Dr. Romantic: Best Korean Drama Series Review 2025

Dr. Romantic (2016): An Insightful Dive into Morality, Romance, and Human Connection

Introduction

“Dr. Romantic (2016)” aka “Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim” is not just another medical drama; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of ethics, professional responsibility, and the intricate web of human relationships. This series on Hotstar has captured the hearts of viewers with its compelling storytelling and rich character development.

Philosophical Depth and Character Dynamics

One of the key strengths of “Dr. Romantic” is its ability to delve into the complexities of what defines a ‘good’ doctor. The show masterfully navigates the blurred boundaries of medical ethics, challenging viewers to ponder the moral dilemmas faced by healthcare professionals. The multifaceted character of Dr. Kim, played by Han Seok Kyu, embodies the intricate balance between professional duty and personal integrity, making him a captivating anchor for the narrative.

Emotional Patient Cases and Romantic Subplots

The series seamlessly intertwines heart-pulling patient cases with the personal storylines of the main characters, adding depth and emotional resonance to the overarching narrative. The slow-burn romance that develops in the background adds a poignant touch to the plot, offering moments of warmth and connection amidst the high-stakes medical drama. The chemistry between the characters and the cathartic release of their emotional arcs make for a truly engaging viewing experience.

Themes of Society, Humanity, and Family

Beyond the medical setting, “Dr. Romantic” also delves into broader themes of society, humanity, and the essence of human connection. The portrayal of Doldam hospital as a close-knit family, the exploration of hospital politics, and the interactions between characters highlight the complexities and nuances of interpersonal relationships. The camaraderie, bromances, and occasional verbal conflicts within the diverse cast add layers of charm and authenticity to the storyline.

Dr. Romantic 3 | Teaser | Disney+ Singapore

Watch This on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VjVhGVcNTw

If life or death was in your hands, would you go down without a fight?

Conclusion: A Must-Watch for All Audiences

In conclusion, “Dr. Romantic” transcends the boundaries of a typical medical drama by offering a multifaceted narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant. Whether you’re drawn to intriguing philosophical debates, heartwarming romance, or compelling character dynamics, this series caters to a wide range of audience preferences. The unique blend of medical drama, ethical inquiry, and human emotion makes “Dr. Romantic” a standout choice for viewers seeking a captivating and soul-stirring K-drama experience.

Closing Note

If you’re looking for a drama that challenges your perceptions, tugs at your heartstrings, and leaves you pondering life’s complexities, “Dr. Romantic” is a must-watch. Dive into the world of Doldam hospital, where medical miracles meet moral quandaries, and discover the beauty of human resilience and connection through this exceptional series.

Review by People

This is how medical dramas should be done!

All of the medical cases were weaved into the story seamlessly. Excellently executed. Great characters. Master Kim embodied the righteous teacher you would want to learn from, who had made mistakes and had learned from them. He was such a mentor to the younger doctors in the hospitals. He inspired them. He also stood up for them, in many satisfying scenes.

I’ve seen a number of Korean medical dramas, and most of the time the surgery or medical cases only served as plot devices to move the story further along. More often than not, it was difficult to be invested in the cases. However, with this drama, each medical case really brought along a lot of emotions and drama, as you learn not just from the doctors, but also from the patients.

This drama especially reminds me of early days Grey’s Anatomy. Lots of heart. Lots of tension. Satisfying to watch when injustice is overturned, which the doctors face on an almost daily basis.

The romance, while light in this drama, is well done for its realism.

Watch this if you are in the mood for a medical drama and you will be drawn in by the doctors at Doldam Hospital, who put saving the lives of their patients above all else, as true modern day superheroes. Be prepared to drop some tears!

So I picked up this drama FINALLY after hearing and reading many good things about it. Romantic Doctor Kim took me through a roller coaster ride of emotions; some characters I hated up until about episode 15, other characters I truly cared for, and it was THOSE characters that kept me watching this drama. The main reason why I probably continued watching this drama even though the beginning of it was so rough for me was because I have an extremely soft spot for medical dramas. They’re my closet passion, so I think deep down I wanted to see what happened all the way to the end.

