You can only pick one: Medical drama
by DB Staff
You can only pick one, and boy the pressure is on. The DB team will answer a new prompt in each post, and you’re invited to do the same in the comments. Ready to play?
You can only pick one medical drama
missvictrix: I’m not a medical drama person at all, so if I watch one, it’s gotta be because of the overarching narrative. If the drama is just episodic medical mayhem, I’m uninterested. That’s probably the reason why I would love Hospital Playlist and You Who Forgot Poetry, if I could ever get my act together and watch them, and why the “medical” dramas that first pop into my head are ones that have medicine as a more of a backdrop or setting. So I’m going to be a rebel here and choose Chocolate. Set in a hospice, and with a male lead who’s a surgeon struggling to continue his career, this drama did what I basically want all my medical dramas to do: give me deep compelling character journeys that take up 85% of the plot, and then the other 15% can be the cases and patients that tease out the drama’s larger themes.
mistyisles: To be honest, medical dramas really aren’t my thing. For some reason, I’m totally fine with murder mysteries, crime shows, and the like — but set the show in a hospital or doctor’s office, and I nope out pretty quick (if I was ever persuaded to start in the first place). I couldn’t even stick with Hospital Playlist, despite having plenty of reasons to like it. So… does God’s Quiz count? Jin-woo is a doctor, after all. And all the cases deal with rare or unusual medical conditions, even though it falls more in the crime show category.
DaebakGrits: If I could only pick one medical drama to watch from now until eternity, my obvious answer is Hospital Playlist. (Love it. Will never get tired of it.) However, it’s been my choice for many other You Can Only Pick One prompts, so this time I’m going to pick the one medical drama that I’d like to rewatch: Doctor Stranger. To be honest, I haven’t seen this drama since it first aired in 2014, but surely a drama starring Lee Jong-seok as a doctor who was kidnapped and raised in North Korea still has some entertainment value, right? I vaguely remember shaking my head in 2014 over his character’s near superhuman ability — a.k.a. his finely tuned skills that had been forged under harsh North Korean conditions — to figure out what was wrong with his patients and save them via unconventional ways. If that’s my only memory of this drama, then I suspect that it hasn’t stood the test of time, but that’s kind of the appeal for me, though. Like, how bad could it be?
solstices: I’m usually too squeamish for medical dramas, but Life stands out for elevating the genre beyond the hospital setting. With a riveting power struggle and an atmosphere tense enough to rival a suspense thriller, the show had me hooked despite my initial reservations. Then again, give me a Lee Soo-yeon drama — plus some of my musical favorites Jo Seung-woo, Lee Kyu-hyung, and Jung Moon-sung — and I’m definitely sold. The show treaded the fine line of morality with such delicate finesse, delivering nuanced interpretations of compellingly flawed characters. It’s a show where the “good guys” seem bad and the “bad guys” seem good, and the slider scales of gray are so captivating to watch.
Unit: The heartwarming story aside, I’d have to pick Good Doctor because it’s one of my earliest dramas, and penned by my favorite writer. It also stars Moon Chae-won who used to be my ultimate favourite actress. (But now I have a mini league of favs.) By the way, I had the biggest crush on Joo Sang-wook’s character for a long time – so big that I gave up on the U.S. remake when his character’s version died. Heh.
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Tags: Chocolate, Doctor Stranger, Good Doctor, Hospital Playlist, Hospital Playlist 2, Life, You can only pick one
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1 miso
April 18, 2023 at 7:10 PM
You'd think so @daebakgrits but you'd be wrong. I tried rewatching it just last month with exactly the same belief but somehow the drama seems to have gotten worse over time. The FL was even more annoying on rewatch and the ML ending up with her instead of Kang So-ra was a travesty. Definitely one of those 'aged like milk' dramas 😖.
My own pick would also be Hospital Playlist (Season 1!), less for the medical drama part and more for the awesome five-some. Also Jun-wan is life 🥰.
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
April 18, 2023 at 7:46 PM
So I'm not the problem?
I've tried to watch Doctor Stranger like three times and I've never been able to even finish the first episode.
