One thing regular readers will notice about this blog that I seldom expend time on dramas that I don’t enjoy. I watch more dramas than I blog about because while some dramas are entertaining enough as a temporary diversion, they aren’t worth the time or energy to wax philosophical about. I’m a slow writer and I take my time to find the right words so I don’t have the luxury of wasting time on things that are painful to watch, or merit any kind of analysis of.
I wish I could give you a thousand ❤️ for this post, because it is awesome, and, at least in my eye, you are absolutely right about everything. 🤗🤗🤗Thank you for your time and your wisdom!
I just want to say thank you for writing this! This is amazing!!! Hospital Playlist S2 has been receiving many criticisms from left and right. But, like what Junwan said “To each his own.”
For me, I’ll always remember Hospital Playlist as the drama which brought me comfort and a sort of escape during this trying times. My Thursdays will never be the same without it. 😭😭😭
I love this. Whenever I get annoyed by some of the reactions I see, I just try to remember that Hospital Playlist is impactful enough to garner such a wide range of points of view. We latch on to different parts of the drama and feel slighted when the writing doesn’t seem to go the way we want it to.
You were right to point out that just because the writing or directing isn’t showing what we want to see, that it was necessarily a bad product. It’s just that maybe our expectations become high, knowing the potential of the series, but at the same time don’t expect things to change. They always do, between seasons, between ships, between episodes.
Whether the writing or directing deserves some or all of the criticism, it can only be seen once the curtain falls for the last time. But the fact is that the drama made such a huge impact to the Kdrama world and the real world at large, and we shouldn’t ever discount that.
Just like with every post, I also liked this post! I love your philosophical viewpoint on this K-drama, which has become one of my favourites in my eight months of viewing K-dramas. My initial reason to see this K-drama was because of the five leads' friendship, as the trailer showed. I was curious as to how the writer and director will show their friendship, which I have not seen enough in most of the contemporary shows that I was watching. I have not seen enough medical dramas, and the only K-dramas I have watched till then were of romance genre, with friendship genre playing a sidekick character to it. As I watched the first episode, I was surprised by the laughs and tears that came. It reminded me of Charlie Chaplin's way of showing things to people: using comedy as a tool to show the tragedy of things(btw, I have only watched a single Charlie Chaplin movie, and that is 'The Great Dictator', so I might be wrong about this...you can correct me as well....I have only read about that..) After the end of the first episode, I was wondering that what could be an overarching plot for this K-drama, after we got to know that there won't be any villainous person in power. As I watched through the episodes, I would always wonder, what is the overarching plot for this K-drama? It was my first time watching this type of K-drama, and as I binge-watched, I started to realise that there are so many overarching plot stories going on. The romance of the five leads, the side characters' plot stories, the hospital going ons and amidst all of this, each of their lives. I already knew that there will be a second season before viewing this K-drama, so I was not as disheartened by the end of the first season. I loved this K-drama, because it was a comfort watch, and a hopeful watch. Even with it's reality, it was an escape watch, as it made me laugh and cry and made me miss my friends. Before coming to your blog, I was of this view that this K-drama was a balanced K-drama, with balanced editing of the stories from patients to the doctors to everyone working in hospital. I was more into their friendship dynamics, and I was satisfied with how it was showed. The supporting characters did not felt like supporting characters, like only for the main characters' arc to happen, but they also have their own stories to tell. The patients, the residents, the nurses as well as the elder parents also have their own stories to tell. That reminded me of Jang Gyeoul. I was thinking after my first watch, that Jang Gyeoul, to certain extent felt like that only, a supporting character in Ahn Jeongwon's character arc, to realise that he is supposed to remain a doctor. But after several re-watch, I came to realise that she also showed character development, and that was also because of Lee Ikjun. For me, when AJW had false first impression of her, I fell in love with her. I don't like it when the first impressions just seem like the one and only last impression of a person or a character. I was like 'got you!' when I saw him watching her picking out those maggots. I think that was also the moment I started liking her more and got curious about her. And I was kind of hoping for their love story after that moment only. And we all know how that turned out :). After several re-watch and coming across your blog and reading about this K-drama, I came to appreciate it a lot more. I got relieved that there won't be any twists as some people were saying *coughs flower-garden coughs*, specially when the director-writer are famous for it, as I read somewhere. Now as we have got more of JGU as well as other characters, I am more in awe of this K-drama. Even when I was surprised of bidulgi break-up, I thought that was necessary for both characters, for a better future. I also came to understand some of the characters that were not fully developed in season 1 or were not seen fully. I have come to appreciate this K-drama. As for all those "unnecessary extra scenes", I have realised that they are not unnecessary at all. I binge-watched first season, so I knew that there weren't any unnecessary extra scenes. Now, even when I am watching it while it is on air, I loved those table-tennis scenes, even when they felt unnecessary to some people. For me, they were enjoyable, and provided an escape from my reality, and even the HP universe's reality ;) even though to some people it seemed unnecessary. It was only after the episode ended, that I realized that those scenes were to introduce other departments and their importance. After reading the comments regarding that scene, I was like, 'did you not see the whole episode? it was to show us the whole hospital departments, in a small way, even when they don't include them necessarily in the whole K-drama.' I did not comment, because I am a silent lurker in those forums. I am happy with how this K-drama is going on. I will wait for the two episodes, and let's see how it will end. Obviously, there are expectations as to how it will end, but I am having faith in them.
