Go Youn Jung leads the Hospital Playlist spin-off Resident Playbook, and fans are thrilled as Yoo Yeon Seok reprises his beloved role as Ahn Jeong Won in a cameo in episode 5, airing April 26, 2025, on tvN.
Resident Playbook, a spin-off of the hit medical drama Hospital Playlist, welcomes back Yoo Yeon Seok as the kind-hearted pediatric surgeon Ahn Jeong Won in its fifth episode. The series, starring Go Youn Jung, focuses on the lives of obstetrics and gynecology residents at Yulje Medical Center’s Jongno branch, and this cameo adds a nostalgic touch for fans.
About Resident Playbook
Resident Playbook premiered on tvN on April 12, 2025, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 p.m. KST. The 12-episode series is also available on Netflix in select regions. Created by Shin Won Ho and Lee Woo Jung, the drama is written by Kim Song Hee and directed by Lee Min Soo. It follows the professional and personal struggles of first-year obstetrics and gynecology residents at the Jongno branch of Yulje Medical Center, a different setting from the main branch featured in Hospital Playlist.
The main cast includes Go Youn Jung as Oh Yi Young, a stoic and debt-burdened resident; Shin Si Ah as Pyo Nam Gyeong, an enthusiastic doctor; Kang You Seok as Um Jae Il, a former K-pop idol; Han Ye Ji as Kim Sa Bi, a dedicated resident; and Jung Joon Won as Ku Do Won, the chief resident. The show explores their friendships, workplace challenges, and growth in the demanding medical field, set against the backdrop of South Korea’s low birth rate era.
Yoo Yeon Seok’s Cameo Details
Yoo Yeon Seok appears as Ahn Jeong Won, a pediatric surgery professor from the main branch of Yulje Medical Center, in episode 5, which aired on April 26, 2025. In Hospital Playlist, Ahn Jeong Won was known for his gentle demeanor and compassion, earning him the nickname “Winter Garden” alongside his on-screen partner Jang Gyeo Ul (Shin Hyun Been). His cameo takes place during a team dinner for the obstetrics and gynecology department at the Jongno branch.
Stills released by tvN show Ahn Jeong Won at the dinner, sparking curiosity about why a pediatrician from the main branch is visiting the Jongno branch. His calm presence is expected to bring warmth to the episode, which also highlights tensions among residents, including Oh Yi Young’s complex dynamics with seniors Seo Jeong Min (Lee Bong Ryun) and Gong Gi Seon (Son Ji Yoon).
“Yulje… Obstetrics and Gynecology… team dinner, right?”
— Ahn Jeong Won in a preview clip for episode 5.
Connection to Hospital Playlist
Resident Playbook is set in the same universe as Hospital Playlist, which ran for two seasons from 2020 to 2021 and followed five doctors—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)—known as the “99s” friend group. The original series was praised for its realistic portrayal of medical professionals and their friendships, becoming one of the highest-rated Korean dramas on cable television.
The spin-off includes several cameos from Hospital Playlist cast members to maintain this connection. Before Yoo Yeon Seok, Jung Kyung Ho appeared as Kim Jun Wan, a cardiothoracic surgery professor, in episode 4. Ahn Eun Jin reprised her role as Chu Min Ha, a newlywed obstetrics and gynecology resident, in episode 2, sharing a coffee break with Oh Yi Young and confirming her marriage to Yang Seok Hyeong. Ha Yoon Kyung and Moon Tae Yoo appeared as neurosurgery residents Heo Sun Bin and Yong Seok Min in episode 3, with Yong Seok Min now a professor.
Additional cameos by Kwak Sun Young (Lee Ik Sun), Shin Hyun Been (Jang Gyeo Ul), Jung Moon Sung (Do Jae Hak), and Bae Hyeon Seong (Jang Hong Do) were reported on April 18, 2025, though the production team asked viewers to confirm through the broadcast. Fans also speculate that Jo Jung Suk, Jeon Mi Do, and Kim Dae Myung may appear, as creator Shin Won Ho confirmed the “Fab Five” would make special appearances. The Hospital Playlist band Mido and Falasol, featuring the main cast, is also rumored to contribute to the soundtrack, based on a teaser silhouette released by tvN.
