Dr. Romantic 2 (2020)
Quick Take: Dr. Romantic (2016). Starring Han Suk-kyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Seo Hyun-jin. 9.8/10. 20 episodes of 60 min. each.
Synopsis: Han Suk-kyu reprises his role as Master Kim, the genius surgeon banished to a rural hospital. His junior surgeons from Season 1 have moved on, and he has new ones to mentor. Seo Woo-jin (Ahn Hyo-seop) is harassed by debt collectors; Cha Eun-jae (Lee Sung-kyung) passes out at the sight of bleeding flesh — a serious problem for a surgeon. They are known as the “Reset Couple,” whose relationship evolves over the series. Meanwhile, Master Kim is fighting political battles to transform his backwater hospital into a major trauma center. Wonderful supporting cast, nice second couple subplot.
Review: Dr. Romantic 2 builds on the characters introduced in the original series, and goes beyond with the two attractive and charismatic leads, Ahn Hyo-seop (Abyss, Business Proposal) and Lee Sung-kryung (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, 2016, Sh**ting Stars. 2022). Medical challenges, personal challenges, and political challenges keep the story engaging all the way to the end.
Recommended.
Rewatchable - 5, Compelling - 5, Plot/ Story/Writing - 10, Acting/Casting - 10, Production - 10, Bonus - 8. Bonus points for outstanding writing, acting, Ahn Hyo-seop’s visuals, and lead couple chemistry.
Notes:
Han Suk-kyu
rose to popularity in films during the 1990’s and early 2000’s. He has appeared in more than 20 films over the years, as well as a dozen television dramas. He won the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2011 SBS Drama Awards for historical drama Deep Rooted Tree (2011) and again in 2016 for Dr. Romantic (2016).
Ahn Hyo-seop
was born in Korea, but his family emigrated to Canada when he was 7 and he lived there until age 17. He graduated from Kookmin University with a degree in International Business. He became an idol trainee and was offered membership in GOT7, which he declined to pursue acting. For his role in Dr. Romantic 2, he received Best New Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards. See him also in Lovers of the Red Sky (2021) and Business Proposal (2022).
Lee Sung-kyung
started modeling in 2008 and switched over to acting in 2014. After gaining notice in Cheese in the Trap (2016) and The Doctors (2016), she played the title role in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2017). See her also in Sh**ting Stars (2022) and Dr. Romantic 3 (2023).
Kim Min-jae
spent four years as an idol trainee, featured as a rapper. He was cast in supporting roles while still a trainee, and eventually left K-pop for a K-drama career. Here’s one of his rap videos from the drama Second Twenties (2015). Kim Min-jae reprised the role of Nurse Park in all three seasons of Dr. Romantic (2020-2023).
So Joo-yeon
won Best New Actress at the SBS Drama Awards for her role in Dr. Romantic 2. See her also in Lovestruck in the City (2020) and A Love So Beautiful (2020).