The writing lacked subtlety when it was trying to teach a lesson or communicate a point. A scene featuring a simplistically nasty character would play before another scene showing one of our main character doing the "right" thing to show them in a better light. Most of the characters were overly idealistic and kind or terrible and mean. I wished the arching themes were handled in a much more subtle way instead of us getting hit over the head with them.
The screenwriter's writing really shines when she depicts friendships and the bonds between families, but even then, there were some weak points. She seems to have a tendency to focus on mother figures and use them to create conflict. For most of the patients' families, the father/husband figure was absent completely or only appeared for an important surgery (unless the father was a patient himself). This happened multiple times to the point where I couldn't take the father/husband figure standing next to the woman seriously because they'd been pretty much completely absent until the surgery scene. They rarely have lines and they might as well have blurred faces because they're simply there as props.
I liked most of the relationships except for the one involving Jong-wan and Ik-sun. This couple reminded me too much of the main couple in Reply 1994, which I disliked, and the conflict felt absolutely idiotic and pointless. Again, the screenwriter mostly writes really good couples that have the best interactions and chemistry so I don't get why she keeps reusing these old-fashioned types of conflicts for some of her couples.
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S2 is finishing touch to whole drama
Hospital Playlist [S1+S2] - 9/10 -kdramafirstly its rating for both series at once. There really no point rating them individually. Since S1 series is slower and ends with alot things open and un-complete at least S2 completes it nicely.
I know new generation maybe wont know, but I find Hospital playlist quite alike to USA sitcom Friends[1994].
Why do I compare it to such even though it got quite different format is because of how nice friendhip dynamic this drama got going on.
With each main lead having own role in this friends circle.
This drama is about group of 40y longtime friends going through their lives and their problems together and time from time getting help from their close-knit friendship.
Practically every main lead will have their romance plot and even though its not some hot stuff its still nicely done.
plot - story of five doctors working at same hospital which are close-knit friends from university years. Going through their everyday problems with patients in hospital, work and their family or romance.
genre - hospital, friendship, comedy, romance
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Inspiring and Entertaining!
Although this one was really popular i didn't wanna watch it as I don't like medical dramas (although i am a pharmacy student). But my mind was blown! I really wanna say that this drama changed my university life. Lately I found myself lacking energy and inspiration when it came to my med studies but this drama literally inspired me a lot and encouraged me to be a good healthcare professional in the future. I really love how they showed the dedication, patience and hardwork that healthcare professionals have.I really loved the acting! All of the actors were so good. They had really good chemistry. my only disappointment is that we didn't get to see Uju in the last episode. I really love his cuteness and smartness. The OST also deserves praise. It really added a lot of emotions into the experience. Overall this is the favourite drama I have watched so far!
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Good Watch
Worth the watch but I suggest you watch season 1 first. It just makes more sense if you have watched season 1. However, I could totally see myself coming in on season 2, not knowing about season 1 and still enjoying the show. Simple love stories. Careers, life, love, family, values, etc, is seen from all of the leads. It’s not a focus on one more than the other. So, your fave actor will get their screen time.Was this review helpful to you?
If you’re hesitate whether watch or not watch the season 2
YES. WATCH IT!One aspect that makes Hospital Playlist the best music-related/slice of life/medical k-drama?
The best in music-related drama: Besides its interesting topic: medical drama, it has what other dramas don’t: THE REAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE. The actors/actresses really play those instruments after countless days of practice. IT IS NOT EVEN A MUSIC-FOCUSED DRAMA. Mention me a music-focused drama, I'm pretty sure it isn't better than this drama in terms of real musical performance.
The best in slice of life drama: Everything looks so natural that it feels like we are watching real-life scenery. The romance aspects don't make me cringe.
The best in medical drama: As you know, Hospital Playlist is a nearly-perfectly-researched medical drama. Real doctors have been involved in writing the story and you can know it by watching doctors' reactions to this drama on YouTube.
Pros (I wrote only what season 1 doesn't have):
- Unlike its 1st season, the romance aspect of this season is much stronger.
- The comedy-among-friends are still there and are not going weaker.
- Amazing side-characters development, like Gyeoul and her family, Chuchu and hers, Jaehak and his, and many more. But, Jung Rosa-nim is my favorite!
- Characters' consistency! i.e Songhwa is still being Songhwa in this season xD
Cons:
- Unlike the 1st season that had no plot hole, there’s a notable plot hole in this season. It doesn’t affect the whole plot, but it indeed gives a big minus point.
