This review may contain spoilers
Classic RomCom with nice moments
The story sounded good : 2 rivals in school meeting each other again several years later. Both having bad days (depression, work issue, burnout, bankrupt, …), supporting each other and falling in love and then finally getting better.A good start but quickly turned into a classic and predictable RomCom (with all tricks and clichés of this kind of drama). Nice moments sometimes but no surprise after all…
So nothing special to say, not a bad or good drama, just a classic one…
Great casting but usual overacting (that I don’t like).
It was my first drama with Park Shin Hye as FL, I’ve liked her. And my second drama with Park Hyung Sik, I’ve prefered his acting in Soundtrack #1.
Actors of support roles were good too (interesting « support couple », too bad their love story hasn’t been not more developped).
Production and direction were good.
I didn’t really pay attention to OST.
No rewatch value for me
Was this review helpful to you?
Cliche but Execution saves the Plot
When Park Hyun-sik is in a drama, it’s almost always the FL is a strong & independent woman. I like that many Kdramas he’s in has some feministic vibe. It may not be perfect, but it does tackle serious problems people in their adult life are facing. It’s just a bit disappointing that this drama seems to hold back on saying or showing more, as if it was censored or scared to cause controversy. Hence, it gets lost in the basket full of RomCom dramas with not much uniqueness.P.S. Finally a drama with Filipino cameo that does not put them as an "escape" country or something huhu
Was this review helpful to you?
So Much Potential, So Little Payoff
From the get-go, I was hooked by the promise of reunited rivals turned potential lovebirds. Picture this: two brilliant doctors, Yeo Jeong Woo and Nam Ha Neul, whose paths cross again after years of academic rivalry. Intriguing, right? The setup was golden—two professionals navigating life’s curveballs, all while sparks fly and awkwardness ensues. Cue the laughs and sighs of nostalgia!The drama kicks off with some solid comedic moments, which had me chuckling into my popcorn. But hold up, here comes the plot twist: the romantic journey between our leads, Jeong Woo and Ha Neul, takes a detour into Teen Romance Land. I’m talking about cheesy antics and aegyo that would make even the most die-hard K-drama fans blush. Seriously, these are grown adults, folks! Let’s tone down the leg kicks and embrace some mature romance, please!
Speaking of which, Jeong Woo and Ha Neul's love story is a mixed bag of emotions. The chemistry was on and off. And there are lots of confusing with dark mysteries and awkward mental health discussions thrown into the mix. The drama attempts to balance these elements, but occasionally stumbles in maintaining a consistent tone.
On the bright side, the supporting cast adds depth and warmth to the story. Park Hyung Sik impresses with his charm, though his character occasionally treads the line between endearing and over-the-top. Moments of familial bonds and career challenges resonate well, grounding the drama amidst its more fantastical elements.
Now, let's talk about the real stars of the show—the second lead couples. Their storyline steals the spotlight, offering a refreshing take on romance and family dynamics. As they navigate the complexities of single parenthood and budding relationships within the chaotic world of medicine, their chemistry lights up the screen. It's a breath of fresh air amidst the main couple’s rollercoaster romance.
In conclusion, 'Doctor Slump' is a delightful yet imperfect drama. It blends humor with heart, introduces compelling second lead couples, and keeps viewers guessing with its mix of romance and mystery. While it may not always hit the mark, its ambition and charm make it a worthwhile watch for those seeking a blend of laughter and heartfelt moments.
Was this review helpful to you?
Refreshing
very cute cozy kdrama with also a lot of angst and melodrama. I loved how they discussed mental health and so many other important themes such as burnout, friendship, single parents, grief, absent parents and so on. Great chemistry, great delivery by all actors and great plot. I don't really have nothing to say to this drama and maybe that's why I stop at a 8.0 grade. It was great, meaningful, cute but nothing incredibly memorable. I had lost interest at one particular episode (I think after episode 9) but thankfully after a two weeks break decided to try it again and I was very pleased with the ending.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Self-aware drama
Story: Two rivals from high school met again on their lowest moment. The story is about how they will overcome their burnout and traumas from work. It’s nothing very deep but it will make you be aware of yourself, of what you are doing in life, if what you are now, is what you want to be.Acting: I believe they did great in serving their roles however, the main couple just don’t have the chemistry despite acting really well. Their kissing scenes were great too but I just couldn’t feel the chemistry.
Music: most songs are appropriate for each scene, whether it’s emotional or happy moment.
Rewatch Value: I could rewatch most of Park Hyung Sik’s hysterics, although he had a few scenes that could be quite ‘too much / fake’, he was still cute & fun.
Overall: it’s been a long time since I finished this drama but I do remember that I recommended it to some friends ‘cos it’s a feel-good drama and perfect for binge-watching. It’s refreshing with some thought-provoking realizations as an adult.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A drama to be seen without biases or high expectations
This was a nice drama to watch, a plot that merges comedy and more serious parts. I found a lot of food for thought but the funny scenes made the drama enjoyable and not too heavy or boring.By the way, talking about the balance between funny and serious parts, PHS acting reminds me a lot of Jim Carrey and his versatile talent.
