'Doctor Shin' hinted at a change in the romance line when Jung I-chan talked to Joo Se bin about 'brain change' surgery, as the female lead's identity became blurred after undergoing a second brain surgery.
On the 4th, episode 7 of the TV CHOSUN weekend miniseries 'Doctor Shin' (written by Phoebe (Im Seong-han), directed by Lee Seung-hoon) showed Shin Ju-shin (played by Jung I-chan) completing Momo (played by Baek Seora) who has the brain of Kim Jin-joo (played by Cheon Young-min) after a second brain change surgery. The episode also depicted him showing interest in Geum Ba-ra (played by Joo Se bin).
After successfully undergoing the brain change surgery, Kim Jin-joo opened her eyes, confirmed in the mirror that she was Momo, and teared up; she then touched Momo's face with her hands, wearing a strange, satisfied smile as if pleased that it was now her body. Kim Jin-joo tried on Momo's jewelry and clothes and fully enjoyed the joy of becoming Momo.
Shin Ju-shin warned Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain), saying, "You went through a difficult surgery, so stay sharp," while expressing a peculiar affection similar to how he treated the former Momo. To Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain), Shin Ju-shin said, "Kim Jin-joo is gone now. Be especially careful when you meet Geum Ba-ra," and, "I don't think this will start easily... you need to prepare your mind," showing consideration as if she were the real Momo.
Later, Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain) attended Kim Jin-joo's 49th-day memorial with Geum Ba-ra and James (played by Jeon No-min), then reflected on her life and collapsed into a heartbreaking cry while lying down. She startled Geum Ba-ra by revealing resentment toward her for treating her coldly, saying, "Aren't you even crying? We grew up together in the orphanage." Seeing this, James tried to ease the mood, saying, "Jin-joo's birth father keeps not dying, so it really feels like he might be alive somewhere."
After the 49th-day memorial, Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain) surprised Geum Ba-ra by drinking alone with her and suggesting, "Quit your job and take care of me. Look after me until I find stability, and the gallery sister can take over," which startled Geum Ba-ra. Geum Ba-ra then told Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain), "I'm jealous of you. People love you so much," recalling Ha Yong-jung (played by An Woo Yeon), whom she has an unrequited crush on. When Ha Yong-jung, who came to see her, caught a glimpse of Momo, Geum Ba-ra became excited, and then jealous, shedding tears.
Meanwhile, when Shin Ju-shin saw Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain) standing awkwardly apart, he recalled the confident, elegant former Momo and gently embraced her, asking, "Am I still uncomfortable for you?" He also urged Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain), "Are you mute? Say something." Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain) enjoyed living as Momo by putting on various outfits like a fashion show, but when memories of Momo's past dismissive behavior resurfaced, she called her a "bad woman," mercilessly slapped Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain) until her cheek bled, and then broke into a manic laugh, chilling those who watched.
Later, Shin Ju-shin went to deliver medicinal broth to Ha Yong-jung's house and saw Geum Ba-ra cooking from behind; when thunder sounded and Geum Ba-ra screamed, he instinctively ran and hugged her. At that moment, Ha Yong-jung returned home, witnessed Shin Ju-shin and Geum Ba-ra in an embrace, and froze; Geum Ba-ra was also startled to realize the person holding her was Shin Ju-shin, not Ha Yong-jung. Shin Ju-shin then watched Ha Yong-jung and Geum Ba-ra conversing warmly and wore a peculiar expression.
Back home, Shin Ju-shin asked the orphanage director to email him Geum Ba-ra's records and meticulously examined everything about Geum Ba-ra from infancy through her school years, raising questions. Meanwhile, Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain) continued to gag, bought a pregnancy test at a pharmacy out of a strange feeling, and grew more anxious. Just as she was about to try the test, Shin Ju-shin called Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain) to the villa where he and the former Momo once loved passionately; after a tender night with Shin Ju-shin, Momo (Kim Jin-joo's brain) fell asleep beside him and looked at him happily.
At the end of episode 7, tension rose as Shin Ju-shin, in a private meeting with Geum Ba-ra, revealed the idea of brain change surgery. When Shin Ju-shin tested the waters by asking, "What do you think about brain change? If you could keep your face and only change the brain, would you?" the 'chaotic ending' unfolded as Geum Ba-ra asked, "If it's possible, with whom?" Viewers were left to wonder why Shin Ju-shin was explaining the brain change surgery to Geum Ba-ra and awaited the next episode to see what turmoil would follow.
'Doctor Shin' is a medical thriller about a genius doctor who challenges the realm of godhood and a woman whose brain is damaged overnight and who loses her soul. The new series is written by Im Seong-han under the pen name Phoebe, who has been loved in the past for works such as 'The Mermaid,' 'Oh God,' 'The New Tales of Gisaeng,' 'Princess Aurora,' and 'Apgujeong Midnight Sun,' and who previously presented the series Love (ft. Marriage & Divorce) and Durian's Affair.
Every episode features Im Seong-han's unique phrasing, subtitle treatment, and shamanic faith themes, provoking heated debate among drama fans with its shocking developments. Riding that wave, it has generated buzz online since its first broadcast, but ratings have ranged from the 1% level to decimal points. Episode 7 of 'Doctor Shin' recorded a nationwide paid TV household rating of 1.3% according to Nielsen Korea.
However, this is a slight increase compared with the all-time low of 0.9% recorded by episode 5 last week and episode 6's 1.2%. With the second brain change surgery, the romance line among Shin Ju-shin, Geum Ba-ra and Ha Yong-jung has rapidly shifted, and attention is focused on whether viewers' feelings will change as well. Episode 8 of 'Doctor Shin' airs tonight (the 5th) at 10:30 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by TV CHOSUN.
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