- Plot cutting. I think the plots aren't over. There are still ongoing plots that must be done. Sooooo, I hope there will be season 3.
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Thank you for executing a great medical series that showcases the goodness of mankind
Another season, another success!The strength of this show is that the storyline is as great as the actors portraying the story. Every patient along with the doctors has something to share; some has a heartwarming and tearful stories, and some are so painful that leads you on crying too much. The scenarios are super realistic, allowing me to be so grateful that medical workers exist. Saving lives is already a heroic act and I have my full respect to those who walks their path in this kind of profession. Medical field isn’t a joke. Life is precious. And thanks to these people, we can continue on living.
Unlike any other show, the absence of villain character doesn’t make the drama less. Perhaps, it’s actually worthy to see how the story only revolves around the life of medical professionals whose main goal is to treat patients with their utmost best without an excessive novel-like drama.
You learn while watching. Every surgery, operations, and treatments seen in the drama is absolutely well-performed. Most of the times that they are performing some of the surgical operations, I paused it first then search for the said illness, medical procedure, machineries, items, and other related medical matter. It’s a drama that helps a viewer to be educated or add some knowledge regarding on the mentioned stuffs. They feature different branch of medicine field. I get to see how ER doctors works, Pediatrician, Thoracic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Obstetrician, and General Surgeon all in one show.
I am living from every “Thank you doctor” and “I am sorry Ma’am/Sir for your loss.” The life of a doctor will never escape between the line of saving a life and losing a life.
Although it is a medical genre, it’s somehow light and fun drama. The comedy is presented well and create an energetic atmosphere to the story. They seem to enjoy working because they are laughing from time to time. Ik-Joon is a comedy legend in the show but I am always anticipating every Jun-Wan and Intern Hong-Do interaction. The way he keeps on asking the little intern medical questions was so cute on helping him to learn by not simply memorizing the terms but also by taking it into his mind all the times.
The romance is not that bad but not also that good. It isn’t a romance drama so it doesn’t affect my enjoyment in watching. It was just a fine additional spice to the story. Unlike the first season, Jeong-Won and Hyun-Bin moments isn’t that great for me. Another couple that didn’t make me so attached to them are Seok-Hyung and Min-Ha. I am not fan of Ik-Jun and Song-Hwa romance as well, I like her better for Chi-Yong but he only appears on EP11 with a limited amount of screen time in this season. If I am to ask, my favorite couple are Jun-Wan and Ik-Soon, they are so lovey-dovey and has the most interesting love story among the rest.
The staffs, nurses, interns, residents, and other field workers’ explicit greatness in being a supporter character. I love them all specially the twin brother, intern Hong-Do but I have a certain character that I’ve been attached too. The one who AWOL for a day after the death of his patient, Kim Geon. He himself is so cute specially when the doctors make fun of him by having a crush to Gyeo-Wool. Unfortunately, he only had a little bit of screen time but that’s enough for me to be able to fell in love with his character. Actually, there are many characters (most of them from patients) that make me emotional while watching. Stating them all will just lengthen this review more and more.
The almost 2 hours’ duration time of the 12-episode drama doesn’t make me feel bored and empty. I enjoyed watching and have my time worthy because as I said earlier, I do learn a lot from watching.
Just like the main cast and the people around them, kind hearted people are always in the world. Ready to help us in their own way and allow themselves to share positive vibes to one another.
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This review may contain spoilers
Loved Season 2 as much as Season1
I loved Hospital Playlist season 2. I liked how it didn't change the characters or story that it was a continuation of the first season. This season continues with the daily operations of the hospital, the friendships, and building relationships. I was happy that we got to see some of the characters live continued and move onto the next stage in their relationships. In the last episode there were two parts that were sad, the one part where you see two of the patients next to each other and one is waking up and the other is not doing good. It really brings home how much a doctor has to deal with all that goes on with what happens to their patients. Also was sad when they went to have their last jam practice, and they said this feels like the finale one.I watched season 2 because I loved season 1 and wanted to see how the characters lives continued. I am still wishing for a season 3, but if there isn't another season this season wrapped up all of the characters stories nicely!
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Slow burn sprinkled with humorous and sweet toppings
Story: Continuation of individual stories of each doctor and the life around the hospital. This season pretty much focused on giving tribute to those who were overlooked when it comes to treating people/saving lives, it also showed the struggles of every patient or relative when it comes to illnesses or death and what, as a human being/stranger, would be the best way to handle them.Acting: my only issue from the first season was Dr. Jang, fortunately, she got better and finally acted as a doctor. The entire band was believable which actually convinced me that they really know how to play those instruments.
