Doctor Slump (2024)

Cringe and Funny at the same time

Situational comedy, romance with tons of shines. The two main characters have too much patience. There is a state of contrast that marks the entire series, the good and bad moments are linked fluidly, with small hints for k-drama connoisseurs. It is not too overwhelmed even though it is about "mental illnesses", as much as it is a way of drawing attention to the fact that they are often encountered and should not be stigmatized. It's warm, the way each characters grows, accepts themselves as they are and discovers that they can be loved.

It's a series for the bad days where you laugh a lot, with the characters but also about the absurd situations.

Leia Mais

Good portrayal of depression.

Overall 8/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟

The drama is very captivating at first as I was really invested however I ended up dropping it towards the end for a few months before watching the last episode! Doesn't really stand out among the other dramas of 2024, however I really enjoyed the character development and relationships portrayed. Dr. Slump successfully showed how depression can seem like a blow out of nowhere for the person diagnosed. One can be so used to bottling up that it doesn't even become apparent to oneself that you are mentally unwell and tired. I appreciated how they showed her healing process and that depression is not something to be scared of. The drama can be a bit cringe at times but overall the drama was really good. Would definitely recommend watching!

Leia Mais

All Storms Eventually Pass

There is a blessing in hitting “rock bottom.” There is only one direction to go: up. There is also a blessing in knowing that whatever problems or troubles you are having, they will pass.

Life is all about perspective. How you perceive something determines how you choose to experience it. If you don’t like the experience you’re having, then change your perspective. There is no one in existence who hasn’t endured hardships. Even masters have gone through everything you are going through and have gone through. So, what’s the difference? They simply changed their perception as well as used wisdom to ask the right questions. Life isn’t about having all of the answers but about asking the right questions. Why am I going through this? What is it that I’m trying to teach myself in this moment? The late and great Kobe Bryant never referred to his hardships as “problems.” He called them “challenges.” See how changing one word can change how you perceive something?

“Doctor Slump” is about two competitive doctors who suddenly find their lives turned upside down by circumstances. Remember the immortal words of Rocky Balboa, “Life isn’t about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” And these two loveable characters get knocked down to their knees, but ultimately, they find a way to get back on their feet. This is also why, as a viewer, I found myself cheering for them both.

Dr. Yeo Jeong Woo is a brilliant plastic surgeon with a heart of gold. It’s hard to imagine this guy hurting anyone. He finds himself set up during a botched surgery that destroys his reputation and finds himself in dire, financial straits as well as facing criminal charges. And yet, he does his best to take care of his friends. Dr. Yeo Jeong Woo has a boyish charm and a wonderful sense of humor, thanks to actor Park Hyung Sik whom I’ve seen in several series. He has a gift for charm and comedy as well as being able to effortlessly harness the pain and despair he goes through.

Dr. Nam Ha Neul is an up-and-coming anesthesiologist who finds the dissertation she’s worked on being stolen and altered for a greedy, corrupt supervisor. Her own reputation is destroyed when she confronts him, even knocking him to the ground, which was far better than he deserved. Dr. Nam Ha Neul may perceive herself as weak, but she’s far stronger than she gives herself credit. Her pain and despair comes from guilt; guilt of not being there for her father as well as allowing a previous supervisor to take advantage of her. Park Shin Hye is equally captivating in her role. She has a sweetness that is undeniable and a light and glimmer in her eyes and smile. And yet, when either of these actors has moments of despair, we feel it.

The premise of this series is that no one should be afraid to seek help when needed. An even more important premise is that you are your top priority. You must take care of yourself first. It’s a losing battle to try and take care of others without, first, taking care of yourself. Putting others first is a road lined with resentment, guilt, and anger. And perhaps the third premise is learning how to be there for someone and letting them be there for you. Most people fail to realize that quite often, the best way to help someone is to just simply be there for them. It may not seem like a lot, but ultimately, it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give them. The beauty of a rock is that it’s just there. It doesn’t have to move or do anything. And everyone can be a rock for someone in their lives.

