[Drama 2020-2021] Hospital Playlist, 슬기로운 의사생활 - Season 1 & 2

[Binal Doshi]

Endgames and ShinPD dramas:

 

I read a few posts on first loves and endgame criteria in ShinPD dramas, and have seen a few debating whether Hospital Playlist is more like the Reply series (coz of the same writer and her love of husband-hunting) or Prison Playbook (different writer and the second installment in the Wise Life series, where ships were pretty straightforward at least in the first installment), so here are my thoughts on this:

 

Having watched all ShinPD dramas multiple times now (except R94 - completed once by skipping scenes), I have found only one consistency across all four - The Girl. The endgame depends on her. Who she genuinely likes (first love or not), who she falls for (without any prodding from others), who she decides to go out with (doesn't matter if she asked him out or he initiated), and it happens when she wants it. 

 

Warning: Spoiler-filled and too long. Sorry.

 

Reply 1997

 - Siwon - Don't know who her first love was. But she accepted Taewoong's proposal, went out with him and took no time to break up with him when Yoonjae confessed (and not even directly - just with a taunt). She wore the ring he gave her for 3-4(?) years and when they eventually reconnected, she kept asking him out till he said yes. She kept her feelings for him buried for those many years and probably even long before that without realizing.

 

- Yoo-jung - Had a crush on Yoonjae that got over before you can say Yoonjae when Hakchan got on the bus with concert tickets. She kissed him and their relationship began.

 

Reply 1994

- Na Jung - She had eyes only for one guy since she was young. No matter what Chilbong did and what a lot of viewers (including me) wanted, she never wavered. It amazes me that we were taken on a wild-goose chase for 21 episodes when there was never any competition.

 

- Yoon-jin - With her too, I sort of batted for Haitai. But she is the only one who got up pre-dawn to go on the planned boat ride with Samcheonpo. 

 

Reply 1988

- Bora - She made Sunwoo wait, kept him at arms-length even when they dated initially, fell hard for him and got cute for a while... only to break up coz of her studies. But she is the one who then grabbed the 1% possibility of getting him as the blind date 5 years later. Said she wanted to get back and that she had missed him. If it were up to him, he wouldn't have asked her out again after being hurt once.

 

- Mi-ok (Maggie) - It was mutual for her with Jung Bong (my favourite ship in this show btw). But years later, she is the one who seeks him out in the online chat room. If it weren't for her giving the right replies, they wouldn't have gotten back together.

 

- Dukseon - Our dear Sooyeoni was the most clueless. This is the drama I have watched the max times, and every time I feel that unless prodded by her friends she wouldn't have ever noticed Sunwoo or Junghwan (I love this guy - he was a good son and an even greater friend and my heart breaks for him every time. But a tsundere wouldn't have clicked with 'middle child' affection-starved Dukseon IMO. He was like Cheetah Ajhumma and his life partner needed the patience/tolerance level of his dad which DS never had. She promptly got irritated with his cold behaviour instead of continuing to make him laugh or brushing it off, like his dad). Her feelings and attention (don't know when they began either) were always for Taek. She got him snacks for no reason at all (ep 16), went out of her way to make things comfortable for him in China and even noticed that he was upset he wouldn't be going on a local school trip (ep 3). It was made evident to us viewers in ep 14 when Dongryung asks her - Who do you like? 

 

Prison Playbook

- Ji-ho - No confusion here. But I'll still add that she broke up with Jehyuk, made him wait and again the decision to get back with him and when was hers (Which was amazing to watch btw, she didn't goof around, she did it to protect her self-respect and did it like a queen).

 

- Je-hee - It was always Joon-ho for her. And it was nice to see the otherwise cold Je-hee being all smiley, assertive and bold when it came to him. She told his brother that she liked him, asked him out for a drink when his blind date went kaput, tried to make him jealous (and failed) and even told him that she wouldn't let go of him.

 

Which brings me to Hospital Playlist. I can't comment a lot here obviously, but still...

