Hospital Playlist 2 (2021)

Big hearts for this season although it needed a quicker pulse at the end

“Hospital Playlist” had a stellar first season which left some very large matters unresolved at its conclusion. So there had to be little doubt that there would be a season two, but considerable question about whether it would be able to maintain the same degree of excellence. With its return engagement now fully released, Hospital Playlist does, for the most part, match the high bar set by season one. The primary ensemble is not only splendidly cast, but the characters are deftly written. The dialogue and production values are excellent. There are few scenes that are not entertaining or meaningful. If only it could have built up to a higher pitched conclusion, the second season of “Hospital Playlist” might have ended up as one of the very top productions of 2021.

In fact, the first four episodes of season two are far and away the best run in either season and among the best of any drama. Much of the credit goes to some outstanding material for Jung Kyung Ho’s Jun Wan as he struggles with a relationship that is both long distance and secret leaving him unable to share his woes. Alongside this arc is a marvelous narrative of a mother waiting for her child’s heart transplant and Jun Wan’s perseverance when her resolve falters. Jung Kyung Ho is tremendous here and, of the five main actors, his performance stands out.

It stands out to some degree because the other four are less compelling in season two. It is only by a small degree, but it is a decline nevertheless. For Jo Jung Sook and Jeon Mi Do, the main issue with the characters of transplant surgeon Lee Ik Jun and neurosurgeon Chae Song Hwa are that they are as superhuman as any comic book hero could be. They are both brilliant doctors, warm friends, funny, terrific bosses, etc etc. Song Hwa’s largest flaw is that she can’t sing. Ik Jun’s flaw? He’s nosy but he has the best of intentions. Without more serious flaws, the characters lack depth.

As for Yoo Yeon Seok’s Jung Won, with the possibility of priesthood out of the picture and the only one of the main five in a relationship for the entire season, his personal narrative became boxed in and without suspense. Despite that, the relationship between Jung Won and Shin Hyun Bin’s Gyeo Wool is a delight. It is so delightful, in fact, that just a series of small day-to-day interactions between them is as captivating as almost any of the heavier storylines.

Kim Dae Myung was quietly the star of season one. And Suk Hyung’s personal life is set up to continue to push him forward as the most compelling character. Professionally, his child deliveries always have potential for high emotional impact. Personally, his complex relationship with his mother makes his story fertile ground for big moments. Mostly, however, it is Ahn Eun Jin’s Min Ha that stands out here. Her pursuit of Suk Hyung despite his intransigence delivers because of the splendid work by Ahn Eun Jin. Now that Shin Hyun Bin is getting leads in other productions, Ahn Eun Jin should absolutely be next in line.

If there is a serious flaw of season two, however, it is not in the main characters or the actors portraying them. The ensemble, rather, is as good as any cast save perhaps “Vincenzo”. But the storytelling takes a noticeable dip in quality after episode five. The passage of time lurches forward irregularly for several episodes. A patient that seems to be a long term ICU inhabitant is prominent for a couple of episodes and then never reappears. Another recovering from a brain injury intermittently pops up but not often enough to leave an impact. Jung Won’s mother, played by Kim Hae Sook, has the most consistent screen time of any supporting character but outside of a brief health crisis, has an almost indistinguishable relationship to the primary narratives. And there is a deliberately painfully long build up of the central relationship of both seasons of “Hospital Playlist”. The length of the suspense is not an issue. Whether the payoff delivers is questionable. It’s a solid scene, but not the devastatingly memorable one fans were undoubtedly expecting.

A more minor quibble - the episodes are incredibly long. Very easily, the season could have been sixteen or twenty episodes of more manageable viewing time.

And a major plus - where season one excelled with the development of the main ensemble of five, season two is borderline magical when it allows supporting characters to take the reins. Shin Hyun Bin, Ahn Eun Jin and Ha Yoon Kyung all have episodes where they are captivating. Jung Moon Sung, however, is hands down phenomenal throughout season two. The relationship between his Do Je Hak and Jun Wan is more entertaining than any of the romances. The arc of his wife’s pregnancy is the most poignant of the second half of season two.