I thank you for writing this post even in your busy times. Your posts about HP make sense and bring happiness to me, and a sense that all will be okay in and with HP. Thank you for writing this!!!
With an extraordinary consistency our five friends act as windows and megaphones in the larger narrative from which a much needed message is declared to foster generosity of spirit, forgiveness and forbearance. - ❤️
Even the non doctors in the hospital have an important role to play and it extrapolates to all of us in any profession or role that anything you contribute sincerely goes on to make the world slightly better.
Yes the comment Love is patient, Love is Kind is so beautiful, I teared up when I read that in your comments. Much needed today.
You are on point on forgiveness. It is never related to worthiness. A murderer can be forgiven by the victim’s kin yet other people guilty of far less may not be forgiven. Not judging anyone for not forgiving for we will never know where they are coming from but who is to say someone is worthy or not of forgiveness- no one.
Thanks for this post. Just as you said it all depends on in what context the audience is watching the drama. This is the main reason why some people backlash because they don’t see what they want to see.
I must confess that HP change the way I see dramas now, specially kdramas. When I started this world I remember that I was so used to see love triangles, the poor and the richer, and so on.
When Hospital Playlist launched at first I was skeptical. I thought it was going to be boring… But, when I gave it a chance I was hooked. My mind was: “Wow, this is so different and unique” “This is the type of drama I have been looking for”. The reality was that I was so done with unrealistic drama.
Maybe this is what’s happening to some people. They need to see it in another perspective.
Nowadays, it is not easy for me to find a drama that keeps with HP standards.
As always, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us ❤️
Hospital Playlist was actually a 'wild card' for me in 2020 as I'm not usually drawn to medical dramas in general. I did not watch season 1 as it was live-airing and I can't quite recall what eventually led me to pick it up. But what I do know is that it was not only the lacking 5's antics or romance that kept me hooked. Perhaps easier to say that it was every single thing about the show. As ShinLee said in the behind-the-scenes series they did before season 2 aired, they were aiming to create a beautiful mosaic; one that was not just about the main characters, a full picture where every single character and story was equally important to the series. And safe to say, I do see that intention.
We are down to 2 episodes and I am both excited and sad. Excited to see how this season will come to a close, sad to see it end :(
Such as great post again! You said everything I felt about the drama, but said them 100 times better than I could! 😍
"The genius of the show is that it’s done in humorous fashion but the message is a serious one" - cannot agree to this more. The show does not aim to only capture the audience's immediate attention by giving them a quick laugh, cry, or angry curse; it aims to deliver deeper messages that often challenge people's perception and prejudice, and ultimately bring hope, comfort, and encouragement. Like someone said in the comments before, this is not a show for lazy watchers. For me, this is the only show that I know that I need (and want) to re-watch and would always get even more enjoyment after the second or even third watch.
And I definitely appreciate the reference to 1 Corinthian and the message about real love. To add to what you said about forgiveness, love, acceptance, and forgiveness are not determined by the efforts / qualification of the recipients, but by the willingness and commitment of the giver - just like how we have been given the ultimate love and forgiveness not by our own merits, but by grace alone.
I was a casual watcher of dramas before HP, and still a casual watcher of everything but HP. It is sad to see that we only have 2 episodes left (but in a way, it is right time for me to go back to a casual watcher again) not just because of the show, but also because I will miss your weekly post and all the wonderful comments from this community as well. Thank you again for giving us this space!