- Iksun - I noticed some comments about her not liking Junwan as much. But as someone who didn't want to marry, then agreed coz of a guy who she loved only to be ditched cruelly, I say give her the benefit of doubt. She said yes, she told him she likes him a lot, she doesn't want him to waste three years on her and came at 2 AM to the ER. The ship may get rocky but I think it's endgame. I gives me the Bora-Sunwoo vibes.

 

- Minha - She doesn't need help. The girl has some gangsta moves. But since it's not even begun, I ll refrain from commenting, but she could be good for Soekhyung.

 

- Jang - The girl who (from what I have seen) has received the maximum flak. Why though? She fell for him at first sight, behaved professionally, gets her job done (Ikjun said everything I wanted to say), took the initiative to ask Jeongwon out for dinner when she realized it might be too late, backed off when she found out he lied, told his mom that she was probably a nobody to him, didn't go on a blind date, did her first surgery in front of the guy she liked (successfully) and asked him to stay back (coz of his mom). It's not her fault if he had also been falling for her slowly over time and instead of saying that he'd stay back, straight up went and kissed her. His friends approved of his decision to stay back (mostly coz of his love for his profession) and that's what matters. 

 

- Songhwa - The girl who gets the max love (and deserves even more). I totally stan her and ship her with everybody and nobody. She can be single if that's what she wants. I don't dislike anyone on the show and while I absolutely love Ikjun and Chihong, I have to say both were childish. I have never seen Ikjun touch Songhwa before the elevator scene and then that unnecessary phone call. To which Chihong added more awkwardness by pushing him to confess in front of everyone. Both actions made both of them look petty (and it's okay, all of us are petty sometimes, especially in love). So I get why she left. There are a lot of unanswered questions here - about what answer she have Ikjun at Christmas, who did she like back in 1999, why did she not confess back then, did she tell any of the others who she liked, was she going to tell Jeongwon about her dilemma in the last episode (or was it about him leaving?). Also with the constant parallels between Songhwa-Ikjun and Rosa-Jongsoo, does an endgame here mean conventional romance or lifelong friendship? 

 

Signing off... Sorry again for the loooong post.

 

[nurlayla]

Can the season 2 start right away? 

Maybe next Thursday 

I'm just too curious about Songhwa answer...

And JW awkwardly dating with JG 

Ok just me being impatient pfttttttt!

[kawaiiprincess1987]

I wonder why Junwan's package was returned. It just said "Unknown", what could that possibly mean?

 

[Sakurafairy]

Kindly enlighten me about the ring box of JunWan that has been returned? What happened?  I got confused there. Thanks Hospital Playlist family. 

@kawaiiprincess1987hahaha,  that's also my million dollar question. 

Edited May 30, 2020 by Sakurafairy

[kokodus]

1 hour ago, Dramageek said:

.

 

So I am don't think the writer butcher Andrea's character at all. He is still an overly sensitive and overthinking self. He was not some jerk whose tired to be a virgin. If he did, he will not waste those two weeks. The action also not too abrupt at all. Winter also not some aggresive girl who chase love shamelessly. To confess, she needs to gather every ounces of courage for weeks. And she did not do it for only for herself, but also for Rosa and the children.

Thanks for saying this. And I also appreciate the timeline you put up. I have been wondering too about why he took so long after his convo with Songhwa that he has someone to tell first, to open up to Gyeo ul. She was the one who ended up confronting him. But I have to agree when you highlighted how his character has always been like that. He overthinks and hesitates a lot about even simple matters. He has a fear of getting hurt, Rosa said that in 8th ep he is as sensitive and delicate like a flower and gets hurt easily. LOL. That's why he need someone like Gyeo ul, who is brave and relentless and speaks her mind. She is the only one who can get him out of the shell. She prods him until he gives up and raises his hands in defeat. Hahaha. She is very simple-minded unlike him whose thoughts have sub thoughts. LOL. You see maggots, you pick them. You love someone, you tell them. It's as simple as that. LOL. In the future when he is faced with problems and don't know what to do, he can always go to her for she will give him the most simple answer for all his worries.