While it is a somewhat anticlimactic conclusion, “Hospital Playlist” is a captivating production with one of the best casts assembled and is highly, highly recommended.

Leia Mais

Good Enough

Korean Drama "Hospital Playlist Season 2" is heartwarming and cozy, just like the first season.

But this one had more medical cases, that were pretty interesting and emotional, as well as well constructed. There was screen time for the interns as well. The romances, on the other hand, some were enjoyable and some not so much. Some of the songs weren't as fun as there were in the first season. And the ending was rushed.

Nevertheless, the pace was relaxing and the drama is a good slice of life with lots of emotions and subtle notions.

Finally, the performances were great from everyone in the cast.

So, overall, 6.5 out of 10.

Leia Mais

Hilarious and Heartwarming

9/23/2021 - 8.75 rating - not quite a 9.0.

Hospital Playlist 1 was one of the first K-dramas I watched during the Covid-19 pandemic. Because I was so new to K-dramas, I didn't know what to expect from a slice-of-life drama. Maybe that's why my expectations were too high and I was a little disappointed. I did not quite get the hype of this drama, since it's so beloved by all.

Now that I have over 150 K-dramas under my belt, I think I know what I want and like. This drama needs to be reviewed as a slice-of-life drama, but not a plot-driven medical drama like Dr. Romantic. It's not about the medical cases and patients. With that in mind, I am able to enjoy Season 2 a lot more. I also forgot most of what happened in Season 1 ;)

Episode 1 started off great. You see the beloved characters and their tight friendship. Their friendship is the selling point of this drama. This episode was hilarious and heartwarming. The story of the mother who lost her son, and visited the hospital often, touches my heart on a personal level. The drama showcases people and relationships surrounding the patients and the medical cases. It talks about the unsung heroes, e.g. nurses and ER staff. If you have stayed in a hospital before, or accompanied someone, you know it's the nurses who do all the hard work. They are the ones answering your call at all hours. They really need a show dedicated to the hard working nurses. On another note, even though there are show about ER doctors, I appreciate them highlighting the importance of critical care in the ER, before all these hot-shot surgeons get a chance to operate. A side note, the ER in Hospital Playlist 2 is the calmest ER I've seen in drama-land.

There are so many funny interactions and moments. Just seeing two of the male leads sprinkling water on each other cracked me up big time. They acted so silly when all the BFFs are together. Top moments for me: The off-key singing of our FL, the cute son, father-son adorable relationship, siblings love, all BFF moments from our leads to our supporting cast.

However, I think I am most disappointed in the romance storylines. I know it's not a show focused on romance, but they are all not very satisfying. I also think the last episode is anti-climatic and boring.

Leia Mais

Those 5 stars are ONLY for the actors and actresses that did their best in a poorly written script!

I REFUSE to continue watching a tv series that promotes rape culture.
When a woman says NO that means NO.

Writernim Lee made the stellar character of Song Hwa a caricature, normalizing rape culture in the process.

In the beginning of the Season 2, SHwa made pretty clear that she rejected IkJun.
But little by little, they made her to change her mind in a way that is awful!

ShinLee duo used their cast to validate such behaviors as:

- It is alright to have a stalker! The girl or boy will eventually change her / his mind!

- It is alright to stay in a toxic relationship, manipulation and gaslighting doesn't matter!
You are just imagining things! If he / she lies or doesn't say the truth (lies by omission) then that's okay too!

-It is alright to stay in an abusive relationship, if you don't die in the end!
(I am using sarcasm obviously!)

Some might think that I am exaggerating, but since the Pandemic and the lockdowns around the world, have you seen the Femicide rates by country?

ShinLee basically told us that:

*WE* don't know what we are thinking!

Women can hold grudges for over 20 years and stay forever in a 19 year old mindset, where being dumped is something that can happen to anyone,

BUT

Instead of making women or men move on and grow mentally, emotionally and intellectually, that makes them indecisive!

