:24 AM
Thank you. I thought you forgot. 😭😭😭
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lovepark
June 6, 2020 at 10:31 AM
This show is too good to forget!
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3 Kelly-k
June 6, 2020 at 10:30 AM
Am just here to gloat...
I was told it wouldn't happen, and was annoyed by the fandom wars...
But the one couple who had me watching even though I was sure it was my imagination happened...
Mama rose we won...
Apart from that... If more kdramas were like this I would watch more... I seem to do better with an assemble cast, I don't get annoyed too easily and I get to fall for more people.... Because I never got the logic of "why did so and so get more screen time? They are not the leads"
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books7time
June 6, 2020 at 11:34 AM
Haha. I was right there with you. In fact, it was the cafeteria scene where he finds out she had an allergic reaction that had me pretty darn sure there were feelings there.
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4 FlyingTool
June 6, 2020 at 10:39 AM
Looking forward to Act 2, and Act 3. May the Team stay healthy and together!
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Lucy🦋 | Hyun Bins First Love
June 6, 2020 at 2:02 PM
there is going to be season 3? I have blocked all news about this drama so I would come across spoilers. so I dont know much about anything
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FlyingTool
June 6, 2020 at 5:21 PM
As I understand it, this drama was, from the start, a 3 act play. Or 3 seasons, how ever you want to phrase it.
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5 Priyanka
June 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Lovepark, you truly are a garden ❤!!
Thank you so much for recapping this gem. Had it not been you, I don't think I would have tried a single episode of this show. You recapped it so well, and your comments were so spot on!! Always.
I am not a hospital drama fan because of some scenes and dying characters leave me upset for a long time. But I read the recap and there was no going back. Just to confirm my suspicions on winter garden ❤ I watched from the beginning again.
But the show, this was so genuine and beautiful. I felt them, their emotions, the sufferings. Everything was done so beautifully. I was nervous like ikjoon when confessing, like song hwa when listening. I cried with Jung won when receiving confession, like gyu wool when confessing. I was in a yes no situation like seok hyung, felt I messed up like junwon.
The scene outside with expecting mothers, the parents with their young son.
I don't know if I am making sense. I watched the episode back to back twice, and raw earlier but am still craving for more.
I hope each of us survive and comeback healthy to continue this journey.
Show, I know you are not forever but the parting still feels painful. Comeback soon. Am waiting...
Ps-Can we write a petition or something to make it a permanent one day a week show??!!
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6 Beverly
June 6, 2020 at 11:09 AM
This was such a gift of a show.
I'm so glad I finally pressed play. Probably will end up being my favorite characters of the year, especially Song-hwa.
Anyone who has been hesitant to try it I'd so reccomend it. Dont worry about multiple seasons, shipping wars, or any of that. Just press play and spend some time with a great group of people.
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7 Kafiyah Bello
June 6, 2020 at 11:24 AM
When that poor woman found out her baby was stillborn and lost it, I lost it too. It was interesting because all the women waiting to see Seok Hyung realized exactly what was happening without being told, except for that fool husband. It was heartbreaking. I agree kudos to the actors who filmed that. As for Jung Won I have to disagree with Lovepark, his feelings were not opaque at all. I'm not sure he ever wrestled with the feelings themselves. I think he wrestled with whether to act on it or not. That was that problem, not whether he had them. That was the decision that was mysterious, not that he liked her. Also, can't wait for season 2.
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books7time
June 6, 2020 at 12:10 PM
Exactly! The show very clearly showed that his brusque reactions to her were different from any other female resident and opposite of his usual nature. At first I thought it was just because of her character--the scene were she coldly scolded the patient's mother made me not like her at first. Yet, her character was revealed and quickly you realize she was not unfeeling, just unaware of the effect of her words. In fact, we soon saw how lovable and sympathetic she was.
So why did Jung Won react to her so negatively? Because he had inconvenient feelings for her that could be a threat to his dream. And perhaps he was not aware of his own feelings, but just reacting. At least until she had her allergic reaction (it is still not clear if that was his realization point or if it happened earlier).
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OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 1:12 PM
Jung-won's reaction to her allergy was the event which made Jung-won finally admit the depth of his feelings to her- a clarifying moment, although he did not ultimately go in to see her precisely because he also realized that now he really needed to do some thinking and make a decision. It was the exactly right thing for him to do once he knew that she would be OK.
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parkchuna 🍉
June 6, 2020 at 5:06 PM
That scene outside the ER was really great, it showed how much Jeong Won was struggling with his feelings.
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akikisetsu
June 7, 2020 at 7:05 AM
I also agree that JW's feelings are not opaque, but whether to act on it or not is the crux. Just the fact that he treats GW differently from the rest of the other female doctors and nurses, who are in some scenes also showing their crush on him. Its just with GW that he is brusque and even outrightly lied.
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Eazal
June 7, 2020 at 7:21 AM
I've binge watched this show, since Netflix only released it on Thursday in my zone, and I have just finished it. And I agree with you: Jung Won's feelings were never opaque. I realized the moment he made an excuse not to have dinner with her alone, it was because he had strong feelings that he probably didn't want to explore.
It was crystal clear.
And when I watched the ER door scene my heart was just melting. How can he be so sweet and stupid at the same time?
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8 books7time
June 6, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Many thanks @lovepark for recapping and sharing your insights.
From start to finish this show was consistently a delight hitting both the heart and mind. What I love most is how this director-writing team show that it is the ordinary days of our lives that are truly extraordinary. (And over-blown drama is not needed for a show to be engaging!)
I cried so much this episode during the death part of the "life and death" work our heroes do. I just gave up using a tissue.
I was, of course, pleased as punch for the confirmation of feelings on Jun-won's side and the ache of missing this world was eased a bit by the kiss. However, I still have this niggling need for Jun-won's desire to be a priest clarified and given more depth. I was never really convinced he was going to make the sacrifices to follow that dream because we really were not shown much, only told. Not that I thought it was his best path, but I just felt that storyline could have had more depth.
From the cameos to the support to the bit parts to the mains you can tell this was a labor of love for the cast. And the crew. I cannot wait for season 2!
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Jingbee
June 6, 2020 at 5:41 PM
"What I love most is how this director-writing team show that it is the ordinary days of our lives that are truly extraordinary. (And over-blown drama is not needed for a show to be engaging!) "
This. I feel the same way. In between waiting for the next HP episode, I also binged-watched Prison Playbook (Wise Prison Life) and I also truly loved it - from the same director-screenwriter team. I love that they are able to showcase how profoundly interesting and fascinating ordinary stories about ordinary people can be. And I am super impressed that with just one episode, or even in just a few minutes in a few episodes , they could tell several complete stories that touches the heart. For example, the critical patient with the parents and the baby clothes, whoomp!, to me its a complete story. Another example is the recurring guest couple (multiple miscarriage), there was a progression of character - even a character development in the case of the hubby)!. Some dramas could not even do it in 16 episodes!. Kudos to this team.. I am now a fan.
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PYC
June 6, 2020 at 10:49 PM
"What I love most is how this director-writing team show that it is the ordinary days of our lives that are truly extraordinary."
@books7time - ditto from me and thanks for wording it so precisely. This is the exact reason why Hospital Playlist is the best work to date from Writer Lee and PD Shin duo. Reply series are great but you know you are watching a drama but this one, you feel like meeting with real people like those you encounter in your daily life. It is that sense of 'realness' framed in humanity that makes it a masterpiece.
Icing on the cake is the finale song in "Me to You, You to Me" - my absolute personal favourite since "The Classic" movie.
As always, thanks to @lovepark for your insightful recap and all other beanies sharing their thoughts - although shipwar could be annoying.
Thanks to the HP cast and crew for delivering us reprieve in what has been a very troubled year in our time. Awaiting Season 2 in anticipation!
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9 kdragon
June 6, 2020 at 11:46 AM
Raise your hand if you were holding your breath up until the last second when Jung Won leaned in? ✋ 🥰
NOTE: That was probably one of the most hoped for, yet unexpected ending EVER! But I'm not complaining. 😉
That being said, what I loved about this finale was it really showed that the drama was not mainly about the leads but also about the patients. Through each of our leads, we caught a glimpse of what the patients and their families go through, the happy news as well the sad ones, and how doctors touch their lives. (Kudos to all the "patient" actors in this episode!)
HP is episodic, I think Jo Jong Suk mentioned this too. I guess that was one of the reasons I hopped in late in the HP train because I couldn't pinpoint what the drama was really about... so I delayed watching it. Really glad I didn't drop it. I think the style is not everybody's 'cup of tea', but hey.. it's their loss right.
A noteworthy ACHIEVEMENT of HP is how Gyeo Wool creeped into our hearts (and Jung Won's 😂) . To be honest, I didn't really notice her up until it was hinted that she and Ik Joon might be having an affair! And then that chocopie scene happened 😂. The writers and PD and their attention to details.. Love it!
