Review of Resident Playbook

Information about the movie Resident Playbook

Resident Playbook (Korean title: 언젠가는 슬기로울 전공의생활) is an upcoming South Korean television series created by Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-jung, written by Kim Song-hee, directed by Lee Min-soo, and starring Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-ah, Han Ye-ji, Kang You-seok, and Jung Joon-won. It is a spin-off of Hospital Playlist (2020–2021), and depicts the lives and friendships of professors and doctors at a university hospital. It is scheduled to air on tvN from April 12, 2025, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST), and is also available on Netflix in some regions.

Original name: 언젠가는 슬기로울 전공의 생활.

Other names: The Life of a Wise Resident Someday, The Life of a Wise Resident, The Life of a Wise Hospital, Eonjenganeun Seulgiroul Jeongongui Saenghwal.

Director: Lee Min Soo.

Screenplay: Kim Song Hee.

Country: Korea.

Number of episodes: 12.

Resident Playbook will start airing on April 12, 2025 and last until May 18, 2025. The show will air regularly every Saturday and Sunday, promising to bring humorous and meaningful moments about medical life. Don't miss it!

Original network: tvN.

Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 years and older.

Genre: Comedy, life, drama, medical.

Review of the movie Resident Playbook

"Resident Playbook" - a spin-off of the popular "Hospital Playlist", has officially launched with new stories about the young generation of residents at Yulje Hospital. If Hospital Playlist is a sweet symphony of friendship, love and the medical profession, then Resident Playbook is a more bare, harsh but also emotional song about the first steps in the profession.

The story of the journey from dream to reality

The film revolves around a quartet of first-year medical residents at Yulje's Jongno branch:

Oh Yi Young (Go Youn Jung): A talented former medical student who quit her job due to pressure, forced to return due to a debt of 50 million won.

Pyo Nam Kyung (Shin Si Ah): A smart girl but carries a "grudge" from high school.

Kim Sa Bi (Han Ye Ji): Excellent student but lacks practical skills.

Um Jae Il (Kang You Seok): Former K-pop idol changes careers, unfamiliar with the hospital environment.

Unlike Hospital Playlist, where the doctors are already seasoned professionals, Resident Playbook focuses on "rookies" with their own set of challenges: grueling shifts, difficult patients, unfamiliar colleagues, and even professional mistakes. The film does not hesitate to portray the "disillusionment" of young people when faced with the harsh realities of the medical profession.

Every character has a story, every person has a pain.

Oh Yi Young is the central character, bringing the most emotions. She struggles not only with her job but also with the prejudices of her colleagues and herself. The acting of Go Youn Jung (who made an impression in Alchemy of Souls) once again proves her ability to express complex inner thoughts.

Pyo Nam Kyung and Kim Sa Bi represent two extremes: one is fierce, one is meek, but they share the same fear of failure.

Um Jae Il brings a bit of humor with his former idol background, but he also can't avoid moments of deadlock.

In particular, the audience will be surprised by the cameo of Ahn Eun Jin (Chu Min Ha – Hospital Playlist), now a confident and happy 4th year doctor. This appearance reminds us of Hospital Playlist and gives hope that old characters will return.

The film depicts the lives of doctors in a realistic yet warm way.

Authenticity: The film does not shy away from the dark side of the medical profession – pressure, mistakes, internal conflicts. Scenes of doctors crying while running to meet reporting deadlines, or struggling with difficult cases, are portrayed very realistically.

Slow but deep: Like Hospital Playlist, Resident Playbook doesn't rush, but slowly leads viewers into the world of the characters. The first episode was a bit slow, but episode 2 started to speed up with many touching details.

Music: Although it doesn't have the signature acoustic guitars of Hospital Playlist, the soundtrack is still light and fits the tone of the story.

Review of the first two episodes of Resident Playbook

The first episode of Resident Playbook opens slowly, focusing on introducing the new setting and the four main characters. Oh Yi-young, the central character, is a passionate resident doctor who is traumatized after deciding to quit her job two years ago. Due to a debt of 50 million won, she is forced to return to the hospital, facing prejudice and pressure from colleagues and patients. Go Youn-jung excellently portrays the strong yet vulnerable Yi-young, creating strong empathy with the audience.

The remaining three characters also have their own colors: Pyo Nam-kyung with a "grudge" from the past, Kim Sa-bi - a girl who is excellent in theory but awkward in practice, and Um Jae-il - a passionate but inexperienced former K-pop idol. The diversity in their personalities and circumstances promises to bring interesting conflicts and bonds in the following episodes.

In episode 2, the pace of the show picks up, delving deeper into the challenges faced by young doctors. Unlike Hospital Playlist, which focuses on experts and complex cases, Resident Playbook offers a raw look at the newbies: their mistakes, frustrations, and constant efforts to overcome them. The episodes are realistic, from long, grueling shifts to heartwarming moments when young doctors find meaning in their work.

A special highlight is the appearance of Ahn Eun-jin as Chu Min-ha, now a confident and happy fourth-year resident in married life. This cameo not only reminds the audience of Hospital Playlist but also cleverly connects two generations of doctors, creating a seamless yet fresh feeling.

Summary of the movie Resident Playbook

Many people worry that Resident Playbook will just be a "bland version" of Hospital Playlist, but in fact, the film stands on its own merits:

Hospital Playlist is a story about people who have succeeded, enjoyed life and friendship.

Resident Playbook is the journey of young people who are struggling to find their way, not knowing if they are strong enough to pursue a career or not.

If you love the warmth and lightness of Hospital Playlist, you might find Resident Playbook a little harsher. But if you want a realistic medical drama, this is a great choice.