From Shelved to Revival: This 15% Rating K-Drama's Spin-Off Returns After 4 Years

After much anticipation and unexpected delays, 'Resident Playbook', the spin-off of tvN’s hit medical drama 'Hospital Playlist', is finally making its way to the small screen.

Originally postponed indefinitely due to the medical community’s strike, the drama is now set to premiere in April. On March 10, tvN officially announced its return, unveiling a teaser of 'Resident Playbook' and a poster.

tvN released a video titled "Comeback Teaser: Yulje Returns – A Story of Residents Who Will One Day Shine", along with a fresh poster. The teaser opens with images of the 'Hospital Playlist' cast, accompanied by a message: "Thank you to everyone who has been waiting for us." It then transitions to introduce the new lineup, featuring Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-a, Han Ye-ji, Kang Yoo-seok, and Jung Jun-won, heightening viewers’ excitement.

Fans were quick to react to the teaser, flooding social media with excitement. Many expressed their relief and anticipation, with comments like, "It's finally happening! I thought this drama would never see the light of day. The cast looks amazing, and I’m especially excited for Shin Si-a." Others praised the lineup, saying, "Go Youn-jung never disappoints—I’ll be watching for sure!" and "Go Youn-jung is absolutely stunning…" Some had been eagerly awaiting the drama for months, sharing, "I’ve been waiting for this since last year. Please let it be worth it!" while others simply celebrated, writing, "Finally!!! I’ve been counting down the days!"

'Resident Playbook' was originally slated for release in the first half of last year. However, its production was caught in the middle of widespread strikes by medical residents protesting the government's plan to increase medical school admissions. Amid growing public scrutiny of the medical community, the drama’s schedule was repeatedly pushed back. It was initially set to follow 'The Queen of Tears' last February, even releasing a teaser, but with no resolution to the ongoing strike, the broadcast was ultimately scrapped.

Set in Yulje Hospital’s Jongno branch, 'Resident Playbook' follows the lives, friendships, and struggles of obstetrics and gynecology residents. While it shares the same universe as 'Hospital Playlist', director Shin Won-ho described it as an entirely different series. The project is helmed by director Lee Min-soo with writer Kim Song-hee, who previously assisted on 'Reply 1988' and 'Hospital Playlist', taking the lead on the script. Meanwhile, 'Hospital Playlist' creators Shin Won-ho and Lee Woo-jung are credited as creative directors.

Adding to the excitement, original 'Hospital Playlist' cast members Jung Kyung-ho, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Ahn Eun-jin are set to make special appearances.

During a recent live broadcast on YouTube’s Channel FullMoon, director Shin Won-ho shared his confidence in 'Resident Playbook', saying, "We had already completed production, but I recently went back and finished editing. A project loses its energy if left unattended for too long." He emphasized the drama’s fresh take on the 'Hospital Playlist' universe, explaining, "At first, I thought of it as a younger version of 'Hospital Playlist', but once it was completed, I realized it had become something entirely unique."

He further highlighted the show’s youthful energy, describing it as "a true coming-of-age drama" and adding, "It feels fresh, exciting, and full of heart. Even though I only supervised the production, I was genuinely surprised by how it turned out."

Known for his humility, Shin joked, "I usually say, ‘This one’s going to flop’ before every project. But this time, it really can’t fail. The director, writer, and actors all have bright futures ahead of them—I hope viewers give them their support."

Even the OST lineup is shaping up to be a major highlight. "The soundtrack is amazing," he teased. "Since it’s a youthful drama, we exclusively chose idol singers for the OST. The lineup is packed with big names, including some artists you rarely get to hear."

The drama’s cast features rising stars Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-a, Han Ye-ji, and Kang Yoo-seok, portraying young residents navigating their careers and friendships. With 'Resident Playbook' marking the first 'Hospital Playlist' spin-off in four years, expectations are high for its ability to carry on the legacy of the beloved series.

Originally airing in 2020 and 2021, 'Hospital Playlist' recorded a peak rating of 15%, cementing its status as one of tvN’s biggest hits. Praised for reshaping the medical drama genre, the series built a strong and dedicated fanbase.

Produced by CJ ENM Studios and EggIsComing, 'Resident Playbook' is set to premiere on tvN this April. While the exact broadcast schedule has yet to be confirmed, CJ ENM’s Park Sang-hyuk explained the timing, saying, "As programmers, we always consider the best moment for a show to be loved. After careful thought, we believe April is the perfect time for 'Resident Playbook' to shine."

With the return of the 'Hospital Playlist' universe, fans are eager to see how 'Resident Playbook' will deliver heartfelt moments, laughter, and the inspiring journey of young doctors growing together.