Ritesh Sharma
Created by Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-Jung, the first two episodes of tvN’s Korean show ‘ Resident Playbook’ set the stage for an engaging medical drama at Jongno Yulje Medical Center. A spin-off of ‘Hospital Playlist,’ the series follows four new residents in the OB-GYN department as they navigate the intense pressures of hospital life. The show balances humor and heartwarming moments amidst the ruthless environment, giving it a refreshing touch. Oh Yi-young, driven by a personal reason, slowly begins to adapt to this challenging world by the end of episode two, finding her place alongside the other residents. ‘Resident Playbook’ delivers an engrossing mix of drama, humor, and emotional depth. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Oh Yi-young is Compelled to Work at Jongno Yulje Medical Center
In the first episode, Oh Yi-young’s entry into Jongno Yulje Medical Center is driven by necessity rather than choice. Struggling with a 50 million debt, she is trapped in a cycle of financial pressure and professional expectations. She is forced to take the job in order to meet her bank’s demand for an employment certificate or risk losing her assets. The first-year resident’s journey begins with a sense of being cornered, as she must endure a year at the hospital to repay her debts. This immediate responsibility weighs heavily on her, making her feel disconnected from the environment she finds herself in. It is also revealed that she has interned in this very hospital previously and clearly didn’t like that experience, as seen in the dream sequences at the beginning of the first episode.
Yi-young’s first day at the medical center is anything but easy. Thrust into a demanding hospital setting, she faces the challenge of fitting in with her colleagues while keeping her personal struggles hidden. Her discomfort is palpable, especially as she encounters the senior doctors and residents, including Dr. Seo Jung-min, who is cold and critical. She is also dealing with the stress of maintaining a secret relationship with Ku Do-won, a senior resident. Despite these tensions, her commitment to paying off her debt keeps her grounded, even as she tries to navigate the harsh and competitive world of OB-GYN residency.
The pressure only intensifies as Yi-young finds herself in high-stakes situations, such as performing a complicated surgery and dealing with difficult patients. Her internal conflict grows as she is constantly reminded that she is working in a field she never truly chose. The resident is compelled to stay, not by passion for her work but by the necessity of fulfilling her obligations. Her journey in the medical center is a testament to the struggles of balancing personal survival with professional demands, highlighting the sacrifices she makes in order to get through each day.
By the end of the episode, Yi-young begins to show signs of adapting to her surroundings, even though she remains uncertain about her future in the hospital. A quiet resilience marks her character’s development — she is willing to endure the challenges of her job for the sake of her family, her debt, and her future. As she settles into her role as a first-year resident, the tension between her personal and professional life remains a central theme in the series. The episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of her journey through the pressures of the medical field.
The Dynamic Between Pyo Nam-kyung, Kim Sa-bi, and Um Jae-il
The trio of Pyo Nam-kyung, Kim Sa-bi, and Um Jae-il adds layers of complexity to Yi-young’s residency journey, each facing their own struggles within the demanding environment of Yulje Medical Center. Pyo Nam-kyung, a bright and competent resident, often serves as a support system for Yi-young. Despite her generally calm demeanor, she’s occasionally overwhelmed by the harsh realities of being a first-year resident. Her emotional intelligence contrasts with the clinical coldness of Kim Sa-bi, who displays a chilling professionalism that isolates her from both patients and colleagues. Sa-bi, despite her technical expertise, lacks the empathy often required in the medical field, making her an outlier among the residents.
Kim Sa-bi’s icy attitude, however, is tested when she encounters a difficult patient. Her inability to connect on an emotional level with patients leads to tension, and her senior’s scolding highlights the importance of not just technical skill but also human compassion. As she grapples with these challenges, Sa-bi begins to reflect on her role as a doctor and whether she can maintain her clinical distance or must change her approach to truly be successful. Meanwhile, Um Jae-il, often seen as hasty and clumsy, struggles with his own shortcomings.
