The cast looks pretty promising with many well known actors so there is no question of whether their acting will be able to hold up to the story line. And the story line...all I can say is grab those kleenex because between the laughing and intense medical scenes, there will be tears..a lots of them! Although you feel a strong need to pity Park Shi On, you can't help but feel like he will be able to withstand the sandstorm that is headed his way. I'm already emotionally invested in the story line and I have no doubt that anyone who watches it will also.
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Regarding the story, I love the back story given about Shi On and his brother. I am so happy to see Chun Ho Jin playing the teacher/mentor who risks his position as an advocate for Shi On. I am also looking forward to Moon Chae Won's Yoon Suh (she has already created a interesting character in the first episode) and I can't wait to see what kind of character Ko Chang Seok creates. I can't wait for more episodes!!
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I really recommend to watch this drama, then watch US remake of same title. Both are so good!
I watched ‘My Sassy Girl’ and I liked ML. Then I found out he played ‘Good doctor’. I really enjoyed this drama. I am also watching American remake of ‘Good doctor’ and I kind of like US remake little better. But it is still wonderful human drama. I found out there are surgeons and doctors who are just like ML, the only issue these doctors will face is bedside manner. It says for medical doctor with autism is challenging to deal with patient in person. So it is said surgeon is better because less interaction with patients. That’s why this drama is very realistic. It’s very small numbers of doctors who has such autism may exist but I read some articles that some of them are remarkable doctors.I noticed there are always bullied and/or mean people in K-drama. I don’t know if that is how their society are or they set up such characters so that audience will become more sympathetic to main character. It was really hurtful to watch when other educated doctors are really mean to him. In US, people are generally very kind to challenged people like person with autism and handy caps. That’s one of the reason why I couldn’t give perfect 10 And I like US remake little better. People around ‘Good Dr’ are kind to him in remake. I wish meanness in this drama were less. Then I would have given perfect 10.
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This review may contain spoilers
Drama with great pacing and execution plus life lessons learned
Ah! Good Doctor! I'm not really a fan of medical dramas but I decided to watch this one as I like both Moon Chae Won and Joo Won and I did not regret my decision to watch it as it's a really good heartwarming drama.There are many things that makes this drama great. One is that the pacing and the execution of the drama is perfect, and kudos to the writers. The characters are very well developed too, you have likeable characters and most of the "villains" of this show are also given a good side in this drama (some of them even developed to become good characters). Many heart-warming life lessons as the doctor characters heal and overcome the difficulties their patients face. Among the many characters here, the main character of the autistic servant Park Si On is very important to the developments of many characters plus the life lessons provided in this drama. Let's not forget the acting, for me everyone did amazing. Joo Won as the autistic doctor Park Si On, Moon Chae Won as Park Si On's fellow doctor/future lover Cha Yun Seo, Joo Sang Wook as Kim Do Han, even young Kim Hyun Soo as In Hae did great. I have to give a shout out to Yoo Hae Jung as patient Eun-Ok, she was so amazing especially when her character seems very wild at first.
There's really nothing I can fault with this drama. The only thing though with this drama is I felt that career-wise, Moon Chae Won should not have chosen this drama especially after the successes of The Princess's Man, War of the Arrows, and Innocent Man during the two years before she did this drama. Don't get me wrong, Cha Yun Seo is a great character and I love how understanding and helpful she is of Joo Won's character. It's just that I feel the character doesn't give her the chance to show more of her acting skills unlike the previous works mentioned and I feel like she should have chosen a more female centric role. I have no choice but to respect her script decision though and despite what I said earlier about her character and the acting she had to show for this drama, the drama did show a different side to her acting (this character is more light and warm-hearted then the previous works mentioned). Plus I'm still glad she has a drama like this in her filmography.
Attesting to the greatness of this drama is how this won best drama in 2014 Baeksang and even got a US remake that now has many seasons. So what are you waiting for, watch Good Doctor now!