What bothered me were the too many drinking scenes (I don't think that drinking so much alchool is suggested when dealing with depression and taking drugs) and the fact that a lot of subjects where brought up without really focusing on one or the other remaining on a shallow level.
Lastly...the sub-plot of the friend betrayal was really unecessary.
Was this review helpful to you?
A healing drama ruined by too many clichés
I was excited to see PSH and PHS act together in a medical drama too about burnout, but I was dissatisfied, disappointed, and unentertained. Overall, the drama had a slow story and pace that matched the MC's wish to take a break and refresh and her unsteady mental health. But it got boring often and was a bit of a chore to finish this. Side couple was a bit more interesting than the main couple though, shoutout to the single parents. The romance-couple moments were very cliché which was sad to see in a progressive story about directly confronting burnout and depression. I just feel like the cliché events could have taken a different and more realistic route. Comedy was a bit forced. It was a fine story but rather uneventful and unmemorable besides the two top-actor leads. ML's story wasn't spotlighted equally either so it felt rushed. It was kinda weird to see some of the guys in the drama wearing high school uniforms too.Was this review helpful to you?
A consistent drama
Doctor Slump has a good start focusing on what hustle culture and burnout does to the mental health of a professional who is used to be outstanding and has found a wall they can't pass by. I found this storyline, regarding Park Shin Hye's character, the most engaging and I think she delivered a really solid portrayal of a person living with a depression diagnosis and going totally under the radar. We usually wonder how people get to a certain point in life and if her character hadn't been able to ask for help, one would have to wonder if her story might have been different.On the other hand, Park Hyun Shik's character takes a more conventional arc that we are used to see in this kind of dramas: the hot shot doctor who finds himself abandoned by everyone, except this story finds way to give us glimpses at this life and how utterly lonely it has been. Almost alienated and finding a difficult time to make real connections. His downfall, I think, it's a blessing in disguise because he finds himself with the possibility of exploring other ways to form lasting relationships.
The two main characters are the perfect fold of each other and their arc together it's very endearing to watch. Going from childhood rivals, to comrades in sadness, friends and finally falling in love with each other. They have seen themselves and the other in their worst and find a way to hold up each other, only like a true friend can. And that's why they are so darn cute to watch.
There are other characters dealing with certain social status and mental health issues but theirs are never properly developed until the last minute, which is a shame because it would have given one particular character a much more nuanced story.
This is when I have to admit the story fizzles a little when it moves away from its original premise and goes into other genres that, sure, made for an interesting watch but ultimately fell flat.
Nevertheless, Doctor Slump manages to maintain the viewer entertained for its entire run thanks to the great chemistry between all the characters.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A captivating drama with resilience and hope.
I started watching this drama hoping to break out of a slump I was going through. While it was interesting, it didn’t fully meet my expectations. Having already seen many of Park Hyung-sik’s works and Park Shin-hye in The Heirs, I was drawn to this show. The story starts off well, with humor and engaging moments, but takes a strange turn around the 8th episode, which made it drag for me. I even debated whether to continue or drop it and ended up putting it on hold for three days. It was a YouTube reel from an upcoming episode that convinced me to keep going, and thankfully, things picked up significantly from episode 12 onward.The portrayal of the doctors' struggles was, ironically, a bit of a slump to watch. However, the initial episodes were enjoyable, especially with the school rivalry and relatable workplace dynamics through Ha Neul’s character. Up to episode 7, the storyline felt solid with its focus on the leads’ careers, school flashbacks, and the family dynamic of the female lead. Ha Neul’s mom, portrayed with exceptional skill, was a standout. Her reaction to her daughter’s resignation was realistic and relatable, echoing a situation from Eomma Chingu Adil, where Bae Seok Ryu’s mother reacts similarly when her daughter leaves a prestigious job to follow her passion. The way Ha Neul’s mom evolved after understanding her daughter’s struggles was beautifully done. Her character captured the essence of a mother’s unconditional love and concern, especially during moments when she could do little but offer support in her own way—like googling ways to help her daughter recover after an accident. This scene perfectly encapsulated a mother’s innocent and sincere love.
Ha Neul’s brother added a refreshing touch to the show. His humorous presence and subtle character development, especially after his sister’s accident, were commendable. His growth and commitment to supporting her were heartwarming.
As for the leads, their relationship had a certain disconnect that’s hard to pinpoint. Their chemistry was fine but occasionally became frustrating, which thankfully improved by the end. The growth of their relationship from episode 7 or 8 to episode 16 showed significant progress, becoming healthier and more supportive.
The drama addresses workplace issues such as stress and bullying quite well, though I wish Ha Neul’s depression had been resolved sooner. The male lead’s career storyline introduced a crime-thriller aspect, which extended over much of the show but was executed effectively.