I learned my lesson, will take notes in Season 2 😂.
As a last note... I was for Chi Hong.. before Ik Joon came into the picture... Now I'm all for Ik Joon. Let's see how it goes next season. Can't wait!
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10 books7time
June 6, 2020 at 11:53 AM
I almost forgot! I want to express my relief that it was very clear that Jung-won made the decision to stay and to choose a relationship with Gyu-wool BEFORE she asked him to stay. I was a little worried.
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kdragon
June 6, 2020 at 12:16 PM
I was also dreading the possibility that Jung Won will stay because Gyeo Wool asked or because of Gyeo Wool.
I think the writer and the PD made it very clear that Jung Won stayed mainly because he loved his job, and he decided this BEFORE the confession.
Gyeo Wool also did not ask him to stay because his mother asked...she asked for herself. Rosa probably did not know Gyeo Wool liked Jung Won. 😅
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OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 1:03 PM
I do not think that Gyu-wool was not a part of Jung-won's decision.
Jung-won hated his job as much as he loved it- and for the same reason- he loves children. Remember in the first episode his Oppa has to take him out for a drink and talk him into staying as a doctor for another year after he loses a patient. Jung-won has clung to his childhood dream of the priesthood because it offered him an escape from that trauma. Which is one that will keep happening because even a great surgeon cannot save every child. He is a great doctor in part because he cares so much- but because he cares so much he keeps getting hurt. Yet, if you were to run a statistical study you would undoubtedly find that he loses fewer patients than any other of the 45 pediatric surgeons in his country.
There seems to be no solution to this dilemma for Jung-won other than running away. But suddenly another solution has appeared- Gyu-wool, who loves him. Having a life partner to support you and to support (which he has already been doing as a mentor) can make all the difference emotionally. He does not need to become a priest but he definitely needs Gyu-wool, who also needs him just as much.
Rosa spoke to Gyu-wool because she had seen that she did indeed like her son- and that her son seemed to be attracted to Gyu-wool, as who would not be? That is why she admitted to Gyu-wool that Gyu-wool was Rosa's last chance. That was actually a huge admission because it implied a major promise and commitment by Rosa to Gyu-wool: Gyu-wool will be treated very well indeed by her mother-in-law, not like a servant but rather more like a princess. Gyu-wool and Jung-won are human and so will have problems and misunderstanding to resolve going forward, but the mother-in-law will not be one of those problems.
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kdragon
June 6, 2020 at 8:12 PM
I do agree that she was part of his decision.. but not yet sure by how much. I am still waiting on some flashbacks in Season 2. Because I really think there are more.
I just think the major part was his being a doctor. I think the trigger was after that surgery where he was being constantly hounded by the family.. He realized what his absence could mean. But hey, I could be wrong 😅
I am also guessing that most, if not all of his friends suspect he has feelings for Gyeo Wool but no one really pointed it out save for Ik Joon who was Gyeo Wool's promoter 😂. Maybe we'll see some of those instances in Season 2.
Side note: if you check out some BTS, I think the leads themselves and the staff are rooting for them.. Maybe they know something we don't because they haven't shown it yet 😁
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OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 9:19 PM
In a sense that was my point- The main reason was that he wanted to continue to be a doctor- except it was torture every time he lost a patient. With Gyeo-wool in his life it will no longer be a torture, even though he will still feel bad every time he loses a patient. It is Gyeo-wool which will enable him to continue.
Dreamsaddict
July 8, 2020 at 2:02 PM
Actually, were we shown what Jung-won answered to Ik-joon when asked about his feelings for Gyeo-Wool?
I too think that we will see many more flashbacks in Series 2! I hope so!
11 wapz
June 6, 2020 at 12:13 PM
I loved this show a lot, even if not the format. I think I definitely got into it when they were aiming for sth which became a sort of husband hunt/who will be the couple. I'm still glad I caught up otherwise I would've missed a good slice of life drama (yes that's how I'll see it).
But I have a question for Christian beanies, can you enlighten me on this topic?
I have seen(or rather known I haven't met them personally) priests who have a spouse and family. So i never understood the conflict in JeongWon. Had it been priesthood vs being a doctor maybe I could get it but priesthood over choosing to marry, I think I'm missing sth here. Can someone explain?
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OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Catholic priests are not allowed to marry.
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wapz
June 6, 2020 at 1:03 PM
Oh ok. Gotta check what I know again. Is it possible that they are already married and can then pursue priesthood?
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switchboard98
May 24, 2021 at 4:27 PM
Nope...Catholic Priests have to take a vow of chastity...mostly Protestant denominations have married clergy. Hopes this helps
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bong-soo
June 6, 2020 at 1:03 PM
@wapzy,
I will try to give you a concise answer to your question.
Of various Christian denominations, the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) as a general rule only admits unmarried men to the priesthood. Now Joon-won, along with his siblings (2 Roman Catholic priests and 2 Roman Catholic religious sisters) belongs to the RCC. Other Christian (Protestant) denominations allow for a married priesthood.
Being a medical doctor and a priest would present no difficulty. One issue on that score that might have been a problem is if he was carrying student loan debt. We know he did not have student loan debt.
One of the issues that complicated Jun-won’s plans for the priesthood was his age (approaching 40 I think) and iirc the Archdiocese of Seoul did not accept candidate the priesthood that old. Joon-won had to find an alternate road to the priesthood which for him meant going overseas.
(Now personally speaking I found the whole roadblock to the priesthood story line rather strange. He had 2 brothers who were priests. He came from a wealthy and philanthropic family.
Lol if I was the Archbishop of Seoul I would have done everything I could to make Jun-won a priest in my diocese and not put roadblocks up. Well it is their loss.)
I hope this helps.
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wapz
June 6, 2020 at 1:12 PM
Oh that helps a lot. Because I've clearly heard about married priests and if you by any chance know the English youtube channels Korean Englishman and Jolly who make videos on Korea have a married priest regularly in their videos. But my own lackluster knowledge of Christianity remembered that priests could not marry.
Between doctor and priesthood I meant he either maybe had to do one or the other because both require huge commitment. While even if I remembered sth, since I had seen priests who were married it was hard to buy Jeong won's crisis but now I get it.
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misshoggy
June 6, 2020 at 6:22 PM
Josh’s friend from Korean Englishman is an ordained minister from the Church of England- aka the Anglican Church. They are permitted to marry before or after getting ordained. While both sects of the Orthodox Church allows marriage, they only permitted marriage before ordination. Pure celibacy only applies to the Catholic Church- Jeongwon’s family church affliction.
What you’ve seen of married priests/reverends/vicars/rectors in popular culture are probably Anglicans.
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misshoggy
June 6, 2020 at 6:23 PM
affiliation*
neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
June 6, 2020 at 6:53 PM
A total loss from the Archbishop of Seoul. The donations would have been coming annually or even monthly.
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skelly
June 6, 2020 at 9:37 PM
Actually I think the Archbishop of Seoul knew exactly what he was doing. Rosa did not want her son to be a priest, and donations would come from her, not the rest of the family - so it is best to keep Rosa happy and put gentle roadblocks in the path of her final son becoming a priest.
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bong-soo
June 7, 2020 at 10:33 AM
Comment was deleted
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bong-soo
June 7, 2020 at 10:38 AM
In responding above I purposely left out Rosa when listing the Catholic members of Jun-won’s family (his 2 brothers and sisters).
In the conversation in the car between Rosa and Jong-soo I got the impression Rosa did not consider herself a Catholic and was ambiguous about her religious beliefs.
That would lead me to believe that the father must have been a practicing Catholic and raised the children Catholic. I believe I remember Jun-won mentioned his late father’s philanthropy (supporting an orphanage). Perhaps with his own philanthropic endeavors he was following in his father’s footsteps.
Just a thought.
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12 OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 12:36 PM
I loved so much about this last episode. But to me the highlight of the episode has to be seeing Jung-won decide to sacrifice his childhood dream and instead do what God really wants him to do- continue to save children. About the only thing that I think the writers got wrong was having Gyu-wool asking him to choose her over God. Because that is not what happened and I hope that someday she will understand that he will probably save more souls as a doctor than he ever could as a priest- because every child saved has parents who will not lose faith as a result. In any case Gyul-wool's confession took a lot of courage.
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zitless
June 6, 2020 at 1:58 PM
You are 💯 right. I was having that dreading feeling that it would look like Jung-Won chose Gyu-Wool over God. It did seem that way especially when his desk drawers were empty. It doesn't have to be one of the two. He can keep both his love for God and his love for Gyu-Wool. He's just going to express his love for God by helping children and their families. He is already touching lives as a doctor, I'm sure God will want him to continue in his name.
