tvN Announces New Schedule for “Resident Playbook”
tvN announced a shift in its broadcasting schedule for the upcoming medical drama “Resident Playbook.” Originally slated to follow “Queen of Tears,” the series will now air in the second half of 2024. This change paves the way for “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (Graduation),” starring Jung Ryeo-won and Wi Ha-joon, to premiere on May 11th.
“Resident Playbook”: A Spin-Off from “Hospital Playlist”
“Resident Playbook” is a new drama by PD Shin Won-ho and writer Lee Woo-jung, who created the hit tvN series “Hospital Playlist” in 2020 and 2021. The writer is Kim Seong-hee, who previously worked as an assistant writer on “Hospital Playlist” and “Reply 1988.” The director is Lee Min-soo, who directed “Drama Special Season 13: Stain” and “Drama Special Season 13: Let’s Meet in an Unfamiliar Season.”
While “Hospital Playlist” was set at Yulje Medical Center’s main branch, “Resident Playbook” will move to Yulje Medical Center in Jongno and focus on the hospital life of obstetrics and gynecology residents. Actors Go Youn Jung, Shin Shi Ah, Kang Yoo Seok, Han Ye Ji, and Jung Joon Won will play the roles of obstetrics and gynecology residents.
Delay Due to Current Events
“Resident Playbook” was originally scheduled to air in the first half of 2024. In particular, at the “MEET & GROW 2024” event held by CJENM in January, it was announced that the drama would be specifically scheduled for May, which attracted attention. However, since last month, there has been a lot of criticism of medical dramas due to the fact that major hospitals have been experiencing a shortage of medical staff due to the mass resignation of resident doctors. There were also concerns about “Resident Playbook,” which features a resident doctor as the main character, in the midst of the strike. tvN also admitted that “the recent atmosphere was one of the reasons why we decided to schedule the drama for the second half of the year.”
“The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” Takes Over May Slot
“The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” was chosen to replace “Resident Playbook” as the successor to “Queen of Tears.” “Queen of Tears” recently recorded its own highest ratings, with an average of 13.9% and a peak of 15% in the Seoul metropolitan area, and an average of 13% and a peak of 14% nationwide. It is also ranked 3rd in the world in the Netflix Global Non-English TV Series Top 10 Ranking (March 11-17).
“The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” is a new drama by director Ahn Pan Seok, who created the JTBC drama “Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food,” the MBC drama “One Spring Night,” and the JTBC drama “Secret Love Affair.” It tells the story of a secret and sweet romance between a veteran academy instructor, Seo Hye-jin (played by Jung Ryeo Won), and her cheeky student, Lee Jun-ho (played by Wi Ha Joon), who returns after 10 years. Jung Ryeo-won will play the role of Seo Hye-jin, a 14-year veteran Korean language instructor who has achieved the “miracle of Daechi-dong.” Wi Ha-joon will play the role of Lee Jun-ho, a new instructor who returns after 10 years and shakes up the daily life of his teacher, Hye-jin. “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” is scheduled to premiere on May 11th.
