Resident Playbook finally premieres after Koreans’ anger at doctors dissipates
While the ratings for new Korean medical-themed drama Resident Playbook, Episode 1 on Saturday night weren’t particularly ground-breaking, they were at least decent enough that it is likely they will improve for the K-drama’s second episode tonight.
What is more interesting, though, is that Resident Playbook finally premiered on tvN last night, after being postponed again and again due to an ongoing doctors/residents strike that turned much of South Korea sentiment against medical personnel.
That anti-doctor sentiment carried over from February, 2024 when the resignations/strikes began right through the end of the year and into early 2025.
So, there wasn’t much point airing a medical drama half of Korea would be too pissed off about to watch.
That being said, it wasn’t particularly fair to the actors, director or crew to postpone Resident Playbook as they had nothing to do with the medical strikes but, as angry Koreans had a good point, you can’t really blame them either.
Anyway, back to the Resident Playbook, Episode 1 ratings now the Korean drama has finally hit the airwaves.
Ratings for Resident Playbook, Episode 1
Like I said, while nothing groundbreaking, Resident Playbook, Episode 1 did grab 3.68 percent of the nationwide audience on Saturday night.
It also earned a higher 4.36 percent of the Seoul audience.
International ratings for Resident Playbook so far
Over on IMDB, the tvN/Netflix drama is earning a low 7.8 out of 10 from just 30 users, but that will likely improve as more viewers weigh in.
Especially as both Episodes 1 and 2 are receiving ratings of 8.3 out of 10 each.
As you might expect, however, the same trolls are out in force on My Drama List rating down Resident Playbook today after just one episode has aired.
Just like they always are when a new drama airs (unless it features a talentless former idol starring in a horribly-written rom-com, and then ratings are through the roof).
So much so, Resident Playbook is currently earning a crazy low 6.2 out of 10 on that platform.
Not remotely a reliable rating, of course, which is why I tell everyone do NOT take My Drama List’s ratings with anything other than total disdain for the people who run the platform as they allow this to happen again and again.
In other words, I suggest you watch Resident Playbook on Netflix, and make up your own mind.
Resident Playbook stars the excellent cast of Go Youn Jung, Shin Shi Ah, Han Ye Ji, Kang Yoo Seok, Han Ye Ji and Jung Joon Won, and in the supporting cast, two of my absolute favorites — Lee Bong Ryun (Crash Course in Romance) and Lee Chang Hoon (Delightfully Deceitful).
The Korean drama’s first two episodes are now on Netflix, with Episode 2 being a 90-minute-er.
UPDATE: Of course, after the trolls have slunk off back to the hole they belong in, true Korean drama fans are now rating Resident Playbook on MDL and, yep, its rating has skyrocketed.
Brit-American journalist based in Austria,. Former radio DJ at 97X WOXY, and Founder/CEO of Leo Sigh. I’ve covered K-drama, K-pop, anime, and manga news for over a decade.