[JJS's Fan-atics]

I am so envious of fans of JkH / Iksun-kJW shippers & fans of YYS/ Wintergarden shippers.

You got this after 12 episodes

& This

 

& we JJS fans/Iksong shippers got ONLY this after LONG wait of 12 episodes

 

 

Spoiler

Edited May 30, 2020 by Jillia
Please put more than 3 pics/IGs in spoiler tags, thanks!

[Dramageek]

@kokodus thanks for your appreciation to the timeline. Ikjun flower boquet strategy become double edge sword. He hesitated a lot coz he was afraid that Winter no longer like him, guilt that he reject her invitation before, don't know how to start etc-etc. It's so Andrea, to overthink anything. You're so right, like mama Rosa said, he is as sensitive and delicate as flower. While Ikjun was faraway in Spain, so he wasn't able to ask/consult him. I believe, all he can do was asked Winter to continue pick for his surgery to assist. I remember that he supposedly has many surgery schedulled. Imagine how frustating it was for him, She was right there beside him, but he didn't know what to do. If Winter didn't confront him first, this ship will only sail at a snail pace, LOL. Even though she cried, and repeatedly say sorry She still brave enough to confess her love, while he wasted two-three weeks to overthink. So I think my Girl Winter deserved her christmas kisses! That's the only way Andrea can make it up to her for being such a hesitant coward before. It were also God's gift for her patience and bravery.

[queue]

Thoughts!!!

 

Wintergarden confession scene:

I appreciate the collaboration between writer and director. They purposely minimize the POV of Jeongwon the whole series to create a bigger impact on this scene. As audience, we were placed, similarly, in the same thought process of Gyeoul. We were not sure, anxious even, if this confession will be successful or not. (They even placed the scene at the very end of the episode. Evil geniuses.) The script of Gyeoul was simple but realistic. She was sorry because even she thinks that she is stepping beyond boundaries. She is crying because she knows that the confession will most probably fail. We, as audience, can feel that.  Even when he puts his hand on her head, we were still not sure, confused, same as Gyeoul. When the background music kick in, we were like "is this happening?". When he kissed her, we were like, "this is happening!". As well acted this scene is, the impact that scene made was an effect of not showing completely the POV of Jeongwon. I hate it that I know they will be the end couple but the series sowed enough confusion for me to guess if and when it will happen and make me swoon in these scenes. Kudos to the writer and director. I always fall for it.

 

Seokhyun and Mina:

The couple that I think would be more likely to be together are not together and with a twist in the end with the ex-wife. Whelp. I did not expect that. They lay a thick foundation suddenly at that story line. Good thing because this is the most simple storyline so far for our main leads. Looking forward to it next season.

 

Seonghwa and Ik Jun:

Still lacking story line for this but they laid enough foundation for next season - mainly because I cannot see any conflict between the two. I cannot imagine how this can top the wintergarden story line considering this is the main story line.Still looking forward to it because the last time a POV was withheld from us, the wintergarden scene was born. Seonghwa's POV still not shown for the whole season - it should be better. Right PD and writer?

 

Junhwan and Ik Sun:

Not really worried. They are mature enough. I would even guess their issue will be resolve immediately in episode 1 or 2. Jung Kyung-ho's character seems to be the same as his role in Prison Playbook. It's like his storyline is not in the same tier as others but it needs to be there. It is our go to story when everything else is unknown. It's like we can rest and breathe in his story compared to others. That is how I will explain his role.

 

Patient Scenes:

I re watched it again and I thought to myself I will skip some parts I dont like to repeat. I ended still repeating the scenes for each patient. I want to feel the emotions again - the grief of the mother for a child not yet born, the grief of the mother for a child that was born but on the verge of dying, the concern of the whole family for the child, the relief after waiting for liver donation. Sometimes we think the hospital has a silver bullet for each disease but sometimes they too wait for a miracle.

