[Drama 2023] Doctor Cha , 닥터 차정숙 - Kim Byung Chul, Uhm Jung Hwa

[partyon]

A new poll is up! Let's vote!

@Gaia2u @justamom @TheQueenReturns @angela0612 @Newbie21SG @nubianlegalmind @sadthe1st @agenth @demarchelier @backstreetboysfan @marrez1 @larus @Nomorelisa @Shimmery-summer

[partyon]

K-netz comments on Doctor Cha

Uhm Jung Hwa's 'Doctor Cha' is shooting up in viewer ratings thanks to its makjang story

 

Article: 'Doctor Cha' hits daebak viewer ratings despite makjang plotline, beating out 'World of the Married' + 'Sky Castle' combined

Source: Insight via Instagram

 

[+110] I'm most curious to see how the drama's going to play out the plot with the extramarital child.. ㅎ Uhm Jung Hwa's husband is portrayed as the slightly comical, cutesy ajusshi so I want to see how the affair is justified..!!
- [+15] I have a feeling it's not the ajusshi's child~ ㅋㅋㅋ

[+96] Uhm Jung Hwa seems to hit daebak no matter what she does

[+48] I don't think the extramarital child belongs to Uhm Jung Hwa's husband

[+30] I love 'Sky Castle' ajusshi

[+24] This type of makjang feels different from other makjangs~~ maybe it's just how Uhm Jung Hwa is?

[+24] 'Doctor Cha' is so good after watching 'Dr. Romantic'

[+11] I watched it once just to check it out and now I'm waiting for it ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+5] I watch the episodes the day they come out, then re-runs, then re-runs of re-runs, it's too good ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[+2] Uhm Jung Hwa's acting has always been a must watch!!!!!!

[+-] It's a lighthearted drama to watch without too much thinking ㅋ I love Uhm Jung Hwa's dramas, they're all so good ㅋ

[+-] I'm watching with the hope of seeing Cha Jung Sook's success

[+-] As an ajumma, I'm living vicariously through the drama... though the affair bothers me

-

Source:

https://netizenbuzz.blogspot.com/2023/05/uhm-jung-hwas-doctor-cha-is-shooting-up.html

 

@Lmangla @larus @joccu @confusedheart Come join us!

[larus]

Uhm Jung Hwa Shines in “Doctor Cha” - Proving the Power of Women in Their 50s!'

by Hazel Jung, May 6, 2023

3 0

 

In JTBC's weekend drama Doctor Cha (written by Jung Yeo Rang and directed by Kim Dae Jin and Kim Jung Wook), Uhm Jung Hwa portrays the character Cha Jung Sook, who gave up on her dream of becoming a resident after being a housewife for over 20 years as a medical school graduate in her 50s. Her performance touches the hearts of those who watch.

Doctor Cha narrates the life journey of Cha Jung Sook, who transitions from being a homemaker for 20 years to a first-year resident. While the drama incorporates infidelity and extramarital childbirth elements, it also portrays the touching story of Jung Sook discovering and pursuing her dream later in life.

The first episode, which started with a rating of 4.9% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide basis), recorded 11.2% in the fourth episode and peaked at 13.2% in the sixth.

 

 

This upward trend in ratings brings to mind Jeon Do Yeon's 'Crash Course in Romance' (2023), which achieved a peak rating of 17%, and Kim Hye Soo's 'Under the Queen's Umbrella' (2022), which reached a peak rating of 16.9%. It showcases the impressive skills and experience of these actresses.

If Doctor Cha successfully reflects reality while incorporating fantasy elements, it is thanks to the acting of Um Jung Hwa, Kim Byung Chul, Park Joon Geum, Kim Mi Kyung, and other cast members who portray their roles with just the right amount of intensity and comfort. Especially, Uhm Jung Hwa breathes life into her character, convincingly embodying every role from a dreamer to a mother figure as if she were a real person.

 

 

The unique blend of reality and delightful imagination in Doctor Cha stands firmly in Uhm Jung Hwa's presence.

Starting as an actress, Uhm Jung Hwa gained tremendous popularity as a singer. She has paved the way for contemporary female actors and built a foundation for her juniors to extend their careers.

Moreover, regardless of her age of 54, Uhm Jung Hwa is expanding her scope of activities and showcasing her presence in the entertainment industry. It is possible because it is Uhm Jung Hwa. Along with her, we look forward to seeing a broader stage for middle-aged women.