Jae-il’s earnest desire to improve contrasts with his tendency to make mistakes, which leads to frequent scoldings. Despite these setbacks, he is eager to prove himself and earn his seniors’ respect. His relationship with Nam-kyung offers him some comfort, as she helps him through difficult situations despite her own frustrations. The dynamic between these three characters showcases the wide spectrum of personalities and coping mechanisms that form within the high-pressure world of medicine, each grappling with their own limitations and aspirations while trying to survive the relentless demands of their residency.
Oh Yi-young’s Troublesome Relationship with Dr. Myeong Eun-won
In the second episode, Yi-young’s relationship with Dr. Myeong Eun-won becomes a significant source of stress. The senior doctor, known for her harsh and unyielding demeanor, constantly scolds the first-year resident for small mistakes, including a moment where Yi-young is reprimanded for confusing general and spinal anesthesia. Myeong’s unforgiving attitude exacerbates Yi-young’s already overwhelming experience as a first-year resident, highlighting the brutal nature of the medical field and the tough standards the resident must meet. The ongoing tension between the two brings to light the emotional challenges she faces in trying to prove herself in a high-pressure work environment.
Dr. Myeong’s stern approach to mentorship leaves little room for understanding or encouragement, making Yi-young feel undervalued and frustrated. Her rigid nature contrasts with Yi-young’s more empathetic approach to patients, which only fuels the conflict. However, this difficult relationship takes a turn when Dr. Ku Do-won steps in to support the first-year resident. After an incident where Myeong unfairly scolds the resident for not knowing the difference between general anesthesia and spinal anesthesia, Dr. Ku intervenes, advising the senior doctor to report any further issues with the first-year resident directly to him. His guidance provides Yi-young with a sense of relief, as it offers her a sense of support and reassurance in a challenging environment.
Despite Myeong’s constant criticism, Yi-young begins to recognize the underlying pressures that drive her senior’s actions, as Myeong is vying for a professorship after Professor Im Dong-ju’s retirement. However, it’s Dr. Ku’s intervention that gives Yi-young hope. His support offers a new dynamic, suggesting that Yi-young is not entirely alone in her struggles. Dr. Ku’s encouragement allows Yi-young to face the challenges of the residency program with renewed determination, signaling a turning point in her relationship with both her colleagues and herself.
Professor Seo Jung-min’s Presence Looms Large in Resident Playbook
Professor Seo Jung-min presents herself as a strict and enigmatic presence in the first two episodes of ‘Resident Playbook.’ She’s quickly established as someone who doesn’t sugarcoat her words — a fact made clear when Pyo Nam-kyung warns Oh Yi-young early on that the professor is known to “tear people down with words.” Yi-young soon experiences this firsthand, facing repeated criticism from Seo for her clinical decisions. This growing tension is also felt by fellow resident Kim Sa-bi, who persistently seeks validation from the professor but receives none — not even a passing acknowledgment.
Yet, beneath this cold and clinical exterior, Professor Seo is far from heartless. Unlike Dr. Myeong, whose actions often seem driven by self-interest, Seo Jung-min appears guided by a deep sense of professional ethics and accountability. Her criticism of Yi-young after she performs an emergency C-section in a hallway is stern, but it’s rooted in concern for both patient safety and procedural integrity. However, when Yi-young demonstrates quick thinking and leadership during an OB-GYN code blue, Professor Seo doesn’t hesitate to praise her — a rare moment of acknowledgment that feels earned. Notably, she turns her sharp reprimand toward Dr. Myeong for failing to act during the emergency, subtly highlighting her principles: competence matters more than hierarchy.
Episode two gives us a rare glimpse into Seo’s quietly encouraging side, particularly in her interaction with Kim Sa-bi. When Sa-bi spirals into self-doubt after a rough day, Professor Seo offers an unexpected yet practical piece of advice — urging her to lean into what she excels at rather than forcing herself into roles where she falters. It’s not warm comfort, but it’s honest and oddly reassuring. Inspired by this, Sa-bi makes amends with a patient in her own quirky, over-technical way, leading to an unexpectedly tender connection. These encounters begin to unravel the myth of Professor Seo Jung-min as a one-note antagonist. She may not coddle, but she pushes her residents toward growth with a clear-eyed focus on skill and accountability. Her presence casts a long shadow, but it’s one that subtly guides — not crushes — those willing to rise to her standards.