 

Other stuff:

I am amazed that sometimes we look into the "easter eggs" too much and completely disregard the script or the screen time spent for that scene. What is not well mentioned about the PD and writer is that consistently, almost all of their characters (up to 3rd tier supporting characters) has a background. That is hard to do for an hour - how much more that they also need to insert the "hospital-related" or "patient" stories - with care and not lazily I might add. Screen time for the PD and writer is very important, that it is better to depend on it than on some random writings on the wall. Let the PD and writer handle the steering wheel so that you can enjoy the ride.

[Binal Doshi]

1 hour ago, JJS's Fan-atics said:

I am so envious of fans of JkH / Iksun-kJW shippers & fans of YYS/ Wintergarden shippers.

You got this after 12 episodes

& This

 

& we JJS fans/Iksong shippers got ONLY this after LONG wait of 12 episodes

 

  Hide contents

 

I don't know about others but I ship all four - Bidulgi, Winter-garden, Bear-Bear and Iksong. Plus Uju-Mone, Rosa-Jongsoo and Sunbin-Soekmin . 

 

Everyone has their faves and if I really had to pick one, it would be Bidulgi. I don't know there's something about Junwan's honest and direct confession - Did I ever tell you I like you? Go out with Oppa - struck a chord with me. Plus I am soft for the little dance he did with Aloha in the bg as she texted Yes. But don't worry we'll have our Iksong moments too. I like the contrasts for all ships. We can't have all of them sailing at once. S2 for Iksong and Bear-Bear

Edited May 30, 2020 by Jillia
Please do not quote pics! Thanks!

[alleram95]

Making scenes of ep 12

 

 

Quick summary making Scenes of episode 12
- IJ, SHyeong and SHwa dinner scenes. Menu for the night pizza, spagetthi. KDM is currently discussing the scene where they pause for about 5 seconds after he finished saying his lines. JJS then start to make a joke and KDM reply it back. JMD can't stop laughing when she has to say her lines while facing JJS. In the end she has to look somewhere to finish saying her lines

- JWon is eating the risotto that has been saved for him. YYS said his lines too fast when JMD has yet to say her sentences. YYS hid his scripts under the cushions. 

- MH and IJ scenes. JJS made a mistake and both he and AEJ laughs when the PD pointed out his mistakes. Unaired scenes when MH and SHyeong eating together. She put piece of kimbap for SHyeong (the end part of the kimbap roll) and SHyeong says it's his favorite. And that day is AEJ last shooting. KDM teased AEJ for tearing up and she fired back pointing out then one who is crying is him

- IJ and WJ scenes. KJ is too hyper and full of energy that he can't stop laughing. He even dances and does many kind of actions to calm down and JJS commented since it is his last shooting, KJ is showing his various charms. (I am going to miss this father and son chemistry.) JJS says his goodbye with KJ. Because he is still young, JJS wittingly say for them to meet up to drink milk together (usually people will ask for them to meet and have a drink (alcohol) together). They also take a picture with funny expressions. To Shin PD, JJS said that WJ has grown up a lot, while looking at the photo props

- The consulation scenes between the resident with SHwa. JH dancing scenes almost become an NG but thankfully it's a success because JJS and others can hold in their laughs. JMD later say in an interview she will always laugh whenever she sees JH faces because he is too funny (behind her JMS can't stop dancing). JMD said she wishes she could do more scenes with JH. Suddenly CH appears and ask what about him? LoL. SH replies that he always needs to be by her side. KJH jokingly ask if he is not enough and JMD says they need JH because he is so funny.

 
- Last shooting of OT5. JMD successfully shoot her eating scenes. KDM requests for him to repeat his lines 'I want to live while doing what I like'. JJS says to others because KDM starts to tear up while saying that lines. JJS, JKH and YYS say lots of adlibs as a response to SHyeong confession that he is using his friends for his greed. 

 

- Last band practice. Everyone is warming up their voices. YYS and KDM warm up their high notes and JMD can't hold up her head because she is laughing. YYS and KDM singing high notes during the reff part. After finishing the first shooting part, the PD ask them to raise their hand if they think they did a good job. JMD proudly raise hers and say she didn't make any mistake during the take. 