 

https://mydramalist.com/article/uhm-jung-hwa-shines-in-doctor-cha-proving-the-power-of-women-in-their-50s

[partyon]

Am watching ep 7 of Doctor Cha and the husband had the audacity to tell his wife this:

 

"I'm the head of this family."

 

My hubby uttering those words? We would have this situation at hand after that.

 

 

[agenth]

2 hours ago, partyon said:

"I'm the head of this family."

 

 

it's funny how he seems all of a sudden so patriarchal after being such a lush when confronted with his wife's sickness and his mum telling him what to do / what not to do. 

 

but the ML actor - his face expressions are priceless. honestly i laughed out loud at his weird garbled scream when wife accidentally fell over the roof. 

 

this drama is described as makjang but somehow i can't stop watching it. too bad that MIL ruined the moment between FL and 2ML, but he surely managed to hug her in front of everyone. i didn't think he'd do this, but it's amazing....

 

i still dont understand the relationship between ML and his mistress and their daughter. for some reason mistress is a-okay with being treated to dinner etc all the time, without ML even caring about his 2nd daughter...

 

i want to hate ML but then he goes and makes those funny strange face expressions.

[partyon]

32 minutes ago, agenth said:

i want to hate ML but then he goes and makes those funny strange face expressions.

 

I don't hate him either because he's funny. But he is getting on my nerves because of his mixed signals.

 

Like it's totally apparent that he loves his wife - he would not have tried to save her on the rooftop nor rushed down the stairs and arrive FIRST to her side unless he really cared for her.

Keep in mind that young hot doctor is in a LOT better shape than our hubby who is falling apart in the seams (well at least his shoulders are) and he should have been the first one to arrive on the scene. From a physical aspect

 

But nooooo... Hubby was there first and he risked everything by actually in public showing how worried he was and blowing their cover.

 

With only 9 episodes left, I am unsure if we're going to see any proper romance between Dr Cha and Dr Roy. Am more prone to guessing that they might leave it at an open ended with a hint of romance. Reason being that she is still not even aware that her husband is cheating on her. She has suspicions but she hasn't yet dared to face the qualms she is experiencing. Might feel a bit rushed with a full fledged romance in the last 2 episodes.

 

Looks like ep 8 is (hopefully) going to be a game-changer. I think the truth is going to drop.

*inserting Yoongi mic drop pic here, cause there's always a suitable Yoongi gif for every  post*

 

Oh, and one more thing.

 

I truly believe that In Ho loves his wife more than he loves his mistress. I think today's episode once more showed that. I don't think that he refuses to divorce his wife because he only feels comfortable with someone taking care of his home or because his mother expects him to be in a happy family (we all know his MIL preferred the mistress anyway because she came from an affluent family). Now with Dr Cha working, he has even more reason to divorce her but he's staying put.

 

Does that mean that I think this marriage can be salvaged or even should be salvaged? Heck no.

 

I think he's going to start to realize that he has made the biggest mistake of his life once the truth is out and Doctor Cha decides she's had enough and realizes her self-worth.

 

She let him tread on her for too many years which made him lose respect for her. The power balance tipped too much in his favor. Once she finally opens her eyes and demands the respect that she lost and she loses her respect for him, the power balance will tip to the other end.

 

Unfortunately, it will be too late. Too much damage has been done.

He will be the one left crying.

(who is this @larus ?)

 

40 minutes ago, agenth said:

for some reason mistress is a-okay with being treated to dinner etc all the time, without ML even caring about his 2nd daughter...

 

I am still prone to believing that the mistress made it all up that she is his daughter. Something is fishy here.

(Who is this @larus?)

[backstreetboysfan]

Here are the ratings for Episode 7 .

 

“Tale Of The Nine-Tailed 1938” Premieres To Higher Ratings Than Season 1’s All-Time High

Meanwhile, JTBC’s “Doctor Cha” earned its highest ratings to date for a Saturday (when its viewership ratings are typically lower compared to Sundays). The latest episode of the hit medical comedy scored a nationwide average of 12.9 percent, taking first place in its time slot across all channels.

 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1585263wpp/tale-of-the-nine-tailed-1938-premieres-to-higher-ratings-than-season-1s-all-time-high

[angela0612]

Episode 7 is daebak! 

 

 

No dull moment! 

[Gaia2u]

This is not really makjang, it is good screwball comedy, with a mixture of  finding oneself drama. Last episode, the ML showed a side that was uglier than having an affair and another child...he trampled the dreams of his daughter ...in this episode with Jung Sook fighting back in support of her daughter and against the little boy 'head of the family' tantrum of her hubby, we could also see InHo's  layers of confusion, having his role questioned and JS gaining confidence.

