Rivals when they were studying in high school, two doctors meet again at their life’s lowest point in Doctor Slump.
With no one else to lean on, they find much-needed solace in each other. Let this beautiful healing journey begin! Will they find their life purpose and rediscover their passion?
Bunny S. watches Doctor Slump on Netflix
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 & 04 | 05 & 06 | 07 & 08 | 09 & 10 | 11 & 12 | 13 & 14 | Finale Week + Series Review |
Opening Week Rating:
Doctor Slump Opening Week Story
“After only seeing this type of top student, it’s fascinating to see a different type.”
Back in their high school days, our leads first meet when our heroine, Nam Ha-neul, transfers to a school in Seoul to achieve her dream of entering Hanguk National University. Back in her hometown, Ha-neul was the top student. And now, she meets her match, Yeo Jeong-woo, the current top student at her new school.
Ha-neul and Jeong-woo’s studying routines can’t be more different. While the former calculates every second of the day to get 17 hours of pure studying and minimizes any distractions, the latter enjoys a balanced lifestyle, having some fun while focusing on his studies, as well.
At the midterms, Ha-neul gives Jeong-woo the taste of coming in second for the first time. (The scene of Jeong-woo almost fainting and looking like he got a heart attack is hilarious.) Having been dethroned, Jeong-woo’s competitive side awakens. And he gets pleasure in outdoing Ha-neul every chance he gets.
“I will do my best to treat my patients’ inner beauty as well.”
Years pass, and the two become doctors. We learn that Jeong-woo was the only one getting admitted to Hanguk University. He is now a famous plastic surgeon, owning his clinic, having a facial mask brand in his name, and starring in multiple advertisements.
A table death of a high-profile patient sends all of Jeong-woo’s success down the drain, though. He is now covered in debts and selling everything he owns to pay for the penalties he incurred. Now penniless, he moves to a rooftop room owned by Ha-neul’s family. And this is how our arch-rivals reunite.
“Do as you please. I won’t sacrifice my health for this.”
Now an anesthesiologist, life has been tough on Ha-neul as well. Working for 17 hours a day without getting proper food or sleeping has taken a toll on her health. She faints while crossing the road from severe stomach pain and almost gets hit by a truck.
While the truck was approaching Ha-neul, the only thought on her mind was, “Let’s die.” She visits a psychiatrist and gets diagnosed with depression. At first, Ha-neul tries to brush it off and continue living the way she did before. But when her terrible boss tries to pass the buck on her for his mistake, Ha-neul snaps. She kicks him and quits her job.
“The warmth she gave me that day was so comforting. It helped me forget all the pain in that moment.”
With both going through a rough patch, Ha-neul and Jeong-woo find some much-needed comfort in each other. Unlike Jeong-woo’s selfish and greedy so-called friends, Ha-neul believes he isn’t one to hurt his patients and lie his way out of it. And Jeong-woo helps uplift Ha-neul’s mood and brighten her up.
We end our premiere week with our ex-rivals hugging each other while crying. They might regret it the next day. But, for now, they want some warmth in their struggling lives.
Doctor Slump Opening Week Musings
As lively as it was narrated so far, following the healing drama trend makes the series up for a challenging feat to make the story distinctly memorable.
Rebooting life after a slump and prioritizing self-love is the direction the lead characters are going in in the next chapters.
Initially, it seemed we would be getting the high school days in one go. But having them sprinkled throughout the drama run sounds like a good idea, as well. A common issue with healing dramas is that they dive in too dark without necessarily giving proper time for healing and character growth. So, let’s hope we get a balance between dark and happy moments here.
I am on the fence about Ha-neul’s family. Mother seems to care genuinely for Ha-neul. But her reaction to Ha-neul’s resignation was quite harsh. Ha-neul had a hard time accepting her diagnosis and telling others about it. So, instead of a scolding for quitting her job, she needs people to be by her side without nagging or pushing her. Still, when Ha-neul’s mother came across Ha-neul’s pills, she started to come around. I hope this mother-daughter relationship will be a healthy one.
On the other hand, I am not fond of Jeong-woo’s parents, whose only concern is the trial not affecting Jeong-woo’s father’s career. I doubt they care about how Jeong-woo is doing amidst all of this. I am getting a Déjà vu here of how everyone turned their backs on Sam-dal after the scandal. But at least Sam-dal had her family and friends. Jeong-woo literally has no one except for Ha-neul.
With healing tones as an integral part of the narrative, the screenplay in the opening week foresees a trove of inspiring messages coming soon.
Find encouraging lessons as Jeong-woo and Ha-neul rediscover their purpose in Doctor Slump!
Photos: JTBC Drama