What makes this series so enjoyable is that there aren’t any needless melodramatic twists or turns. No silly love triangles or mountainous conflicts that we know are just there to add some conflict. The series is light despite the fact that it never makes light of the trials and tribulations of others or the pain that they are going through.

The greatest obstacle to pain is suppression. It’s been stated that the quickest way out of something is through it. To avoid it or try to find a way around it is to simply bring about needless suffering. Pain in life is inevitable. Suffering, however, is always optional.

Park Hyung Sik and Park Shin Hye have undeniable chemistry in this series which is why it works so well. I think they may be my favorite couple after “Our Beloved Summer.” I love the goofiness that Park Hyung Sik brings and the sweetness of Park Shin Hye as well as the fact that, while both characters are going through pain, they’re both fighters and are determined to come out on top. They are inspirational as well as captivating.

The only aspect of the series that didn’t quite work for me was the second romance between Bin Dae Young and Lee Hong Ran. It just didn’t feel needed, and it was as though the writers were trying to fill some empty space with a romance that just didn’t feel organic enough. Not to mention that the only romance that I cared about was between Yeo Jeong Woo and Nam Ha Neul.

So, the next time you get “knocked down” let this series serve as a reminder that every storm always passes. Don’t be afraid to experience pain. It’s still the quickest way out. Never give up. Keep fighting and keep moving forward. Don’t forget to make yourself the number one priority, and lastly, once you get yourself firmly anchored, be a rock for someone and just be there for them and let them be there for you.

Leia Mais

bellino, ma confuso

Drama carino, bella la storia di fondo e apprezzabile l'idea di trattare problemi psicologici, amicizie vere e non, rivalità che nasconde attrazione ecc. Però l'ho trovato incoerente: espressioni troppo buffe, facce e capricci poco credibili, storie troppo drammatiche, truffe e imbrogli troppo complicati. Il tutto stanca. I due protagonisti sono carini ma i tempi della loro relazione sono lunghissimi, più freschi i due della seconda coppia. Infine ho trovato davvero insopportabili i pensieri-monologhi dei protagonisti, per altro al passato, del tutto inutili e pesanti. Si può guardare, ma sicuramente non è imperdibile.

Leia Mais

I was bracing myself to watch this drama. On one hand, after hearing this would be a romance drama with Park Shin Hye, I immediately thought, “Oh my gosh, she’s going to screw this up isn’t she, with her notoriously horrible on-screen kissing?” Then there’s Park Hyung Sik who was brilliant in SWDBS and soundtrack#1. So I was mildly surprised to see Shin Hye’s vastly improved lip-locking skills, but her crying skills were so bad that even my nine-year-old could outperform her.

Speaking of cringe, I wasn’t sure whether Hyung Sik was supposed to be a plastic surgeon in this drama, or a dentist, because the abundant times of him flashing his pearly whites were as if he’s trying to drum up sponsorship from Colgate. So it’s no wonder that, with his high visibility, that he’s an easy target. He went from high-profile to lying low in a nano-second, and somehow ends up staying at his ex-rival, previous crush’s house, because Korea is THAT small.  

And while both Ha Neul and Jeong Woo’s careers are in the dumps, they cling to each other like Jack and Rose aboard the small wooden door from the Titanic. Their acting could not save them both from this drama, but you know who does? Surprisingly, it’s the rest of the cast, who were more natural in their roles. Seong Ha and Yoon Park have this cute chemistry going on as the second couple, and they were adorable as Hong Ran and Dae Young. Both single parents leading busy lives and were awkward with their own children, but somehow could lend each other support and give sound advice for the other.

I also particularly loved Jang Hye Jin as Ha Neul’s mother; I’ve seen her in many dramas and she’s just that lovely ahjumma who embodies the nurturing figure, while trying her best to understand her daughter despite initial misconceptions. By no means perfect, she tries to impress her nosy, one-upping relatives, and in the end, learns to accept that her children’s health and happiness are more important than having illustrious careers.  

