Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Dr. Romantic, which has been captivating audiences worldwide with its powerful blend of medical expertise, inspiring mentorship, and heartfelt stories of healing in unexpected places.
Dr. Romantic premiered on SBS TV on November 7, 2016, and has grown into a beloved franchise with three complete seasons. The series ran from 2016 to 2023, delivering a total of 64 episodes across all seasons with an average runtime of 60 minutes each. Available on Netflix in multiple regions, this Korean medical drama created by Kang Eun-kyung follows the legendary surgeon Kim Sa-bu, who abandoned his prestigious career to work at a small rural hospital.
The series centers around Doldam Hospital, a modest medical facility where the enigmatic Dr. Kim Sa-bu serves as chief surgeon and mentor to young doctors seeking their true calling. What makes Dr. Romantic extraordinary is its focus on the transformative power of authentic medical practice, where saving lives matters more than politics, profit, or prestige.
The drama explores themes of redemption, mentorship, and finding purpose in unexpected places. The tone balances intense medical procedures with deeply human moments, creating a viewing experience that’s both thrilling and emotionally resonant. Each season introduces new residents who arrive at Doldam Hospital broken or disillusioned, only to discover their true potential under Teacher Kim’s unconventional guidance.
Teacher Kim: The Legendary Surgeon with a Hidden Past
Han Suk-kyu delivers a masterful performance as Kim Sa-bu, known to his students as “Teacher Kim,” a legendary surgeon who mysteriously abandoned his prestigious position to work at a rural hospital. His character represents the ideal of what a doctor should be: brilliant, compassionate, and utterly dedicated to saving lives regardless of a patient’s social status.
Teacher Kim’s backstory unfolds gradually throughout the series, revealing a man who chose principles over prestige and authentic medicine over hospital politics. His teaching methods are unconventional but effective, pushing his residents to their limits while never abandoning them when they struggle. Han Suk-kyu brings gravitas and warmth to the role, creating a mentor figure who is both intimidating and deeply caring.
The evolution of Teacher Kim from a mysterious figure to a beloved father figure forms the emotional backbone of all three seasons. His ability to see potential in broken people and guide them toward healing, both professionally and personally, makes him one of Korean drama’s most compelling characters.
The Residents’ Journey: From Broken to Brilliant
Each season introduces new residents who arrive at Doldam Hospital carrying emotional baggage and professional disappointments. In Season 1, Kang Dong-joo (Yoo Yeon-seok) and Yoon Seo-jung (Seo Hyun-jin) represent different approaches to medicine and life, both transformed by their experiences under Teacher Kim’s guidance.
Seasons 2 and 3 continue this pattern with Cha Eun-jae (Lee Sung-kyung) and Seo Woo-jin (Ahn Hyo-seop), each bringing their own struggles and growth arcs. The residents’ transformations aren’t just about becoming better doctors but about becoming better human beings who understand that medicine is ultimately about serving others.
The chemistry between the residents creates compelling relationship dynamics, from professional rivalry to deep friendship, romantic tension to mutual respect. Their individual and collective growth throughout each season provides viewers with satisfying character development that feels earned and authentic.
Doldam Hospital: Where Miracles Meet Reality
Doldam Hospital itself becomes a character in the series, representing everything that’s right about medicine when it’s practiced with pure intentions. Unlike the prestigious hospitals featured in many medical dramas, Doldam is humble, under-resourced, but overflowing with heart and dedication.
The hospital serves as a sanctuary where both patients and doctors can find healing. The medical cases featured throughout the series range from routine procedures to life-threatening emergencies, each handled with the same level of care and attention. The show excels at demonstrating how excellent medical care isn’t about having the fanciest equipment but about having skilled, dedicated professionals who truly care about their patients.
The supporting staff at Doldam, from nurses to administrators, creates a family atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the competitive, political environments of larger hospitals. This sense of community becomes central to the show’s appeal and message about what healthcare should be.
The Three-Season Evolution: Building a Medical Legacy
The series has maintained consistently high quality across its three-season run, with each installment building upon the established foundation while introducing fresh elements. Season 1 established the world and characters, Season 2 expanded the scope and deepened relationships, and Season 3 brought everything full circle while setting up potential future storylines.
The continuity between seasons creates a rich, lived-in world where character development feels organic and relationships evolve naturally. Long-time viewers are rewarded with deep character knowledge and emotional investment that spans years, while new viewers can start with any season and still appreciate the storytelling quality.
Success on Netflix: A Global Medical Phenomenon
Dr. Romantic has achieved an impressive 8.4 rating on IMDb, reflecting its exceptional quality and universal appeal among international audiences. The series’ success on Netflix stems from its perfect balance of medical accuracy, emotional depth, and inspiring storytelling that transcends cultural boundaries. With 64 episodes across three seasons, the show offers substantial content for viewers seeking a complete, satisfying medical drama experience. Critics consistently praise the series for its authentic portrayal of rural healthcare challenges and its commitment to showing medicine as a calling rather than just a career. Dr. Romantic proves that audiences worldwide crave stories about mentorship, redemption, and the transformative power of finding your true purpose in life.
If you love medical dramas with inspiring mentorship, authentic rural hospital settings, and stories about finding purpose through healing others, Dr. Romantic is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This Korean masterpiece will restore your faith in the nobility of the medical profession and the power of dedicated teaching.
Dr. Romantic delivers a powerful testament to authentic medical practice, proving that the greatest healing happens when doctors remember why they chose to save lives in the first place.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 64 episodes across 3 seasons (Season 1: 20 episodes, Season 2: 16 episodes, Season 3: 16 episodes)
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 8.4/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Medical Drama, Slice of Life
Protagonists: Han Suk-kyu (Kim Sa-bu/Teacher Kim), various residents across seasons including Yoo Yeon-seok, Seo Hyun-jin, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyung
Antagonist: Hospital politics, medical corruption, personal trauma and self-doubt