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Dr. Romantic (2016) K-Drama posterDR

South Korea · Drama · 2016

Dr. Romantic

낭만닥터 김사부 Also known as Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim

SBS · 20 episodes · 60 min · Monday, Tuesday · 15+ (Teens 15 or older) Completed

Drama Medical Romance
7 Nov 2016
Premiere
17 Jan 2017
Finale
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Synopsis

Dr. Romantic follows Kim Sa-bu, a brilliant but reclusive surgeon known to his staff only as Teacher Kim, who runs the small rural Doldam Hospital in Gangwon Province after walking away from the politics of Seoul's Geosan University Medical Center.

Two young doctors are drawn into his orbit. Kang Dong-ju, an ambitious general surgery intern, and Yoon Seo-jung, a former Geosan surgeon recovering from a personal setback, both end up training under Teacher Kim at Doldam. Neither arrived by choice, and both initially question his blunt, demanding methods, but they gradually learn that his approach is built on treating every patient as if they were the most important person in the room, regardless of who they are or what they can pay.

The series moves between the trauma bay, where the small Doldam team handles everything from highway pile-ups to a hospital chairman's surgery, and the corridors of Geosan, where director Do Yun-wan works to protect the institution's reputation and, eventually, to shut Doldam down. Along the way, Dong-ju and Seo-jung are forced to reckon with why they became doctors in the first place, while Teacher Kim's own past slowly comes into focus.

Dr. Romantic aired on SBS from November 2016 to January 2017 across 20 episodes, with Han Seok-kyu's performance as Teacher Kim earning him the Grand Prize at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards. Its success led to two further seasons continuing the story at Doldam Hospital.

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Dr. Romantic cast

Guest appearances
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Best scenes

  • The high-stakes surgery where Dr. Kim Sa Bu (Han Seok Kyu) saves a patient's life, showcasing his genius and calm under pressure.
  • The emotional confrontation between Kang Dong Joo (Yoo Yeon Seok) and Yoon Seo Jung (Seo Hyun Jin), revealing their complex relationship.
  • Teacher Kim's heart-to-heart talk with his staff, where he imparts wisdom about what it truly means to be a doctor.
  • The intense emergency room scenes that highlight the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of medical work.
  • The final surgery scene of the season, where the entire team works together, illustrating their growth and teamwork.

Filming locations

  • The Doldam Hospital, a key location in the series, is a fictional hospital set built specifically for the drama.
  • Various scenes were filmed in picturesque rural areas of South Korea, adding authenticity to the remote hospital setting.
  • The exterior shots of the hospital were filmed in Wonju, Gangwon Province, providing a scenic backdrop.
  • Some city scenes were shot in Seoul, giving a contrast between the rural and urban settings.
  • The realistic surgery room scenes were filmed on detailed sets that replicated actual hospital environments.

Visual design and costumes

  • The hospital’s muted color palette reflects the serious and intense atmosphere of the series.
  • Dr. Kim Sa Bu’s simple yet authoritative wardrobe, including his iconic white coat, emphasizes his role as a seasoned mentor.
  • The use of lighting in surgery scenes is carefully designed to highlight the tension and focus required in medical procedures.
  • The characters' costumes subtly evolve throughout the series, reflecting their personal growth and changing roles.
  • The visual contrast between the sterile hospital environment and the natural beauty of the rural setting adds depth to the show’s aesthetic.

Themes and messages

  • Dr. Romantic explores the theme of healing, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually for both patients and doctors.
  • The show emphasizes the importance of mentorship, as Dr. Kim Sa Bu guides young doctors to become not just skilled, but compassionate practitioners.
  • The series tackles ethical dilemmas in the medical field, questioning the balance between professional duty and personal morality.
  • A recurring message is the value of teamwork and trust, as the hospital staff must work together to save lives under pressure.
  • The drama also examines the sacrifices and challenges of the medical profession, highlighting the personal toll it takes on those who dedicate their lives to it.

Interesting facts

  • Han Seok Kyu, who plays Dr. Kim Sa Bu, is a well-respected actor in South Korea, and his performance in Dr. Romantic earned him critical acclaim.
  • The drama's popularity led to a successful second season, with many original cast members returning.
  • Dr. Romantic was praised for its realistic portrayal of medical procedures, with consultants ensuring accuracy in surgery scenes.
  • The show’s script was written by Kang Eun Kyung, known for her ability to blend medical drama with deep character development.
  • The series received several awards, including Best Actor for Han Seok Kyu, highlighting its impact in the Korean drama industry.

