Nearly Canceled K-Drama Set to Dethrone Disney+ and Netflix’s Biggest Hits

tvN’s upcoming weekend drama, ‘Resident Playbook’, is already making waves even before its first episode airs. The drama has secured the No. 1 spot in both awareness and viewing intent rankings, signaling high anticipation among viewers.

Originally slated for release in the first half of last year, ‘Resident Playbook’ faced multiple delays due to the medical community’s strike. Now, the drama is finally set to premiere on April 12.

According to the Consumer Insight OTT Viewer Report (Week 3 of March) released on the 20th, ‘Resident Playbook’ outperformed highly anticipated titles such as Genie TV’s ‘New Recruit 3’, Disney+’s ‘Hyper Knife’, and Netflix’s ‘Karma’, claiming the top spot in both categories. Notably, it overtook Disney+’s ‘Hyper Knife,’ which previously ranked No. 1 in the drama category during the second week of March, further cementing its dominance.

Building on the Legacy of ‘Hospital Playlist’

With its predecessor, ‘Hospital Playlist’, achieving a peak rating of 15%, ‘Resident Playbook’—a spin-off set in the same universe—is already capturing strong interest from viewers, even outperforming major Disney+ and Netflix releases.

Set in Jongno Yulje Hospital, a branch of the Yulje Medical Center from ‘Hospital Playlist,’ the drama follows the daily lives and friendships of OB-GYN residents as they navigate their demanding training. Unlike the senior doctors of its predecessor, ‘Resident Playbook’ focuses on rookie doctors struggling through their early careers, portraying their journey with realism and heart.

A Rising Star Cast & Production Team with Proven Success

The drama boasts a lineup of rising stars, including Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-a, Kang You-seok, Han Ye-ji, and Jung Joon-won, who will bring fresh chemistry to the screen.

Go Youn-jung plays Oh Yi-young, Shin Si-a takes on the role of Pyo Nam-kyung, Kang You-seok portrays Um Jae-il, Han Ye-ji stars as Kim Sa-bi. ‘Resident Playbook’ is helmed by the creative team behind ‘Hospital Playlist’, with Shin Won-ho (creator) and Lee Woo-jung (writer) onboard. Meanwhile, Kim Song-hee, who previously worked as an assistant writer on both ‘Reply 1988’ and ‘Hospital Playlist,’ takes the lead as the main screenwriter. The drama is directed by Lee Min-soo, known for short dramas such as ‘Let's Meet in an Unfamiliar Season’.

First Look: Posters & Teaser Set High Expectations

With the release of the Resident 4’s character poster and a teaser video, anticipation for the first episode is skyrocketing. The “First-Year Rounds” poster captures the chaotic reality of rookie residents, showing them rushing through hospital halls, losing a shoe, and clutching their phones and notepads tightly—a clear nod to the challenges of life as a first-year doctor.

Fans of ‘Hospital Playlist’ will notice the resemblance to its iconic rounds poster, though this time, instead of the calm and confident professors, the four main residents are filled with urgency and nervousness. This contrast sparks curiosity—will they one day walk those halls with the same confidence as their seniors?

The teaser video further immerses viewers into the OB-GYN department at Jongno Yulje Hospital, described as “a place where first-year OB-GYN residents meet the first day of a newborn’s life.” The clip highlights the struggles of rookie doctors as they navigate delivering babies, hesitating before approaching patients, and adapting to the high-pressure hospital environment.

A particularly touching moment in the teaser shows Oh Yi-young (Go Youn-jung) greeting a newborn with a heartfelt “Hello”, her expression a mix of awe and emotion, which is sure to resonate with viewers.

Special Cameos & High Expectations

Adding to the excitement, Jung Kyung-ho, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Ahn Eun-jin from ‘Hospital Playlist’ are set to make special guest appearances, thrilling longtime fans of the franchise.

The production team shared, “This drama captures the growth of young professionals stepping into an unfamiliar world. Although it’s a medical drama, the story is universal, making it relatable for everyone. We hope viewers will look forward to it.”

Consisting of 12 episodes, ‘Resident Playbook’ will premiere on April 12 at 9:10 PM KST on tvN. Given the overwhelming anticipation and the four-year gap since the end of ‘Hospital Playlist’ Season 2, all eyes are on whether this spin-off will carry on its predecessor’s legacy and break past the 15% viewership mark once again.