Overall, it’s a good drama that may have moments where you feel the urge to fast-forward, especially during scenes that overly emphasize mental health discussions. Despite this, it’s a story with charming leads from contrasting backgrounds who face career challenges and personal lows, only to find hope and resilience. It teaches that endings can be new beginnings and reminds us that life’s toughest moments are temporary.
I'd like to end this review with this meaningful quote I read somewhere : “One year from now, this won’t even matter.” No matter what you’re facing, remember that this too shall pass. This drama is a comforting watch, especially if you’re going through a tough patch.
Hwaiting!!
Was this review helpful to you?
A serious drama turns light and fluffy in a blink
To be honest, this show does tick a lot of boxes if you are looking for a sweet rom com/healing drama. It also have a nice looking OTP that can work magic when the condition is right. However, this is also where things can get a little awkward.Let's backtrack a bit. Both leads have suffer major setbacks in their career and their lives are spiralling ever downwards. It is into this maelstrom that they rediscovered each other and supported each other through thick and thin. Once a bit of historical misunderstanding is cleared up, they realised that they are each other's first love in high school. Yes, very tropey.
Nevertheless, these are solid foundations so let's roll with it. I do appreciate that the show put some mental conditions front and centre. Bullying, overwork and PTSD are just some of the challenges our leads have to face. They are serious conditions but the show doesn't do a deep dive into them. It is a little light on diagnosis and treatment. Cough, the self assessment questionnaire is ... interesting. I suppose we should be thankful that at least those conditions are acknowledged rather than just sweep under the carpet.
This light touch extends to the main plot as well. While the initial set up and execution was very impactful, once the major hurdle has been cleared, the plot took the easy way out. The main plot literally died. What is left is your standard rom com trope.
There is nothing wrong with a good rom com. The problem here is the interaction between the leads. On paper, they are well matched and look lovely together. While the FL has a mature/straight-laced demeanor, the ML is prone to exaggeration once he is in love. He goes full aegyo to get her attention. It is cute and sweet but it can feel like a noona romance at times. This is awkward because they are the same age and both are doctors.
How much you'll enjoy this show will depend on how well you can handle sugar hits. It gets sweeter and sweeter as the show progress until it is pretty much sugar overload by the end of the show.
Acting is fine from the ensemble. There is a fair amount of overacting from the support cast. There are heartfelt and emotional scenes which showcase our leads' talent.
The series ran through a number of serious societal issues but none of them are given in-depth treatments. It is better than nothing but you can sense that nothing is going to get in the way of a HEA ending. Once you get past the confronting plot, it is angst lite and sweet but it can also give you a toothache.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yay!, OK, Meh, and Boo
My theory, based on doctors I have known: medical students spend so much time in school and internships that they miss normal adult social interactions, and consequently suffer from arrested emotional development. I submit "Doctor Slump" as a case study. The maturity of the main characters wasn't what one would expect of people their age.This series suffers from trying to be too many things: drama, romance, and comedy; the first two worked well, if inconsistently, but the third came off as juvenile and misplaced. Whether the attempted comedy was a script choice or a directing choice, it was so off pitch and over-acted that it made me want to throw things at my TV, and is primarily why I didn't rate the show higher.
A couple of things I found baffling:
1) Ha Neul's wardrobe seemed chosen to have her fade into the wallpaper - neutral on neutral. For a while I thought it was a visual reflection of the character and would perk up as her personality evolved, but nope, stayed boring and unflattering throughout.
2) How did these characters last 16 episodes without dying of cirrhosis? I'm honestly worried about the health of the script writer if she thinks this level of consumption is normal or healthy.
On the pro side: based on my personal experience, the script's treatment of depression, its manifestations, effects, and recovery hit all the right notes, particularly in presenting Ha Neul's unresolved anger from the violence and mistreatment at work as manifesting as helplessness, defeat, and demoralization. The development of her character and behavioral responses during treatment was also realistic and well handled. The development and clarity of Yeo Jeong Woo's character was a little more murky to me, but I did like that solving his business problem didn't magically solve his personal problems.
In contrast to other viewers, I thought the story was sluggish in the beginning but really picked up in the last eight episodes. The plot lines and character arcs set up in the first half of the series began playing out and resolving and that was a lot more satisfying for me than the build up. I also liked that we finally got to see a more holistic picture of Nam Ha Neul after eight episodes of more than I ever wanted to know about Yeo Jeong Woo.
I loved the gradual reveal of the family dynamics and IMO the characters were perfectly cast. Park Shin Hye is compelling in everything she does, Jang Hye Jin was the perfect Mom for this story, Yoon Sang Hyeon really grew on me as the series progressed, and I want Hyun Bong Sik's Tae Seon as my real life uncle and Kong Seong Ha's Lee Hong Ran as my real life best friend.
I won't rewatch it, but I mostly enjoyed it the first time around.
Was this review helpful to you?
Slowburn wannabe
I usually love slow burns but this one was one i didnt really like for being a slow burn wannabe. It didnt have the slow speed all throighout and keep you engaged like they usually do. I liked the concept and the story, I just felt like the flow and speed was hit or miss and i wish they made him manlier.Was this review helpful to you?
