Missing Hospital Playlist? You’re not alone. Luckily, Resident Playbook is here to fill that void. Now that we’ve hit the halfway point, the spin-off is only gaining momentum, recently scoring its highest viewership with episode six hitting an impressive 5.5% average nationwide rating. This is it if you’ve been waiting for a sign to start watching.
From chaotic first-year residents to surprise nostalgic cameos and a star-studded killer OST lineup, here are four reasons Resident Playbook deserves a spot on your watchlist.
1. A New Chapter in a Familiar Universe
Resident Playbook is a spin-off of the popular series Hospital Playlist. It follows the realistic and relatable lives of first-year obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) residents at the Jongno branch of Yulje Medical Center. Our characters navigate the chaos of both work and personal life while striving to become exceptional doctors.
Resident Playbook might live in the Hospital Playlist universe, but it proudly writes its own story. Instead of following the seasoned professors we came to love in Hospital Playlist, we’re walking alongside first-year OB-GYN residents who are just starting to figure things out in scrubs and life.
Oh Yi-young (Go Youn-jung), Pyo Nam-kyung (Shin Si-a), Um Jae-il (Kang You-seok), and Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji) aren’t polished or perfect. They’re overwhelmed and constantly second-guessing themselves. Every day throws something new at them, whether it’s a procedure they can’t quite get right or steering awkward conversations with people they barely know. Some days, it’s praise. Other days, it’s tough love. But that’s what makes their story hit home.
We see ourselves in their fumbles, frustrations, and wins. It’s relatable and refreshingly honest. While it shares the same heart as Hospital Playlist, Resident Playbook stands on its own with a voice that speaks to where many of us are now, tackling the early career struggles as Gen Zs.
2. A Fresh Setting with Even Bigger Heart
While Hospital Playlist brought us into the bustling main branch of Yulje Medical Center, Resident Playbook shifts the action to its Jongno branch. This spin-off centers around the OB-GYN department, where the stories don’t stop at doctors and nurses. We meet expectant mothers, patients, and families experiencing their struggles and moments of joy, widening the lens of relatable narratives.
Creator Shin Won-ho shared that the team wanted to give the story a tighter focus by spotlighting the OB-GYN department that naturally captures a full spectrum of human experience from birth to illness, aging, and even death. It’s a setting that allows for stories rich in emotional nuance and meaning.
He noted that OB-GYN might be one of the few departments where tears and congratulations happen simultaneously. With obstetrics welcoming new life and gynecology often dealing with pain or the end of life, the department indirectly witnesses the entirety of life. He also explained that at its core, Resident Playbook is about all kinds of beginnings of new jobs, newborn babies, and new roles as mothers.
3. Cameo Check: Who You’ve Seen (and Might See Soon)
One of the most exciting aspects of Resident Playbook is its seamless connection to Hospital Playlist through meaningful and nostalgic cameos. During the press conference, creator Shin Won-ho confirmed that all five members of the original ’99s squad—Cho Jung-seok, Jeon Mi-do, Jung Kyung-ho, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Kim Dae-myeung—would be making special appearances in the spin-off.
He further revealed that “characters from Hospital Playlist will appear as cameos in nearly every episode.” Some cameos are lighthearted nods, while others carry deeper emotional significance that ties the two dramas together. The writer intentionally placed major characters where they naturally fit within the story.
Who we’ve seen so far:
Ahn Eun Jin made a surprise appearance as Chu Min-ha at the end of episode two. She was an OB-GYN resident in Hospital Playlist.
Moon Tae-yoo (Yong Seok-min) and Ha Yoon-kyung (Heo Sun-bin) popped in during episode three.
Jung Kyung-ho appeared in episode four as his original character, cardiothoracic surgery (CS) professor Kim Jun-wan, making him the first 99-liner to return.
Yoo Yeon-seok followed closely behind, reprising his role as gentle pediatric surgery professor Ahn Jeong-won in Episode 5.
Bae Hyeon-seong joined the cameo lineup in episode six, returning as CS surgeon Jang Hong-do.
Who might appear next:
Familiar faces like Kwak Sun-young, Shin Hyun-been, and Jung Moon-sung have all been mentioned as likely cameos. TXT’s Soobin and Yeonjun will also appear as former idol groupmates of Um Jae-il (Kang You-seok), adding a fun layer to the character’s backstory. TXT is also part of the drama’s OST lineup, making their appearance a treat for both K-drama and K-pop fans.
With these familiar faces already lighting up our screens, we can’t help but look forward to the remaining surprise guest appearances still in store.
4. An All-Star OST Lineup That Hits All the Right Notes
If there’s one thing the Hospital Playlist universe never misses, it’s the music, and Resident Playbook is no exception. This spin-off serves a stacked OST lineup featuring some of our favorite K-pop stars. Stray Kids’ Lee Know, Seungmin, and I.N, IVE’s An Yu-jin, aespa’s WINTER, (G)I-DLE’s MINNIE, Doh Kyung-soo (D.O.), TXT, and SEVENTEEN’s DK are all lending their voices to the soundtrack.
And of course, no Yulje drama would be complete without the return of Hospital Playlist’s legendary in-universe band, Mido and Falasol. Cho Jung-seok, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myeung, and Jeon Mi-do are back with their signature charm and harmonies that hit us right in the feels.
That’s not all. The official OST poster teases mystery artists, and fans are already guessing. Could Go Youn-jung, Kang You-seok, Shin Si-a, and Han Ye-ji—our Resident Playbook main cast—be among them? We wouldn’t be surprised if they serenade us next.
The Resident Playbook production team curated a solid OST lineup made entirely of young idols to reflect the story of young adults stepping into society. “We composed the lineup to match the story of youth beginning anew,” they explained. “We aim to enhance immersion through music that captures each artist’s unique personality and emotion.”
In addition, STUDIO MAUMC˚, the team behind the acclaimed Hospital Playlist soundtrack, returns to produce the OST for Resident Playbook. This time, the soundtrack will serve as a key element that guides the characters’ emotional arcs, moving beyond background music.
So far, tracks by Stray Kids, IVE’s An Yu-jin, aespa’s WINTER, (G)I-DLE’s MINNIE, Doh Kyung-soo (D.O.), and Mido and Falasol have been released. If you haven’t tuned in yet, we’ve got you covered. Check out the official Resident Playbook OST releases below!
“START!” — Lee Know, Seungmin and I.N (Stray Kids)
“Sunny Day” — An Yu-jin (IVE)
“On Such a Day” — WINTER (aespa)
“Amateur” — Mido and Falasol
“Breath” — MINNIE ((G)I-DLE)
“FOREVER” — Doh Kyung-soo (D.O.)
We’re still waiting (not so patiently) for TXT, SEVENTEEN’s DK, and possibly our new favorite residents to drop their songs soon. Let’s just say our playlists are ready!
Whether you’re a longtime Hospital Playlist fan or diving into Yulje Hospital for the first time, Resident Playbook has something special for all of us. The drama is currently airing on Netflix, with six episodes already out and more on the way. So if you haven’t started, now’s the perfect time to catch up.
Will you be tuning in? Share your thoughts and excitement with us on Instagram and X/Twitter!
Featured Image Credit: tvN Drama Official X
