Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers… Read at your own risk. The gang from Yulje Medical Centre are back. Well, most of them as far as I can tell. The show is back with a vengeance and demonstrates unequivocally why it is one of the best television franchises coming out of South Korea. 90 minutes flew by. The writing is as strong as ever and the direction every bit as sure-footed as it was in the first season. In short, I am relieved. Those who have been listening to
I love reading your insights. I first read your blog a few days ago when I was re-watching the Season 1 finale and looking for more Winter Garden analysis. Enthralled and mesmerized with "Hospital Playlist Retrospective Season 1 Episode 12: The Winter Garden Confession" is an understatement. I kept re-reading it, consuming every last detail and insight you shared.
This blog post about episode 1 is just as wonderful. I rarely love reading blog posts but you have a gift for words and insights that is so refreshing and wonderful.
I would also like to add that there's been a subtle change in Dr Jang Gyeo-ul's character, as well. We know in season 1 that she didn't easily empathize with her patients although she cares about them. We also saw that she kept trying to improving herself and later on, she was able to explain a diagnosis to a young mom (the one who gave her a BTS tumbler) by illustrating on paper (an explanation which is even much simpler than Jeong-won's explanation).
In Season 2 Episode 1, while doing rounds with Jeong-won, Gyeo-ul said that the little girl was feeling pessimistic and wasn't in a good mood. This elicited a subtle surprised look from Jeong-won, clearly recognizing that Gyeo-ul is now able to detect emotions from her patients.
Gyeo-ul is also becoming more confident with her authority without being pushy and antagonistic. She confidently explained to the male patient why he needs to practice on his breathing apparatus and she'll be back to check up on his breathing in the afternoon. I laughed out loud when the rest of the patients in the room started practicing on their breathing apparatus.
It's always interesting to read your thoughts! The WinGar dynamics truly is such a joy to watch in Episode 1. They looked very much in love and I live for that. Gyeoul's change in dealing with the patient's relative (YeonU's mom here) is welcoming and I love her character development.
I also think the IkSong rejection is fair, but I honestly don't believe that's it for them. In fact, I think there's a much bigger plan for them and a proper development which will come slowly. It's only Episode 1 and we still haven't gotten Songhwa's true side of the story, and it's been only a little over a month perhaps, for her to decide on this. She wouldn't recklessly say yes without knowing truly what she wants so I believe she needs more time to evaluate her relationship with Ikjun, and whatever her decision is, I will wholeheartedly support her.
I ship Ik-Jun and Song Hwa but I agree with your points. It’s too early for their situation to be resolved
I also find Song Hwa an enigma and would love to know more about her back story.
While she’s accomplished and appears to have a good family background, I also want to know more about her. What led her to become the Sage of the group, what made her an accomplished individual, what made her who she is. Her history doesn’t have to be dramatic or heartbreaking. It would be nice to see how she became the woman she is now.
One thing that I've always admired about Jang Gyeo Wool is her work ethic, professionalism and dedication. That has always been said in season 1, as she is basically on perpetual duty for the past 3 years. However, the work ethic that is implied with Dr Long Winter is more on her competence and effectivity in fulfilling works in relation to tasks from Professors.
But this episode, I like that they showed her dedication from the angle of her patients (and through the eyes of the caregivers and nurses). It was clearly evident with the spirometer patient that despite her workload, she doesn't coast but gives her best to each and every patient. The usual rounds with Professors are in the morning, hence residents are expected to see their patients before that. And then she is expected to accomplish all those that were discussed during the rounds, attend to surgeries (as scheduled surgeries are usually during the day-time), attend to emergency cases referred to at the ER or OR - and those are the main daytime tasks. Since she is the only one, she also does the on-call or the nighttime duty tasks. There are residents like Dr Myung (fox doctor in OB) who would just do the minimum requirement (1 visit/day), and then leave the rest to whomever is on duty. But not Gyeo Wool, she can just coast and say that I've already provided the instruction and leave it there, but No, she's 13x busy than any person in that hospital but still willing to drop by again and ensure the patient follows through (for the patients sake). Even Yeonu's case, it was mentioned she was always present. I guess that's the keyword, she is always physically PRESENT to her patients.
I guess that is one thing that both can learn from each other, Physical and emotional balance.
