Doctor John (2019)

A decent medical drama with lukewarm romance

I liked the medical aspect of the drama involving figuring out difficult diagnoses and treating patients. It was also interesting how doctors resolved the moral dilemma between saving lives and ensuring the quality of care for terminally ill patients, and, the moral implications of voluntary euthanasia.

I didn't really care for FL and found her a bit boring. At the beginning, she had her own story and trauma, which made her interesting. Later on, her arc was forgotten and she just obsessed over Dr. Cha's diagnosis involving a lot of overacted crying on her part. This was a bit disappointing because trauma was what allowed FL and ML to form a bond. Overcoming their issues together would've been an interesting character and plot development. The romance was also a bit underwhelming. After FL confessed, the story was left at that as the plot centered around Dr. Cha's illness until the romance arc was nicely wrapped up at the end in a feel-good way. I do like happy endings.

I did like the resolution to the Dr. Cha's/prosecutor's/nurse's arc relating to the murder of their children and the resentment from Dr. Cha's mercy killing of the suspect. We had a very genuine apology, a heart-to-heart conversation, healing, and moving on. I also liked that Dr. Cha helped with the prosecutor's cancer which allowed them to actually become friends at the end. This story left me feelings really good and hopeful that even the worst of tragedies can be overcome with forgiveness, acceptance, and moving forward.

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I can't finish it because what the hell is this drama :)

BTW this is just my opinion from watching 10 episodes. Maybe it will turn out better... But I'll drop it for now.

The plot is kinda good. But, it's very flat. And developed SO badly. Very badly. If you want to watch for medical drama, don't watch. It's just full of rare/unheard/not that common diseases.

First of all, I'm sorry but I find the girl annoying.
She looks like she needs to portray a strong woman but she keeps crying and thinking about that one problem... And she keeps following Yohan... And asking him some things... Also why is she falling for Yohan like too quickly almost? Like ☠️ sis
Also she always stops and stares. Or stops before going into a room or doing something. Girl. Just WALK. Also the way she hesitated in the first patient, the jail one. But when she finds out Yohan is a murderer, she quickly runs in the rain. Girl where's your priorities? The sick boy literally so sick. JUST SEND HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. Why did she even hesitate ☠️

The romance is unnecessary. One of the main part (Idek what's main anymore. So many things going on) is her trauma but it's like her life is evolving around that and that only. As if she doesn't have any life other than that.

Second of all, this is unrelated but the prison boy is kinda a good actor. Hoping he'll do well in the future.

The story is so much but so little. It's like Idk... Everything is happening but nothing is happening. You understand me? 😭

Character development? Nah.

Also I'm quite disappointed how Yohan isn't as cool as he was portrayed to be. But gotta admit he's still kinda cool. Maybe because Jisung is a good actor.

It's VERY SLOW. Like it doesn't feel like it's moving. It also feels like as if the same thing happens but in different theme.

It has a lot of things but not really solved.

The thing I'm most upset is that it has a potential to be good. Maybe great even.

They should focus on main things instead of making a lot of things occuring but nothing feels like the main thing. Just elaborate the main plots. The problem is, it's like there are no main plots. There are just plots.

Yohan could've been cooler. They could've stayed in prison longer, or not at all.

They can make of the patient died because of her, because she actually kept getting in the way when Yohan wants to treat some patients. And then she could've triggered by the trauma. Then, she can cry. Instead of crying everyday. Also her dad... It's not even important to keep him alive. It's just for the 'pain' quotes isn't it 😭😭😭 Could've just made him dead 1 year ago.

The first patient was so cool tho. And pretty heartbreaking. But it is not touching. It's like it's almost but not there. It's never there ☝🏻😭
It's like never touching or sad.

It's like I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE MEDICAL THINGY, NOT HER PROBLEMS AND CRYING.

Could've made Yohan the main MAIN character instead of shoving the girl as main character. Some of the problems look forced too...

Other than the way Yohan cooly treats the patients, even though it's not quite logic, other things are kinda ????????what???? Okay??? So???

I don't like this drama but the actors are pretty good actually.

Idek what the hell is going on with the storyline. That's the conclusion. Thank you.