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OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 3:44 PM
Almost 20% of South Korea is Catholic, but I doubt that Gyu-wool is ne of them. While the second season will probably not revolve around this as a issue it may be something that the two of them have to work out as a couple- she clearly does not have an understanding of this which is why she expressed herself the way that she did. It need not be a major problem but rather simply something-his faith- that they need to talk about so that she can understand him better.
And I think that far from there being a conflict I see Gyu-wool as actually God's plan for keeping him as a doctor.
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skelly
June 6, 2020 at 9:40 PM
YES. I kept wanting to give him a shake and ask him - don't you realize you are already serving God? Being a priest is only one way to be a good servant of God, he is doing a fabulous job already. I really got the feeling that his desire to be a priest was a remnant of his childhood, something he retreated to whenever he was stressed... the way adults sometimes dream of chucking at all and hitting the open road, or becoming an artist, and so on.
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OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 11:08 PM
I too, more than once, wanted to give him a shake and tell him the same thing. And you are right about why he thought he wanted to run to the priesthood. Being a priest is a very noble calling- but it really wasn't his calling. It was just a dream and I believe you have nailed precisely the reason why he held on to that dream
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Eazal
June 7, 2020 at 7:30 AM
For me it was clear in this last episode, when the girl with the liver laceration was stable and he told her family, when they were thanking him and he was walking away from them with a smile and tears in his eyes... It may have been the moment he realized he can serve God in so many ways, and saving children lives and giving hope to their parents is one of the best ways.
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13 Kurama
June 6, 2020 at 1:19 PM
It was really a good show!
My favourite character was JWan. He really grew up as a person during all this season. He had a promotion, he got a serious relationship, he was more attentive with his resident.
IJ was pretty funny. But sometimes, he was a little bit too much invasive in the life of the poor Gyeo-Wool. I love his relationship with his son (who was super cute).
It happened a lot of things in SH's life but it always was about his parents and not directly him doing something. I hope he will be more active in his own life in the next season. The phone call with his ex-wife made me curious.
SH was a nice character. She's really a great doctor but I liked her flaws like singing off key :p I'm curious about her answer. She didn't think to say no to SH and Captain Ahn.
For me, JWon was the most boring of them. He was too much "perfect", he gave him all his money, he always was nice, his religion, etc.
I loved all the friendship scenes but I wasn' invested in the love stories. It was too sudden. The kiss scene between JWon and GW was so weird for me. His indifference was too well acted for me to see it was an act and he had feelings for her...
The OST is great and I'm very excited for the season 2 !
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spazmo
June 6, 2020 at 1:51 PM
i agree about Jung Won's indifference. it was very convincing and i didn't sense the "conflict" he was supposedly experiencing... i thought it had to do with his leaving his profession as a pediatrician, rather than any attraction to Gyu Wool....
i wasn't buying the kiss(es)... and that disappointed me.
: (
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Kurama
June 6, 2020 at 2:03 PM
The fact GW acted as a teenager around him (always searching his approval, the way she was talking or the fact she couldn't watch him in the eyes) didn't really help neither.
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OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 3:48 PM
I respectfully disagree. Both Gyul-woo and JW are totally inexperienced people who have never dated. Their fumbling is completely natural.
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Kurama
June 7, 2020 at 12:38 AM
Do we really know about their past dating life? IJ was calling JWon a virgin but I don't think he would have done it if it was really true...
I don't remember GW saying she never dated in her life.
Eazal
June 7, 2020 at 7:35 AM
@kurama in episode I-don't-know-which because I binge watched during the weekend, IkJoon says he's never had a girlfriend and was only interested in God since they become friends.
And GyulWoo told MinHa that she had never been kissed before.
So, yes, they are both very inexperienced people.
skelly
June 6, 2020 at 9:42 PM
You don't have to be a teenager to want a mentor's approval, especially in a very hierarchical profession like medicine. And I just felt that GW is one of those introverted people that finds it overwhelming to look at people - she didn't look at other people very much, either.
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PYC
June 6, 2020 at 11:10 PM
Spot on observation - GW rarely looks people into their eyes, except those she knows very well which is consistent with her introvert geek character. JW would be that mentor she needs in her journey as a doctor. She's a rough diamond ready for polish if with the right guidance.
The awkwardness between JW and GW is totally in sync with their characters - never been in love and never kiss/been kissed. It takes a lot of hesitation, thinking and boldness to reach this point.
OldLawyer
June 6, 2020 at 11:11 PM
And being able to look her crush in the eye would be even more difficult than with other people. I found the sheer awkwardness of the kiss scene utterly endearing.
skelly
June 6, 2020 at 11:23 PM
@oldawyer I agree (as usual); I found their scene charming because they were both in character. I knew that he kept his private thoughts and feelings very well hidden from nearly all his family and friends so the kiss was a bit of a surprise but certainly in the realm of possibility. As for her, she is just as introverted but with not as much social skill to cover it up. How could he not be affected by the monumental effort it took for her to admit her feelings to him, and to respond in kind, seriously and emphatically.
Kurama
June 7, 2020 at 12:57 AM
She can be very pretty direct with other people like a reaction when JWan came and ate when she thought it would be JWon. She doesn't have any problem with the other residents, to ask questions to know more about JWon, etc.
For the approval, she did it only with JWon like running after the father, running with the liver, etc.. She's different with other people. I understand that when you have crush, you act differently, but in her case, she acts like a teenager for me and JWon is 40 years old...
akikisetsu
June 7, 2020 at 6:28 AM
It is valid to assume that GW has never dated, if we go with the kiss-before-Christmas conversation with Minha and the nurse. As for her being like a teenager when it comes to love relationship, nothing wrong with it. If we go with the storyline and the real life, she's in her mid to late 20s and has just studied for most of her life. There are alot of vlog reactions to HP from SK doctors, and they've also mentioned that majority of MD are not as street savvy coz most have spent their lives inside the hospital.
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lackingfive
June 24, 2020 at 9:01 PM
one thing you forgot is they're professor x resident..that's a big gap..it's very realistic to be very careful and asking for approval..not every professor are like ikjun and not every resident are like chu minha hahaha ..i think gyeowool's character is very realistic just like one of us outside there
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Yn00na
June 7, 2020 at 12:57 AM
When SW drank the raw eggs, i thought they're going to unleash Mi-Do true singing voice. And nope, they keep her off key singing all the way to the end 😍🤣
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Kurama
June 7, 2020 at 1:01 AM
The face of IJ everytime she sang off key :D
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14 Aichi
June 6, 2020 at 1:47 PM
Man, I've read so much rationalization and justification around Winter Garden and I still can't buy it. @lovepark's review makes me kind of understand the choice to not show JW's process, because he doesn't know himself, but this last episode felt very much like "telling, not showing". Also, JW's epic kiss answer to GW seemed really out of character, maybe even inappropriate since he's her supervisor. Some alternate ways I would have accepted this ship being set sail:
[1] GW confesses, JW pats her head, smiles and says "let's talk about this over dinner" and they leave the room holding hands. GW is grinning.
[2] GW confesses, JW goes in for a kiss, but it's mad awkward because they're both inexperienced at love, but they laugh it off and say "let's go for dinner" etc. Can we really believe that JW is so smooth at making out like that when we know he's never had a romantic relationship before? And though we've seen him get roaring drunk, and he smokes, etc, I can't imagine he has a relaxed attitude toward love/sex in that he might have kissing experience in casual flings or drunken makeouts. No. I would've found it much more satisfying and also funnier if they had an awkward first kiss like teens do. And then they can laugh it off because they're both adults, yay.
[3] JW goes in for the epic kiss (to appease the Winter Garden shippers) but then it's revealed to be GW's fantasy dream-sequence. Reality is in fact, situation number 1, but GW is still over the moon by this outcome.
Anyway, otherwise really loved this show and sad not to have something to look forward to every Thursday anymore. Can't wait for 2021!
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Yn00na
June 7, 2020 at 12:53 AM
I get where you coming from. JW certainly kiss like an expert. I remember thinking which sunday school did JW learn to kiss like that! 😄 An akward kiss would be more inkeeping to the characters.
Not that I'm complaining tho. Yoo Yeon-Seok can certainly kiss. The HP kiss is still a tone down version of his kiss in Romantic Dr Kim.
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lackingfive
June 24, 2020 at 9:05 PM
they called him kissing master for reasons hahaha
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Denali
June 7, 2020 at 4:30 AM
Seeing how JW keeps a lot to himself, especially his emotions, brought me to identify him as an introvert. Therefore, the PD/writer's choice to have him express his reciprocated feelings to GW through skinship and not words felt so out of character to me too. He also did not verbally ask for her permission to kiss her, so the scene was not the least bit pleasing to me, unlike the numerous Winter Garden shippers out there whose screams I could almost hear.