 

Q: Your thoughts for sending away the character that you have lot of affections
JJS: Now that it's the last shooting, it doesn't feel real yet. Rather than sending it away, I'd say it's a short goodbye
YYS: Seeing at Jung Won who is always treating people with his warm made me have a lot affection for his character. Because we still have season 2, I can't send away his character yet
JKH: I won't send it (JWan) away. Because today is the last day, I'm going to dye my hair (?) tomorrow and remember about Joon Wan while looking at the mirror. I'll rest for a while. It's just for a short time. So I won't think that I'm sending away the character
KDM: The times for me to prepare for the character is about one year. It was a joyful time for me and there's lot of time when I can't stop smiling. I will remember the character Seok Hyeong a lot
JMD: I was very happy for playing as Song HWa because she is a very good person. It's really an honor and I'm so thankful and happy. Thank you for giving me lot love

 

Q: The words I want to say to my character
JJS: Until the time we meet again, please stay as a lively and happy person. Thanks to him, I Jo Jung Seok had happy times and it was fun
YYS: I want to say for him to follow what his heart wants and whatever decision he makes, I'll believe in you and cheer for you
JKH: Because he can spend time together with his friends, I think Joon Wan will be happy
KDM: Seok Hyeong, you've worked hard while taking care of the patients, the hospital staff and having fun with your friends. People around you will know about your hard work so don't feel lonely. Please wait for a short time and we will meet again
JMD: You are really really cool! I really want to be like you! But please take care of your health, Professor Chae Song Hwa 

 

[ryanallright]

 

JMD vs Mido and Parasol vs JJS

 

They are ruling all of the different charts

#1 are all being dominated

 

Furthermore, other OSTs are also doing well.

 

Guess the general public really love the drama.

Furthermore, all were cover of old songs which brought memories to the listeners.

 

 

The making of ep12 is missing on out the winter garden and JWan/Iksun kiss scene!!!

[milkokoa]

I hope season 2 would be in early 2021, preferably January, they really need to keep the momentum, if it's too late people might move on with their life/other drama etc also they can gain high rating in S2 first episode bc they already has established fans/followers

[Sakurafairy]

 

The “Hospital Playlist” cast band Mido and Falasol has taken No. 1 on many major realtime charts!

 

On May 29 at noon KST, “Hospital Playlist” released its 12th and final OST: the track “Me to You, You to Me” by the lead characters’ band Mido and Falasol. The band is composed of actors Jo Jung Suk, Yoo Yeon Seok, Jung Kyung Ho, Kim Dae Myung, and Jeon Mi Do.

 

By 2 p.m. KST, “Me to You, You to Me” had taken No. 1 on the realtime charts of three major music sites: Genie, Bugs, and Soribada. It was also at No. 7 on Melon.

 

Songs from the “Hospital Playlist” soundtrack continue to dominate the charts! Over on Melon, Jeon Mi Do’s soundtrack “I Knew I Love” was still at No. 1 on the realtime chart, Jo Jung Suk’s “Aloha” was at No. 3, Red Velvet member Joy’s “Introduce Me to a Good Person” was No. 9, and Super Junior member Kyuhyun’s “Confession Is Not Flashy” was No. 10.

 

“Me to You, You to Me” is the theme song to the drama’s 12th episode and also promises a second season. As with the other songs on the soundtrack, it’s a remake of a track from the characters’ time in med school. “Me to You, You to Me” is the friend group’s new spin on the 2001 song of the same name by the folk band Jatanpung, and it expresses their friendship and love for each other over their 20 years together.

 

Watch the video for “Me to You, You to Me” below!

 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1403469wpp/hospital-playlist-cast-tops-major-realtime-charts-with-their-track-me-to-you-you-to-me

[ryanallright]

 

Music producer for all of the Hospital Playlist OSTs

 

She took a group pic with the 5 main leads, she also ask us to continue to show love to the OSTs till the return of season 2

[ck1Oz]

I didn't forget. I was just busy with work. There is a valid reason why I prefer viki subs because they sub properly and song lyrics. Song lyrics are very important to this writer. That was why this confession and the lyrics for Ahn Chi Hong slayed me when I first watched it.