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Nothing special to keep me interested

While I think the cast is very talented and good, I just couldn't continue the series. I almost made it halfway through but I decided to just drop it. Many people prefer shows such as "Dr. Romantic", so I will definitely give that a chance in terms of medical drama coupled with romance. Ji Sung has very pretty eyes and melted my heart one too many times, but that is not enugh to keep me interested :(.

I need to vent my frustration with Kang Mi Rae:
She is pissed at her sister, our female lead, because she accuses Kang Si Young to having given up on their father and basically supporting the decision to let him die. Euthanasia plays a big part in this drama, it is controversial, everyone has their own opiniions on that matter. I personally support the decision to let the father find rest after spending more than one year on a machine that does the "living" for him. The man had already accepted that he might die even before being admitted to the hospital, but the family (of doctors) cannot bear to let him go. While the female lead, her aunt and her mother silently wish to finally let her father go, Mi Rae opposes to it. I get it, she doesn't want to see her father die. Her behavior, however, is very frustrating. The way she treats her sister because of the incident is just awful. So much hatred, frustration and hostility for something that wasn't anyone's fault. Mi Rae acts like only her (medical) opinion and feelings matter, that only she is right, and it pisses me off so! much. In those moments it is very clear that it's not Dr. Kang Mi Rae who has these opinions, but Miss Kang Mi Rae, the daughter. At this point, it is selfish to keep the man attached to a bunch of machines just because you can't let go, however hard it may be. This isn't life that he's living, he's merely existing, unable to (ever) do anything at all (again). Her treating her sister like that is just AH very annoying.

Next, the two antagonists, that nurse and the prosecutor, I'll keep it short though.
I don't know, if I found out that a doctor ended a patient's life who 1) was TERMINALLY ill, meaning he would have died anyway (with or without clinical trial) (and also in hell lot of pain too), and 2) (lowkey more importantly) was a kidnapper who killed two children, I would choose my priorities differently. The nurse is pissed because she's against euthanasia and also thought the patient didn't deserve to die; the prosecutor is pissed because he's against euthanasia and the death penalty (in general). However, I found their targeting Doctor Cha invasive and weird. Don't y'all have jobs??? Just chilling in front of the hospital (or even in the building) and lowkey threatening him.... that is just harassment lmao, that makes you no better to be honest. Doctor Cha served his 3-year sentence and is now out and about, saving patients' lives. Their motivations were... i don't know weird.

The OST was cute but not that great. Chemistry was fine. Acting great but the story just didn't pull me in 100%. Si Young could be a lil nosy sometimes and do just a lil toooo much idk.

Overall, disappointing considering its hype, but I don't want to spend any more time on that show, I'll watch some other medical romance drama lmao.

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Better than Dr Romantic

I love watching Korean medical dramas specially since watching Dr Romantic. The stories and production are very detailed and realistic.

I was curious about this series since I saw it had high ratings. Definitely no regrets on this one!

I first saw Lee se young in Kairos and found her really pretty and expressive. I loved her role here. Very determined and really pursues what she wants. Ji Sung is such a revelation. I have actually never seen any of his works because I mostly watch recent dramas. High time to go back and watch his previous works, I guess.

I love his voice, and his delivery of lines. Very apt for his role as a doctor when calmness is somthing that could put a patient at ease. His character is full of tenacity and he is really driven when it comes to his profession.

I would probably rewatch this from time to time....

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Brilliant

One of the best dramas ever. Doctor John truly focuses on real and unique issues/cases. I feel like Doctor John is fairly accurate considering how it tries to show the necessity of properly catering to any patients and the idea/morality of euthanasia [not the same as assisted success]. The first episode is epic, Doctor John performs surgery on himself and became the king or leader (not literally but everyone fears him since then) of jail without intending to. The series is top-notch, however, it does intend to exaggerate a lot especially ML's ability to analyze and executed surgery but ML is a patient himself [CIP - can't feel pain] who tries to understand his patient's pain merely through their description or body characteristics/reaction like rashes and itchiness so it's understandable. According to researches, missing one of our senses usually intends to enhance other senses based on individual needs and environments. The ending is similar to most dramas where ML goes missing and comes back which was cliches; I really didn't enjoy it however I was the happy cause of the happy ending.