We can be brilliant to our occupations, but we don't really know what we really want from a partner!

Is that a HEALTHY ROLE MODEL in its 40s?

Should all women in their 30s-40s something, out there in the world, feel imcompetent, just because they are not married?

Should they lower their standards, in order to find someone to marry, in order to be accepted that they are following indeed our society's standards!?

Every woman has its own path, that is different from others and that's okay. And that applies to men as well!

If the script was better written I wouldn't object to that pairing, but it isn't.
Hence my frustration and disappointment!

They also did disservice to the character of Ahn Jeong-won.
DLL was used for what reason exactly? Why did he give it to Song Hwa for?
What happened with his ultimate dream? There are so many loose ends that go nowhere.

We didn't see at all IkJun spending time with Uju.
We got almost 2 hours episodes every week, that didn't have a scene with the boy.
Do you think that is okay for a single father not to spend time with his son?

THINGS I LIKED:
The only healthy relationship is the Bear Couple.
MinHa and Seok-hyeong show to the world, how a relationship should be approached!
Also, Seok-hyeong as a doctor saved the day several times over.

The best character development is that of JWan's.
JWan along with JaeHaek are the stars of Season 2.
IkSun made the best apology ever to JWan about their breaking up.

If you want to watch Season 2 be prepared for a poorly written script that has nothing to do with the stellar Season 1. It contains fillers, scenes that doesn't bring emotional build up and a brilliant cast that is trying to save the day!

Leia Mais

If you are reading this review you would have probably seen its 1st season

This drama is one of a kind with no antagonist and only simple pure hearted characters in it. Such kind hearted characters can only exists in a reel life and not in a real life.
Even though thks is not a makjang drama. You always find yourself wanting more and more from the characters in the drama. Well everyone knows how great the cast of this drama is but i was pretty impressed by the supporting characters. They were not neglected and shadowed by the writers, who did a great job.
This drama makes you cries at some moments and makes you burst with laughter at another.
There is simply nothing to hate in this drama and the story was not compromised in the 2nd season, if not improved.
At the end of all the rambling i would like to say that i loved Ik Jun's character. I always found myself looking forward to his scenes in the drama.
This is simply an amazing ,mind boggling (in a good way)drama. I enjoyed it to the full.

Leia Mais

Hospital Playlist 2 (2021) - since it is a sequel of the first season, and I already know the usual flow of this korean drama, I find it pleasing just like the first season.

My favorite episode would be the acknowledgement of the nurses in the PICU and also the highlight with emergency doctors and the emergency team. It feels like they inserted two dramas: Emergency Couple and Romantic Doctor, both highlights emergencies.

Having the same line up of characters is also a plus since I already know the characters.

One of the best release korean dramas. Recommended.

Leia Mais

Comfort Drama... You wish you had a friend group like theirs.

Hospital Playlist is one of the best comfort dramas you will find. It's a drama with many lessons that will teach you something every single episode.

Don't expect your typical fast paced drama with lots of action. It is a slow drama with a beautiful plot.

The friend group is a delight to watch. Such a beautiful bond and such amazing characters.

The writer did an amazing job writing such distinctive characters with unqiue personalities. You can really see the INDIVIDUALITY of the characters and this is honestly such a breath of FRESH AIR.

The COMEDY is here. The doctors never fail to make you laugh. Although doctors, they are still human beings.

The OST is beautiful.

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Yes, watch this drama, especially if you're interested in the medical field. You might not understand it that well if you are too young. I first watched it 2 years ago and I couldn't really get it, but now it is one of my comfort dramas.