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This review may contain spoilers
A very heartwarming drama with a very unique take with mental health involved. Our two main leads, Joo Woon and Moon Chae Won, had such a nice supporting relationship. As expected, it won't be the type where there's much skin ship, but the moments they were on the screen were very tingly. Joo Won is an outstanding actor. He does such a great job acting as an autistic man. Not gonna lie, his character was so adorable throughout the entire series. Surprisingly, I focused much more on the romance, friendship, and hospital politics more so than the medical aspect of this show. There was some SERIOUS character development for almost everyone in the show. Was this review helpful to you?
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Emotionally satisfying
I'm surprised that this turned out to be one of the most enjoyable K-dramas I've ever watched. I haven't had much luck with medical dramas in the past, and I've dropped way more of them than I've finished. Usually, their repetitive medical emergencies and life-or-death surgeries in which doctors miraculously save patients from the brink of disaster happening every episode again and again just bores me and strains my credulity. That was even true to a certain extent with this show, but I felt like there were fewer sensationalized medical emergencies than in most such shows. It had a little slower pace that let you get to know the patients and other characters better and become emotionally invested with them. And the medical situations seemed slightly more realistic than in most medical dramas.Another good thing about this show is that Joo Won's acting got me interested in the character right from the beginning and involved me deeply in the story. Unfortunately, you have to put up with lots of painful scenes in the early episodes of horrible abuse and discrimination towards the Shi-on character from most of the people around him. Even several of the characters who end up redeeming themselves later in the show start out treating Shi-on terribly. Do-han was one of the worst offenders in the beginning. So much so that I almost can't forgive him even after he changes his attitude. Thankfully, all these hardships made Shi-on's triumphs later on in the show more satisfying. It was truly moving to see this good-hearted, talented guy finally get the rewards that he deserves.
Chae-won was really great too, playing one of the few characters who was on Shi-on's side from the beginning. The show did a nice job portraying their realistically sibling-like relationship, but then when their relationship suddenly shifted into the next gear, it didn't feel quite as believable. That part could have been handled a little more skillfully, but it was still satisfying to see the romance actually develop, because I wasn't sure this was going to happen.
I wish they had skipped all the tiresome and familiar hospital politics stuff, which contributed nothing to the show. I don't understand why just about every show that focuses on a workplace has to waste so much time on corrupt politics and power struggles. Does anyone enjoy watching that stuff? Fortunately, that made up a smaller part of the plot, so it didn't detract from the overall experience too much. I would have also cut out the equally cliched dad from hell stuff, which I thought was not only unpleasant to watch but unsatisfyingly resolved.
Finally, I can't help but compare this show to Extraordinary Attorney Woo, which I saw before I watched Good Doctor. Woo was more skillfully made in just about every way, and the legal cases in that show were more interesting than the medical cases in Good Doctor. Woo also clearly had a bigger budget and a more recent sensibility that made the earlier show really feel like it was 10 years older. And even though Joo Won did a great acting job, Eun-bin was even better. However, Good Doctor, despite its flaws and lower budget and more old-fashioned sensibility, was a little more emotionally involving and addictive than Woo. Woo is like an elegant sushi dinner, whereas Good Doctor is like a hearty Korean meal. So even though Woo is one of my favorite all-time K-dramas, Good Doctor is up there alongside it for me.
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Minus:
-The romance. Why add romance to the story, and not focus on him getting his possition as a surgent? Plus, if he had the mentality of a 10 year old, then the romance was kind of off.
-They constantly explained that he was cured. Plus, his condition was treated as a disease. Should have been better handled.
-It dragged at some points and got boring
Possitives:
-The cases were interesting
-The theme and the story was so great and touching
-There is a happy ending
-The hospital politics made it more interesting.
-The acting was great
So, overall, 6 out of 10.
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I remember it was a great drama
The Good Doctor is my first Kdrama. I watched it many years ago so my memory is a little hazy. The show is about a newly graduated doctor with Savant Autism and it takes place in a children's hospital. The setting of the Children's hospital is perfect for this drama because the interactions with the doctors and the patients is so heart-warming and heartbreaking at times.As well as drama about the main character and other medical staff, we see drama about the board running the hospital. One of the best things about The Good Doctor is that not only does the main character learn a lot and change for the better but most people he comes across change as well. From memory the acting was very good, especially the two leads and the children were adorable.