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
April 18, 2023 at 7:54 PM
You’re definitely not the problem. I tried rewatching it for the first time a couple of years back and I could barely get past the 30-minute mark of episode 1. A truly awful drama that has aged even more poorly with the passage of time. There’s honestly nothing in it I can defend in good faith.
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Decraew
April 19, 2023 at 3:32 AM
Kang So Ra is always a joy to watch ?
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
April 19, 2023 at 4:25 AM
That's good to know.
But now I'm curious how did this show get so famous.
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miso
April 19, 2023 at 3:03 AM
You're not the problem at all. If you someday attempt a 4th watch, you should watch it alongside the comments on the DB recaps. They're what kept me laughing and sane through this madness.
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
April 19, 2023 at 4:28 AM
I don't think the 4th attempt is going to happen, but maybe I could read the recaps and comments. That would be better.
Beanies can make anything better.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
April 19, 2023 at 3:47 AM
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tabong is ironing the crosswalk
April 19, 2023 at 4:45 AM
Well, I think that's fair.
You rewrote it and enjoyed it.
I watched Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter only for Moon Chae Won, even when the show was embarrassing and boring, and her character was plain as hell.
I'm not able to defend that show no matter how much I try.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent and reminded of the slow march of death
April 19, 2023 at 4:48 AM
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mmmmm
April 19, 2023 at 12:26 PM
I can’t think of anyone being able to watch Mama Fairy. It doesn’t have a plot. I think I dropped it around ep 2, and I still think I dropped it too late.
miso
April 19, 2023 at 11:13 AM
I think this was the first PHJ show I saw. His performance was definitely deserving of a better drama!
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Isa is always time travelling
April 19, 2023 at 12:31 AM
The medical part in Hospital Playlist is a huge part. That discouraged me when I started the series.
But I loved the main characters interactions and in the end I even didn't mind watching them working. They were so good!
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miso
April 19, 2023 at 3:06 AM
For me the problem is that I've watched too many medical shows, both western and Asian, and at this point the medical stories just sort of run together without leaving an impression.
Agree that the character interactions were the life of HP, a hallmark of Lee Woo-jung and Shin PD dramas.
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Decraew
April 19, 2023 at 3:26 AM
Hear hear ! I somehow managed to finish it but that’s only because of Kang So Ra.
The finale was extremely disappointing, even taking into account how bad it was earlier.
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miso
April 19, 2023 at 11:12 AM
I think I finished it just because I was in the 'must finish everything I start phase of drama watching'. How naïve I was...
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DaebakGrits
April 19, 2023 at 6:22 AM
Ok, well now I feel like I need to rewatch this dumpster fire just to see how far I make it. hahaha
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miso
April 19, 2023 at 11:11 AM
Godspeed!
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2 panshel
April 18, 2023 at 7:32 PM
Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim is my life drama.
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3 geminirat
April 18, 2023 at 7:34 PM
I've liked medical dramas! So far, I've watched Medical Top Team (Ju Ji-hoon) Doctors (Kim Rae-won, Park Shin-hye), Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim, Good Doctor, Ghost Doctor and of course, Hospital Playlist. If I had to choose one, I would choose Ghost Doctor. I loved the bromance!
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4 tabong is ironing the crosswalk
April 18, 2023 at 7:44 PM
I've rewatched Good Doctor an unhealthy amount of times. 😆💚
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5 ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
April 18, 2023 at 7:50 PM
Probably the basic choice, but it’s Hospital Playlist for me all the way.
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6 loveblossom🌸
April 18, 2023 at 7:59 PM
Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim is my ultimate medical drama! I don't tend to reach for medical dramas, but I love this one. Love watching Han Suk Kyu as Dr. Kim Sabu! Good people. Saving lives. Heart-warming moments.
Hospital Playlist is a very close 2nd. Both shows have lovely characters and tugged at my heartstrings. RDTK had some more thrills/suspense & excitement though.
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Ally
April 18, 2023 at 8:44 PM
We’re soul sisters.
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mmmmm
April 18, 2023 at 10:53 PM
I’ll join this club, too. I can’t place one higher than the other, though. Both are in the first rank for me.