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kdragon
June 7, 2020 at 7:46 AM
I liked the ending, sorry 😁...
but while watching those last minutes ... Was totally thinking either [1] or [3] will happen... 😂
I remember when I heard Ik Joon's voice in the flashback.. That started off with "Gyeo Wool ah....", I was thinking "I knew it! Someone's waking her up." 😂
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15 Lucy🦋 | Hyun Bins First Love
June 6, 2020 at 1:52 PM
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16 Lucy🦋 | Hyun Bins First Love
June 6, 2020 at 1:58 PM
This. Everything I wanted to say and more. Couldn't have put it more nicely. And Thank you for the recap. @lovepark, though I wasn't reading them (except this one) since I just finished watching the drama yesterday, nevertheless thank you! Am glad I made it for this one!
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17 whatis
June 6, 2020 at 2:27 PM
Loved this show so much. While I'm not a fan of the growing trend of Season 2s... I don't mind it so much with this one. (Still much prefer if they would've just continued...) Love this gang.
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18 BdxPelik
June 6, 2020 at 3:23 PM
Hospital Playlist has been the medium for bonding time with my best friend/housemate. Every Friday, knocking on each other's doors and excitedly asking if we're ready to watch. Squealing and screaming together at all the floof and tear-jerkers. Thanks, HP for getting us to look forward to the weekend for the past 3 months.
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19 ManFromNowhere
June 6, 2020 at 4:01 PM
Thanks @lovepark for the recap.
I have LOVED this show. I've laughed, cried, shipped and waited impatiently every Thursday afternoon while refreshing Netflix. HP has easily jumped into my top 5 (shows of any langauge).
The show did an amazing job of showing it's characters as people who support each other.
Every episode of HP has been great but... man the finale... what are you trying to do to me. The scene with the parents, the pregnant woman (the waiting area outside) and Yoon-bok. I was in tears. (only 1 cry per episode next season please)
It's a shame we have to wait a whole year for season 2 but for now i'm happy that there is more to come.
Another thing i'm thankful for is HP introducing me to some great songs. Been listening to the OST on repeate. K-pop tends to be a bit hit and miss for me (mostly miss). I'm a huge fan of Zoo thanks to HP.
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20 nabelle
June 6, 2020 at 5:01 PM
I've been eagerly waiting for your recap. Would love to hear your insight and comments of others too. Thank you @lovepark!
Reading your recap makes me crying all over again. Hospital Specialist is so special to me. I love all Reply series dearly but this one, maybe at this moment since I'm a working adult right now, is the drama that I can relate the most.
Love all the cast, the main and the supporting actors. They've been superbly portraying their character. It doesn't feel like drama. Its alive.
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skelly
June 6, 2020 at 11:25 PM
I was also eagerly awaiting this recap! I am not a shipper, so I had no place to go for reasonable discourse until this post...
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nabelle
June 7, 2020 at 1:12 AM
Hi @skelly. Me too. DB is the only page that I've been following religiously. This is the place to go to share the my love for this drama. Seeing, reading the comments and insight from the people that share the same interest is such a joy.
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21 parkchuna 🍉
June 6, 2020 at 5:14 PM
Again, I LOVE this show ❤️
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22 Jingbee
June 6, 2020 at 5:45 PM
Thank you @lovepark for the recap. It has been a wonderful journey with you and the rest of the beanies watching and commenting on this show. Needless to say, I loved this show, and the experience had been made even more enjoyable when I go back to the recap and also see the comments here. In the process of watching this show (and Prison Playbook), I was able to now fully determine what kind of shows I enjoy (after a year's worth of kdrama - watching). For some reason, being able to say what I like and don't like (as far as Kdramas are concerned) is somewhat liberating.
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23 neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
June 6, 2020 at 6:33 PM
The emotions I felt watching the finale and knowing it’s the last for this season made me cry while reading your comments, @lovepark. Thank you for recapping the show! It has been an awesome ride with this team. I thought the 1 ep/week was frustrating but the time in between made me appreciate each character from our main five to the nurses, residents and patients.
I’m ready for Season 2!!
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24 starseeo
June 6, 2020 at 8:00 PM
i dont understand the significance of jun wan's returned parcel from ik-sun? she did mention the address was slightly complicated.. why did he have to look so worried at the returned parcel?
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kdragon
June 6, 2020 at 8:20 PM
Ik Sun didn't like such presents... And if I remember correctly, wasn't really thinking of marriage.
Jung Wan wanted to marry her but if she doesn't want too, it's OK. He called and asked if she is ok with the rings that he got for them, she said yes and gave the address, even emphasizing the address was a bit complicated.
So I think Jung Wan is thinking if she intentionally gave a wrong address?
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Ashes2Ashes
June 6, 2020 at 9:47 PM
Oh, this makes sense. I saw the reason for return was marked as address 'unknown' and was starting to chuckle thinking how they got it wrong even after explicitly double checking, but then camera panned to Joon Wan's serious face and I was left confused.
I thought IkSoon sounded super excited about the rings over the phone and it doesn't really fit her character to have taken the easy way out without talking to him first if she was having second thoughts,but yeah JW could definitely get antsy given their previous conversations.
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Eazal
June 7, 2020 at 7:43 AM
I also was a bit shocked by this.
She was happy to have the ring sent to her, she could have say no: she was the one to tell JunWan that the moment they stopped to love each other they should tell the other. She was rally hurt before by this to hurt someone in the same way.
I want to go for the simple explanation: she wasn't home when the package arrived, and she didn't get the notice of arrival.
So I hope JunWon talks to IkSoon because, as Dr. Do told him, he knows nothing about relationships.
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ca
October 12, 2020 at 9:43 PM
The rings didn't signify marriage; those were "couple's rings", which in Korea simply indicate that their relationship is stable. The concern was just that Ik Sun didn't like rings, and these rings weren't exactly tied to the question of marriage.
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25 azkiya
June 6, 2020 at 8:45 PM
my eyes were moist by the time I finished watching this final episode, ah I'm so gonna miss the fab 5!
the older I get, I seem to lean more on slice-of-life drama, and character that feels 'real' and/ relatable to me (my life?), and to life in general, so these 5 friends characters are just 'perfect' for me because they're not perfect (you know what I mean :) )
the daily life, friends, family, patients and relationships, are things that I found this show stood out from other drama that made this my fave, and really look forward to season 2! (a year of waiting though, gah!)
notes on loveline:
I love the gang, all of them, but of course my girl song hwa is my most fave, haha..so, the convo between her and jwon lately has made me curious whether she started to show special feeling toward jwon? for shwa ship, I always support whoever she chose (including if she prefers to stay single), and I was quietely on her ship with Jwan (they're close, bickering, with jwan show how much he cares about her) but seeing him loving iksun has me retreated..but in the last several episodes I felt that shwa started to show more 'skinship' with Andrea (that leaning on his shoulder while he took her to his arm) and of course that 'jung woon-ah, let'- get married! , wuaah I was officially (but quietely and carefully, HA!) ship her with Jwon..aahh, but jwon has 'chose' Gaeul, so I don't know how the story will evolve for my girl shwa and her feeling revelation (if I'm reading it right), because ikjin's confession seem unmoved her so I don't think she regard ikjun as more than friend.
I don't know @lovepark , I read the scene where shwa open the window and said 'winter is here' is different from your interpretation, I suspected it was her sadness talking, because she could have thought that jwon might wanted to tell a girl about his decision staying as a doctor, so she walked to the window because she was uneasy with her own feeling (just like what she felt when ikjun subtly confessed to her in his dining room, at that time she also walked to the window), I felt that is her way on dealing with uneasiness..
But anyway, again, I love this show, and hoping the next season brings all the best out of it, see you fab 5!
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shinynight
June 6, 2020 at 11:31 PM
From Jeon Mido's interview, it is said that Song-hwa's love lines, up until season 1 only between Ik-jun and Chi-Hong. Even then the writer has not revealed yet to her how Song-hwa felt towards each man. She was only told to be "confused". Also, the actors/actresses were given exact direction on how they should act and express themselves on each scene. From this explanation, I doubt that scene has another meaning and I agree with Lovepark that when Song-hwa said "winter is here" she was teasing Jeong-won and that winter refers to Gyeo-ul. That scene revealed on Jeong-won and Gyeo-ul's kissing scene, so it is sure to support the confession between them.
BUT, I don't deny the possibility if later revealed that Song-hwa ever has romantic feeling to Jeong-won or maybe Jun-wan. Though I don't find any urge of it, I mean what kind of narrative that supposed to be happen then? Since both men already have their respective love-lines.
Same with you, even though I support Ik-jun and Song-hwa, I'm find if the end of the series Song-hwa remains single. This "husband guessing" from fans that revolves around Song-hwa makes her look only as a grand prize. Song-hwa's character is more than that and I still believe Shin-Lee will not go that way. That's why I really looking forward to Song-hwa's pov in season 2.
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Eazal
June 7, 2020 at 7:50 AM
When I began to watch the drama I thought of JunWan as her love interest, just look at them eating!
And then I found myself bouncing from ChiHong to IkJoon and felt she could be with any of them or with none.