I can see why this drama has a Japanese, Chinese and American remake, my Dad has seen the American version and I tried unsuccessfully to get him to watch the Korean version, oh well I didn't see the American version. I don't remember the music
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I also love love love how despite the rather serious concepts Good Doctor deals with, it never becomes an angsty melodrama. It was always lighthearted and funny, though it had enough intense moments to keep the momentum going. I feel like the writer could have delved further into some issues and left others out but really that would of only polished an already shining story. The plot isn't perfect but I enjoyed it for what it was and I will always look back on this drama fondly.
Just a final note to look out for: the ending has a super great cameo. ESPECIALLY if you are familiar with Joo Won's other dramas. So. Fantastic.
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American series vs original Korean Drama
i have watched American series Good Doctor while it aired, i completed S1 and was waiting for S2 and forgot about it, (never ending seasons are the problem with American series). i loved the the S1. then i came across Korean drama and i was curious so i watched it, so let me compare bothAmerican series stayed true to Korean in many ways. U will find many similar scenes. Korean drama is as good as American if you are wondering. But also both are different in their own ways. Let's discuss that. When I was watching Korean version I got the feeling that I was watching the original. Because this one was grounded like all the originals while American version ramped it up a bit but in a good way thats why we liked it. American doctor was portrayed as next level genius and we are sure he wouldn't make mistakes or mess up so we are relaxed. In Korean version he still is has same strengths but he is still a rookie doctor who just started his career, so u can't be as relaxed in this, u will be rooting for him as he grows to be a good doctor. Which brings us to the theme who do u call a good doctor, that's what Korean version is based on it has a clear setup which the American version is missing because it is taking a long deture to fish out more seasons they are doing it in a good way so keep watching it. But it misses an important character (Kim Do Han) and conflict & acceptances which the Korean has. So watch the Korean version to know what the idea behind the series was.
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Not a regular medical drama
It's not until the end that the answer to the question, 'Who is a good doctor?' is answered, and for a reason. Nobody at Sungwon University Hospital knows or is capable of answering it and it shows. We're thrust into the life of Park Si On, an autistic genius, as soon as the curtains open and go on the journey with him as he tries to make a name and place for himself at the hospital. The journey is as tough as it gets in the beginning and for a long part of the first half we are left fuming and sad at the state of affairs. Each of the incidents however, contribute to the growth curve of Si On and help establish the other characters well. Some can be easily slotted into good and bad while some waver in the middle. Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, a lot of Si On's teammates don't come around easily. It's interesting to see the best pediatric surgeons in the country, those who reduce the sufferings of children, talk to them and give them courage before their surgeries, give Si On, who literally a kid among adults, a lot of crap for things he may or may not have done. The surprising lack of compassion from them is astonishing. Anything that went wrong ought to have been because of him and the FL is not exempt from this. They each have their own, often petty, reasons for disapproving him and it's difficult to watch those scenes unfold. Though his disability is not mocked, it sure is pointed out whenever possible. This could have been a realistic look at how differently abled patients are seen in the society but it's obvious that the reasons are purely selfish.We know that eventually, these characters are not going to stay in their assigned places and will move to other squares to pave the way for a happy ending for everyone. That's where things go south. The change in the characters' opinions, doesn't come about smoothly. It doesn't originate from some begrudgingly developing respect and admiration for Si On's unpolished skills or intelligence. It's as if all the characters woke up one day after half the show was over and decided to give Si On a chance, when he has already been proving himself from episode 1! Things don't go well after that either. Romance is poorly handled. I ended up skipping a lot of their scenes. The FL, Yoon Su, at no point of time stands up for Si On and for a long time, only has to shout at him, "for his own benefit". Same goes for Do Han, though he gets better than Yoon Su in the end. Do Han and Yoon Su, Si On and Chae Kyung, honestly have more chemistry as partners. Still, Do Han and Chae Kyung's much older relationship has more to offer than the budding one of the two main leads. I was never convinced that they could work. The situations of Do Han and Si On are cleverly placed to be more than mentor and mentee (anything more would be a spoiler) but their relationship development was weak. The other characters' arcs and the patients' arcs are done well. Subplots and side plots are all good. Chae Kyung, Wo Il gyu and the Paeds department chief have the best growth after Si On. Han Jin Wook is another well written character.
