South Korean medical drama television series
South Korean TV series or program
Hospital PlaylistOfficial promotional poster for season 2
Hangul슬기로운 의사생활Hanja슬기로운 醫師生活Revised RomanizationSeulgiroun UisasaenghwalLiterallyWise Doctor LifeGenreCreated byLee Myung-han [tvN]Written byLee Woo-jungDirected byShin Won-hoStarringCountry of originSouth KoreaOriginal languageKoreanNo. of seasons2No. of episodes24Executive producerPark Seung-jaeProducerChoi Sung-yoonCamera setupSingle-cameraRunning time72–121 minutesProduction companiesDistributorOriginal networktvNPicture format1080i [HDTV]Original releaseHospital Playlist [Korean: 슬기로운 의사생활] is a South Korean television series written by Lee Woo-jung and directed by Shin Won-ho.[2][3] It is the second installment of the Wise Life series, following Prison Playbook [2017–18].[4] It stars Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, and Jeon Mi-do.[5]
The first season aired on tvN every Thursday from March 12 to May 28, 2020.[6] Each episode was released on Netflix in South Korea, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and English speaking countries after their television broadcast.[b][7] By the conclusion of the first season, the series became the ninth highest-rated Korean drama in cable television history at the time.
The second season aired between June 17 and September 16, 2021.[8] According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode recorded 10.007% viewership, setting the record for the highest premiere ratings in the network's history.[9][10]
Premise[edit]
Hospital Playlist follows the lives of five doctors in their forties, Lee Ik-jun [Jo Jung-suk], Ahn Jeong-won [Yoo Yeon-seok], Kim Jun-wan [Jung Kyung-ho], Yang Seok-hyeong [Kim Dae-myung] and Chae Song-hwa [Jeon Mi-do], working at the Yulje Medical Centre, who first became friends during medical school. Lee Ik-jun is an assistant professor of general surgery specializing in liver transplants and a single father to his only son Woo-joo [Kim Joon] after getting divorced from his absent wife. His cheerful charisma allows him to connect with both patients and doctors, making him a popular figure in the hospital. A devout Catholic, Ahn Jeong-won is the son of the founder of the hospital and an assistant professor of pediatric surgery, cherished by his patients for his caring and sensible personality. However, seeing his patients suffer causes him distress, so he is secretly planning to become a priest against the wishes of his mother, Jung Ro-sa [Kim Hae-sook]. Kim Jun-wan is an associate professor and later head of the cardiothoracic surgery department at Yulje, admired and feared by his subordinates due to his exceptional surgical skills and his cold demeanor. He has known Ik-jun and his family, including his lively sister Ik-sun [Kwak Sun-young], since childhood. Yang Seok-hyeong is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynaecology perceived as aloof and sometimes detached due to his introverted personality, but he is in reality attentive and understanding toward his patients. He is divorced and has a complicate family history, but deeply cares about his mother. The only woman in the group of friends, Chae Song-hwa is an associate professor of neurosurgery, considered as the perfect doctor by her colleagues and patients alike thanks to her brilliant career, accommodating disposition and bright personality.
Supporting[edit]
Doctors[edit]
- Shin Hyun-been as Jang Gyeo-ul, third-year resident, later fellow in general surgery. As the only resident for general surgery, specialist doctors typically rely on her assistance for cases outside their scope.
- Jung Moon-sung as Do Jae-hak, chief resident, later fellow in cardiothoracic surgery.
- Ahn Eun-jin as Chu Min-ha, second-year, later chief resident in obstetrics and gynecology.[12]
- Kim Jun-han as Ahn Chi-hong, third-year resident in neurosurgery.
- Moon Tae-yoo as Yong Seok-min, chief resident, later fellow in neurosurgery.
- Ha Yoon-kyung as Heo Sun-bin, third-year, later fellow in neurosurgery.
- Choi Young-joon as Bong Gwang-hyun, assistant professor of emergency medicine.
- Seo Jin-won as Min Gi-joon, professor of neurosurgery.
- Kim Hye-in as Myung Eun-won, second-year, later chief resident in obstetrics and gynecology resident.[13]
- Choi Young-woo as Cheon Myung-tae, professor of cardiothoracic surgery.
- Shin Do-hyun as Bae Joon-hee, fellow in emergency medicine.