 

Here is the lyrics sung when Ik Jun is confessing in Sokcho. Background lyrics.

I don't like comfortable relationships
Because I've been in love so long it's hard
I knew I would love you who were waiting 
for my mean heart which turned away from you 
who were shedding painful tears on the day we first met.

 

 

 

 

너에게 난 해질녘 노을처럼

To you I will become a beautiful memory

한편의 아름다운 추억이 되고

Like sunset at dusk

소중했던 우리 푸르던 날을 기억하며

While remembering the precious days of our youth

우 후회 없이 그림처럼 남아주기를

I hope I will be a painting without any regrets

* end of refrain*

 

나에게 넌 내 외롭던 지난 시간을

To me you will become the sunshine

환하게 비춰주던 햇살이 되고

which brightened my lonely past

조그맣던 너의 하얀 손위에

Like a radiant gem on my small hand

빛나는 보석처럼 영원의 약속이 되어

you will become a promise of eternity

 

Refrain

 

나에게 넌 초록의 슬픈 노래로

To me you remain that way

내 작은 가슴속에 이렇게 남아

in my small heart as a sad song of youth

반짝이던 너의 예쁜 눈망울에

I will become the thousands of stars

수많은 별이 되어

which shined in your beautiful clear eyes

영원토록 빛나고 싶어

 

Refrain

 

Refrain

그림처럼 남아주기를

I hope I will be like a painting

 

 

Credit cgwm808@viki.com

 

 

When Koreans sing of " green days " they are recalling days of youth. So the 5 are recalling the time when they were young. She thinks it was meaningful to Ik Jun who had a crush on her in medical school.

 

I couldn't take the subs anymore so I asked her to do it. She has done over 2000 OSTS.

 

If you look hard enough I am sure there will be a blogger somewhere who has all the old songs used in this drama. Like the 1996 song used for Ahn Chi Hong  " I am going to live with you for a while. "  That's why I did the figurative heart clutching when this confession and then Ahn Chi Hong's letting go scenes came. It hurts so good.

 

For Reply 1997 they used over 150 songs for that drama. Yup someone counted and wrote it all down.

 

 

[JungRok]

6 hours ago, Dramageek said:

Two weeks goes by like that. At christmas Jihyeon came with her mom. So he was reminded again about the dinner promise, and I believe in his head he planned to mention this to Winter, to finally ask her. But suddenly she came knocking at his door, confessed to him while crying, plead him to stay. He realised Winter loves him that much and he was such a coward. He decided not to be a coward and just kiss her right then. He feels relieve that their feeling is mutual, touched by her teary confession, sorry coz his cowardness put her through that much suffering. A lot of pent up mixed emotion was surfacing all at once.

Thats why Winter had such mellow expression, while observing him in PICU on 24th Dec. Shes thinking "when will he buy me a delicious meal?" 

JK 

 

 

[bbeokigayo]

7 hours ago, Dramageek said:

Andrea already decided not to leave at the 3rd of Dec. Why he haven't say anything until christmas? He procastinate for three weeks worth. I think I know why. All this time, he tries hard to only act as mentor to Winter, he never chat with Winter about personal matter. He didn't know how to begin the conversation, and Ikjun wasn't around to consult. So he waited for Jihyeon to recover first, hoping that Winter will ask him to fulfill his promise, to take her to dinner afterward. If Jihyeon get her CT scan at 7th Dec 19, she can go home two days later at the 10th. But Winter never asked, coz she was very burdened with what Rosa's ask of her. So during the time skip I can imagine that both interacted in business as usual manner, only talk about patients/work. Both with a lot of pent up emotions. Andrea didn't know how to tell her that he'll stay and that he likes her. Without priesthood get in the way, his love for her grow but he didn't know what to do. While Winter was getting anxious day by day coz the day of Andrea supposed to leave getting near.