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Kafiyah Bello
April 19, 2023 at 4:40 AM
I'll join this club too. Love, love Romantic Doctor Kim and can't wait for season 3.
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7 Anne18
April 18, 2023 at 8:00 PM
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8 MikeyD signed up
April 18, 2023 at 8:06 PM
Ooh, thanks for reminding me about 'You Who Forgot Poetry'. It immediately popped to the top of the list.
What others...
'Marriage Not Dating' had a plastic surgeon male lead. Does that count?
'Ghost Doctor' Starring Rain started mediocre then steadily improved until it gave a satisfying finale. Unlike the other dramas that year that started off hot and failed to cross the finish line.
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aicaramba
April 18, 2023 at 8:31 PM
Yes pls, let's make 'Marriage Not Dating' count!
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
April 19, 2023 at 3:13 AM
Marriage, Not Dating absolutely counts! Well, it should even if someone says otherwise. Kind of disappointed in myself for not thinking of it first, actually.
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9 technicat
April 18, 2023 at 8:25 PM
I want to say Thank You, as there sure are a lot of medical emergencies on that island (similar to Doc Martin), but it doesn't feel like a medical drama if it's not in a hospital the whole series, so I'll pick Golden Time with an earnest Lee Sun-kyun and an unusually sedate Hwang Jung-eum as residents mentored by Lee Sung-min who is great as always.
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technicat
April 18, 2023 at 8:26 PM
As a Lee Yo-won fan, I also have to give Surgeon Bong Dal-hee a mention.
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kiara
April 19, 2023 at 11:25 AM
It's too bad the writer ended her promising career pretty early.
https://www.dramabeans.com/2012/11/golden-time-writer-puts-foot-in-mouth-insults-cast/comment-page-2/
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technicat
April 19, 2023 at 12:25 PM
Oh wow, I had no idea. At least she said something nice about Lee Sun-kyun (I won't judge, I have plenty of grudges from past projects). I see that she got another shot in A New Leaf, though,.
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kiara
April 19, 2023 at 12:47 PM
Yea, that was her last one.
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10 aicaramba
April 18, 2023 at 8:30 PM
Live Up To Your Name because Kim Nam Gil 😁
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technicat
April 18, 2023 at 8:38 PM
Best time-traveling medical drama, definitely.
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loveblossom🌸
April 18, 2023 at 8:44 PM
Oooohhh yes, I just thought of this one! KNG! plus the story was a good, satisfying one!
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ladynightshade wants her own ryu sunjae
April 19, 2023 at 3:17 AM
Best medical drama OTP, that’s for certain. Kim Nam-gil and Kim Ah-joong in that drama… I’m still not over it.
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Isa is always time travelling
April 19, 2023 at 3:31 AM
I'm not over it either. Their separation was really painful because their acting was so good!
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Unaspirated
April 19, 2023 at 6:34 AM
There are not enough clips of this drama floating around. How am I supposed to get a quick fix?
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StacyA
April 19, 2023 at 6:23 AM
Another vote for Live Up To Your Name! This is another one that needs a good fanfic to continue the story.
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Grand Sophy
April 21, 2023 at 9:15 AM
One of my first kdramas. I loved the depiction of acupuncture, and the intelligent but humble compassion of Kim Nam Gil's character. I had a bit of cognitive dissonance when the next role I saw him in was as the half demon of Island.
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11 Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
April 18, 2023 at 8:30 PM
Hospital Playlist for the win I love the main characters and I liked the patient stories too. Medical drama is one of my genres as back in the day ER was my favourite tv show only surpassed by West wing when the original cast disappeared and we barely saw my favourite character Carter.
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miso
April 19, 2023 at 3:07 AM
Ah a fellow Noah Wyle connoisseur!
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Qingdao: likes scented candles
April 19, 2023 at 8:35 AM
Absolutely agree! Yulje was the best....
I also enjoyed Good Doctor and Dr. Romantic.
