New K-Drama Tops Charts Before Premiere, Beats Netflix’s ‘Weak Hero Class 2’

Even before its premiere, tvN’s new weekend drama Resident Playbook (also known as Wise Resident Life) has captured the attention of viewers.

According to Consumer Insight’s 2nd-week April OTT content evaluation, Resident Playbook ranked #1 in both awareness and viewing intention. It surpassed strong contenders like Netflix’s Weak Hero Class 2 and Genie TV’s New Recruit 3.

A spin-off of the Hospital Playlist series, the drama faced delays due to ongoing disputes in the medical community. It was originally set to air in May last year but got postponed until now. Set in the OB-GYN department of the Yulje Hospital’s Jongno branch, the story follows rookie doctors as they grow and form bonds.

The production team shared that they wanted the show to resonate with all newcomers to society, portraying the stumbles and growth of young professionals. Writer Kim Song-hee said the drama aims to provide warmth and comfort through the journey of doctors who save lives.

However, not all reactions have been positive. Some question whether a heartwarming depiction of doctors is appropriate amid real-life tensions like the ongoing medical intern strike, with concerns the show might feel disconnected from reality.

Creator Shin Won-ho addressed this at the press conference, saying, “We worry that our story of youthful dreams might be misunderstood due to external issues,” but added, “How the content is received is up to the viewers.”

Despite controversy, the drama is expected to succeed based on its quality. Hospital Playlist achieved over 14% viewership for both seasons, and interest in medical dramas is rising again this year.

The show stars rising talents like Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-ah, Kang You-seok, Han Ye-ji, and Jung Joon-won, with a special appearance by veteran actress Ra Mi-ran. Teasers showed the residents sprinting through emergencies and skipping meals—highlighting their intense, unpredictable days.

Fan excitement is already high, with comments like: “This is gonna be epic,” “Reminds me of my first job lol,” and “Masterpiece vibes!”

Resident Playbook premieres tonight at 9:10 PM.

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