Resident Playbook, a spin-off of the beloved Hospital Playlist, premiered on April 12, 2025, on tvN and Netflix, introducing new OB-GYN residents at Jongno Yulje Medical Center. Despite high expectations, the first four episodes have sparked mixed reactions, with Go Yoon Jung’s portrayal of Oh Yi Young drawing criticism for lacking depth and the story struggling to capture the warmth and charm of its predecessor.
A Rocky Start for New Residents
Resident Playbook follows first-year OB-GYN residents Oh Yi Young (Go Yoon Jung), Pyo Nam Kyung (Shin Shi Ah), Um Jae Il (Kang You Seok), Kim Sa Bi (Han Ye Ji), and their mentor Ku Do Won (Jung Joon Won) at Jongno Yulje Medical Center. The series aims to portray their professional struggles, personal growth, and friendships in a low-birth-rate era, set against the backdrop of South Korea’s 2024 medical crisis.
The show opens with a dramatic helicopter landing, thrusting Oh Yi Young into an emergency surgery without gloves, setting a chaotic tone. However, the intensity feels misplaced, reminiscent of The Trauma Code rather than Hospital Playlist’s grounded warmth. Viewers noted the residents’ polished appearances, which contrast with the expected exhaustion of medical trainees.
“Well these resident doctors are little senior than me. Well I too made mistakes initially couldnt tell the dilatation very quickly but never something like this.” – Laura, AsianWiki user, April 22, 2025
The narrative highlights the residents’ emotional turmoil, with all four contemplating quitting due to grueling conditions. Oh Yi Young, returning to medicine to pay off debts, shows reluctance, which frustrates fans expecting passion.
Go Yoon Jung’s Performance Under Scrutiny
Go Yoon Jung, known for Alchemy of Souls, plays Oh Yi Young, a resident marked by disinterest and incompetence. Critics describe her performance as stoic, failing to convey the emotional depth needed for a lead role. Her character’s mistakes, like improper suture disposal, stem from ignorance, clashing with Hospital Playlist’s competent protagonists.
“The main heroine is stoic and unmotivated, but i know she got her heart as doctor, just need to burn the spirit.” – iwans, AsianWiki user, April 15, 2025
In Episode 3, Oh Yi Young’s bold move—holding Ku Do Won’s hand during a yearbook photo—surprised fans, hinting at a budding romance. However, Go Yoon Jung’s reserved delivery limits the scene’s impact. Her interactions with Myung Eun Won (Kim Hye In), a returning Hospital Playlist fellow who subtly torments her, lack the necessary tension.
“I did not expect this. Oh Yi Young taking the first step towards Ku Do Won was a shock!” – Netizen comment, Sportskeeda, April 20, 2025
Go Yoon Jung shared in an Elle Korea interview that she learned from guiding younger co-stars, reflecting strong teamwork. Yet, her on-screen presence hasn’t fully connected with audiences, who compare her unfavorably to Hospital Playlist’s vibrant leads.
Story Struggles to Find Its Footing
The series, created by Shin Won Ho and Lee Woo Jung, with Kim Song Hee’s scripts and Lee Min Soo’s direction, aims to mirror real-world medical challenges. Filmed in late 2023, it unintentionally reflects South Korea’s 2024 medical strike, where over 10,000 trainee doctors resigned protesting increased medical school quotas. This context adds realism but highlights the show’s uneven pacing.
Episodes 1-2 focus on the residents’ struggles, with Oh Yi Young’s debt-driven return and Ahn Eun Jin’s cameo as Chu Min Ha, now a newlywed, offering brief nostalgia. Episode 2 introduces workplace dynamics, with Seo Jung Min (Lee Bong Ryun) as a strict but fair professor. However, the narrative feels fragmented, lacking Hospital Playlist’s tight ensemble chemistry.
“I thought the beginning was a bit iffy, but things started to settle in better once we were actually in the hospital.” – Dramabeans reviewer, April 15, 2025
Episodes 3-4 show slight improvement, with Ku Do Won teaching Oh Yi Young to comfort patients’ families, a skill she struggles with. The show’s attempt to blend humor, drama, and romance feels forced, and the residents’ friendships lack the organic warmth of their predecessors. Viewers miss Hospital Playlist’s iconic OSTs and cohesive storytelling.
“As a Big Big fan of Hospital Playlist, I like this spin off so far. It has more drama than HP did because of the senior doctor’s bullying but the wholesomeness is still there.” – AsianWiki user, April 15, 2025
Real-World Context Amplifies Challenges
The series’ release during South Korea’s medical crisis, sparked by President Yoon’s plan to increase medical school slots by 2,000, adds unintended relevance. Trainee doctors’ low wages—$2,250 to $2,900 monthly, often below minimum wage for long hours—mirror the residents’ exhaustion. This backdrop makes Oh Yi Young’s disinterest particularly jarring amid real doctors’ protests.
The show earned a 3.68% rating for Episode 1, outperforming The Potato Lab’s 1.7% but trailing Hospital Playlist’s 6.3% premiere. Its 92/100 user rating on AsianWiki reflects some support, but netizens criticize the lack of grit.
“Netizens began talking about how unstained they appeared, a stark contrast to the reality.” – Pinkvilla, April 23, 2025
Cameos and Nostalgia Offer Brief Relief
Ahn Eun Jin’s cameo in Episode 2, reprising Chu Min Ha, delights fans. Her sweet conversation with her husband, presumed to be Yang Seok Hyung (Kim Dae Myung), and her kind words to Oh Yi Young evoke Hospital Playlist’s heart. Ra Mi Ran’s brief appearance in Episode 1 and Jung Kyung Ho’s role as Kim Jun Wan in Episode 4 further tie the spin-off to its roots, but these moments can’t salvage the uneven narrative.
“Fans loved her brief scene with Oh Yi Young, when she offered her a coffee break and praised her dedication towards her job.” – Pinkvilla, April 14, 2025
Current Status and Viewer Outlook
As of April 23, 2025, Resident Playbook airs Saturdays and Sundays at 9:10 PM KST on tvN, with global streaming on Netflix. Episodes 5-6, set for April 26-27, 2025, promise more Hospital Playlist cameos, including An Jeong Won (Yoo Yeon Seok). Fans hope for stronger character arcs and a return to the emotional depth that defined Hospital Playlist.
The series has potential, with its focus on young residents’ growth and real-world medical issues. However, Go Yoon Jung’s detached performance and the story’s slow pacing hinder its ability to match its predecessor’s legacy. Viewers remain cautiously optimistic, awaiting deeper connections among the cast.
