Only One Week In—and This K-Drama Is Already No.1 in 8 Countries

A new Korean drama has skyrocketed to international fame in less than a week after its premiere.

tvN’s weekend drama Resident Playbook made its debut on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English TV series chart for April 7–13, according to the platform’s latest rankings. The series, a spin-off of the beloved Hospital Playlist, has continued its momentum, topping the charts in eight countries including South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It also made the Top 10 in 44 countries globally, as reported by content ranking site FlixPatrol.

The buzz doesn’t stop there. According to Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex index, Resident Playbook ranked among the top most talked-about shows across both TV and OTT platforms in Korea. It also maintained a strong position on daily trend rankings via integrated OTT search engine Kinolights.

On YouTube, the show’s related clips have gone viral, surpassing 65 million combined views, with several clips trending globally.

A Much-Needed Hit for tvN

Resident Playbook is a much-anticipated extension of Hospital Playlist, one of tvN’s biggest successes. The original drama, which began with a modest 6.3% viewership rating, ended its run with over 14%, and its second season performed just as well.

This new series brings fresh energy through rising actors like Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-a, Kang You-seok, and Han Ye-ji, who portray a group of OB-GYN residents adjusting to hospital life at Yulje Medical Center. Their mistakes, growth, and emotional ups and downs create a relatable coming-of-age narrative—especially for anyone starting a new chapter in life.

Though set in a hospital, the show strikes a deep emotional chord through its portrayal of youth, struggle, and unexpected moments of joy and sorrow.

From Postponed to Powerhouse

The series was originally set to air in mid-2023 but was delayed due to widespread protests by Korean medical residents over a government policy to increase medical school admissions. After months of postponement, Resident Playbook finally premiered on April 12.

Despite the rocky start, it has turned into a resounding success—and a much-needed win for tvN, whose recent weekend dramas have underperformed.

Earlier this year, When the Stars Gossip, a big-budget sci-fi romance set on a space station, failed to deliver, ending with a viewership rating of just 2.6%. Its follow-up, The Potato Lab, also struggled, dropping to the 1% range—symbolizing a slump in the network’s weekend programming.

What Makes Resident Playbook Stand Out?

The show’s strength lies in its realistic characters, heartfelt dialogue, and balance of humor and emotion. With strong performances from a new generation of actors, Resident Playbook successfully expands the Hospital Playlist universe while maintaining its own unique identity.

Episodes 1 and 2 follow the story of OB-GYN interns Oh Yi-young (Go Youn-jung), Pyo Nam-kyung (Shin Si-a), Eom Jae-il (Kang You-seok), Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji), and fourth-year resident Koo Do-won (Jung Joon-won) as they face real-world medical challenges and personal growth.

Producers hinted that from Episodes 3 and 4, viewers will witness deeper relationships, conflicts, and character development.

tvN’s Resident Playbook airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM (KST).

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