Also she and IK had feelings for each other in the past.
It's no so easy to forget someone you've had a crush on, and specially in this case in which both of them had feelings they had been hiding in the interest of the friendship for so many years.
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kdragon
June 7, 2020 at 8:08 AM
I feel the same, that even if I ship Ij and SW, I can accept if SW remains single, I think she did say in an episode that she likes being single.
Among the 4 guys, I feel only IJ is a possible partner, since she has had a crush on him in their college days.
Seok Hyung was friend zoned early on.
Jung Won is like a brother.
Jun Wan is like her BFF.
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Sleepless
June 7, 2020 at 7:02 AM
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Sleepless
June 7, 2020 at 7:03 AM
I see it the same way as you did. She looked out the window to hide how she feels. With IJ, she was trying to hide the awkwardness. With JW, it felt like a bit of disappointment, sadness and acceptance.
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Shop-girl
June 7, 2020 at 5:47 PM
Same as you, I initially shipped Shwa with Jwan because they look so compatible with their likeness. And then, I was shifting between Ikjun and ChiHong. But the last episodes already had me catch something between SHwa's eyes to Jwon. Saw it in ep10 that she seems to treat him differently, more special, than the other guys which reminded me of DukSeon's way to Taek that made me go in the DS-Taek ship early in the Reply1988 episodes.
Then this Ep 12 just confirmed my suspicion: SHwa likes JWon! It was so evident in that scene where she looked out of the window and changed the subject which she did to hide her own pain. I realized I mistakenly assumed she liked Ikjun in college. It made more sense now that she has always liked Jwon but always respected his desire to be a priest. When she dumped SYeong, he didn't drink with his best friend JWon, but with Ijun. She probably told SY it's Jwon she likes. And that is also why she's awkward with Ijun confessing his feelings to her and she tried to subtly deflect him several times in the past couple of episodes. If she had liked Ikjun since college, as a mature woman almost 40 and one who's direct, she wouldn't react like that.
We know this writer always gives us small details to show where she wants the story to end. So if this is similar writing to Reply88, then I'm pretty sure Jwon-SHwa are endgame.
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Sleepless
June 7, 2020 at 9:16 PM
Agree. If she likes IJ, she would not hesitate to accept his subtle confessions. Instead, it feels like she’s moving to Sokcho to avoid all that territorial too-close standing and shoulder patting by both IJ and CH.
Though all the friends treat JWon with more tenderness (is he the maknae?), the look in SH’s eyes in the last two episodes makes it clear that he is the one she likes.
Just like with Taek and Deok Sun, it is the subtle-lest hints. In the “dream scene”, when Taek first opened his eyes, he was holding DS’s hand but DS’s hand was slack cos she is asleep. When DS opened her eyes, the camera pulls back to show that she is stroking Taek’s hand gently with her thumb. Just that little hint to show that Taek is the one she likes and that was probably what prompted Taek to move in for the kiss. So with this writer / PD team, we really need to hunt for the tiniest hint. 😑
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lackingfive
June 24, 2020 at 9:19 PM
the reason why she was hesitate to accept his confession is because she has feelings for him..he was her first love it was hard for her..she cut off seokhyung and chihong right away but not ikjun..the director already confirmed ikjun-songhwa loveline so next seasons are going to be their growth of 40s love stories
“I also wonder whether love in your forties is like this. It’s been 20 years since they were in their twenties. During that time, they would have met many people and formed many relationships, and they’re at an age where old memories alone are not enough to live each day with passion. They’re no longer at the age to passionately fall in love at first sight or where emotions of love overtake your everyday life. I wonder whether the difference in writing from today’s typical romance or the speed of the relationship is the biggest reason.”
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Shop-girl
July 1, 2020 at 4:49 PM
I read that same interview and there’s nowhere there that he confirmed IkJun is Song Hwa’s first love. He only said ikJun likes SongHwa. And the rest of the interview, he said he’s careful how to portray love around 40-year-olds.
Sleepless
June 7, 2020 at 9:31 PM
Reply 88 was the first of the Reply series that I watched and I wasn’t aware of shipping wars and the whole husband guessing thing. But I naturally leaned towards Taek. As a fairly new kdrama watcher, I was unaware of the pain of your ship sinking. Which I managed to escape for R88. I read comments on Dramabeans by people saying they are 0/3 for the Reply series and that must hurt like hell.
So I tell myself that I will not ship anyone here. I want IJ to succeed, but only because I like his character. But as others pointed out, it feels like what SH wants is someone gently and accepting like JWon.
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Sleepless
June 7, 2020 at 9:45 PM
I feel HP is closest to R88 cos there is no clear male lead and second lead.
For R97, I was sure SW would choose YJ in the end. For R94, I shipped Chilbong but knew that NJ will choose Oppa. Both girls chose the one they were closest to all along.
For R88, both boys were close to DS. So it’s really 50/50. I feel it’s the same for this show.
As you can see, I’m still hung up on R88 even though my ship won! I feel like I dodged a bullet there. So I tell myself that I WILL NOT SHIP. 😓
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Jingbee
June 8, 2020 at 4:46 PM
Wow, you did dodge a bullet there. R88 was the first Reply series I watched. and it was also the last, because my ship sank.. and I am still heartbroken .
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Sleepless
June 8, 2020 at 6:45 PM
I really liked JH too, but I was always screaming at the screen for him to just do something and do it sweetly. All he had to do was hold her hand or something and Taek would have been a goner.
Shop-girl
June 8, 2020 at 9:05 PM
@sleepless I don't think Taek is a goner, even if JH confessed earlier. As with the details shown since Ep2, DS really like Taek most among her guy friends. She loved Taek differently even when she didn't know it yet (cue China extraordinary lengths in taking care of him). So, if JH confessed earlier, they would have dated in their younger years but broken up later on. DS didn't care so much about her friendships going awkward once she dates either SunWoo or JH, but she did care a lot when it came to Taek. That's why she lied about that kiss later on. She knew they were too young and was more afraid that she'd lose Taek around if they broke up.
Sleepless
June 8, 2020 at 9:58 PM
@kimanna You’re probably right. It’s just my Taek-bias speaking and fear that my ship will sink. Hehe..
autumnrain
June 18, 2020 at 2:05 AM
I'm so late to the discussion but I kinda have the same thoughts as yours about Songhwa-Jungwon's possible romance. And my suspicion grew bigger after I found out their names meaning. At first I was just curious after seeing many people called Jungwon-Gyeowool ship as "Winter Garden". So I tried searching for Song-hwa's name meaning. It turned out that Chae-song-hwa (채송화) is the Korean name of flower Portulaca Grandiflora or Moss rose. It's interesting that the writer named her after a flower, while also gave Yoo Yeonseok's character a name that means "Garden" (Jungwon/정원), something that we know is the place to plant flowers. I also found out that in Korean culture, Portulaca Grandiflora symbolizes someone as pretty (가련), pure (청순), and innocent (천진난만). I personally think it sound much like Song-hwa's depiction. What's left is whether this is a coincidence or part of the writer's plan.
I honestly don't want to think much about any lovelines, but I ended up doing so. Sigh... I might be wrong and sound a bit delusional but this new finding is logical to me and I cannot ignore it.
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lackingfive
June 24, 2020 at 9:11 PM
actually the director and jo jungseok already confirmed that ikjun-songhwa is real loveline they're one of main couples..songhwa jeongwoon is not possible...if junwan ever had crush on songhwa that makes more sense to me but songhwa's first love could be just ikjun
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Shop-girl
July 1, 2020 at 4:50 PM
He didn’t confirm IkJun-SongHwa as couple. He only said about Ikjun liking SongHwa.
26 shinynight
June 6, 2020 at 9:11 PM
Thank you @lovepark for the recap.
I know we have been told by Shin PD that we are gonna have an open ending, but I little bit dissapointed because I still don't know what's on Song-hwa's mind until now. If Ik-jun and Song-hwa is indeed soon to be an established couple, may I say they are the main couple? If yes, I have this feeling their problem will be solved in season 3, unfortunatelly.
Then, I have to disagree with some of viewers who said that what happened with Jeong-won and Gyeo-ul is so sudden, or as Lovepark said is opaque feeling. Their dynamic is pretty consistent since the very start. From where Jeong-won scolded Gyeo-ul, had bad impression of her first then we know it changed gradually in maggot scene. He sometimes acts coldly and different only to Gyeo-ul is clearly explained what's going on. Same goes with Jun-wan and Ik-sun, do we know when exactly Jun-wan fall for Ik-sun? To be fair, their relationship is more unexpected. From one scene we shown that Jun-wan didn't even remember Ik-jun's sister name, then they met in hospital, Jun-wan went to Ik-sun to eat jjangmyeon then another scene he confessed. This is the characteristic of this drama, we have to analyze scene by scene, dialogue by dialogue and the most important the character's traits itself. They also use time jump setting on each episode, so not many scene are shown.