This episode was very enjoyable, with many characters showing more of themselves, even superficial MiL, could be seen as a creature hungry for love... I look forward to each episode

[partyon]

33 minutes ago, Gaia2u said:

he trampled the dreams of his daughter ...in this episode with Jung Sook fighting back in support of her daughter and against the little boy 'head of the family' tantrum of her hubby, we could also see InHo's  layers of confusion, having his role questioned and JS gaining confidence.

 

I absolutely loved how Dr Cha bonded with her daughter and decided to do everything she can to protect her daughter and her dreams.

I think Dr Cha understands her daughter more because Dr Cha was allowed to pursue her dream when she chose to become a doctor and is doing it again after a long hiatus.

 

My sneaking suspicion is that In Ho was told that he must become a doctor and that he wasn't allowed to do what he really wanted to do (was this confirmed btw?) and now he's projecting this to his children. "If I couldn't have it, you can't have it" mentality.

 

Anyone else who laughed out loud when Dr Cha stated that Jung Min must be taking after her when she caught him having a sexual relationship with his peer.

[Blizzardistkaputt]

The last five minutes of Ep7 is hilarious. This is what defines family comedy, not the one which J. Nara and J. Hyuk starred in.

 

Looking at the plot, I had wanted to skip the cliche husband love affair storyline. I think most of us are tired of hair-pulling, long suffering wife, vindictive mother in law and sexy mistress plot.  Somehow, I am drawn in by most of the characters, especially after Dr Cha started to work in the hospital. Really looking forward to the prospective DIL discovering the woman she screamed at is her future MIL. And yeah...the mistress and her daughter are vindictive, all right. They could have been much happier without that absentee father.

 

.....not sure what kind of ending to wish for.  That 3rd party liver transplant specialist is a real hunk......

[partyon]

In yesterday's episode, Inho claimed that he is the head of his family.

 

In today's episode, after everyone found out that he's a cheater, he's been demoted to a mop.

 

 

Can't wait for next week. We will get to see him grovel. With his funny faces

[agenth]

3 hours ago, partyon said:

Can't wait for next week. We will get to see him grovel. With his funny faces

ya preview looked good for next week 

and this drama also makes me frustrated with regard to the chemistry between 2ML and FL. 2ML was about to confess and she was blocking it!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO 

 

it's strange how the whole family agrees that the wife shouldn't be told "for her sake". Methinks they are all just egoistical and don'T want their cushy status quo to change. The wife does everything for them. 

 

it's amazing how nobody found out about the affair (except 2ML), despite all the dates, and in the span of one episode 3 people found out. how come the father got away with going to "conferences" when his own son works under him in the same department? i guess it's because the whole family is very self-absorbed.... it reminds me of when the wife was sick and nobody but her own mum cared. 

 

Mistress is so insecure - she is a successful, beautiful woman, but whenever when confrotned with her first love/father of her child, she just crumbles. This guy has 0000000 interest in his other daughter, he doesn't even care she chose art school. Still she is kinda deluded about him as she apparentlyx has so much time to meet him for dates and even love vacations... i understand why her daughter is acting out, that's because NEITHER of her parents pay attention to her as they are busy canoodling.  That girl is really savage.

 

Back to the mistress: it's kinda mindblowing how the husband says he will decide AFTER THREE YEARS OF HIS WIFE's residency. In what world does he live in ??? Where tooth fairies granting wishes exists! 

Also any sane person getting caught by an entire village that they are cheating, they would be cautious and break things off, but what does this dumbo do? He texts his mistress why he can't meet her, with exact location. This mistress is super desperate, blowing up after decades of being sidelined, that she shows up for the wife's birthday.

 

 

[angela0612]

17 hours ago, partyon said:

Anyone else who laughed out loud when Dr Cha stated that Jung Min must be taking after her when she caught him having a sexual relationship with his peer.

I did! 

[mskololia1]

Hello,

I am quite enjoying this little weekend drama series.  Caught up today and find it interesting that everyone in the house knows about the affair but mom until episode 8.  I would love to hate the other family but cannot.  The other mom and daughter have roles to play as mom refuses to let go as if she can gain from this scenario.  Now, I was kind of smitten with grandma telling her son, “you cannot get a divorce.”. I think his mom is his conscience.  lol.

 

Well, it is not over until someone sings….

[angela0612]

@BlizzardistkaputtI'd like to see Dr. Cha finish her residency. And then, become a successful doctor.

