Hello, everyone! Hope you’re all doing well. Today, I’m diving into a review of the drama Hospital Playlist, a show that’s captured hearts globally with its seamless mix of medical narratives, enduring friendships, and soothing tunes.
Hospital Playlist debuted on tvN on March 12, 2020, and spanned two amazing seasons until 2021, delivering a total of 24 episodes, each approximately 90 minutes long. Accessible worldwide on Netflix, this Korean medical drama, crafted by Lee Woo-jung, is the second part of the Wise Life series, succeeding Prison Playbook (2017-18).
The storyline revolves around five doctors who have been close friends since their medical school days in 1999, now working at Yulje Medical Center. What distinguishes Hospital Playlist from other medical dramas is its emphasis on human connections that help us navigate life’s hardest moments. Instead of focusing on high-pressure crises or intense romances, the series finds beauty in the everyday hospital life.
The show portrays how “each day is special for five doctors and their patients in a hospital, where life and death coalesce.” The atmosphere is notably warm and healing, using music as a therapeutic tool for both characters and audience. Each episode feels like catching up with old friends, fostering a sense of comfort and genuine human connection that’s seldom seen in the medical drama genre.
The Dynamics of Five Friends: Bonds Unbroken Over Decades
The narrative follows five doctors who have been inseparable since medical school in 1999, each excelling in different medical specialties but linked by their shared past and deep camaraderie. Lee Ik-jun (Jo Jung-suk), a lively hepatobiliary surgeon with a knack for dad jokes, serves as the group’s motivator and emotional core.
Their friendship is not just background context; it’s the essence of the entire series. These are not colleagues who became friends, but lifelong companions who chose to work together because they truly cherish each other’s presence. The genuineness of their relationships is evident in every interaction, from their weekly band practices to their informal conversations in the hospital corridors.
The group dynamic is so authentic that viewers might forget they are watching actors in scripted scenes. Their bond represents the kind of friendships many yearn for—deep connections that endure through decades and offer steadfast support through life’s highs and lows.
Dr. Chae Song-hwa: Yulje Medical Center’s Heart
Jeon Mi-do shines as Dr. Chae Song-hwa, a neurosurgeon whose quiet resilience and caring nature make her the emotional cornerstone of both her friend group and the hospital. Song-hwa’s character embodies the ideal mix of professional brilliance and human warmth.
Her interactions with patients highlight the series’ dedication to portraying medicine as fundamentally about human relationships. Song-hwa’s approach to patient care is never hurried or impersonal; she invests time in understanding not only their medical concerns but also their emotions, aspirations, and family situations. Her holistic approach to medicine aligns with the show’s overarching belief that healing extends beyond technical proficiency.
The romantic subplot involving Song-hwa adds nuance without overshadowing the friendship dynamics, illustrating how personal relationships can evolve within established friend groups while preserving the core bonds that define them.
Musical Remedy: The Band That Unites
One of Hospital Playlist’s unique features is the friends’ amateur band, where they cover beloved Korean songs from the ’90s and 2000s. These musical moments are more than entertaining breaks from medical cases; they act as emotional outlets for characters grappling with the pressures of their jobs.
The Hospital Playlist soundtrack, released on June 4, 2020, features covers of popular Korean songs from the ’90s and 2000s, with all tracks making it to the Gaon Digital Chart. The music serves as a therapeutic tool, allowing characters to process their feelings and reconnect with a simpler time when they were just students with big aspirations.
Band practice sessions showcase different facets of each character, revealing how music strips away their professional facades and exposes their more vulnerable, playful sides. These scenes create some of the series’ most touching moments, where friendship, nostalgia, and optimism harmonize beautifully.
Supporting Cast: The Wider Hospital Community
The supporting cast at Yulje Medical Center forms a vibrant web of relationships that extends beyond the main group of friends. From the nursing staff to residents, administrators to patients’ families, each character enriches the hospital’s sense of community.
The series excels in portraying how hospitals operate like small cities, where everyday personal dramas, professional hurdles, and human interactions intersect. Viewers appreciate how “this drama has no villain,” focusing instead on how people navigate challenges together with empathy and support. The realistic depiction of hospital hierarchy, mentoring between senior and junior staff, and the way everyone looks out for one another creates an aspirational workplace dynamic that feels both authentic and uplifting.
Netflix Triumph: Global Comfort for the Heart
Hospital Playlist has earned an impressive 8.7 rating on IMDb, showcasing its broad appeal and outstanding quality. The series’ success on Netflix comes from its ability to offer comforting viewing without compromising on depth or authenticity. With two full seasons available, the show is perfect for a gratifying binge-watch session. The drama even had a real-world impact, notably increasing organ donation registrations in Korea thanks to its heartfelt portrayal of various donation scenarios. Hospital Playlist demonstrates that audiences around the world are drawn to stories about genuine human connections and discovering joy in everyday moments, even within the high-stress environment of a hospital.
If you relish heartwarming medical dramas with true friendships, beautiful music, and narratives that highlight the extraordinary within the ordinary, Hospital Playlist is the ideal series to enjoy on Netflix. This Korean treasure will leave you believing in the power of friendship and the healing nature of shared experiences.
Hospital Playlist delivers a masterclass in heartwarming storytelling, proving that the most potent medicine often comes from the connections we forge with those who truly understand us.
Series Information:
Number of Episodes: 24 episodes over 2 seasons
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 8.7/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Medical Drama, Slice of Life, Musical
Main Cast: Jo Jung-suk (Lee Ik-jun), Yoo Yeon-seok (Ahn Jung-won), Jung Kyung-ho (Kim Jun-wan), Kim Dae-myung (Yang Seok-hyeong), Jeon Mi-do (Chae Song-hwa)
Antagonist: None (focuses on life’s challenges rather than villains)