Real-life loves on set

No confirmed real-life romantic relationships have been reported between the cast of Dr. Romantic. The on-screen chemistry between Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin drew fan speculation, but no cast member has publicly confirmed an off-screen relationship.

Episodes

Ep Title Air date Status Rating
1 How to Put an Elephant into a Fridge? A doctor intervenes to save a boy in danger, and intern Kang Dong-ju assists Yoon Seo-jung with emergency cases at Geosan University Medical Center. 7 Nov 2016 Aired
2 The Result of the Hypersecretion of Adrenaline Dong-ju questions whether hard work alone can get him ahead as general surgery gains a new doctor at Doldam Hospital, and Seo-jung runs into someone from her past. 8 Nov 2016 Aired
3 Friday of 13 People Dong-ju doubts Teacher Kim's methods despite his skill, while Seo-jung faces the consequences of a decision she made. 14 Nov 2016 Aired
4 Necessary and Sufficient Condition Dong-ju realizes he's no match for Teacher Kim and looks for a way out as Doldam prepares for a VIP patient and Seo-jung takes on a new role. 15 Nov 2016 Aired
5 Principle of Relative A major highway accident puts the whole hospital on alert while Dong-ju tries to learn more about Teacher Kim's past. 21 Nov 2016 Aired
6 Motivation Teacher Kim makes his own demands of the staff, Myeong-sim proves her skill, visitors arrive from Seoul, and In-beom makes a risky call. 22 Nov 2016 Aired
7 Unstable Factor Doldam is caught off guard by a surprise development; Dong-ju wants clarity on where he stands, and Teacher Kim gets what he was after. 28 Nov 2016 Aired
8 The Manifestation of Humanism The staff is reminded that the patient comes first, Seo-jung gets an unexpected pep talk, and Teacher Kim's compassion shows a new side. 29 Nov 2016 Aired
9 The Boundary of Good Dong-ju calls Chairman Shin directly, Teacher Kim reminds Yun-wan of medical basics, and Seo-jung clashes with a former mentor on a busy Friday at Doldam. 5 Dec 2016 Aired
10 Crush An inspector from Geosan tries to stop Doldam from treating patients just as a multi-car accident, caused by a drunk driver, brings in a wave of casualties. 6 Dec 2016 Aired
11 Psychological Entropy Yun-wan tests where Dong-ju's loyalties lie as a missing soldier case unfolds, and Teacher Kim shows Seo-jung what real resolve looks like. 12 Dec 2016 Aired
12 The Boiling Point Dong-ju suffers the consequences of following bad advice, Seo-jung is put on the spot, and Teacher Kim pushes back as Yun-wan raises the pressure. 13 Dec 2016 Aired
13 The Art of Turmoil The staff begins preparing for Chairman Shin's surgery, Seo-jung gets her biggest chance yet, and Doldam faces a possible epidemic. 19 Dec 2016 Aired
14 Paragonimiasis Effect Seo-jung volunteers for a critical case, Doldam narrowly avoids disaster, Dong-ju shows his gratitude, and Teacher Kim catches a mistake made by In-beom. 20 Dec 2016 Aired
15 The Cornered Stone Syndrome Chairman Shin's surgery grows more complicated in a system that leaves little room for those who act with integrity. 27 Dec 2016 Aired
16 Burden of Risk Teacher Kim sets out to attempt the impossible while Yun-wan tries to stop him, and In-beom insists on operating for the team rather than for his father. 2 Jan 2017 Aired
17 Moment of Truth A crowd gathers outside the operating room, not all of them hoping the team succeeds, while a suspicious reporter starts lurking around Doldam. 3 Jan 2017 Aired
18 Whether You Want It or Not Small moments from the past begin to carry new weight as Yun-wan gets his way and orders Doldam shut down. 9 Jan 2017 Aired
19 Doctors and Righteous People Yun-wan makes sure old wounds resurface, the reporter keeps digging, and Dong-ju finally confronts Teacher Kim about his history. 10 Jan 2017 Aired
20 The Law of Conservation of Romance Teacher Kim brings the staff to Seoul, Yun-wan refuses to share the spotlight with his old rival, and Bu Yong-ju, though hurt, holds on to both romance and his principles. 16 Jan 2017 Aired

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