What made this drama so rough in the first half for me personally was the fact that I found Master Kim to be insufferable for more than the first half of this drama. It wasn’t that I disagreed with his reasons for giving such severe “tough love” to the other characters, I just didn’t agree with how severe and cut throat he addressed the desired character changes of the younger doctors he was trying to inspire to change. I think there were other ways for Master Kim’s character to have been written that would not have made such an extreme impression.

The fact that his character was written in such a rough and sharp fashion left me feeling bitter and angry on behalf of the other characters – which some people might say is a “good” thing because the writers got me emotionally involved, but to me, his character was enough to make me want to drop the drama. What actually kept me hooked was the young doctors aspiring to learn and specialize as well as the sick patients that came into the hospital requiring treatment. Which leads me to the acting in this drama.

The acting in RDK was phenomenal. All the actors, ranging from the main cast and supporting cast all the way to the guest roles who only played in one episode were absolutely moving in their roles. I truly cried nearly every episode which I simply attribute to the expertly chosen cast paired with the swelling soundtrack. The main actors did an exceptional job demonstrating raw emotions and character growth, which I found so incredibly awesome.

Honestly, I don’t think I’ll rewatch this drama. It wasn’t that it was bad or that I disliked it as a whole, I just struggled getting through the first half that I’m not sure I can get through it all over again. I *did* enjoy the humorous moments scattered throughout the drama, but I wouldn’t call this drama a romantic comedy at all.

The drama touches on very serious and emotionally charged topics in every episode that truly break your heart. The first half of this drama is really what brings down the rating of this drama for me with the second half of this drama bringing up the rating significantly.

I think the people who will enjoy this drama are those people who have a severe hankering for medical dramas with melodrama. I would not recommend this drama for someone who wants a light, fluffy, romantic comedy medical drama.
Another drama with similar tones and motifs would be Pinocchio, which I think was much more successful in portraying the moral issues and dilemmas tackled in RDK.

*****UPDATE after completing Romantic Doctor Kim Season 2*****
Season 2 was a huge improvement from season 1 – Dr. Kim was so much more balanced and well-written and the new characters were great! So glad I took a chance on watching season 2 after such a rocky experience with season 1! Definitely has me contemplating whether I should rewatch season 1 and season 2 altogether to see if my overall outlook is changed.

First of all:
If the only thing that keeps you from watching this drama is the title, just ignore it. Give it a chance and you may be surprised by it. It’s a story that tells about doctors who try to protect their ~romantic ideals and about doctors who yet have to come to their own ones as they grow with their difficult tasks day by day (and sometimes have to be pushed into the right direction). It’s a story that shows what doctors can be like if society and power-ruling wouldn’t interfere and darken single souls. Though this doesn’t mean the drama is free from money-driven betrayals that go along with the main plot. It’s still a k-drama thing.

Some of you may already know Han Seok Kyu and some of his works. If so, you might already belong to his fans. If not, this drama would be an excellent first try to get to know this wonderful, brilliant actor. His acting alone is worth a 10 and I have no doubt that he will also cast a spell over you – like he did with me some time ago.

His co-actors and co-actresses shouldn’t be disregarded either. Though they might not yet reach the level of this acting senior, they did a very good job themselves in supporting the story. I liked many of the face to face dialogues as they gave special light to the respective characters and left quite the impact sometimes.

But what I really loved and appreciated in this drama were all those small cases that happened all the time (and that helped keeping the pace and suspense of the story). Most times the guest actors were great with their short appearances and their stories really touched my heart. And I was pleased to see doctors deeply care for their patients in a way I imagine a doctor to be.

But although the drama itself was pretty good, I just had to take off a point. I got irritated every time an emergency occurred and they just stood there, arguing with themselves, arguing with others, having the whole staff watching them while nobody is actually working.

I do get that doctors are humans, too, and they can have a bad day or feel bad or whatever. But the whole thing doesn’t work when everyone plays along and nobody sees the actual emergency right in front of their eyes. A problem many medical dramas face and sadly, Romantic Doctor couldn’t escape that cliché either. Although it’s not as bad as I’ve already seen it in other dramas – this one is still bearable.

So, overall a great show worth watching – either you get bothered by the flaws mentioned above or you just ignore them. Your choice on missing out this wonderful drama or not ;)