Jeong-won's problem is he doesn't want to feel this feeling, regarding his dream to be a priest. Therefore he keeps repressed his feelings. Until he decided to stay and the confession happened. The kiss is his way to exploding it all. Shin Hyun Bin explained about this in her interview, and I don't think it's from her own mind, she talked a lot about this with her acting partner, Yoo Yeon Seok.
I think I have seen many people explained about this, so sometimes I don't get why people keep questioning Jeong-won and Gyeo-ul relationship.
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kdragon
June 6, 2020 at 9:24 PM
"This is the characteristic of this drama, we have to analyze scene by scene, dialogue by dialogue and the most important the character's traits itself. They also use time jump setting on each episode, so not many scene are shown."
THIS. Before the finale, I went back and "reveiwed" each and every JW-GW scene trying to find clues 😂. I couldn't figure out the timeline but saw someone in twitter who did just that. So for me, the ending was unexpected but not surprising.
Like I said in a reply somewhere, I am waiting for some flashbacks since I think JWs friends suspected he liked GW.
I am guessing they did have the promised dinner after the patient was discharged. I am also taking a wild guess that the reason there are so few BTS on JW-GW scenes is they are keeping them for the season 2 premier. Can't wait for season 2!
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shinynight
June 6, 2020 at 10:57 PM
Yes, I do expect to see more of Jeong-won's flashbacks in season 2 but at the same time I anticipate if Shin-Lee want to move forward with their story. At least, I really want we don't have a big time jump for season 2 for the start. I want to see what gonna happen right after the ending of season 1.
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Sleepless
June 7, 2020 at 7:10 AM
I think the biggest clue is that JW doesn’t treat GW the same way as he does the others. He was ok with having dinner with the others but not with her. I was thinking it was either he knows how she feels so he was avoiding her, or he knowingly / unknowingly have feelings for her and is wary of being too close to her. Was the allergy incident before or after the time when she asked him out to dinner? Hmm. Can’t remember.
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kdragon
June 7, 2020 at 7:29 AM
It was before she asked him out. I read a theory that the nurse who pointed out to Dr Bae that JW agrees to anyone who asks him to treat them (which means the dinner they had, even if it's just the 2 of them is nothing special) did so for GW. She was the same nurse JW talked to in the ER.
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Lynn
August 30, 2020 at 12:13 AM
My thoughts exactly.. I'm also confused why BTS shows so little about them. When Jeongwon rejected Gyeoul request for dinner, I kinda predicted he would but I'm not sure wheter he did it bcoz he's afraid of his feeling or bcoz he didn't want to give her hope. But when I rewatched their scenes from the start, and the scenes after, I started noticing that he did pay attention to Gyeoul. Probably after that maggot scene in eps.2. He scolded Ikjun when he thought Ikjun might have an affair with her (eps.3), glanced her way several time when she ate and of course gave her chocopie himself (eps.4), noticed that she's always together with MinHa (eps.6), that she left early from work (eps.8), that she's too busy for ttaekboki gathering (eps.9). And after that liver laceration operation in eps.12, he leaned closer to her in PICU and their upper arm practically touched, makes me think that perhaps they did have that dinner after all, coz they seem to be really comfortable with each other there.. no awkwardness when bumping into one another anymore..
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27 liar song #PuppyNotPuppyLeeJaeWookIsBack
June 6, 2020 at 9:14 PM
I love how heartwarmingly humane this show is and how they handled wholesome family and friendly relationships.
The story was told through a 3rd person POV so the experience of shipping the characters as well as watching them grow was fun. BUT the main problem of using that same POV is that it doesn't give the viewers a glimpse of what the character truly feels (exhibit A: Song-hwa's thoughts on being in a relationship with either Chi-hong or Ik-joon; exhibit B: how Jeong-won came to the decision on choosing Gyeo-wool over becoming a priest).
We still have 2 more seasons and I know the show has even more things to give us. I was always looking forward to the performances of the band every episode and I will miss these characters a lot.
P.S.I am so happy that Winter💙Garden sailed. WE WON. ROSA WON.
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Eazal
June 7, 2020 at 7:55 AM
I din't think JeongWon chose GyeoWool over becoming a priest. I think he chose being a doctor and saving lives before becoming a priest. And that way, he could express the feelings he had towards GyeoWool without feeling guilty (which is a very catholic thing, by the way).
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Goryeo princess
June 7, 2020 at 10:46 AM
Good point!!! I guess we'll have to wait to confirm this (or not) :)
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skelly
June 7, 2020 at 2:24 PM
He is sure to feel guilty about his decision, anyway - no doubt he will beat himself up for not having enough faith. (and yup, a very Catholic thing, lol)
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liar song #PuppyNotPuppyLeeJaeWookIsBack
June 7, 2020 at 4:11 PM
Pfft. You had me at "a very Catholic thing" because I also know that feeling too well. I hope we get to see how Jeong-won came to that decision next season. The wait will kill me!
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Lynn
August 30, 2020 at 12:20 AM
Agreed. He makes the decision to become a doctor instead of priest when he spoke to Songhwa on Dec 3rd, so when Gyeoul confessed on Dec 25th, I think that's when he realized he could return her feeling, and then he acted on it (thank God). To be honest, when he lift his hand, at first I'm scared he will say something like "bless you, child", but thank God that didn't happened.
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28 Yn00na
June 7, 2020 at 12:37 AM
Thank you @lovepark for your well written recap. Your final comments echo a lot of what i thought of this show. During this time when the world seems to turns upside down, this show has become my oasis. I will miss it greatly.
And yes, damn the multi season format.
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skelly
June 7, 2020 at 2:25 PM
Well, we have a good reason to marathon the whole season again before the next one begins!
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29 taekkielove
June 7, 2020 at 4:48 AM
❤️️
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30 Eazal
June 7, 2020 at 7:57 AM
I've just binged watched the show during the weekend, and I loved it.
I've missed all the comments because in previous recaps so I'm happy this recap came only yesterday so I can join and leave some comments.
Loved this magnificent five!!!
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31 Goryeo princess
June 7, 2020 at 10:45 AM
This series was an amazing and especial trip for the viewers. That's all I can say right now. From the 5 old friends, to the supporting characters (either recurring/doctors, nurses, Rosa!....or patients for each episode), they all did an incredible job. I am speechless and waiting for the next seasons. ImPATIENTly (pun intended) :)
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32 CS
June 7, 2020 at 11:43 AM
Help me! It's driving me crazy that i can't place the actress who cameo'd in this episode as an OBGYN patient with her husband in the waiting hallway. She's the woman who stopped her husband from asking what was holding things up when the other mom was wailing because of losing her baby. Did any of you recognize her? What has she been in?
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33 Shop-girl
June 7, 2020 at 5:54 PM
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34 Shop-girl
June 7, 2020 at 5:56 PM
I love this show! I love SongHwa and happy that writer-nim showed us in finale who she likes -- the guy she spent the first snow with in the finale. Always love this kind of detailed writing of characters and scenes which I enjoyed thoroughly in Reply 1988 and got me in the right ship, hence, never had that disappointed heartbroken feeling others had in the last eps. The writer's & director's style is consistent. Always look at the details. They didn't put them there for nothing.
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35 Slice-of-Life Dramatics
June 7, 2020 at 8:20 PM
What a fitting end to a heartwarming, healing drama. This was one of those slice-of-life dramas which has this understated tone, no dramatics, but yet will make me look back and smile because it was just so heartwarming. Life isn't always easy, we will face loss and pain, but we will also find strength. Looking forward to Season 2!
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36 pickleddragon
June 8, 2020 at 6:10 AM
Thank you for a great ride through the recaps for this show, @lovepark!
This is a very special show indeed, and I loved most of it (no one can argue against a show about a long-standing friendship!).
The parts I didn't like were (what I thought as) the sudden out-of-character developments for the two doctors Ahn (Captain and Jeongwon) in eps 11 and 12: Chi-hong basically turned creepy, and Jeongwon's last scene with Gyeoul came out of the blue. I'd have definitely liked more consistent development for these two. The same objectives (of Chi-hong's overt confession and Jeongwon's "acceptance" of Gyoeul's) could have been met in keeping with what the two persons have been shown to be as in the earlier episodes.
As I've mentioned earlier on my fanwall and in comments on previous episodes, I am on a ship (still hanging in there since we're only 30 percent through the show really) which is not sailing right now, but still has some hope, albeit requiring some serious re-development of characters.
Shipping aside, though, the one character among the five leads that I have absolutely loved is JKH's Junwan. At the cost of repeating myself, I maintain that his is the only character that has truly grown in the course of this season. Some might argue that it was too quick for a show that's going to last 3 seasons, but I liked it for the fact that we got to see development in Jwan in one season itself. JKH has done a fabulous job, especially considering that he's the one actor who reportedly wasn't picked for his "similarity" with the role he was supposed to play.