This is just me. But what if Song-hwa take ik-jun words literally. That ik-jun like another girl and not see that its her. She thinks that ik-jun is just asking for advice. Because when ik-jun give the wrong meaning of Villain, Song-hwa believes him without doubt. So maybe she did not rejects Ik-jun but just gave him her unbiased advice. 🤔🤔🤔
I love reading your insights. I first read your blog a few days ago when I was re-watching the Season 1 finale and looking for more Winter Garden analysis. Enthralled and mesmerized with "Hospital Playlist Retrospective Season 1 Episode 12: The Winter Garden Confession" is an understatement. I kept re-reading it, consuming every last detail and insight you shared.
This blog post about episode 1 is just as wonderful. I rarely love reading blog posts but you have a gift for words and insights that is so refreshing and wonderful.
I would also like to add that there's been a subtle change in Dr Jang Gyeo-ul's character, as well. We know in season 1 that she didn't easily empathize with her patients although she cares about them. We also saw that she kept trying to improving herself and later on, she was able to explain a diagnosis to a young mom (the one who gave her a BTS tumbler) by illustrating on paper (an explanation which is even much simpler than Jeong-won's explanation).
In Season 2 Episode 1, while doing rounds with Jeong-won, Gyeo-ul said that the little girl was feeling pessimistic and wasn't in a good mood. This elicited a subtle surprised look from Jeong-won, clearly recognizing that Gyeo-ul is now able to detect emotions from her patients.
Gyeo-ul is also becoming more confident with her authority without being pushy and antagonistic. She confidently explained to the male patient why he needs to practice on his breathing apparatus and she'll be back to check up on his breathing in the afternoon. I laughed out loud when the rest of the patients in the room started practicing on their breathing apparatus.
It's always interesting to read your thoughts! The WinGar dynamics truly is such a joy to watch in Episode 1. They looked very much in love and I live for that. Gyeoul's change in dealing with the patient's relative (YeonU's mom here) is welcoming and I love her character development.
I also think the IkSong rejection is fair, but I honestly don't believe that's it for them. In fact, I think there's a much bigger plan for them and a proper development which will come slowly. It's only Episode 1 and we still haven't gotten Songhwa's true side of the story, and it's been only a little over a month perhaps, for her to decide on this. She wouldn't recklessly say yes without knowing truly what she wants so I believe she needs more time to evaluate her relationship with Ikjun, and whatever her decision is, I will wholeheartedly support her.
I ship Ik-Jun and Song Hwa but I agree with your points. It’s too early for their situation to be resolved
I also find Song Hwa an enigma and would love to know more about her back story.
While she’s accomplished and appears to have a good family background, I also want to know more about her. What led her to become the Sage of the group, what made her an accomplished individual, what made her who she is. Her history doesn’t have to be dramatic or heartbreaking. It would be nice to see how she became the woman she is now.
One thing that I've always admired about Jang Gyeo Wool is her work ethic, professionalism and dedication. That has always been said in season 1, as she is basically on perpetual duty for the past 3 years. However, the work ethic that is implied with Dr Long Winter is more on her competence and effectivity in fulfilling works in relation to tasks from Professors.
But this episode, I like that they showed her dedication from the angle of her patients (and through the eyes of the caregivers and nurses). It was clearly evident with the spirometer patient that despite her workload, she doesn't coast but gives her best to each and every patient. The usual rounds with Professors are in the morning, hence residents are expected to see their patients before that. And then she is expected to accomplish all those that were discussed during the rounds, attend to surgeries (as scheduled surgeries are usually during the day-time), attend to emergency cases referred to at the ER or OR - and those are the main daytime tasks. Since she is the only one, she also does the on-call or the nighttime duty tasks. There are residents like Dr Myung (fox doctor in OB) who would just do the minimum requirement (1 visit/day), and then leave the rest to whomever is on duty. But not Gyeo Wool, she can just coast and say that I've already provided the instruction and leave it there, but No, she's 13x busy than any person in that hospital but still willing to drop by again and ensure the patient follows through (for the patients sake). Even Yeonu's case, it was mentioned she was always present. I guess that's the keyword, she is always physically PRESENT to her patients.
I guess that is one thing that both can learn from each other, Physical and emotional balance.
This is just me. But what if Song-hwa take ik-jun words literally. That ik-jun like another girl and not see that its her. She thinks that ik-jun is just asking for advice. Because when ik-jun give the wrong meaning of Villain, Song-hwa believes him without doubt. So maybe she did not rejects Ik-jun but just gave him her unbiased advice. 🤔🤔🤔