Music: Season 2 has better and catchy music. It’s my life is one of my favorite songs so hearing it here has made me jam with them.
Rewatch Value: I would definitely rewatch Ik jun and his son moments, Ik Jun and Ik sun moments, every karaoke scene, the banter between Dr. Kim and Dr. Do, meal scenes of the piggies and the most heartwarming friendship of Mother Ro Sa and Director Jong Su. Individual scenes of each doctor with their patients are quite uninteresting and dull which are skippable for me but the value of the message is still there.
Overall: I would say this season had more funny scenes but it also had more boring scenes. Even so, I quite enjoyed the series. There were some kissing scenes that surprised me and made me cover my face. Haha!
Gist: Life is full of uncertainties. Some people rely on luck, some people hope, some people want to give up and there are people who are full of anger. People will always have different response to every situation and those they depend on can only do their best and show confidence and strength that everything will be alright. Doctors/nurses/medical staff aren’t Gods but they work hard for what they believe in, and that’s saving lives as much as they can and within their abilities. Therefore, as a patient or as a person, they hope you also do the same, to do your best and not waste your life to things that don’t matter or people who don’t give a damn about you. Value your life and living will be worth it.
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Healing and comforting like no other
The best words to use to describe this drama is simply healing and comforting. This is the second review i written in my 8 years of watching asian dramas and the first was a review for a bad show. This show was honestly one of the only shows i ever looked forward to every week and it is one of the few shows that i could stand watching it even though it was an ongoing drama.I initially did not want to watch season 1 when it first came out because i thought it would be boring and i wouldnt be able to continue it but i took a leap of faith and immediately i was hooked. Then season 2 came out and i feel in love all over again with this drama.
From the characters to the storyline to the medical scenes to the band sessions, i love every single episode of this drama both in season 1 and season 2. The actors did a wonderful job portraying these characters and drawing you into their individual lives. The band sessions were the highlight of my week as it allowed me to discover new songs and fall in love with the characters even more. I see a lot of comments complaining that season was too medical scene but i totally disagree with this. I feel like there was a good balance between the medical scenes and the characters daily lives. It is also good to remember that this is a medical slice of life drama and not just your typical medical drama. Meaning that the lives of the main characters are what we are drawing into and most of their time is spent in the hospital.
I loved the ending of season 2 because it did not feel rushed one bit it felt perfect for the type of drama hospital playlist is. Anymore and it would have felt to jam-packed and rushed, each characters storyline was concluded and settled. The only thing i would have loved to see is Seok Hyeong's mother's face when she meets ChuChu because i'm sure it would have been hilarious but apart from that i totally loved this drama and i'm going to miss it so much. It honestly became my comfort drama since season 1 and it helped me get through the boredom and loudness of the pandemic.
Im not even surprised i fell in love with this show after i found out that the team behind the Reply trilogy and prison playbook is the same team behind Hospital playlist, Reply 1988 is one of my favourite if not my favourite Kdrama and i also absolutely loved Prison Playbook.
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OVERALL 100%
Another Kdrama completed! for me overall rating 10/10. I love the plot for this season 2. it's really continuation of season 1, where they left the scene on season 1 and they began on season 2. And for their playlist for this season i really love it! i already make my playlist on spotify from season 1 to season 2 haha!. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Was this review helpful to you?
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Season 1 is better, but still okay
Compared to this season, I enjoyed watching Season 1 more. Probably because the story there mainly focused on their friendship dynamics. Here in Season 2, things are more serious and there is more focus on their loveline. In Season 1, it felt like there was one big mission that they were trying to fulfill. However, since their loveline is involved this season, there are many more substories. The ending did not feel satisfactory and it felt like it was still lacking something as some things were left unsettled and some questions unanswered.Was this review helpful to you?
I love how the director and the writer potrait the relation between the intern/ resident/ fellow and the professor. I love how they show the mixed feeling of the resident in emergency unit. The story of each patient is really great and moving too. And I love how they show the good side of Cheon Myeong Tae as a doctor. I love how they potrait the friendship between Jeong Rosa and Ju Jong So.
But the minus is I think this season is too focused in romance of each couple especially the wintergarden couple, I don't say it's bad but it's just too much for me. And this season lack of uju-ikjun interaction and also lack of showing the togetherness of the 99's squad, except the band performance. The last episode is just so-so.
But overall this season is still good.
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