The hospital politics were frankly not necessary and a lot of actors just got wasted on that side plot. The show could have been made even without those. A special mention here, though, to Kang Hyeon Tae's character, that was given the necessary credibility by Kwak Do Won's demure performance as the struggling middleman. All actors essayed their roles well, but the stars undoubtedly are the kids and Joo Won as Si On, who has completely morphed himself into an autistic individual. Moon Chae Won could have done with a better written role that didn't need her to react the same way always but at least, the repeated expressions don't frustrate you. Joo Sang Wook does well, but could have skipped delivering his dialogues in an almost monotone.
Cinematography and music suit the atmosphere. Medical scenes are not as well handled as those from other dramas are. There is more discussion than action but considering that Good Doctor aired in 2013, I have to say they did a pretty decent job. There were not many cases that required a transplant and that automatically lifts up medical dramas for me because contrary to what is shown, in reality, that is not how things work. Transplant surgeries alone do not and cannot sustain a hospital. The last episode just seemed like one big filler but none of the other cases/episodes are so that is a plus.
I watched this show in 1.5x speed and still felt it dragging at times. So I won't be in any hurry to rewatch this. The show wants to tell us who a good doctor is and develops that concept over 20 episodes. By the end, everyone at Sungwon Hospital has understood the meaning and we feel to have come a full circle. This drama is an excellent attempt to show that differently abled doesn't necessarily mean lacking. For trying to portray and understand Autism, which even in 2021 is not well understood, this drama is worth a watch. Good Doctor is good. It could have been better but at least it doesn't disappoint the viewers. Watch it!
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A Mixed Bag
This series should rightly be acknowledged for tackling the subject of autism at a time when it was still pretty much a ‘hidden’ neurodivergence. Another plus is that the story is heartwarming, there is a decent character journey and the autistic ML is more than a two-dimensional portrayal.However, that’s where the positives end. The patients’ stories are often tone deaf in their attempt to portray sentimentality. At times it seemed like they were doing their best approximation of ‘feel good’ stories that inevitably came across as clunky and clumsy. On their portrayal of autism, I can only speak as a non-autistic person and my perspective of this show is through the lens of a neurotypical person. So I am sure there are things that I cannot say subjectively whether they are portrayed well or not.
Still, I think it’s safe to say that the views of autism in this show both sociologically and medically were questionable to say the least. The science just wasn’t science-ing and even the ‘progressive’ views that were supposed to serve as the righteous ‘voice of the show’ made me cringe to know that there was a time that this was the ‘academic’ view of autism in Korea (I’m assuming the creators of this series researched Korean academia regarding autism, but I might be giving them too much credit).
What stuck out to me the most, was the notion that autism could be cured. The excessive use of the words ‘normal’, ‘stupid’, ‘crazy’, ‘mentally weak’ etc, coming from a show representing the medical profession was quite jarring. Surely, even ten years ago Korean doctors weren’t this inept in their understanding of autism, the behaviours associated with autism and whether it was something that could just go away. I expected this from the general public as they are less knowledgeable. If these misinformation were mainly being voiced by the characters that were not doctors, I could understand but the prejudice and pseudoscience was coming mostly from the ‘doctors’. I can just imagine well meaning Korean viewers, with very little knowledge of autism, watching this show in 2013 thinking they were actually learning something and gaining an understanding of autism.
Whether that was more damaging than the positives of having autism representation at the time of this release, is something I cannot say either way. But it’s a good question to ask. Of course, portrayals of people with autism have come leaps and bounds since this series was aired. Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Move To Heaven are two such examples.
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