'Resident Playbook,' set to air in April, faces backlash
"Resident Playbook" is finally set to air in April, following a yearlong delay credited to negative public sentiment stemming from a prolonged nationwide doctors' strike. But the series is facing criticism before its release, as many residents who resigned in protest of the government's decision to increase the quota for medical school admissions have yet to return to work.
"Resident Playbook," a highly anticipated spinoff of hit drama series "Hospital Playlist," stars Go Youn-jung and Shin Si-a as obstetrics and gynecology residents at Yulje Medical Center. It follows the rookie doctors as they navigate the hectic world of hospital life, encountering various patient cases while also pursuing personal and professional growth.
The series was initially scheduled for a March 2024 release following tvN's megahit "Queen of Tears."
However, the series launch was postponed amid hostile public sentiment toward doctors, as doctors and medical students went on strike over the government's plan to increase medical school admissions.
With a growing number of patients failing to receive treatment, public sentiment turned sharply against doctors who refused to return to hospitals. The series faced further delays as the doctors' strike prolonged.
The broadcaster announced that the series will premiere on April 12, but the strike continues to cast a shadow over the show's debut.
The show's creator has responding to criticism by emphasizing that the central focus of "Resident Playbook" is the characters' personal growth.
Shin Won-ho, the series producer, said in a press release that "Resident Playbook" is "a story about all beginnings in life, such as friends just starting their social lives and babies newly born into the world. Watching various characters experience awkwardness and grow ... will allow viewers to laugh, cry and share emotions together."
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