Looking forward to Season 2 next year. :)
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37 MsDaisie
June 8, 2020 at 6:53 AM
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38 MsDaisie
June 8, 2020 at 7:07 AM
First of all, thank you for your recap and insight. I've been waiting to read everyone's thoughts on the shows season finale and like most I too will miss having the show every Thursday. It's been like a good friend during these trying times and I look forward to season 2.
As for the story of Jung-won and Gyeon-wool, I must agree that the kiss feels like abrupt and forced. But in retrospect, these are two adults who are just starting to live their life and experience a different side of life. It's Gyeon-wools first kiss and probably first relationship. And if Ik Juns label of Jung-won as virgin, then these are two people behaving like teenagers or young adults in new and untested waters so i get why the kiss seems forced. But for sure they are in for a lot of teasing from friends and some unfamiliar territory that comes with new relationships. Looking forward to how this story develops.
Ik Juns not so flashy confession to Songhwa in the previous episode by telling her that she's her treat for himself and finally telling her how he really feels for her in the finale has been long coming. But I am anticipating the possible complicated arc of this story. While Sonhgwa did reject Seok-hyung years ago, how will her decision to have a relationship with Ik Jun in the future (if this even happens cause we have yet to hear her response) affect Seok-hyung. Will Seok-hyung accept it easily cause it has been years or will he feel betrayed and deceived cause Ik Jun never told him his true feelings. I'm interested to see how this issue will affect everyone's relationship.
Then there's Joon wan and Ik Sun. Truth is I feel like their relationship is well developed. I think there's more to their story than meets the eye. He didn't just forget Ik Suns name and mistake it for Mickey for someone who is a friend of the brother since high school. I don't think so. And Jung Kyung Hos facial expression says it all when he smiled and blushed when Ik Sun did the bidulgi trick on her hospital bed. If you watch closely i think it's safe to say their story is developed and not forced and can be expanded for sure. Just taking note that their nightly walk on episode 11 showed Joon wan wearing black and Ik Sun wearing white.. and Cilantro is more than we can explain right now. Now it's up to PD and the writers what to do. Hoping they do justice to everyone's haracters.
Much respect by the way to the actors for playing their respective instruments. The sheer dedication and hard work it takes definitely paid off for the show. I can't wait for next season. And it seems like they will begin prepping by November. Yay!
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39 Chesens
June 8, 2020 at 7:55 AM
WHY???? Why are they doing this in seasons? I cant... 😭😭😭
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40 kakiperi
June 8, 2020 at 8:09 AM
Thank you for the review! Like you said, HP is such a comfort in this restless time. I love everything about this show, and can't wait for the second session. I am re-watching it while taking a break :) and still crying and laughing at those memorable scenes.
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41 Ashes2Ashes
June 8, 2020 at 8:39 AM
Thank you @lovepark for recapping this beautiful drama. Your thoughtful analysis and all the beanie's thoughts definitely multiplied my appreciation and enjoyment on this one. I adored the show's main leads, but what made HP really special were all the side characters that made this hospital filled lived-in. It felt like dropping in on familiar people for an hour and seeing some of the best and worst moments in their lives.
-The most touching scene was the pregnant lady loosing her kid and the other expectant mother's reactions. They were all tired and irritated with the long wait(rightfully so) and caught up in the difficulties of 'right now' but that mother's wails brought home the fraility of life and they all shed silent tears in solidarity to the mom while also feeling grateful for the continuing heartbeats in their tummies.I love how this team can tell stories in a few frames that many shows fail to do in a whole season.
-I had feared for the liver transplant patient but Ik Joon and 'fate' came through!
-The lady who finally looks to be having a safe pregnancy. Boy, was I glad to be wrong about the stoic husband.
*Missed seeing my fave nurse, but I spied Kim Soo Jin in atleast 2 other dramas this week, so yayy..
*They say you shouldn't meet your heroes, but lucky for Yun Bok , Song Hwa is probably better than any ideal she had thought of.
*Who woulda thunk bumbling,clueless Jae Hak would be the one who saves the day. I cheered so hard for that guy when he came up with the idea to try that surgery technique. Can't wait to see him continue to come into his own while pulling out double duty as JoonWan's relationship mentor.
*So there's at-least one couple in the neuro department now?
*I loved Ujju's acrostic poem and how Ik Joon's fanatic declaration of his son being genius was so brutally shot down in the next few moments.I am super sad we'll have to wait a whole year to see these two on another burger date,gah..
*The seniors were also missed but atleast Ro-sa will have a reason to throw a rager with Jong Su now that her dearest wish looks to be coming true!SeokHyeong's omma can slay in another classy ensemble while poor hospital director would be stuck being the maknae but at-least he doesn't need to shut down their pediatric wing.
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Ashes2Ashes
June 8, 2020 at 9:12 AM
*So WinterGarden unexpectedly bloomed! When Ik Jun found bible in JW's drawer, I had surmised he is going through with the priesthood path. But then Joon Wan opened the same drawer later and was seen to be smiling on his way out,so I saw a tiny glimmer of hope. I was as braced as GW for a kindly worded rejection and a mentor-ish pat on the head but was totally not expecting the kiss and didn't know how to feel about it when he still didn't vocalise what he has been thinking so far. Jeong Won remains the most closed off out of the fab 5, but I am hoping we will get some insight into his thought process next season.I am now even more worried about those bouts of headaches he seem to be getting but have faith HP won't go the trope route! Takaway: YYS+nasally "Oppa" = death of my replay button
*It's funny how Seok Hyeong is the most silent of the gang, but has provided the most runded outlook into his life to us viewers. We know most of his family drama(there's still the dead sister and the first wife for S2), have seen his work ethic and how he leads, know about his outlook on romance. It takes a great actor to take this off-key role and make him feel known to viewers. Kim Dae Myung has certainly left a solid impression with this role. Takaway: Must try instant ramyun+ variety shows while hiding away from co-workers in future when work would return being a thing :D
*Song Hwa is the woman I want to grow up to be. This lady is so good at everything and I have adored how she deals with her sub-ordinates and patients with dignity and respect. Burst out laughing when she vehemently pleaded for JW to let her continue the daddy long legs programme while she's supposed to be taking it 'slow'. Mi-Do has imbued SH with such quiet strength and quirkiness.
Takeaway:So drinking that raw egg concoction makes an ace singer like MD go gloriously off-pitch,huh!Also gonna try practicing her words of affirmation whenever my own food fighting tendencies spring up.
*Ik-Joon: JJS has done it again. Created a character who's soo him,yet different from his other works. Ik Joon is the perfect dad,a kick-ass surgeon and an awesome friend. He's also everyone's best friend and an all around good-cheer machine. Romance seems to be his one fatal flaw. I'm rooting for him to get it right in S2, if not with Song Hwa some other worthy lady who could keep up with this adorkable weirdo.
Takeaway:How not to eavesdrop on your BFF's call with his secret GF.Also take 10 minutes every day to practice your local sub-way/rail lady announcement voice.
*Jun Wan: My only exposure to JKH before this was the excellent HanTaeJoo in LOM. Imagine my utter surprise when I saw him spazz out in ep 2!His character is hands-down my fave and I adore this OTT,violent weirdo.
Takeaway:Gonna open every door I come across with that maniacal urgency he showed in ep 6.
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Sleepless
June 8, 2020 at 6:54 PM
I loved how Seok Hyung was smiling by the time Min Ha was pulling fish cake bars out of her pockets. She’s a keeper, this girl. Love her gusto.
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Lynn
August 30, 2020 at 12:31 AM
I also dreaded that headache thing.. I hope it's nothing serious.. I wouldn't want this show to be a cheesy soap opera where tragedy always happened at the end, I hope it stay true as a healing drama..
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Ashes2Ashes
June 8, 2020 at 9:15 AM
Oh and in Season 2, wanna see more hangouts with my girls- Gyeo Wool and Min-Ha. Both actresses really sold their friendship and build up strong characters that I came to root for professionally and personally.
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42 Alaskan
June 8, 2020 at 4:26 PM
I guess I'm in the minority here. I liked Hospital Playlist until it started to turn into The Dating Game. I'm not sure why the writer felt it necessary to shift to the romantic interest (or lack thereof) of seemingly every other major or minor character but it made me realize how trope-y much of the writing is. Please understand that this isn't meant as a criticism of everybody who enjoyed the drama. I prefer my dramas quirky and light on romance or heavy but light on romantic sturm und drang. What can I say...I guess I'm just not very romantic!
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Kairoskat 💐
June 8, 2020 at 5:07 PM
High 5! You're not alone. But I'm slightly a different case. I watched all reply series, so from the start I was wary that Hospital Playlist will turn into a husband hunt. While it didn't really turn into a husband hunt with extreme shipping wars, the characters were quite busy matchmaking each other 😅.
