Doctor slump: Overcoming a Slump Together
The finale is finally here and the Kdrama has given us the ending that is most suitable for the Jeong-Ha couple that remains playful and therapeutic right until the end. The show has given us some beautiful and motivating scenes along with a couple that brought us this vibe in the best way possible.Finally, we have all found our perfect landing after this rollercoaster and all we know now is the happiness experienced through this show.
Last episode
This episode showed some more sides of the couple along with an unexpected romance for Tae-seon, but it also brought in the growth that every character is still going through, reminding us that there is no end to one’s growth. With this, the neverending story of the Jeong-Ha couple and those around them continues while telling us that this is not the end but a new beginning.
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A cute romance between two people in rock bottom
I thought this was a particularly nice rom-com to watch. There wasn't much that I hated/ would improve about it. I loved the pretty realistic setbacks the two main characters experience to bring them to the worst slump of their life. I love the emphasis the show made on mental health, friendships and family values. The character's struggles and life experiences seemed very relatable and I loved the story all the more for that.I could see why this drama might seem a little plain for some as the romance was very calm and the 'enemies to lovers' part that they signed up for was immediatley resolved. There were no dramatic scenes or villans and no romantic scenes that made me want to scream and bury my head in a pillow.
The scenes with the family, the second couple and the comedy in the drama was also very well done! Some of the comedy scenes really got me smiling from ear to ear and of course park hyung sik and park shin hye acted so well in their roles!
Overall a really nice comfort watch, just what you need to get over your drama watching slump :P
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Expected Greys Anatomy Vibes but it didn't deliver
I love that k-dramas are addressing mental health issues, as well as pressure of having success in their society. This drama is good in a way that needs to address this in Korean society. Other than that I expected that if both leads were doctors we would get more interactions of them in the hospital, the pressure that comes with being a doctor and how your job is responsible for human lives.Taking into consideration that many doctors deal with so much due to their job, it would have been more interesting that they developed the drama from that pov, but they didn't.
Has cute moments, laughed at embarrassing moments as well, but believe that high school flashbacks were unnecessary.
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A failed our beloved summer remake but boring
There might be a good premise here, I take this is supposed to be a comfort K-drama with minimal drama and a focus on how our leads navigate depression and eventually fight their way out of it. The answer? Get a partner!Yes the FL encourages him to get therapy, yes it addresses the stigma around mental health. The story does boil down to this man has PTSD and this woman has depression. They like each other. The end. It misses the substance, the days on end in bed unable to drag yourself out. Being so sensitive that you burst our crying during a conversation. A partner is not always the solution. All in all it was an interesting premis that got boring within the first few episodes. This should have been a limited series.
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Dealing delicately and with mental health issues.
The series touches upon depression and other mental health issues which are still too often ignored, dismissed or brushed under the carpet. Dealing with this weighty topic needs a light touch, and the series has done that quite nicely with a balance of seriousness and humour. At times the dialogues and scenes are comical, and at other times serious or painful. I see this as a good way to approach these difficult topics in a way that doesn't end up making the series too heavy, serious and hard to watch.The kid brother Ba-Da was cast as being quite irritating and excessively immature for his age, but it did not distract too much from the buildup of the main plots and the interactions between the main characters. I really liked the sweet interactions between the secondary ML/FL, that was heartwarming specially towards the last few episodes. The development of the relationship between Jeongwoo and Haneul was a pleasure to watch, though I would have loved to see deeper conversations and more depth and dimension to this relationship.
Yes, some mysteries and sub-plots were resolved early on without dragging them for the whole 16 episodes, but the series doesn't hinge entirely on those plots, rather, it's about the underlying issue of mental health during the good and bad times that pervades all the episodes. PHS's expressions and comedic timing were perfect. On the whole, I enjoyed the show and liked how it was wrapped up neatly with a positive message.
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Just ok
The writer gave a good effort with the twist in the story I guess, but this drama could have been way better. The last 4 episodes seemed unnecessary and had serious lack of excitement. The couple's chemistry was either frosty or cringey at times. The secondary characters were simply put, background noise to fill space. What I liked the most were the ost and the ML's acting.Was this review helpful to you?