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Doctor John is an emotionally charged and captivating Korean drama that flawlessly blends the medical genre with intriguing mysteries and complex characters. Ji Sung delivers a brilliant performance as Cha Yo-han, a gifted anesthesiologist with the unique ability to read his patients’ pain. Teaming up with Lee Se-young, who portrays the intelligent and determined resident Kang Shi-young, they navigate through challenging medical cases and unravel the truth behind each patient’s ailment.

One of the standout qualities of Doctor John is its engrossing storytelling. The writing explores not only medical ethics but also delves into the depths of the human psyche, making each episode thought-provoking and enthralling. The medical cases brilliantly capture the emotional and psychological aspects of the patients, presenting a multi-dimensional portrayal of healthcare professionals and their intricate connection with their patients.

Moreover, the chemistry between Ji Sung and Lee Se-young is palpable, adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. Their characters form a captivating duo on-screen, grappling with personal dilemmas and unearthing past traumas. The exceptional performances of both actors breathe life into their characters, amplifying the intensity and making their journey all the more compelling.

Doctor John also fearlessly addresses important societal issues such as addiction, mental health, and the shortcomings of the healthcare system. By shedding light on the challenges faced by both doctors and patients, the drama emphasizes the significance of empathy and understanding in delivering proper medical care.

Visually, Doctor John is a treat for the eyes, featuring aesthetically pleasing cinematography and realistic portrayals of medical procedures. The medical setting is convincingly depicted, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the world of the characters and enhancing the engagement with the medical cases.

In conclusion, Doctor John is a must-watch drama for enthusiasts of the medical genre and those seeking complex characters and intricate storylines. It strikes a perfect balance between medical mysteries and emotional depth, leaving audiences both entertained and enlightened. With its impressive performances, skillful storytelling, and thought-provoking themes, Doctor John stands out as a Korean drama that should not be missed.

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Como falar de Doctor John? Sabe quando iniciei estava com um pé atrás pois o último dorama com Jisung não me agradou, mas me surpreendi positivamente. Não digo que é um dorama fácil pois mexe totalmente com princípios morais, onde cada episódio me fez pensar muito sobre vários aspectos e sobre o que acho certo e errado. Como por exemplo se você fosse um médico salvaria um assassino de crianças? Sei que por juramento todos devem, mas a questão não é essa, ou exemplo, se alguém que ama não pode mais sair do estado vegetativo você o deixaria ligado a máquinas e prologaria sua vida?

Sim, cada pergunta e questão toca em feridas profundas e trazem questionamentos, até onde a ciência pode controlar as vidas? Um médico deve escolher tratar mesmo quando seu paciente quer morrer? São inúmeros questionamentos, mas alguns de seus temas principais são dor, eutanásia. Então já deve perceber quão pesado ele pega e como traz muitas discussões, o legal é que nenhum momento toma partido, ele deixar o espectador escolher sobre os próprios princípios.

Há tanto que posso falar aqui que mesmo assim não conseguiria fazer jus ao dorama todo, então destacarei relações ao invés de descrever os personagens principais. Primeiro temos uma irmã que culpa a outra sobre algo haver com pai de ambas, vi muitos chamando sua Mi rae de chata, não estou dizendo que não é, mas tentei a entender, ela se sente culpada por não ter estado quando pai precisava ao mesmo tempo que acha de Si Young poderia ter feito mais, isso gera raiva, por isso a achei bem humana, eu sinceramente não sei o que sentiria se estivesse em situação semelhante.

O mesmo sentimento a raiva está presente em uma enfermeira ou melhor uma mãe que perdeu sua filha de forma cruel, por isso queria que o assassino sofresse uma vida dolorosa, com a morte rápida do mesmo ela decide jogar este sentimento ao um inocente como forma de continuar viva. Ao meu ver injusta e doentia essa forma.