- Jeon Kwang-jin as Jong Se-hyuk, fellow in orthopedic surgery.
- Lee Se-hee as Kang So-ye, fellow in emergency medicine.[14]
- Woo Jung-won as Yeom Se-hee, professor of obstetrics and gynecology.[15]
- Lee Do-hye as Ki Eun-mi, first-year resident in obstetrics and gynecology.
Nurses and medical students[edit]
- Kim Soo-jin as Song Soo-bin, surgical ward nurse.
- Yoon Hye-ri as So Yi-hyun, cardiothoracic surgery medical assistant.
- Yang Jo-ah as Hwang Jae-shin, neurosurgery medical assistant.
- Lee Noh-ah as Lee Young-ha, surgical ward nurse.
- Lee Dal as Kim Jae-hwan, surgical ward nurse.
- Lee Hye-eun as Kook Hye-sung, general surgery medical assistant.
- Lee Ji-won as Han Hyun-hee, pediatric surgery medical assistant.
- Lee Soo-hyun as Nam Ji-min, pediatric intensive care unit nurse.
- Lee Jong-won as Kim Geon-eun, second-year medical student.[16]
- Lee Jung-won as Hwang Ji-woo, second-year medical student.[17]
- Kim Ji-sung as Han Seung-joo, obstetrics and gynecology delivery room nurse.
- Seol Yu-jin as Eun Sun-jin, obstetrics and gynecology medical assistant.
- Kim Bi-bi as Ham Deok-joo, transplant coordinator.
- Park Han-sol as Sunwoo Hee-soo, emergency room nurse.
- Cho Yi-hyun as Jang Yun-bok, third-year medical student, later intern and Hong-do's twin sister.[18]
- Bae Hyun-sung as Jang Hong-do, third-year medical student, later intern and Yun-bok's twin brother.
- Kim Kang-min as Im Chang-min, intern.
- Lee Chan-hyung as Choi Seon-young, intern.
- Chae Min-hee as So-yeon.[19]
Family members of the main characters[edit]
- Kwak Sun-young as Lee Ik-sun, Ik-jun's younger sister.
- Kim Joon as Lee Woo-joo, Ik-jun's son.
- Lee Soo-mi as Aunty Wang, Woo-joo's nanny.
- Ki Eun-se as Yuk Hye-jeong, Ik-jun's ex-wife.
- Kim Hae-sook as Jung Ro-sa, Jeong-won's mother.
- Sung Dong-il as Ahn Dong-il/Peter, Jeong-won's eldest brother.
- Kim Kap-soo as Joo Jong-soo, Chairman of the Yulje Foundation and Ro-sa's childhood friend.
- Cho Seung-yeon as Joo Jun, Director of Yulje Medical Center.
- Moon Hee-kyung as Jo Young-hye, Seok-hyeong's mother.
- Park Ji-yeon as Yoon Shin-hye, Seok-hyeong's ex-wife.
- Shin Hye-kyung as Seok-hyeong's former mother-in-law.
- Nam Myung-ryeol as Yang Tae-yang, Seok-hyeong's father.
- Lee So-yoon as Kim Tae-yeon, Yang Tae-yang's mistress.
