A disturbing watch but an eye-opening one: "It takes an entire village to raise a child"

This was a truly heavy and disturbing watch, but a much-needed and eye-opening one. I remember, as a 16 yo when I started my K-drama journey , thinking of South Korea as the safe heaven, I realized later that as any country in the world, it has its own set of problems. As a 23 yo, still this drama still shook me in many instances, especially with the type of crimes it tackles. I didn't know much about the teen runaway gangs, young offenders using the law to commit horrible crimes and avoid the consequences, the heinous world of teen prostitution, the fragility of life, or how anyone can be a victim yet the court can't take a firm stance... The last scene truly resonated with me: "It takes an entire village to raise a child. In other words, a child's life could be ruined if the entire village neglects the child". As someone who questions, "How am I supposed to bring a child and raise them well in a messed up world?" this watch was scary and haunting and makes me dig even deeper and re-think that over.

Technically, it was a well-made show. The pace was on point, each episode is poignant and impactful without dragging. Maybe the 10 eps format is the best for this genre instead of dragging it for no reason. The casting was stellar across the board, with a standing ovation for the veterans Kim Hye Soo and Lee Sung Min and Lee Yeon from the kids (kudos for portraying a 11 yo guy for a 28 yo woman...lol even the math isn't mathing, but she was impeccably believable). The background music was haunting, and the ending score was calming esp after each scary episode. Character-wise, Shim Eun Seok will def go to my fav female characters: she was poised, extremely intelligent, capable, and competent for her job without losing her humanity. The scenes where she said: "No matter how many young offenders cases I take, I never get used to them," and when her co-worker was telling her to give up on the case to not be disciplined, she went on: "Is that what scares you. The type of adult these young offenders will turn into if we don't deal with them rightfully is what scares me," pierced through my heart. I wish we had more screentime with Kang Won Jung instead of just being an ill-tempered boss and ending his character arc prematurely. His journey to change "the juvenile act" would be a great sequel to this. Cha Tae Joo's character fell flat, like someone with no substance other than a supporting lead with a fitting melodramatic background, but he didn't add much for being the friendly judge bc Sim Eun Soak was already a morally sound and humane character at heart, him being there just to balance her was not needed. Honestly, I didn't understand Na Guen Hee or her character arc or her motives. She was like any bureaucrat wanting to end things fast, but a little character building would've let me understood her better.

Overall, a well-paced, well-written, and well-acted show with a serious topic that was eye-opening for me, but I won't rewatch it or recommend it unless I know the viewer can handle and be invested in it well: 8.5/10

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Dear Hospital Playlist

Thank you for all the laughs, the relief tears, the butterflies, and the feels. You didn’t feel like a usual k-drama that is going from point A toward a certain targeted ending. You were so refreshing and original. You didn’t struggle to create the tension that Medical dramas strive for by employing hospital’s politics. You just told the mundane life of five doctors/best friends and their casual jam sessions in the basement.

You were there for me in moments of despair. In these hard times, away from my family and friends, staying alone and barely going out, you were the highlight of my week that comforted me and warmed my heart. During this crazy semester, when I have to stay up all night sometimes to finish an assignment your OSTs gave me company. The beautiful ‘Aloha’ by the tender voice of a very charming Jo Jung Suk was my ear snack and study break. ‘Oh! What a shiny night’ energized me during those starry nights. And, “Beautiful My Love” and "In Front of City Hall at the Subway Station" somehow made me feel relieved and safe during the most insecure times of my life. Hearing these OSTs weirdly reminded me of my childhood and high school days.

Your characters were not flashy, some may see them too perfect, but I could see how human and flawed they were. After all, you named them ‘The lacking five.’ Each of them is struggling with their own insecurity and dilemma. I could see their growth and strive to make the right decision. Ik-Jun’s goofiness never failed to crack me up. His scenes with Woo Jo always warmed my heart. His insecurity in one scene and quirkiness in the other fascinated me. He was my favorite character from the beginning and stayed throughout. A very fine Jo Jung Suk gave flesh and blood to the character and rocked his comedic timing. I felt I’ve learned a lot from these lacking five. Ik Jun taught me to never let someone’s departure from my life affect my self-esteem. While Jun Wan gave an example in assertiveness, he also showed that it’s important to give hope to others while trying his best even if rationally the chances of what they’re hoping for are thin. Song Hwa demonstrated that taking a break once in a while is a must no matter how busy it is for me. Jung won made a case to put the heart over the mind if a conflict ever happened between the two. And my favorite Suk Hyung showed that I can enjoy my loneliness, looking after my mom, not shying away when I make a false statement about someone, and accepting my social awkwardness.

The slow-burn romances were a delight to witness. But, the emotion that stands the most and was the core of you was the lively friendship between the leads. How they understand each other, get concerned if any one of them is going through a hard time. I loved how it’s easy when they’re together. You didn’t try to impress the viewers by friends sacrificing for each other to show us how thick their bond is. You showed that through simple scenes like them having a meal together, and enjoying their jam sessions.

I loved everything about you from the leads, supporting characters, patients/doctors interactions, overall feels, and all the good vibes that you give me.

Thank you so much for such a ride, and I hope next year will come soon, so we can meet again.

Sincerely,
One of your biggest fans.

Re-watching Hospital playlist three years after my first time was like a comforting hug from my warm best friend, whom I haven't seen in a while.

My first watch was while airing back in COVID as I entered my twenties, and it was one of the most stressful times in my life at the end of my first year of college away from home alone on my college campus just when my country's borders closed. HP was my solace in this tough time and the characters where a ray of sunshine that brightened my mood. Ik Jun was by far my fav at the beginning: His goofiness, silly jokes, cupid matching, and scenes with U-Ju never failed to crack me up. Little by little, I started warming up for Jun Wan: his assertiveness, soft spot for Buldugi, the way he cared for patients, and scenes with Jae-Hyuk made me fall for him that he became one of the ideal bf mls for me. At the end, I found myself in Suk hyung with his introvert personality, mama boy behavior, rather watching variety shows than talking to ppl, and akward moments was vary similar to who I am. Seeing him being the very same person I get shy to present myself as made me reconcile with who I am.

As a 23 yo who just graduated college with big dreams yet lost in what's next step. I wanted to take a moment to celebrate that accomplishment and re-connect with my fav drama with the characters that inspire me. Watching it now made me reflect on how hardworking and dedicated these characters are in daily lives in every aspect: career, impact, studying, relationships, family, friendships, and even their hobbies. They inspired me to be an impactful, good adult who has their life together. It made me re-connect with the kind of adult I wanna be: someone who is good in their job, successful, and who impacts others around in a good way, someone who nurtures their relationships constantly and takes good care of their family and loved ones, someone who takes good care of themselves and do what pleases them, and fully enjoy their meals and free time. I really wanna become that type op person and wanna work hard on it.
-Till my next re-watch, Dear Hosptal Playlist, I'll always cherish you ♥♥

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