The concept of “ A Poem A Day” is really lovely. The poems chosen for each episode are appropriate and provide a great epilogue. Some are more touching than others, but generally speaking, they’re chosen well.

Lee Joon Hyuk is really dreamy. His character, Dr. Ye, is the best part of the show (aside from the poems). He comes off as cold and inflexible in the earlier episodes, but he’s the one with the most character development. His starting point might be because of his girlfriend, but he has become a better person in the end. He’s mature, calm and only has eyes for Bo Young. I was impressed by his maturity especially when he faced the childish second male lead, Hin Min Ho. There were a few times I thought he might lose his calm but he didn’t.

I like Bo Yeong as the female lead who is trying her best at work. A big part of the show is her journey to obtain full-time employment at the hospital. Bo Yeong is a likable female lead. She’s sweet and kind, bubbly and not too childish. I’m impressed with her patience when dealing with her annoying co-workers. At times, I wish she would break character and start yelling at them more often.

Even though I like Bo Yeong and Dr. Ye individually, I do not like them as a couple much. The chemistry is just OK, but not enough for me to root for them. Bo Yeong might not be immature, but I feel Dr. Ye is just at a different level. He’s just way too mature. Is it opposites attract? Possibly and I can see why guys would like Bo Yeong. I wish there were more intimate conversations with substance. Their conversations revolve around work, daily lives and the superficial get-to-know-each-other. It’s not until the last episode when Dr Ye wanted more.

I also do not like any of the supporting cast. There are many complaints about Shin Min Ho (2ML) and now I know why. He was an immature, childish, spoiled brat through and through. He’s used to getting what he wants, won’t take no for an answer, and doesn’t care much about others feelings. He was insufferable in the beginning. But then, I saw a glimpse of hope that he has grown and become a better man. Unfortunately, his petty and selfish personality just won’t go away, especially how he treated Bo Yeong in episode 14.

I don’t care for the radiologists and the rest of the physical therapy staff. They are not very likable and their antics are repetitive and annoying. There’s only so much indecisiveness, selfishness, gossip and nosy behavior I can take. It’s worse when all these behaviors are on repeat throughout the drama. Those young guys are all spoiled brats. They have to learn the hard way in order to grow.

Lastly, the repetitiveness of Bo Yeong’s disappointment and second-hand embarrassment never ends. When you show her getting her hopes high and then disappointed once or twice, I feel bad for her. But when you keep on writing this trope over and over again, it becomes predictable and I don’t care about it anymore.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this drama, unless you are a fan of Lee Joon Hyuk and poetry. A slice-of-life drama of characters I don’t like is a tough pill to swallow. I also wish the medical cases are more interesting and have more weight on the character development. But they are just an afterthought.

Completed: 6/20/2024 - Review #452