Cringe and Funny at the same time
Situational comedy, romance with tons of shines. The two main characters have too much patience. There is a state of contrast that marks the entire series, the good and bad moments are linked fluidly, with small hints for k-drama connoisseurs. It is not too overwhelmed even though it is about "mental illnesses", as much as it is a way of drawing attention to the fact that they are often encountered and should not be stigmatized. It's warm, the way each characters grows, accepts themselves as they are and discovers that they can be loved.It's a series for the bad days where you laugh a lot, with the characters but also about the absurd situations.
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Good portrayal of depression.
Overall 8/10🌟🌟🌟🌟
The drama is very captivating at first as I was really invested however I ended up dropping it towards the end for a few months before watching the last episode! Doesn't really stand out among the other dramas of 2024, however I really enjoyed the character development and relationships portrayed. Dr. Slump successfully showed how depression can seem like a blow out of nowhere for the person diagnosed. One can be so used to bottling up that it doesn't even become apparent to oneself that you are mentally unwell and tired. I appreciated how they showed her healing process and that depression is not something to be scared of. The drama can be a bit cringe at times but overall the drama was really good. Would definitely recommend watching!
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This review may contain spoilers
All Storms Eventually Pass
There is a blessing in hitting “rock bottom.” There is only one direction to go: up. There is also a blessing in knowing that whatever problems or troubles you are having, they will pass.Life is all about perspective. How you perceive something determines how you choose to experience it. If you don’t like the experience you’re having, then change your perspective. There is no one in existence who hasn’t endured hardships. Even masters have gone through everything you are going through and have gone through. So, what’s the difference? They simply changed their perception as well as used wisdom to ask the right questions. Life isn’t about having all of the answers but about asking the right questions. Why am I going through this? What is it that I’m trying to teach myself in this moment? The late and great Kobe Bryant never referred to his hardships as “problems.” He called them “challenges.” See how changing one word can change how you perceive something?
“Doctor Slump” is about two competitive doctors who suddenly find their lives turned upside down by circumstances. Remember the immortal words of Rocky Balboa, “Life isn’t about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” And these two loveable characters get knocked down to their knees, but ultimately, they find a way to get back on their feet. This is also why, as a viewer, I found myself cheering for them both.
Dr. Yeo Jeong Woo is a brilliant plastic surgeon with a heart of gold. It’s hard to imagine this guy hurting anyone. He finds himself set up during a botched surgery that destroys his reputation and finds himself in dire, financial straits as well as facing criminal charges. And yet, he does his best to take care of his friends. Dr. Yeo Jeong Woo has a boyish charm and a wonderful sense of humor, thanks to actor Park Hyung Sik whom I’ve seen in several series. He has a gift for charm and comedy as well as being able to effortlessly harness the pain and despair he goes through.
Dr. Nam Ha Neul is an up-and-coming anesthesiologist who finds the dissertation she’s worked on being stolen and altered for a greedy, corrupt supervisor. Her own reputation is destroyed when she confronts him, even knocking him to the ground, which was far better than he deserved. Dr. Nam Ha Neul may perceive herself as weak, but she’s far stronger than she gives herself credit. Her pain and despair comes from guilt; guilt of not being there for her father as well as allowing a previous supervisor to take advantage of her. Park Shin Hye is equally captivating in her role. She has a sweetness that is undeniable and a light and glimmer in her eyes and smile. And yet, when either of these actors has moments of despair, we feel it.
The premise of this series is that no one should be afraid to seek help when needed. An even more important premise is that you are your top priority. You must take care of yourself first. It’s a losing battle to try and take care of others without, first, taking care of yourself. Putting others first is a road lined with resentment, guilt, and anger. And perhaps the third premise is learning how to be there for someone and letting them be there for you. Most people fail to realize that quite often, the best way to help someone is to just simply be there for them. It may not seem like a lot, but ultimately, it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give them. The beauty of a rock is that it’s just there. It doesn’t have to move or do anything. And everyone can be a rock for someone in their lives.
What makes this series so enjoyable is that there aren’t any needless melodramatic twists or turns. No silly love triangles or mountainous conflicts that we know are just there to add some conflict. The series is light despite the fact that it never makes light of the trials and tribulations of others or the pain that they are going through.
