Oh boy, Dong-joo's journey back from the self-absorbed pity party he is throwing for himself is going to be a long one after all. Our spoiled antihero continues to place his own emotions and needs first, but Teacher Kim will have none of it. Seo-jeong wakes up, but an equally honest treatment from their mentor awaits her. Dong-joo has no time to reflect, as the ER floods with patients and he must make an important decision.
Both series I currently cover are not done justice by their opening episodes, so I am glad to see that "Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim" has calmed down with the personal affairs of its leads which are not related to who they are as doctors. I know those will make a return and we still do not know Teacher Kim's (Han Seok-Kyu) story, but I hope those personal affairs will be covered at a better place than in the opening episodes.
I know Dong-joo (Yoo Yeon-seok) is supposed to be a romantic lead in part, but I am glad that the series does not romanticize his bad behavior anymore, which it certainly did in its premiere. Dong-joo has become bitter, self-centered and cowardly. The writer does not put too fine a point on the fact that he is a pretty lousy person and doctor at the moment. He has gone from someone who would bend rules to save lives to someone who falters in the presence of power.
He is also a lousy companion who is too preoccupied with his jealousy over a potential love rival to consider Seo-jeong's (Seo Hyeon-jin) condition and feelings. At the same time, he always seems to be fighting with himself. I am not yet sure how in touch with the reality of his flaws he is, however and I do not know if that is the creators' intention. I love the scene where he breaks down on the phone with his mother, because I see it as a powerful sign of guilt and therefore awareness.
Coming back to Seo-jeong, I am interested in her reasons for staying here for so long and having such an attachment to Teacher Kim. Is it just because he allows her to work and has inspired her as a doctor or has her mental condition created some form of dependency on his guidance and presence in her life? I am sure Kim is not so hard on her only due to the patients she might endanger. I am curious to discover their past.
As for our mysterious genius's late night adventures, I imagine he has his own betrayal and revenge story, which is probably related to our current known villain, Do Yoon-wan (Choi Jin-ho-I). Dramaland loves grand concepts and Big Baddies. I am invested in the show now, so I hope it keeps improving.
"Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim" is directed by Yoo In-sik, written by Kang Eun-kyeong and features Han Seok-Kyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, Seo Hyeon-jin and Kim Hong-pa.
Source:HanCinema