Promotor aqui vemos como alguém pode passar a linha tênue entre ser um bom profissional a transformar seu trabalho em obsessão. Não tinha visto ainda alguém tão obstinado, se isso tivesse sido usado para outros casos com certeza ele seria o mais honesto de todos, mas de novo sua obsessão o cegava, mesmo assim sempre esteve ao lado da lei.

Sobre o romance, eu raramente shippo pois é difícil um casal me prender, mas aqui não teve jeito, eles tinham conversas só com olhares.

Uma coisa que tenho que destacar é como doutor John fazia com que todos que todos seus pacientes entrassem em suas zonas de conforto como se ele projetasse isso como uma barreira de conforto, por exemplo a sala de hospital virou ringue para o lutador, mas ao mesmo tempo o dele próprio é como um quadrado de vidro e ele é a borboleta que sempre tenta se libertar, mas é frágil ao toque. Em resumo, o dorama é sobre dor e emoções.

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Surprisingly disappointing. Good story though the logic is super off. Terrible character design.

Story Plot [+]

It's a very good story - good plot on the ML's life, quite a few of thought-provoking/impressive/inspiring moments, but the character design on the villain side is the worst. It's a story full of clever people who are intentionally unprofessional and prejudiced.

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Logic of the story [-]

I don't understand why so many people in the story try to say that a person who can't feel physical pain due to an illness isn't approved to be a doctor as well as put all the blames on the person. This logic comes out so forcefully. The series tries super hard to make this claim valid, but it still feels super off.

I don't understand either why people like the prosecutor take the idea of euthanasia of consent, terminally ill patients as something to be so vengeful toward the doctor who is willing to help the patients. It's to the point that he wants to destroy the doctor's life and career as well as put him into jail even though the action of the doctor complies with the patient's desire. This topic of euthanasia is surely a socially debatable topic. But the opposing side in this series takes this issue very personally to the point of personal grudge and vengeance. It's so extreme without a proper root or cause that would help the viewers to understand and empathize with, thus their actions feel very off. It's like this series has devalued this social issue by portraying the opinions from the opposing side as illogical to the point of absurd and psychopathic. This topic that is worth being discussed has become some nonsense, personal issue of the irrational villains.

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Character Design [-]

The first one is the prosecutor who is competent but blindsided and has the habit of rushing to a conclusion. I don't understand his competence at all. These traits of his must prevent him from being clearheaded enough to be able to have an objective analysis on his cases. Not to talk about his vengefulness in destroying an ex-verdict without a proper cause. I don't understand his long-term vengeance towards the ML who has no personal issue with him. He often blames the ML that the ML euthanized his patient to make his own mind feel at ease by not having to see the patient being tortured from the terminal illness, but he also says the ML doesn't have the right to treat patients because ML has an illness that makes him not able to feel pain thus he wouldn't understand patients' pain and just does the scientific experiment on human's bodies due to curiosity via medical treatment. Is this kind of contradictory logic supposed to come from a character who is a competent prosecutor?

The second is the hospital-management-team doctor who openly attacks the ML on all sorts of unreasonable issues no matter how nonsense the issue is to start with. It's like he is clouded by a kind of hatred that doesn't have a cause, either. The ML isn't even a threat to his position. I don't understand his stupidity at all. In reality, all the blames he openly puts on the ML would normally harm himself back as a high-level doctor. It would easily cause people to be skeptical about his qualification in his position that needs objectivity and analytical skills. I don't understand at all how he's in the hospital management team with this kind of intelligence.

The third person is the female villain of the story. She's designed to be an extreme emo. She is a stalker who is vengeful towards a murderer who killed her daughter, but later shifts all the hatred and vengefulness to the ML who put the murderer to death. I understand her upset, but this vengefulness is so offset. I don't understand how it is shifted to the ML and even after the ML was imprisoned for 3 years, she still stalks him and is willing to destroy his career and his life after he was released - all of this because he killed the murderer who had killed her daughter?! I don't understand even more when the prosecutor agrees with this person's perspective (though his son was also killed together with the daughter, his character is positioned to be highly rational.) The prosecutor always believes that he is righteous in what he does, but all his actions contradict what he thinks he is. This female villain and the prosecutor make this series super absurd and drag the overall score of the series down immensely.