Leia Mais

TUYỆT VỜI

Mình đã xem lại vài lần, đơn giản là một bộ phim nhưng mình cảm giác như đang đắm chìm với đời sống của những bác sĩ tài hoa, những khung cảnh không hiếm thấy ở bệnh viện ngoài đời. Hiểu thêm nhiều về những hoàn cảnh khó khăn, những câu chuyện của bệnh nhân, chắc chắn rằng ngoài đời thực, những hoàn cảnh như vậy vẫn đang tồn tại. Thực sự là đạo diễn đã casting siêu thành công 5 nhân vật chính, mình đã từng nghĩ nếu như nhân vật này được diễn bởi diễn viên khác thì trải nghiệm xem phim của mình có khác không, có lẽ là sẽ có, à không chắc chắn khác luôn ấy. Nhạc phim cũng siêu đỉnh luôn, thỉnh thoảng lại mở cả list OST của phim ra nghe. Bất kỳ ai nếu đang tìm 1 bộ phim mà mọi người hay gọi là healing, chữa lành, mình sẽ recommend bộ này.

Leia Mais

Best Ever ... Hospital Playlist 1 and 2 season.

By far the most charismatic Korean series I’ve ever watched.

The story revolves on 5 doctors in their 40s who met during their medical school years — where they eventually ended up becoming best friends. This is not your typical Korean series, as it is unique and different from the usual Korean shows you’re used to watching — it’s fresh, a new concept with no heavy dramas, no complicated plots — its like a slice of life, a realistic life of medical practitioners, their daily struggles inside the hospital walls, and their personal lives.

This’ll make you laugh, cry, laugh, and cry. Over and over again. I recommend it if you want light-hearted entertainment. This might not be as flashy as other kdramas may be, however you’ll be touched watching the doctors go about on their lifestyles.

5/5

Best ever!!!

Leia Mais

Easy watching, story about friends and how they help each other, low stress

Life is too short for stressful drama. Why spend all that time watching and be stressed? Don’t our lives already provide enough of that?

Summary of the series:
- Light hearted about friendship; some romance
- Likable characters and on how they go beyond to help people as doctors
- No real villains, just annoying family members to jump the gun and blasting doctors who is caring for their family
- Great chemistry on the MLs and FL, they are like Korean Doctors' version of Friends
- ending was not done succinctly, but can show all the couples together for karaoke or doing something together


By far one of my favs, its light hearted yet heart warming. At occasions it may bring some tears but not because of sadness, but for heartfelt moments.

If you are looking for gratuitous stress/drama, frequent miscommunications, abrupt ending, insipid side stories, then this is not for you.

Leia Mais

Tan buena como la primera

Vi esta segunda temporada inmediatamente después de la primera así que para mi fue todo un conjunto que disfrute demasiado.
El drama en esta segunda temporada no decayó en ningún momento, todo siguió igual de perfecto y las historias de los pacientes fueron tan buenas como antes, con la misma esencia y optimismo que ame en su primera entrega.
El desarrollo del romance en cada una de las parejas fue perfecto, nunca sentí nada forzado, todo se dio a su tiempo y en situaciones muy comunes y humanas. Si bien ame todas las parejas y es difícil escoger una favorita creo que la que más me gusto fue la de Jeongwon y Gyewool simplemente porque amaba su dinámica, momentos y ambos actores hicieron un trabajo maravilloso.
"Pasillos de Hospital" es una historia que sin duda te hará reír y te hará ver las cosas de manera positiva, es una gran opción para ver pues cada capítulo, por largo que parezca vale totalmente la pena.

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While watching S1 I felt very bored, maybe because of the long durations, in about 1 month I just continued my S2, for S2 I felt better than S1, maybe because I was used to the story of hospital playlists dramas, and I really enjoyed their band's songs.

The ending is vague, like other netflix drama endings, making a finished ending, but if they want to continue S3 there is also a possibility to make it, open ending? ,, S1 ending and S2 opening is connecting, different with S2 ending,it more like open ending


To be honest, I didn't expect S3, because shooting the film would take more time, while I watched S1 and S2 only one month apart, I almost forgot the name of the character, because there are so many


When watching S1 I didn't understand the storyline, when S2 just understood, that this drama is focused on friendship of the lead cast, and band together, the patients are just guests, and not too focused


I enjoy the songs they play when they play a band, most of them are very good, with various sensations, and when they are in a band, I am grateful that in their friendship there is only one woman HAHAHA

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