Thank you so much for the timeline and your analysis. I was feeling a bit sad we didnt get the dinner scene but it now make sense. In real life big decision and declarations of love usually get delayed due to circumstances. Irl people rarely immediately run to confess once everything clicked. We usually will sit back and prepare our nerves 

Edited May 30, 2020 by bbeokigayo

[ryanallright]

 

It seem like the cast members watched the final episode at JJS's agency

 

Why didn't they share any pics from that gathering 

[rafeusjanela]

[A personal post of mine about the series (posted it on another platform). I thought I'd share it with you guys as well. Here's my heart.]

 

슬기로운 의사생활. Hospital Playlist.

 

Thought I'd share my thoughts on this one. I've been wanting to write about it for so long. 

 

As an avid reader, I grew up enjoying the sequences of words instead of movie scenes. A few years ago, I wouldn't have seen myself enjoying dramas; I'd simply shrug and turn to my book again, basking in the action and adventure it offers. Books contain a lot more than movies, and I'd simply be too lazy to finish a series - to me they'd be too long and unsatisfying. 

 

Over the years, I slowly grew accustomed to going on journeys through the screen. I've watched a lot of movies in the past few years, though notably I've only finished a few series. I'd usually start an episode, but if recaps are available online, I'd find myself searching and reading them to get closure from the story. I'd then abandon that series - too long, too boring, not my style. This happened a few times, even as I was introduced to the wonderful kdrama scene. Understandably, korean dramas began to get famous; they had breathtaking cinematography, good plot development, heartfelt acting, and beautiful soundtracks.

 

Despite their charm, some korean dramas didn't quite make the cut for me. I didn't want to invest too much time for fear of disappointment. Granted, I finished a few which I enjoyed and binge-watched, but I was still looking for something - a drama that would make a mark and stay with me for the years to come. 

 

I had nothing in mind when I was searching for something to watch, and then I stumbled upon hospital playlist. I was getting accustomed to the quarantine life, looking for something to pass the time. I wasn't particularly drawn in by the actors in this drama; I actually can't remember how I found it and why I decided to watch it. Thinking back to day, I remember enjoying the episode and deciding to watch the next episode the day after. However, I soon found out that the first episode was released a few days ago, and the next one wouldn't be released as soon as I wanted it to be. But hey, I waited. Next thing I knew, it was Thursday again, and a new episode was out.

 

Gradually, the series grew on me. I'd soon find myself researching a bit on the actors' background, looking for behind-the-scenes videos, and more. I would soon look forward to Thursday, wishing that it would come sooner. And when I had the next episode in my hands, I'd watch it and cherish each scene - and it would always deliver. 

 

I wondered why the series grew on me that way - was it because of the show's focus on a band? Maybe. Was it because of the actors' chemistry? Could've been a factor. Was it because of the interesting medical cases? I think it helped. Or was it because of the setting, which contained the stories of patients and doctors alike? Could be. 

 

Regardless of the reason, I kept watching it, and my love for the series grew. A day after the finale, I finally realized why it grew on me so much. 

 

I feel like I've gained a group of friends. In these trying times where social interactions are kept at a minimum, or in my case, nil, I've been exposed to a realistic journey of life and friendship. I've laughed while watching it, and it felt as if my own friends were the ones making the jokes and comedic actions. I've cried, as if I was the one experiencing the struggles of the patients and doctors. I've learned a lot, as if I was the one responsible for their decisions. During the time where my life seemed like it was at a standstill, this series helped me experience the joys and sorrows of our journeys as people - despite not being that of my own. The intertwining of their experiences helped me relive that of my own and other people's experiences; the stories were realistic and heartwarming. As someone who enjoys the little things and the intricacies of life, this series was a gem. It was a beautiful piece of storytelling. So even if I have to wait a year for the second season, I know it'll be worth it. After all, this series made me wait for Thursday for three months. Of course I'd do it all over again for all those experiences. 

[JJS's Fan-atics]