"Doctor Slump" is a new South Korean romantic comedy series on Netflix. It follows the lives of two doctors, Nam Ha-neul and Yeo Jeong-woo, who were once high school rivals. Back in the day, they were always competing to be the top student. But now, their lives have gone in different directions.
Nam Ha-neul is a hardworking doctor who's been putting in long hours to become a professor. However, she's been working under a really mean and not-so-smart mentor, and it's taking a toll on her both physically and mentally.
On the other hand, Yeo Jeong-woo used to be a superstar plastic surgeon. But then, one of his patients unexpectedly died during surgery. This freak accident ruined his reputation, and he had to pay a lot of money as compensation. So, Jeong-woo had to downsize to pay off his debts.
The only place he could find to live was a rooftop apartment owned by Ha-neul's mom. So, these former high school foes ended up living under the same roof as adults. At first, they went right back to their old rivalry. But as Ha-neul tries to find a healthier lifestyle, and Jeong-woo tries to prove he's innocent, they slowly start to find comfort in each other.
The Good and the Bad
The main reason people are excited for this show is to see the two lead actors, Park Shin-hye and Park Hyung-sik, work together again after almost a decade since their last project together, "The Heirs." Their on-screen chemistry is really refreshing and adds a lot of excitement.
Park Shin-hye's portrayal of the complex and responsible Nam Ha-neul is really impressive. She does a great job showing Ha-neul's wide range of emotions, from her quirky study habits to her intense, emotional moments as a burnt-out doctor.
Park Hyung-sik is also fantastic as the charming and laid-back Yeo Jeong-woo. He has this magnetic charm that makes him a fan favorite, and he's able to show a lot of depth in his character beyond just being a quirky, cheerful guy.
The supporting cast, which includes Ha-neul's friends and family, didn't have a lot to do in the first couple of episodes. So, it's not fair to judge their performances yet, since they'll likely play a bigger role in future episodes.
The show's director, Oh Hyun-jong, who also worked on the popular drama "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo," has done an excellent job. He blends heartwarming romance with elements of mental health awareness and suspense.
The writing by Baek Sun-woo is also really solid. In just the first two episodes, the show explores how being at the top of your career can create a false sense of perfection, leading to pressure and burnout. The relatable storyline of our leads facing career lows and the toll of ambition on mental health is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Technically, the show is well-made. The cinematography by Kim Sun-cheol and Song Hyun-joon is great, with skillful use of lighting, camera angles, and close-ups to capture emotions. The editing by Oh Selena is mostly smooth, although there are a few awkward transitions. The soundtrack hasn't stood out much yet, but the intro song is catchy.
The Rough Start
While the show has a lot going for it, the first episode is a bit of a stumbling block. It jumps back and forth between the past and present, between different cities, and it's pretty confusing. There's a lot of unnecessary backstory and exposition that slows down the pacing.
This is a common issue with many K-dramas. They often start slow and throw a bunch of context at the viewer upfront, instead of weaving that information into the story in a more natural way.
It's like the writers don't trust that the audience can pick up on nuance and context clues, so they feel the need to spell everything out in the first episode. This can be a big turn-off for viewers who are already short on time and have lots of other great shows to choose from.
While some highly-regarded K-dramas start in the middle of the action and engage viewers right away, others like "Doctor Slump" suffer from exposition-heavy and directionless first episodes.
Should You Watch It?
The good news is that "Doctor Slump" gets much better after the rough first episode. The pacing settles down, and the show becomes more watchable and even brilliant at times, especially when it focuses on Ha-neul's depression diagnosis.
But the question is, how many viewers will stick around long enough to get to the good stuff after such a disposable first episode? It's a shame, because there are a lot of great K-dramas that go unwatched simply because they start off so unevenly and inaccessible.
With a bit more trust in the audience's ability to pick up on context and backstory through subtle storytelling, "Doctor Slump" and other K-dramas could avoid these stumbling starts and engage viewers from the very beginning.
If you can power through the first episode, "Doctor Slump" has a lot to offer in terms of compelling characters, nuanced performances, and an entertaining yet thought-provoking storyline. Just don't give up on it too soon.