The greatest obstacle to pain is suppression. It’s been stated that the quickest way out of something is through it. To avoid it or try to find a way around it is to simply bring about needless suffering. Pain in life is inevitable. Suffering, however, is always optional.
Park Hyung Sik and Park Shin Hye have undeniable chemistry in this series which is why it works so well. I think they may be my favorite couple after “Our Beloved Summer.” I love the goofiness that Park Hyung Sik brings and the sweetness of Park Shin Hye as well as the fact that, while both characters are going through pain, they’re both fighters and are determined to come out on top. They are inspirational as well as captivating.
The only aspect of the series that didn’t quite work for me was the second romance between Bin Dae Young and Lee Hong Ran. It just didn’t feel needed, and it was as though the writers were trying to fill some empty space with a romance that just didn’t feel organic enough. Not to mention that the only romance that I cared about was between Yeo Jeong Woo and Nam Ha Neul.
So, the next time you get “knocked down” let this series serve as a reminder that every storm always passes. Don’t be afraid to experience pain. It’s still the quickest way out. Never give up. Keep fighting and keep moving forward. Don’t forget to make yourself the number one priority, and lastly, once you get yourself firmly anchored, be a rock for someone and just be there for them and let them be there for you.
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Good But Not Perfect
I enjoyed this and watched to the end. The messaging about mental health, supporting your partner in their career, and the importance of family was nicely done. However, it was definitely super over the top at times, even for a k-drama, and the acting could feel quite exaggerated. If you watch episode one, you'll get a good sense of the overall vibe. At any rate, this was fairly solid and I was rooting for Haneul and Jeongu throughout the show. I became quite attached to them, as well as their friends' romance, and was glad to see the quiet happiness of the ending.Was this review helpful to you?
Speaking of cringe, I wasn’t sure whether Hyung Sik was supposed to be a plastic surgeon in this drama, or a dentist, because the abundant times of him flashing his pearly whites were as if he’s trying to drum up sponsorship from Colgate. So it’s no wonder that, with his high visibility, that he’s an easy target. He went from high-profile to lying low in a nano-second, and somehow ends up staying at his ex-rival, previous crush’s house, because Korea is THAT small.
And while both Ha Neul and Jeong Woo’s careers are in the dumps, they cling to each other like Jack and Rose aboard the small wooden door from the Titanic. Their acting could not save them both from this drama, but you know who does? Surprisingly, it’s the rest of the cast, who were more natural in their roles. Seong Ha and Yoon Park have this cute chemistry going on as the second couple, and they were adorable as Hong Ran and Dae Young. Both single parents leading busy lives and were awkward with their own children, but somehow could lend each other support and give sound advice for the other.
I also particularly loved Jang Hye Jin as Ha Neul’s mother; I’ve seen her in many dramas and she’s just that lovely ahjumma who embodies the nurturing figure, while trying her best to understand her daughter despite initial misconceptions. By no means perfect, she tries to impress her nosy, one-upping relatives, and in the end, learns to accept that her children’s health and happiness are more important than having illustrious careers.
Another weak point in this drama is the surrounding mystery of how Jeong Woo’s patient died, or what made him the scapegoat for that death. Although I sensed who the culprit was from the beginning, I didn’t know that there were other layers in how this came to be. I wasn’t sure whether it was necessary to the plot, but I guess the writers deemed them important enough to include them in the drama.
There were other half-assed attempts at introducing characters into the drama who bear very little relevance, aside from showing the juxtaposition between real friends who stick with you or pretend friends who are only with you, when things are going great.
Ultimately, this series aims to tell you that misfortunes happen, but when they happen, it is how you cope with them that matters, and having supportive friends and family who help you along the way is a crucial part of that journey.
IMHO, this show delivered the right message with partly the wrong execution.
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Old kdrama vibes
This particular drama has nothing so special but reminds me of nostalgic days back when I started watching kdramas both the leads had amazing chemistry awkward kiss and silly tropes .Them acting in a cute way and competing was my favourite part. It took me 7 hours to finish this kdrama and I enjoyed it .
Not too boring it was okkk give it a try you all will love it .
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