I think I came across the same post where it says patient stories are becoming pointless. I stopped reading other blogs because I feel I become angrier than I would normally be😂. I also deactivated a twitter acct I created a few months ago because now I get more anxiety from it rather than joyfully hyping the show with other fans.
The story between two friends is actually one of my favorite patient stories of the show. When the donor friend was asked why he would want to donate his liver to his friend, I was emotional with his answer. It was a simple "then I wouldn't have anyone to play with when he's gone". It is a simple answer and perhaps would be a common answer to that question but the way the story was built up from the beginning and the actor's delivery of that line, I felt that answer. Heck I am even tearing up now writing this and remembering that scene again 😂.
Hospital Playlist will always be this show that would remind me that we all have a role to play and each one of us is just trying to live our lives. I'll always be thankful for those realizations I got from this show.
And once again, I'd like to thank you a bunch for sharing your thoughts and this space with us. Cheers everyone!
"Obviously people watch the show for all kinds of reasons but if someone tells me that they like the show but they’re not interested in the patients, well I’m left wondering why they’d be committed to watching a hospital drama." >> You said exactly what I had in mind!
I think Season 2 attracted a lot of new fans after they have heard about Season 1 but Hospital Playlist was created not as a 'junk food' drama - eg. you get all the fluff and adrenalin rush in a rom-com - but as a slice-of-life reflection. As a viewer, I feel I'm challenged to watch with an open mind, and every episode either reaffirm something I have learnt through life experience, or provide a new perspective to life situations. And that's why I love this drama so much - it is heart warming, entertaining and philosophical, all wrapped in one. I think the recent criticism could have come from fans who either didn't come in with the mindset to be open, or aren't in the frame of mind to watch the show and reflect. I think the timing is also another factor - Season 1 happened right in the middle of the first surge of COVID and lockdowns were happening everywhere. Perhaps people had more time to reflect?
I wanted to add on your point about vocations - indeed, teachers, medical workers, law enforcers and first responders are in it because it is a calling, and vocation. There is not enough money in this world to get you out of bed or accept disruptions in life to stay on a job. Hospital Playlist gave us an eye opener to the world of medical workers, at a time where they are so needed. I watch online reviews that a couple of Korean doctors have been making on Hospital Playlist, and by most accounts what the drama has portrayed reflects their real-life work. It's so insightful, it has even inspired me to want to be a part of this ecosystem. Such is the power of this wonderfully made drama. I believe it would be one of those rare gems that would stand the test of time.
I wish I could give you a thousand ❤️ for this post, because it is awesome, and, at least in my eye, you are absolutely right about everything. 🤗🤗🤗Thank you for your time and your wisdom!
I just want to say thank you for writing this! This is amazing!!! Hospital Playlist S2 has been receiving many criticisms from left and right. But, like what Junwan said “To each his own.”
For me, I’ll always remember Hospital Playlist as the drama which brought me comfort and a sort of escape during this trying times. My Thursdays will never be the same without it. 😭😭😭
I love this. Whenever I get annoyed by some of the reactions I see, I just try to remember that Hospital Playlist is impactful enough to garner such a wide range of points of view. We latch on to different parts of the drama and feel slighted when the writing doesn’t seem to go the way we want it to.
You were right to point out that just because the writing or directing isn’t showing what we want to see, that it was necessarily a bad product. It’s just that maybe our expectations become high, knowing the potential of the series, but at the same time don’t expect things to change. They always do, between seasons, between ships, between episodes.
Whether the writing or directing deserves some or all of the criticism, it can only be seen once the curtain falls for the last time. But the fact is that the drama made such a huge impact to the Kdrama world and the real world at large, and we shouldn’t ever discount that.