With this kind of character design, this story becomes too unreasonable, excessively absurd and overly melodramatic.

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Acting [~]

I would say the acting of the ML carries the whole series. I watch this series till the end only because of him and the struggle in his life with his illness and his profession's experience. The FL's acting is off from time to time. I watched her in Red Sleeve before this one and let me say her acting doesn't improve as the years passed. The second ML's character design contradicts itself at the beginning of the story and that contradiction makes me feel off about him for the whole series. The second FL's acting and expression are not good enough to be a second FL. All other supporting roles' actings are just so-so.

By the way, I don't feel any connection in the FL's family at all. They all work at the same hospital, see one another very often, and always have interactions, but these people who are FL's mother, uncle, aunt and sister don't look like they're related at all -- not related to the FL and not to one another. There's zero family relationship among them even when they're in the same scene talking face-to-face to each other.

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High promises, dire results

I hate to leave bad reviews....so let's start positively.

First, I love the two main leads. Seen them both in several dramas, and have always enjoyed the performances, particularly Ji Sung's. His performance in 'Kill Me, Heal Me' was truly spectacular. They are just as good here and the chemistry between them is great. The supporting cast is also good.

The story covers a sensitive subject quite thoroughly and lots of philosophical questions, issues and viewpoints are raised and discussed. I love that too.

However. Oh dear. However, having watched well over 150 dramas in the past year, this is one of the very few (less than 10) that I have given up on before the end. I'm a real fan of kdramas. I like their quirkiness, their corniness, their fun, their cleverness. I really admire the ability that actors, directors, scriptwriters and producers of kdramas have to consistently give us high-quality entertaining, thought-provoking dramas which charm us into full forgiveness for their cliches. I am frequently charmed into forgiving those horribly-done trip-ups so the lead lady can fall into the lead guy's arms, and all that cheese. I'm frequently brought to tears by the more real and emotional dramas, and I frequently laugh loudly at the comedy. I honestly love kdramas. But not this one. I have watched up to Episode 6 and I feel so completely dispirited that I have to stop. Not even these two great leads nor their potential as a possible future couple can keep me here. Why?

The series thus far has had a number of medical life-or-death "emergency" situations. What happens during those situations in this drama? One or other of the main leads is needed but not around, there follows a ridiculous amount of running by one lead to go find the missing lead...then the two leads have a nice calm little philosophical discussion. The "eureka" moments at these times were more like "hm, okay" moments. They are followed by some very painfully extended meaningful gazes and a totally unrealistic 180-degree change of mood and motivation once the right thing has been said. Only then can our two leads 'rush' to go and successfully help the patient when all the other doctors (who have now spent the last 'critical' 6 or 7 minutes at the patient's bedside) have failed to do. And if that isn't stretching reality enough, there is one point in the drama where a hospital VIP has a resus emergency....where no less than 22 doctors (that's twenty-two, and yes, I counted them) are stood spectating outside the patient's room while five more are carrying out the resus attempt. And our lovely leading lady arrives AFTER all those other white coats because she's been philosophising elsewhere. I know, I know, it's a kdrama. But really??

Just four minutes into Episode 1 it really had me hooked. The setting and basic character intro was just oozing potential. I really thought this was going to be amazing. Fast forward to the end of Episode 2. A couple of slow-moving situations didn't bother me at this point - those I can forgive. But honestly, from there.....most of that grand promise just dribbled away like the scriptwriter's sleepdrool. When Episode 3 finished, my interest was really fading but sometimes that happens with kdramas and things pick up.....so I still watched on. By the end of Ep 4 I found myself wondering how many Episodes there were - always a bad sign - and (key point) before I checked, found myself hoping it would be only 12. Not 16. I found out there are 20 episodes.

I did try. I managed to push through two more episodes hoping something might improve and keep me here, but absolutely nothing improved. Nothing. Really.

Sadly, the horribly random script-writing, patchy direction and the ridiculously long periods between the moments of emergency and their required actions is (to Ep 6 at least) an ongoing formula for the show.

I think this high-quality cast was badly let down by this drama. Ironically, it's almost painful to watch. For me this is a DNR.

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