The public's discomfort has not yet eased. tvN's new weekend drama "Resident Playbook" has made a disappointing start with a 2% rating.
"Resident Playbook," which aired for the first time on the 12th, recorded an average of 4.4% and a peak of 6.2% among households in the metropolitan area, and an average of 3.7% and a peak of 5.2% nationwide. (Based on paid platforms combining cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea) It claimed the top spot in the same time slot for cable and comprehensive channels, but the numbers are disappointing as they fall short of expectations.
This is understandable, as the predecessor series "Hospital Playlist Season 1" and "Hospital Playlist Season 2" started with ratings of 6.3% and 10.0%, respectively. Given the star power of the actors, it is difficult to make a simple comparison between the "Hospital Playlist" series and "Resident Playbook." However, considering that "Resident Playbook" started with a solid fan base, its first broadcast rating of 3.7% feels somewhat lackluster.
"Resident Playbook" is a spin-off drama that depicts the journey of residents (interns) dreaming of a fulfilling medical life as they grow through their initial struggles. The first episode features the tumultuous entry into society of first-year residents in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Jongno Yulje Hospital: Oi-young (played by Go Youn-jung), Pyo Nam-kyung (played by Shin Si A), Eom Jae-il (played by Kang Yu-seok), and Kim Sa-bi (played by Han Ye-ji).
Shin Won-ho, the director of the "Hospital Playlist" series, and writer Lee Woo-jung participated as creators this time, while director Lee Min-soo and writer Kim Song-hee took the lead. While "Hospital Playlist" was set in the main Yulje Hospital, "Resident Playbook" shifts to Jongno Yulje Hospital and covers the hospital life of obstetrics and gynecology residents. Although it was scheduled to air in the first half of last year, it was delayed by a year due to real-world challenges.
This stems from the residents' collective strike. Since February of last year, the prolonged strike by hospital interns has created a medical gap, leaving the public still facing discomfort even as the year has changed. As the conflict between medical professionals has dragged on, the so-called 'emergency room merry-go-round issue,' where hospitals refuse patients, has further fueled viewer resentment toward medical dramas.
It is an ironic reality that a drama featuring interns as protagonists is being broadcast during an ongoing intern strike. Netflix's "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call," while a medical fantasy drama, has successfully captured viewers' hearts, yet public resentment towards medical dramas remains, and "Resident Playbook" has taken the courage to proceed.
At a previous press conference, creator Shin Won-ho noted, "The pretty stories we prepared for young people should be enjoyed as they are, but I was worried that they might be misinterpreted in a twisted logic. Whether it's through tearing apart or biting down, the interpretation of all viewership is up to the viewers. It seems there’s no choice but to wait for their judgment," expressing a fatherly sentiment.
However, his sincerity has yet to resonate with the audience. Not only is the rating performance falling short of expectations, but it also lacks buzz compared to previous works. There is growing concern over how long the reality of the intern strike will continue to hinder "Resident Playbook."
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