Just like with every post, I also liked this post! I love your philosophical viewpoint on this K-drama, which has become one of my favourites in my eight months of viewing K-dramas. My initial reason to see this K-drama was because of the five leads' friendship, as the trailer showed. I was curious as to how the writer and director will show their friendship, which I have not seen enough in most of the contemporary shows that I was watching. I have not seen enough medical dramas, and the only K-dramas I have watched till then were of romance genre, with friendship genre playing a sidekick character to it. As I watched the first episode, I was surprised by the laughs and tears that came. It reminded me of Charlie Chaplin's way of showing things to people: using comedy as a tool to show the tragedy of things(btw, I have only watched a single Charlie Chaplin movie, and that is 'The Great Dictator', so I might be wrong about this...you can correct me as well....I have only read about that..) After the end of the first episode, I was wondering that what could be an overarching plot for this K-drama, after we got to know that there won't be any villainous person in power. As I watched through the episodes, I would always wonder, what is the overarching plot for this K-drama? It was my first time watching this type of K-drama, and as I binge-watched, I started to realise that there are so many overarching plot stories going on. The romance of the five leads, the side characters' plot stories, the hospital going ons and amidst all of this, each of their lives. I already knew that there will be a second season before viewing this K-drama, so I was not as disheartened by the end of the first season. I loved this K-drama, because it was a comfort watch, and a hopeful watch. Even with it's reality, it was an escape watch, as it made me laugh and cry and made me miss my friends. Before coming to your blog, I was of this view that this K-drama was a balanced K-drama, with balanced editing of the stories from patients to the doctors to everyone working in hospital. I was more into their friendship dynamics, and I was satisfied with how it was showed. The supporting characters did not felt like supporting characters, like only for the main characters' arc to happen, but they also have their own stories to tell. The patients, the residents, the nurses as well as the elder parents also have their own stories to tell. That reminded me of Jang Gyeoul. I was thinking after my first watch, that Jang Gyeoul, to certain extent felt like that only, a supporting character in Ahn Jeongwon's character arc, to realise that he is supposed to remain a doctor. But after several re-watch, I came to realise that she also showed character development, and that was also because of Lee Ikjun. For me, when AJW had false first impression of her, I fell in love with her. I don't like it when the first impressions just seem like the one and only last impression of a person or a character. I was like 'got you!' when I saw him watching her picking out those maggots. I think that was also the moment I started liking her more and got curious about her. And I was kind of hoping for their love story after that moment only. And we all know how that turned out :). After several re-watch and coming across your blog and reading about this K-drama, I came to appreciate it a lot more. I got relieved that there won't be any twists as some people were saying *coughs flower-garden coughs*, specially when the director-writer are famous for it, as I read somewhere. Now as we have got more of JGU as well as other characters, I am more in awe of this K-drama. Even when I was surprised of bidulgi break-up, I thought that was necessary for both characters, for a better future. I also came to understand some of the characters that were not fully developed in season 1 or were not seen fully. I have come to appreciate this K-drama. As for all those "unnecessary extra scenes", I have realised that they are not unnecessary at all. I binge-watched first season, so I knew that there weren't any unnecessary extra scenes. Now, even when I am watching it while it is on air, I loved those table-tennis scenes, even when they felt unnecessary to some people. For me, they were enjoyable, and provided an escape from my reality, and even the HP universe's reality ;) even though to some people it seemed unnecessary. It was only after the episode ended, that I realized that those scenes were to introduce other departments and their importance. After reading the comments regarding that scene, I was like, 'did you not see the whole episode? it was to show us the whole hospital departments, in a small way, even when they don't include them necessarily in the whole K-drama.' I did not comment, because I am a silent lurker in those forums. I am happy with how this K-drama is going on. I will wait for the two episodes, and let's see how it will end. Obviously, there are expectations as to how it will end, but I am having faith in them.
I thank you for writing this post even in your busy times. Your posts about HP make sense and bring happiness to me, and a sense that all will be okay in and with HP. Thank you for writing this!!!
With an extraordinary consistency our five friends act as windows and megaphones in the larger narrative from which a much needed message is declared to foster generosity of spirit, forgiveness and forbearance. - ❤️
Even the non doctors in the hospital have an important role to play and it extrapolates to all of us in any profession or role that anything you contribute sincerely goes on to make the world slightly better.
Yes the comment Love is patient, Love is Kind is so beautiful, I teared up when I read that in your comments. Much needed today.
You are on point on forgiveness. It is never related to worthiness. A murderer can be forgiven by the victim’s kin yet other people guilty of far less may not be forgiven. Not judging anyone for not forgiving for we will never know where they are coming from but who is to say someone is worthy or not of forgiveness- no one.
Thanks for this post. Just as you said it all depends on in what context the audience is watching the drama. This is the main reason why some people backlash because they don’t see what they want to see.
I must confess that HP change the way I see dramas now, specially kdramas. When I started this world I remember that I was so used to see love triangles, the poor and the richer, and so on.
When Hospital Playlist launched at first I was skeptical. I thought it was going to be boring… But, when I gave it a chance I was hooked. My mind was: “Wow, this is so different and unique” “This is the type of drama I have been looking for”. The reality was that I was so done with unrealistic drama.
Maybe this is what’s happening to some people. They need to see it in another perspective.