Special appearances[edit]
Production[edit]
Development[edit]
In January 2019, it was reported that Shin Won-ho would direct a medical television series and that the production team was in the early stages of casting actors.[52] Screenwriter Lee Woo-jung and director Shin Won-ho previously worked together on the critically acclaimed Reply [2012–16] anthology series as well as the hit black comedy series Prison Playbook [2017–18].[53] Actors Jung Kyung-ho and Yoo Yeon-seok also previously worked with the duo.[54][55] It took four years for the script to be completed.[56] In order to comply to the 52-hour week system and to avoid overnight filming with regard to the cast and crew's health, the production team decided to air one episode a week for a total of twelve weeks instead of broadcasting two episodes a week for eight weeks as it is usually the case for South Korean television series.[57]
Filming[edit]
Principal photography for the first season started in early October 2019.[58] Some scenes taking place in Gangwoon University Hospital and Yulje Medical Center were respectively filmed in Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital [in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi] and Ewha Womans University Medical Center [in Gangseo District, Seoul], though the latter scenes of the season were filmed on set due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[59] Filming for the first season was completed in late April 2020.[60]
Originally scheduled to begin in early December 2020, filming for the second season was postponed to late January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[61] Filming ended on September 6, 2021.[62]
Albums[edit]
Season 1[edit]Hospital PlaylistReleasedJune 4, 2020Length86:59LanguageLabelProducerMa Joo-heeThe Hospital Playlist original soundtrack produced by Ma Joo-hee was released on June 4, 2020, by Studio MaumC, Egg Is Coming and Stone Music Entertainment.[63][64] It consists of covers of popular Korean songs released in the 1990s and 2000s.[65][66] All songs charted on the Gaon Digital Chart and twelve on the K-pop Hot 100, with some receiving several nominations and awards. Doyeon Lee of Billboard noted that the soundtrack "was well received by listeners of all ages for its remakes of popular 90s hits."[67]
Track listingTitleLyricsMusicArtist1."Lonely Night"Kim Tae-wonKim Tae-wonKwon Jin-ah[c]4:022."Introduce Me a Good Person" [좋은 사람 있으면 소개시켜줘]Kim Hee-tamJung Jae-hyungJoy [Red Velvet][d]3:033."Aloha" [아로하]Kim Tae-hoonWi Jong-sooJo Jung-suk[e]4:044."Confession Is Not Flashy" [화려하지 않은 고백]Oh Tae-hoOh Tae-hoKyuhyun [Super Junior][f]3:485."Beautiful My Love" [그대 고운 내 사랑]Yoon Min-seokYoon Min-seokUrban Zakapa[g]3:506."In Front of City Hall at the Subway Station" [시청 앞 지하철 역에서]Kim Chang-giKim Chang-giKwak Jin-eon[h]4:597."You Always" [넌 언제나]Jang Kyung-ahPark Jung-wonJ Rabbit[i]4:168."With My Tears" [내 눈물 모아]Kim Hee-tamJung Jae-hyungWheein [Mamamoo][j]4:139."The Wind Is Blowing" [바람이 부네요]Im In-geonIm In-geonLee So-ra[k]4:3110."Oh! What a Shiny Night [Drama Version]" [밤이 깊었네]Han Kyung-rokHan Kyung-rokMido and Falasol[l]2:3811."Canon [Drama Version]" [캐논]Johann PachelbelMido and Falasol2:4912."Beyond the Rainbow Forest" [넌 따뜻해]Kim Jin-hakKim Jin-hakPark Hyuk-jin4:3013."While Living Life" [사노라면]Kim Moon-eungGil Ok-yoonOohyo[m]4:0514."I Knew I Love" [사랑하게 될 줄 알았어]Lee Sang-gyuLee Sang-gyuJeon Mi-do[n]4:2115."Me to You, You to Me" [너에게 난, 나에게 넌]Song Bong-jooSong Bong-jooMido and Falasol[o]3:5216."Sorrowful [Piano Ver. 1]"Kim Jin-hak4:3817."Affect"Song Ha-min2:0118."Moving Forward [Full Version]"Kim Jin-hak2:2719."Frozen Dream"Song Ha-min1:4620."Monday"Song Ha-min1:3221."Oh! What a Shiny Night [Drama Version]" [Inst.]2:3822."Beyond the Rainbow Forest" [Inst.]4:3023."While Living Life" [Inst.]4:0524."I Knew I Love" [Inst.]4:21Total length:86:59
OST Special[p]TitleLyricsMusicArtist1."Introduce Me a Good Person [Drama Ver.]" [좋은 사람 있으면 소개시켜줘]Kim Hee-tamJung Jae-hyungMido and Falasol[d]2:052."With My Tears [Drama Ver.]" [내 눈물 모아]Kim Hee-tamJung Jae-hyungMido and Falasol[j]3:523."Confession Is Not Flashy [Drama Ver.]" [화려하지 않은 고백]Oh Tae-hoOh Tae-hoMido and Falasol[f]3:55
Season 2[edit]Hospital Playlist Season2Released2021Length156:39LanguageLabelThe soundtrack album peaked on number 8 on weekly Gaon Album Chart and as of October 2021, 31,468 copies have been sold.[82][83]