Another weak point in this drama is the surrounding mystery of how Jeong Woo’s patient died, or what made him the scapegoat for that death. Although I sensed who the culprit was from the beginning, I didn’t know that there were other layers in how this came to be. I wasn’t sure whether it was necessary to the plot, but I guess the writers deemed them important enough to include them in the drama.  

There were other half-assed attempts at introducing characters into the drama who bear very little relevance, aside from showing the juxtaposition between real friends who stick with you or pretend friends who are only with you, when things are going great.  

Ultimately, this series aims to tell you that misfortunes happen, but when they happen, it is how you cope with them that matters, and having supportive friends and family who help you along the way is a crucial part of that journey.  

IMHO, this show delivered the right message with partly the wrong execution.  

Leia Mais

Doctor Slump Review - ZyKuu

"Two doctors hit rock bottom simultaneously" - The story highlights a positive way for parents to help care for their children whom are experiencing depression. This show does a great job at highlighting the importance of one's mental health and how you should treat it seriously. Both Ha-neul and Jeong-woo are high school rivals turned doctors. They both ended up relying on each other to climb out the gutter and eventually develop a relationship that blossoms into a romance. Personally, I was not intrigued with their romantic relationship as I feel like the second couple in lead stole the show. Hong-ran and Dae-young had a unique relationship that was heartwarming to watch. Overall I enjoyed the comedy aspects more than the romance. Ha-neul's family was entertaining and the star of the show for me was Ba-da. Ha-neul's younger brother Ba-da was funny in many ways and always lightened up the mood whenever he was on screen. Ha-neul's mother and uncle were both supportive and loving through every step of the way. The OST was great, and I believe that this show could have been reduced in episodes. Overall, this was a good watch and I would recommend this to anyone who is facing mental health issues as I believe it would guide you in the right direction while entertaining you.

Leia Mais

Light hearted feel good drama

I enjoyed this light hearted drama with family dynamics. It's very refreshing to see romcom with very good plot but one thing is that it don't need 16 episodes. They would have just ended it with 12 to 14 episodes. I really felt like they dragged the story for 2 more episodes. Otherthan that everything was nice to watch and feel good. I started this because of park hyun sik and fell for him again.. too much of green flag in drama's.
Drama talks about mental health in a good very and you take many lessons along with you after finishing this drama. If you're looking for a light weight drama with family relations portraying in a good and supportive way, then go for it!!!

Leia Mais

Classic RomCom with nice moments

The story sounded good : 2 rivals in school meeting each other again several years later. Both having bad days (depression, work issue, burnout, bankrupt, …), supporting each other and falling in love and then finally getting better.

A good start but quickly turned into a classic and predictable RomCom (with all tricks and clichés of this kind of drama). Nice moments sometimes but no surprise after all…
So nothing special to say, not a bad or good drama, just a classic one…

Great casting but usual overacting (that I don’t like).
It was my first drama with Park Shin Hye as FL, I’ve liked her. And my second drama with Park Hyung Sik, I’ve prefered his acting in Soundtrack #1.
Actors of support roles were good too (interesting « support couple », too bad their love story hasn’t been not more developped).

Production and direction were good.
I didn’t really pay attention to OST.
No rewatch value for me

Leia Mais

Cliche but Execution saves the Plot

When Park Hyun-sik is in a drama, it’s almost always the FL is a strong & independent woman. I like that many Kdramas he’s in has some feministic vibe. It may not be perfect, but it does tackle serious problems people in their adult life are facing. It’s just a bit disappointing that this drama seems to hold back on saying or showing more, as if it was censored or scared to cause controversy. Hence, it gets lost in the basket full of RomCom dramas with not much uniqueness.

P.S. Finally a drama with Filipino cameo that does not put them as an "escape" country or something huhu

Leia Mais