Resident Playbook (Review)
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
The "Wise Life" universe, created by the visionary duo Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-jung, has long been a staple of heartwarming television. Following the massive success of Prison Playbook and Hospital Playlist, the franchise returned in 2025 with Resident Playbook (also known as Wise Resident Life). This Korean medical drama shifts its lens from the established professors of the original series to the raw, often chaotic lives of first-year residents. Set within the same fictional universe but branching out to a new location, the series seeks to explore the challenges of modern medicine while maintaining the "humanistic" touch that fans have come to adore. As a tvN 2025 series, it faced immense pressure to live up to its predecessor's legacy, especially after facing significant real-world production hurdles.
Content ⁉️
Production History and the Path to Release
The development of this Hospital Playlist spin-off began in 2023, with director Shin Won-ho working as a creator to hold secret auditions for a new generation of doctors. While initially there was some ambiguity regarding whether the project was a prequel or a direct spin-off, it was eventually confirmed as a new chapter set at the Jongno branch of Yulje Medical Center.
The series faced a major postponement due to the 2024–2025 South Korean medical crisis. In early 2024, a mass resignation of doctors and residents occurred to protest government proposals regarding medical school quotas. Because the public sentiment toward medical professionals became sensitive, tvN delayed the broadcast multiple times from its original May 2024 slot. The show finally made its debut on April 12, 2025, and ran until May 18, 2025.
Show Overview: Networks and Distribution
Resident Playbook consists of one season with 12 episodes, each featuring a generous running time of 70 to 90 minutes. It was originally released on the tvN network in South Korea, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 KST. For international audiences, the series secured a major distribution deal with Netflix, making it available for streaming in selected global regions. This global availability allowed the tvN 2025 series to maintain the international momentum established by the original Hospital Playlist.
Synopsis and Plot: The Struggles of OB-GYN
The series is set at the Jongno branch of Yulje Medical Center, moving away from the main branch where the original "99z" practiced. The plot focuses on the hospital lives and "turbulent friendships" of first-year residents specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN). In an era characterized by record-low birth rates in South Korea, these young doctors have chosen what is considered an "unpopular department," a decision that brings both professional pride and personal exhaustion.
According to its synopsis, the drama depicts the transition from student to practitioner as the residents navigate a world where they are often "afraid of going to work" but are determined to become exceptional doctors. The show balances medical emergencies with the intimate, everyday moments of the residents’ lives, exploring how they support each other through the grueling demands of their first year.
Meet the Main Characters
The series is anchored by a fresh-faced cast of rising stars, many of whom were selected through a rigorous casting process.
• Oh Yi-young (Go Youn-jung): The central protagonist and a first-year OB-GYN resident. Known for her role in Moving, Go Youn-jung brings a mix of vulnerability and determination to the role as she navigates the "hell" of her residency.
• Pyo Nam-kyung (Shin Si-ah): A first-year resident in the same department, often seen working alongside Yi-young.
• Um Jae-il (Kang You-seok): A first-year resident who provides a male perspective within the close-knit group.
• Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji): Completing the core four of first-year residents, she adds another layer of dynamic to the group's friendship.
• Ku Do-won (Jung Joon-won): A fourth-year and the chief resident of OB-GYN, who serves as a bridge between the new residents and the senior professors.
Supporting the residents are veteran professors, including Lee Bong-ryun as Seo Jeong-min and Lee Chang-hoon as Ryu Jae-hwi, who mentor the young doctors through their professional growth.
Critical Response and Viewership
The critics' response has been largely positive. In a review by The Fangirl Verdict, the show was praised for successfully recapturing the emotional beats of Hospital Playlist while offering a fresh angle by focusing on trainees rather than seasoned professors. Critics noted that the show maintained a "balanced focus" between the patient cases of the week and the character development of the core four residents.
In terms of viewership, the series was a significant hit for tvN. It premiered with a nationwide rating of 3.680% and saw a steady climb as word-of-mouth spread. The series finale achieved its highest rating of 8.142%, consistently ranking first in its time slot across all cable channels. This success is particularly notable given that cable dramas generally have smaller audience pools than public broadcasters.
The Soundtrack and Special Appearances
A hallmark of the "Playbook" series is its music. The Resident Playbook original soundtrack featured an impressive lineup of K-pop talent, including Stray Kids, An Yu-jin (IVE), Winter (aespa), and Tomorrow X Together. Fans were particularly thrilled by the inclusion of the track "Amateur" by Mido and Falasol, the fictional band from the original series, which hit the Circle Digital Chart at number 108.
The series also leveraged its spin-off status by featuring numerous special appearances from the original Hospital Playlist cast. The "99z" members—Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, and Jeon Mi-do—all made cameos, effectively "connecting the worldview" and providing closure or updates for long-time fans. Other returning favorites included Ahn Eun-jin as Chu Min-ha and Shin Hyun-been as Jang Gyeo-ul.
Accolades, Spin-offs, and Adaptations
While the sources do not list specific major award wins (accolades) as of the series end in May 2025, its high viewership and critical acclaim positioned it as a top contender for upcoming ceremonies. As for spin-offs and adaptations, Resident Playbook itself is the primary spin-off of the Hospital Playlist franchise. No further sequels or alternate versions have been announced, but it remains a key part of the larger television universe created by Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-jung.
🔖 Key Takeaways
🗝️ Legacy Expansion: Resident Playbook is the official Hospital Playlist spin-off, set at the Jongno branch of Yulje Medical Center.
🗝️ Release Dates: It aired on tvN from April 12 to May 18, 2025, after being delayed due to a national medical strike.
🗝️ Creative Team: The series was created by Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-jung, directed by Lee Min-soo, and written by Kim Song-hee.
🗝️ Star Power: It stars Go Youn-jung along with Shin Si-ah, Kang You-seok, Han Ye-ji, and Jung Joon-won.
🗝️ Viewership Success: The show peaked with a nationwide rating of 8.142% for its final episode.
🗝️ The Soundtrack: Features high-profile artists like Stray Kids and TXT, plus a new song from the original cast's band, Mido and Falasol.
🗝️ Worldview Connection: Nearly all main cast members from the original series made special cameo appearances.
🌐 External sources
Keywords: Resident Playbook
Resident Playbook
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