 

 

 

 

[backstreetboysfan]

Here are the ratings for Episode 8 .

 

“Doctor Cha” Earns 5th Highest Ratings Of Any Drama In JTBC History + “Tale Of The Nine-Tailed 1938” Rises

 

JTBC’s “Doctor Cha” is a runaway hit!

 

On May 7, the popular medical comedy drama starring Uhm Jung Hwa wrapped up the first half of its run on its highest ratings yet. According to Nielsen Korea, the eighth episode of “Doctor Cha” scored an average nationwide rating of 16.2 percent, taking first place in its time slot across all channels.

 

Not only did “Doctor Cha” set a new personal record with the episode, but it also achieved the fifth-highest ratings of any drama in JTBC history. The only JTBC dramas to earn higher ratings to date are “The World of the Married,” “Reborn Rich,” “SKY Castle,” and “Itaewon Class”—and with half of its run still left to go, it remains to be seen just how much higher “Doctor Cha” will climb.

 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1585450wpp/doctor-cha-earns-5th-highest-ratings-of-any-drama-in-jtbc-history-tale-of-the-nine-tailed-1938-rises

[partyon]

14 hours ago, agenth said:

Back to the mistress: it's kinda mindblowing how the husband says he will decide AFTER THREE YEARS OF HIS WIFE's residency.

I also did not get this part?!?

 

We learnt that he had had a shorter fling with mistress 17 years ago but that they had not rekindled their relationship until 3 years ago.

 

Still, the chances to get caught increases as time passes. They don’t know that also abrasive resident is aware of the affair. I think she will come to help Dr Cha once she finds out that Dr Cha and Prof Seo are married and the parents of her boyfriend.

 

14 hours ago, agenth said:

This mistress is super desperate, blowing up after decades of being sidelined, that she shows up for the wife's birthday.

Shows how desperate she is. It’s gonna bite her behind in the end.

 

13 hours ago, mskololia1 said:

Now, I was kind of smitten with grandma telling her son, “you cannot get a divorce.”. I think his mom is his conscience.  lol.

It’s weird though, because Inho hasn’t even mentioned divorce so far himself.

 

14 hours ago, agenth said:

2ML was about to confess and she was blocking it!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO 

Chingu, he was absolutely not about to confess his feelings for her. He was about to tell her that her husband is cheating on her.

 

But she thought that he would confess his feelings for her as the fortune teller said that she will have a lot of men buzzing around her.

 

I don’t think that Dr Cha is ready for another relationship and with only 8 episodes left, I am wondering whether they will actually show romance between Cha and Roy.

 

It was interesting though that Dr Cha said to hubby that she was jealous of a younger couple’s deep devotion and love. And that she was wondering if she and her husband had ever really experienced that…

 

I think that sealed it for me that their marriage is over. It means that they were married only because of their one “mistake” that resulted in a baby, and that they never really opened their hearts to each other and became best fiends. They kept each other at a distance for over 20 years - how sad is that?

 

Had they once been close, MAYBE they could salvage this marriage. But with that background, divorce is inevitable 

[demarchelier]

Looking at next week's preview I don't know what marriage In-Ho is trying to salvage. Their marriage seems more like a business deal than a marriage. How many times does this drama show how much In-Ho gives a rat's RickRoll'D about his wife?!? First the bracelet. It was the 1st gift that In-Ho has ever given Jeong-suk during their entire marriage. It wasn't even from the heart but to distract her from his infidelity. Second, never going on trips as a couple. In-ho goes on vacations with his mistress while Jeong-suk is slaving away at home taking care of their kids and MIL. Third, Jeong-suk's birthday dinner. The MIL planned the dinner to save the family, and In-Ho is questioning why she is doing it. Unbelievable!

 

I'm watching to see Dr. Cha succeed with or without Dr. Kim. Don't get me wrong. Dr. Cha and Dr. Kim is my ship. Finally, a guy who respects her and is supportive. However, my ships tend to sink  Dr. Cha reminds me of Rose from Joy Luck Club who didn't know her worth until Mother An-Mei pointed it out. I am hoping beginning next week will be the turning point, and we see Jeong-suk knowing her worth and kicking RickRoll'D at work and in her life.

[partyon]

1 hour ago, demarchelier said:

How many times does this drama show how much In-Ho gives a rat's RickRoll'D about his wife?!?

 

Not unusual for many spouses to take for granted their partner. Issue is that he doesn't respect her. She put her career on hold and nothing was the same after that.