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12 Ally
April 18, 2023 at 8:43 PM
Mine is Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim, now only know as Dr. Romantic. The idealistic triple boarded Kim Sabu got me watching medical dramas again (after being burned by too many seasons of Gray’s Anatomy—I stopped watching after McDreamy died.) And YYS made me want to go back to residency to find my true love again. 😆
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13 Tazzo
April 18, 2023 at 8:56 PM
Hospital playlist season 1. Hands down. No need for any explanations.
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mmmmm
April 18, 2023 at 11:57 PM
Yes, it’s true ss1 is far more superior than the rushed ss2 imho.
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14 OldLawyer
April 18, 2023 at 9:02 PM
Not bid on medical dramas but THE GOOD DOCTOR stands high on my list, together with EMERGENCY COUPLE.
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thimble
April 20, 2023 at 9:40 AM
Emergency Couple - so underrated.
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15 Britney
April 18, 2023 at 9:48 PM
I think I've only seen one drama involving the medical field and that was Live Up To Your Name. I liked it and I think it was cool seeing old school and modern medical practices.
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Unaspirated
April 19, 2023 at 6:32 AM
I totally agree! The scenes where Im and Kyung were working alongside each other were some of the best.
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16 Tizzy
April 18, 2023 at 9:56 PM
Hands down, it’s Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim. Ok, now known as Doctor Romantic. I should say Doctor Romantic 1 & 2. I liked these better than Hospital Playlist. Actually we can’t compare these two because they’re totally different aside from being in a hospital setting. Doctor Romantic is very compelling. I love the leads and the bad guys. Great acting!!!
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17 Linarrick
April 18, 2023 at 10:18 PM
I agree with the sentiment that hospital themed dramas are boring af. I couldn’t care less about the medical jargon and the stupid hospital politics. It’s why I’m not too fussed about the onslaught of lawyer dramas these days. If done right, the cases are at least interesting. Forest of Secrets and Extraordinary Attorney Woo are some of my favourites.
But if I had to name a medical themed drama it would either be Hospital Playlist or Life. While I enjoyed these shows they were both flawed and irritated me. HP shouldn’t have been two seasons and it dragged, and Life while well done for the most part, the slight ableism kinda irked me. Yes the show treated it’s disabled character with far more dignity than say the god awful drama My Love Eun-Dong. But still something seemed off. Sun-woo getting rejected by No-eul wasn’t my issue, it was the fact that the other three able-bodied protagonists got a lowkey romance whereas Sun-woo did not.
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18 kiara
April 18, 2023 at 10:22 PM
White Tower (MBC 2007).
It's not your typical medical drama with romance to draw in more viewers. It's heavy on the politics, like a political sageuk done right.
Kim Myung-min gave the performance of his life, sweeping every awards that year.
Honorable mention: Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim and Hospital Playlists.
Dishonorable mention: Dr Jin, but the recaps, and comments were hilarious 😆 🤣.
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Snow Flower
April 19, 2023 at 9:35 AM
I have never heard of White Tower but I now I have to look it up!
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kiara
April 19, 2023 at 11:58 AM
Thundie was talking about it on her blog when it came out. That's where I first heard about it.
https://thundie.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/k-drama-scribbles-white-tower/
JB mentioned it here, but it's mostly about Kim Myung-min, who was one of DB's fave.
https://www.dramabeans.com/2009/04/mbc-documentary-special-features-kim-myung-min/
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kiara
April 19, 2023 at 1:14 PM
White Tower was upgraded and released on its 10th anniversary. If you can find that version, that would be the one with the best subs.
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faithwithme
April 19, 2023 at 5:42 PM
we only need to read HeadsNo2 recap for Dr. Jin madness. that one was an entertainment on their own 🤣
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19 Bunny Sonaki
April 18, 2023 at 10:25 PM
Can I say Hospital Playlist for the third time? Best part is No mundane hospital politics and only patients and doctors.
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mmmmm
April 18, 2023 at 11:58 PM
True, and that’s the heart of being a doctor.
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Bunny Sonaki
April 19, 2023 at 1:33 AM
Romantic Doctor is good too but too much hospital politics is annoying. And that is why hospital playlist stands out to me.
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20 AsianDramaniac
April 18, 2023 at 10:29 PM
Not a majority choice, but my favourite is New Heart starring Ji Sung.
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