Tracklist[edit]CD 1TitleLyricsMusicArtist1."Rain and You" [비와 당신]Bang Joon-seokBang Joon-seokLee Mu-jin[q]4:212."In Front of the Post Office in Autumn" [가을 우체국 앞에서]Kim Hyun-sungKim Hyun-sungKim Dae-myung[r]4:283."I Like You" [나는 너 좋아]Kim Soon-gonCho Yong-pilJang Beom-june[s]3:074."I Love You More Than Anyone" [누구보다 널 사랑해]JoominDabiTwice[t]3:375."I Like You" [좋아좋아]NadeulNadeulJo Jung-suk[u]3:356."Superstar" [슈퍼스타]Lee Han-chulLee Han-chulMido and Falasol[v]3:367."To You" [너에게]Kim Hyung-seokKim Hyung-seokYoo Yeon-seok[w]3:468."Is It Still Beautiful" [여전히 아름다운지]You Hee-yeolYou Hee-yeolSeventeen[x][y]4:359."Reminiscence" [회상]Kim Chang-hoonKim Chang-hoonJung Kyung-ho[z]3:5610."It's My Life"
- Richie Sambora
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Max Martin
- Lee Sang-hoon
- Lee Sang-hyuk
CD 2TitleLyricsMusicArtist1."Is It Still Beautiful" [Drama Version]You Hee-yeolYou Hee-yeolMido and Falasol4:192."It's My Life" [Drama Version]
- Richie Sambora
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Max Martin
- Richie Sambora
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Max Martin
- Lee Sang-woo
- Jung Woo-yong
- Jung Min-joon
- Hwang Hyun-sung
- Ahn Eun-jung
- Lee Sang-hyuk
Physical CD onlyTitleLyricsMusicArtist1."I Like You" [나는 너 좋아;Acoustic Version]Kim Soon-gonCho Yong-pilJang Beom-june3:072."It's My Life" [Acoustic Version]
- Richie Sambora
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Max Martin
- Richie Sambora
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Max Martin
Singles[edit]
Shin initially developed Hospital Playlist with three seasons in mind, which should've been released across three years, but at the end of season two he expressed uncertainty toward the future of the series, citing exhaustion and other problems as reasons.[87] Both the cast members and the production team stated they would be willing to work on a future season.[88] Jeon Mi-do said that she often talks about an eventual third season with her four other co-stars and they take "turns to nag the director" about it.[89]
Episodes[edit]
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
Hospital Playlist received positive critical feedback. Comparing the series to Grey's Anatomy and Friends, Ariana Yaptangco of Elle featured it on the list of "The 10 Best K-Dramas To Binge-Watch On Netflix".[90]
During an interview with The Korea Herald, film critic Yun Suk-jin praised Hospital Playlist for emphasizing the human aspect of the profession rather than the life-and-death situations, noting that the series "did away with the cliched power conflict, and focused on the doctors' sincerity in their work and their relationship with the patients."[91] Pierce Conran of South China Morning Post named Hospital Playlist one of the best South Korean series of 2020, mentioning that "emotional tales of illness and grief play out against the gentle camaraderie of a group that finds solace from the hardships of their job in each other, and their delightfully lousy five-piece garage band."[92] Jessicha Valentina of The Jakarta Post named Jeon Mi-do's character Chae Song-hwa "one of the series' highlights," praising Hospital Playlist for its portrayal of strong female characters.[93]
Joel Keller of Decider gave a mixed review, saying that the series "is a bit of a strange amalgamation of different genres, but the cast makes it work. Just be ready for a slightly confusing first episode."[94]
Viewership[edit]
Season 1Hospital Playlist aired on tvN, which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters [KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS]. Its first season ended within the top 10 of the highest-rated Korean dramas in cable television history.[95][96]
Season 2A 10.0% viewership rating was recorded nationwide for the first episode of the second season, making it the highest premiere rating of the network.[97] The last episode, aired on September 16, recorded an average national viewership of 14.080%, which is the highest ratings of the season.[98]
Hospital Playlist : South Korea viewers per episode [millions]SeasonEpisode numberAverage12345678910111211.6982.0502.3822.4763.0643.0823.2473.3323.1263.2773.4633.5792.89822.6292.4942.8762.8573.3383.5732.9203.4333.4703.3423.6493.8533.203Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[99]