 

It's interesting that this drama has actually caused discussions in Korea about working mothers.

 

K-netz comments:

'Doctor Cha' depicts the impossible standards for working moms in Korean society

[+345, -27] The funny thing about grandmothers is that when the daughter-in-law stays at home, they accuse them of enjoying themselves off the money their husband makes, so when the DIL goes and gets a job, they complain that no one's home to take care of the husband and the kids, that they can't possibly be making enough for it to be worth it, that children need a mother at home... The catch about being a working mother is that you can afford to buy your kids all that they ever want or need only for them to grow up and complain about the mother's "absence" in their childhood and how it hurt them, but when the mother stays home to take care of them, they grow up to complain about they never got to afford to do or pursue anything and it's become a 'han' for them as adults... like what are mothers supposed to do anymore??

[+266, -23] We live in a world where even doctors suffer career setbacks just for being a woman. How can our society expect women to give birth and raise kids when the very act of having a child is what holds you back in life?

[+135, -10] Just make it simple and provide parental leave for both genders

[+29, -2] Women still have to sacrifice way too much after marriage in our society... and it doesn't matter if the woman has a high-paying career or a wealthy family. It just means that she has to provide a bigger share of the pie than the man in the end... 

[+18, -3] Now that you mention it.. I, too, wish I had a wife at home to run things so that I can just focus on my career. But I was born a woman and enjoyed only a few shiny years of independence before getting stuck raising kids and doing housework for over 10 years with nothing to show for a career other than my old age.

[+11, -0] Successful people always have someone behind them to do all the supportive work

-

 

[+846, -27] The drama's even more tragic because it's so true... Our society demands that we stop giving birth if we don't want to be on the weaker end of the stick. Either change society or make up for the dwindling workforce with immigrants and AI.

[+588, -178] But once you raise a child yourself, you'll realize just how important it is for a mother to raise her child herself
- [+181, -0] My husband's been a stay-at-home dad for the first three years of my child's life. Both mother and father's roles are important, and they make up for each other in the qualities that the other lacks. That's the point of child-rearing... that it should be done together.
- [+15, -0] Kids do just fine being raised by dads alone

[+407, -9] Wow.. I never stopped to think that I don't have a wife at home to do all the supportive work.. and now that I think of it, it's true... ㅜ

[+342, -11] Women, please do not give up your careers... I know that they'll do everything to persuade you to stay home with your child.. but when you have no career to go back to, you'll be stuck in a position where you're accused of breaking your husband's back ㅜㅜ

[+232, -37] There's nothing to fight over. Just don't have kids.

[+178, -3] When women feel that the pressure to raise a child in our society is too much and choose to enter the workforce, they're told that they're selfish for it... so when they do have a child and need to take maternity leave, they get told that "this is why women are no good at work" ㅜㅜ all the while hearing nagging from the in-laws while doing all the housework at home, the difficult life of a Korean woman.. ㅠㅠㅠㅠ 

[+129, -4] The drama frustrates me to no end... but ah... this is our reality, and it makes me even sadder. Fortunately, the comedic parts of the drama help me get through the frustrations a bit.

[+132, -9] Just dropping in to pay a moment of respect to all the people raising children and taking care of their homes. I know news like this can make them feel worthless at times but.. giving birth, raising them, keeping a clean home, making sure meals are on the table, sending them off to school and activities... it's a full-time job. And the only reward is that your kid will sometimes do aegyo for you, which makes it all worth it, and the peace of mind that your child is not being raised by a stranger. It's difficult work, and I hope the husbands acknowledge that~

[+118, -0] A family just does not run itself. It's through someone's sacrifice that a family is made and maintained.

[+74, -4] I'm someone who got married out of nothing but love... like I was literally told that we were crazy in love.. but now that I'm a working mom myself and I see how my husband and I can do the same job both at work or at home, but he gets praised for it while I get treated like a criminal... and it makes me regret getting married at all. I do not recommend my own daughter to get married.

[+68, -6] Such a lack of support from the husbands who are only able to maintain their careers thanks to the sacrifices of their wives at home...

-

source:

https://netizenbuzz.blogspot.com/2023/05/doctor-cha-depicts-impossible-standards.html

1 hour ago, demarchelier said:

However, my ships tend to sink

 

Mine too Last ship of mine that sank was Yul Idol Oppa and Naksu in Alchemy of Souls.

The only thing that made me feel a bit better was that @LeftCoastOppa's "no chingu sweetie" didn't land Yul Idol Oppa either.