Nowadays, it is not easy for me to find a drama that keeps with HP standards.
As always, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us ❤️
Hospital Playlist was actually a 'wild card' for me in 2020 as I'm not usually drawn to medical dramas in general. I did not watch season 1 as it was live-airing and I can't quite recall what eventually led me to pick it up. But what I do know is that it was not only the lacking 5's antics or romance that kept me hooked. Perhaps easier to say that it was every single thing about the show. As ShinLee said in the behind-the-scenes series they did before season 2 aired, they were aiming to create a beautiful mosaic; one that was not just about the main characters, a full picture where every single character and story was equally important to the series. And safe to say, I do see that intention.
We are down to 2 episodes and I am both excited and sad. Excited to see how this season will come to a close, sad to see it end :(
Such as great post again! You said everything I felt about the drama, but said them 100 times better than I could! 😍
"The genius of the show is that it’s done in humorous fashion but the message is a serious one" - cannot agree to this more. The show does not aim to only capture the audience's immediate attention by giving them a quick laugh, cry, or angry curse; it aims to deliver deeper messages that often challenge people's perception and prejudice, and ultimately bring hope, comfort, and encouragement. Like someone said in the comments before, this is not a show for lazy watchers. For me, this is the only show that I know that I need (and want) to re-watch and would always get even more enjoyment after the second or even third watch.
And I definitely appreciate the reference to 1 Corinthian and the message about real love. To add to what you said about forgiveness, love, acceptance, and forgiveness are not determined by the efforts / qualification of the recipients, but by the willingness and commitment of the giver - just like how we have been given the ultimate love and forgiveness not by our own merits, but by grace alone.
I was a casual watcher of dramas before HP, and still a casual watcher of everything but HP. It is sad to see that we only have 2 episodes left (but in a way, it is right time for me to go back to a casual watcher again) not just because of the show, but also because I will miss your weekly post and all the wonderful comments from this community as well. Thank you again for giving us this space!
Thank you for this post! ❤️
I think I came across the same post where it says patient stories are becoming pointless. I stopped reading other blogs because I feel I become angrier than I would normally be😂. I also deactivated a twitter acct I created a few months ago because now I get more anxiety from it rather than joyfully hyping the show with other fans.
The story between two friends is actually one of my favorite patient stories of the show. When the donor friend was asked why he would want to donate his liver to his friend, I was emotional with his answer. It was a simple "then I wouldn't have anyone to play with when he's gone". It is a simple answer and perhaps would be a common answer to that question but the way the story was built up from the beginning and the actor's delivery of that line, I felt that answer. Heck I am even tearing up now writing this and remembering that scene again 😂.
Hospital Playlist will always be this show that would remind me that we all have a role to play and each one of us is just trying to live our lives. I'll always be thankful for those realizations I got from this show.
And once again, I'd like to thank you a bunch for sharing your thoughts and this space with us. Cheers everyone!
"Obviously people watch the show for all kinds of reasons but if someone tells me that they like the show but they’re not interested in the patients, well I’m left wondering why they’d be committed to watching a hospital drama." >> You said exactly what I had in mind!
I think Season 2 attracted a lot of new fans after they have heard about Season 1 but Hospital Playlist was created not as a 'junk food' drama - eg. you get all the fluff and adrenalin rush in a rom-com - but as a slice-of-life reflection. As a viewer, I feel I'm challenged to watch with an open mind, and every episode either reaffirm something I have learnt through life experience, or provide a new perspective to life situations. And that's why I love this drama so much - it is heart warming, entertaining and philosophical, all wrapped in one. I think the recent criticism could have come from fans who either didn't come in with the mindset to be open, or aren't in the frame of mind to watch the show and reflect. I think the timing is also another factor - Season 1 happened right in the middle of the first surge of COVID and lockdowns were happening everywhere. Perhaps people had more time to reflect?
I wanted to add on your point about vocations - indeed, teachers, medical workers, law enforcers and first responders are in it because it is a calling, and vocation. There is not enough money in this world to get you out of bed or accept disruptions in life to stay on a job. Hospital Playlist gave us an eye opener to the world of medical workers, at a time where they are so needed. I watch online reviews that a couple of Korean doctors have been making on Hospital Playlist, and by most accounts what the drama has portrayed reflects their real-life work. It's so insightful, it has even inspired me to want to be a part of this ecosystem. Such is the power of this wonderfully made drama. I believe it would be one of those rare gems that would stand the test of time.