K-drama Review: Doctor Cha (2023)

Title: Doctor Cha

Director: Kim Daejin

Writer: Jung Yeorang

Number of episodes: 16 episodes

Date of released: 15 April-4 June 2023

Watched on Netflix

Cha Jeong-Suk (Uhm Junghwa) is married to Seo In-Ho (Kim Byungchul), who works as a chief surgeon at a university hospital. He has a strict, sensitive and thoroughgoing personality. Cha Jeong-Suk has been a full time housewife for the past 20 years, after giving up her career as a doctor during her medical resident years. After all those years, she decides to restart her medical resident course.

***

How does it feel to work again as a doctor after 20 years being a housewife? Of course it won't be easy. Moreover if your husband is such an asshole who cheated on her and always disgrace her. Well, Cha Jeong-suk (Uhm Junghwa) finally took her last chance to change everything on her life.

The Story

After marrying Seo In Ho (Kim Byungchul) for 20 years, Jeong-suk realizes that she is not ever happy in her life. Those realization hit her after she got a major operation because of acute hepatitis. How her family treat is absolutely unreasonable and made her realize that she has wasted everything in life.

Therefore, with the encouragement from her mother and doctor, Roy Kim (Min Wookhyuk), Jeong-suk decided to pursue her residency again. Even though she became the oldest one in her batch, she do everything she can to get what she wants.

Of course, doing residency in her age won't be easy. She has to catch up with the younger resident out of everything. Then, she also has to mind about balancing her work as a resident doctor and responsibility as a mother. Everything is getting worse when her daughter actually needs her for her college preparation and the fact that her husband has an affair with his first love in college. It's such an hectic and emotional days for Jeong-suk.

The Opinion

Well, to be honest, I watch this drama in order to look for a light and comedic drama. In a way, it fulfills my expectations, but not really being my favourite. Doctor Cha, not like Hospital Playlist, focused on more the story of Jeong-suk and her family problem. So, it won't be a good drama for anyone who searches of medical drama.

I should admit that In Ho character is really annoying. I mean, geez. The guy who cheats on his wife is the worst. It's disgusting in my opinion. I really despise him. What kind of charm that he has to make those two bright and attractive woman ever fall for him? Sigh.

Then, this drama also emphasize the situation of a patriarchal family who is also degrading the daughter in law position. I sympathize more of Jeong-suk since her mother in law is also the worst. Just like In Ho. I think, it's the In Ho's family that like to degrade the other who hasn't the same level with them.

Near the end of the episodes, I didn't feel any emphaty at all to In Ho for everything's that happened. I feel that it's what he deserves. Cheater is a cheater and he shouldn't be forgiven ever.

Well, other than that, I love how Roy is such a charming character. Even though sometimes he got a ridiculous scene with In Ho, he still has that charm. To be honest, I also has guesses that Roy maybe like Jeong-suk. But, for Jeong-suk, a relationship with him won't work.

Conclusion

After binge watching half of the episodes, I think this drama is good to watch. Maybe there won't be any twist or dramatic scene, but the devotion of Jeong-suk to be a resident doctor despite her age should be give us spirit to not ever give up. Yeah, this drama is not that amazing, but still fresh. Just beware that you can feel to throw stone to In Ho when watching it.

7 out of 10 stars

Sincerely,