Production and Challenges
Resident Playbook was first announced in September 2023, with casting finalized by September 25, 2023, including Go Youn Jung, Shin Si Ah, Kang You Seok, Han Ye Ji, and Jung Joon Won. Filming was initially set to begin in October 2023 but faced delays due to a medical strike in South Korea. In February 2024, many doctors and residents resigned in protest of a government plan to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 annually starting in 2025. This caused production adjustments, pushing the premiere from July 2024 to April 2025.
The series is a collaboration between Shin Won Ho and Lee Woo Jung, who previously worked on Reply 1988 and Hospital Playlist, with Kim Song Hee, an assistant writer on both projects, penning the script. Lee Min Soo, known for The Secret House, directs the drama. Despite initial reports denying it was a direct spin-off, Resident Playbook clearly ties to Hospital Playlist through its setting and cameos.
Fan Reactions
Fans of Hospital Playlist expressed excitement over Yoo Yeon Seok’s cameo, with many sharing their nostalgia on social media.
“How I’ll sleep tonight knowing Hospital Playlist is still alive and relevant in 2025.”
— A fan on X.
“YYS getting the chance to cameo for both DR3 and Resident Playbook like yes how to be the favorite child 😭😭”
— Another fan on X.
“BRO! Adding it to the list of the only few things I am excited for in resident playbook, there is only 3 more left bring them as well.”
— A netizen on X.
Viewers also praised the spin-off for capturing the emotional depth and camaraderie of the original series, though some noted differences due to the focus on first-year residents making mistakes, unlike the experienced professors in Hospital Playlist.
“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.”
— A viewer on AsianWiki.
“I think K-drama viewers might not be ready to watch a drama about growth, where the characters are still making a lot of mistakes and are still amateurs.”
— Another viewer on AsianWiki.
Episode 5 Context
Episode 5 of Resident Playbook is expected to deepen the drama among the residents. Oh Yi Young faces an awkward power dynamic with her seniors, while Um Jae Il deals with scrutiny from Seo Jeong Min. Ahn Jeong Won’s appearance at the team dinner is likely to offer a moment of calm amid these tensions. The episode also builds on the residents’ growing friendships and hints at a slow-burn romance between Oh Yi Young and Ku Do Won, as noted by fans.
The series has been well-received for its realistic portrayal of medical residents, with a 92/100 rating on AsianWiki based on 290 votes as of April 25, 2025. Viewers appreciate its connection to Hospital Playlist while highlighting its unique focus on younger doctors.
Other Notable Cameos
Other than Yoo Yeon Seok, Resident Playbook features guest appearances that add depth to its narrative. Ra Mi Ran played multiple roles in episode 1, showcasing her versatility. TXT members Choi Soo Bin and Choi Yeon Jun appeared as Um Jae Il’s former K-pop groupmates in a later episode, marking Soo Bin’s acting debut and Yeon Jun’s second K-drama cameo after Live On in 2020.
More Related News:
Go Youn-jung and Yoo Yeon-seok Spark Buzz After Dining Together Amid Resident Playbook Promotions
Go Yoon Jung and Shin Shi Ah Lead Drunken Chaos in Resident Playbook Episodes 5-6
As of April 26, 2025, Resident Playbook continues to air on tvN and Netflix, with episode 5 marking a highlight due to Yoo Yeon Seok’s cameo. The production team has teased more Hospital Playlist cameos, keeping fans eager for appearances by Jo Jung Suk, Jeon Mi Do, or Kim Dae Myung. The series is set to conclude on May 18, 2025, after its 12-episode run, and its soundtrack, potentially featuring Mido and Falasol, is generating buzz. The drama remains a top title in Netflix’s 2025 K-drama lineup, celebrated for its emotional storytelling and nostalgic ties to Hospital Playlist.
CREDITS: AsianWiki