I was sad when Ikjun got divorced. I was happy in the beginning when I knew he has a family, a wife and a son. But show decides to make him a divorcee and throw him into the husband candidate mix too...huhu
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lackingfive
June 24, 2020 at 9:37 PM
i'm the opposite..out of all shinpd dramas and kdramas for me this show has perfect lovelines for people at that matured age..there are so many things to learn from each couple they completing each other..for people at that age with busy career love is not as passionate as 20s romance
ikjun and his wife divorced wasn't a sad thing at all because the wife basically left her son and husband for years and don't even bother to comeback often for her son...the marriage is toxic and she cheated on him on top of that. no wonder uju didn't even care if his mom doesn't miss him
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starseeo
June 9, 2020 at 6:32 AM
i feel exactly the same. it was the perfect slice of life show (workplace crushes and all) up till episode 10 then it became the dating game.
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lackingfive
June 24, 2020 at 10:33 PM
the main couples already fixed from the start..especially ikjun-songhwa and wintergarden if you watch back there were so many hints since the beginning..i love that even their romance is slice of life, every couple has their own problem but they completing each other...it's not like typical kdramas romance imo
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43 salt N pepper
June 9, 2020 at 1:23 AM
My comment is late but I just wanted to say how much I love this show. This is probably my favorite one in a long time. I love the friendship among the main characters, the stories of the side characters and patients, the band scenes, the OST, everything! This show has so much heart and never fails to make you smile, laugh, cry, swoon in every episode. I'm just sad we have to wait practically a whole year for the next season. Thank you to the PD and writer team for introducing us to our Lacking 5. Will definitely miss them for the next few months. ❤️
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44 hyanggi
June 11, 2020 at 1:19 PM
I wanna leave some love for this drama too! I started watching this drama early on, since episode 1 started mostly because of the cast. And I was right to follow this through! The casts are stellar, the nuances immaculate. I'm a hospital worker myself, and I dont know if that enhances the experience, or supposedly dampen it, but i truly enjoyed it. I waited impatiently every thursday, and savoured every episode. And this final episode made me weep like a baby, and squeal in delight over winter garden, and smile like an ahjumma over U Ju, ahh. This drama made me feel all sorts of emotions and its mostly happy things. Thank you drama for the experience <3 I cant wait for your next season.
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45 Sandra Cardona
June 15, 2020 at 6:03 PM
Lo ame
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46 Sandra Cardona
June 15, 2020 at 6:08 PM
Amé esta serie, ligera y divertida.
Me encantaron las personalidades de lis cinco médicos especualmente IkJun, bello, sencible, inteligente, lider, divertido. Espero que desvanezca la linea entee el y SongHwa y formen una familia para Uju, adorable, creo que soy adicta a el. Todos merecen ser felices!
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47 ajboss
June 16, 2020 at 1:18 AM
I really love the ending! Hoping season 2 will give Min-ha chance to be in Seok-hyung's life. huhuhu I hope he realizes how Min-ha is inloved with him. His wife called and I dunno how the story will flow in season 2, Maybe his ex-wife will be back or like his ex-wife has a new family now(I just hope so)! I would also like that in the next season Song-Hwa and Ik-Joon will have the chance to rebuild their love in the past. Like their is an episode where Ik-Joon bought a ring to give it to his girlfriend ( I know the girl Song-Hwa) but then on that day also like on the past episodes he drank with Seok-hyung and he threw the gift he bought! huhuhuhu It feels like he gave up his feelings to Song-Hwa so that Seok-Hyung will not be hurt. I know Song-Hwa liked Ik-Joon in the past too but then I think she did not tell the truth because she doesn't know if Ik-Joon have feelings for her. I NEED SEASON 2 NOW.
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48 WishfulToki
June 22, 2020 at 3:23 PM
I'm done! That was over one hour right? I didn't notice.
Hehe, Winter Garden caught me totally off-guard. They were very cute. So pure and innocent. I didn't really catch that he liked her so the kiss surprised me. Darn this PD and his devious flashbacks. Anyway, I'm super relieved that Jung-won decided to stay at the hospital because that's his real calling. I think Big Bro knew all along that he didn't have a vocation to the priesthood, so that's why he kept telling Jung-won to hang in there another year. That said, I didn't like the way the show suggested that he chose Gyu-wool and being a doctor over God. He can still pray the Rosary, and if his faith is really strong he will actually try to share it with Gyu-wool.
As for the other characters, I guess we'll have to wait and find out. Joon-wan freaking out and bickering with Ik-jun is my favourite thing, as well as Joon-wan turning to his resident for a mutual advice session.
I'm not a fan of the new Netflix trend of breaking up dramas into seasons, but since they were upfront about it, and the result is a quality drama I won't complain too much. I will wait patiently for Season 2, and keep playing the OST on repeat.
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49 HappyPill
July 2, 2020 at 1:18 PM
I loved Reply 1988 and went into Hospital Playlist not knowing that they were from the same PD-Writer team. It definitely did not disappoint and I found myself thinking, hey, this warm fuzzy feelings is familiar - this is tugging on my heartstrings the same way that Reply 1988 did. Found out about the PD-Writer team and was delighted.
I initially found it difficult to keep up with the story due to the numerous amount of scenes and characters in each episode. One moment I think IkJun may have liked Song Hwa and likewise (in Ep 1-3), but quickly dismissed it when Seokhyung admitted to liking her before + the introduction of ChiHong + SH's loveline. So it was nice being led and misled, constantly being surprised by the plot.
I'm a little late to comment but here are some of my thoughts and observations (on IJ-CH-SH):
In the early scenes when IkJun spoke to ChiHong about IkSun, IkJun was so sure that his sister and ChiHong have the potential to become more than just good friends even though ChiHong has tried a few times to convince him that they were just friends. I thought it was pretty telling of IkJun's personal feelings for SongHwa. IkJun was so sure that they must have some feelings for each other because he too, have been there and have feelings for SongHwa. Episodes later, CH later then reveals to IkJun that he likes SH, and you can see him being affected.
Tapping of the shoulders scene: In the lift scene on ChiHong's birthday, IkJun enters the lift and stands very close to SongHwa and tapped her shoulders before leaving. VS Car scene where CH spoke casually to SH and tapped her shoulders before leaving. I thought the writers did well with that because it not only shows how CH feels challenged from IJ, it also contrasted SongHwa's reaction + what they mean to her.
IJ and SH - they say they are long time friends but subconsciously, they may be more comfortable with each other than they know it (i.e. IJ's casual phone calls, waiting for her, her taking care of Uju, and even though CH told everyone in the gang not to come for her biopsy results, ultimately it was IJ who came and was physically there with her ) We can say they are just really good friends, but they also thread on a fine line between being good friends and more than that.
CH could probably sense it, which would explain why he felt challenged and drove IJ to a corner during the drinking session. Granted IJ could have done better, but I'm still glad it happened because on other days, sober and calm IJ may have just chickened out again and bury his feelings so as to not disturb the friendship. I did not feel like IJ was selfish or "marking" SH as his territory, but more of finally acknowledging his feelings for the first time, for himself. I saw it as the start of character development, since it was noted by the rest of his friends that he's hasn't really done anything for himself after he got married. When speaking to the patient about his divorce,...
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HappyPill
July 2, 2020 at 1:23 PM
When speaking to the patient about his divorce, he mentioned that he worked hard as a doctor, took care of his son alone and dealing with the cheating incident was difficult and he thought why was life even harder for him back then.
I liked that there are many things to be explored. We know for sure that SH and IJ did like each other in the past, and IJ still have feelings for her now. SH made the decision to go to the countryside to slow down and heal after IJ's drunk confession. Since it has been something she always wanted to do, we don't know if it was because of IJ that she needed that time to think but I'm inclined to think that it meant something to her since it happened after IJ's confession. And how apt it is for IJ to appear at her healing place and respectfully told SH about his plan to confess. I liked that he ask her to take her time, and will not do something against her wishes.
This is in contrast with CH who SH had to establish the line again - even advising him to stay at the current hospital for him to do well in his final residency and to not come to the countryside with her. I get that CH likes SH a lot but this dialogue was surprising because I have expected more from him as a doctor - to focus fully and consider the best options for his progression as a doctor.
wow this got really long! I wanted to pen down my thoughts for IJ-SH-CH because I feel a little different compared to the others. I still saw SH as a character not bound by the love line so I'm keen to see what season 2 and 3 has to offer. Our main characters are also in their 40s, so their mature and more laidback take in life was refreshing.
I have many more comments about Junhwan, Jeongwon and Seokhyung as well but I'll leave them for next season. Got to say the casting is perfect and I'm so in love with our 5 good friends in this show!
See you next time, fellow beanies!
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50 Lainy
September 3, 2020 at 12:03 PM
Any thoughts on why the ring was returned? Was it a mistake or deliberately returned?
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