Good Doctor

Good Doctor is a 2013 South Korean medical drama with twenty interesting episodes. Starring Joo Won, Joo Sang-wook and Moon Chae-won, Good Doctor revolves the daily struggles of first year residents trying to survive in the competitive world of challenges.

Plot

With an enraged father who finds his son an embarrassment for being diagnosed with autistic savant syndrome, Park Shi-on is soon abandoned by his both his parents and sent away to a specialized childcare center. As he grows, Shi-on shows impeccable interest in the medical field with a genius memory. With enough passion and skill, Shi-on enters the field of pediatric surgery and becomes a first year resident. Because of his autistic syndrome, many of the hospital staff members are doubtful and don't want him aboard. Shi-on is then given six months to prove he's capable of handling the stressful career.

Seen as childlike and unprofessional, Shi-on is critically analyzed as an unfit member of the residency. Surgeon Kim Do-han is the most strict when coming down to the meek situation at hand. Hot-headed and known as a senior member of the hospital staff, Do-han has little faith in Shi-on's success and claims the man will never be able to become a pediatric surgeon.

As if Shi-on has nothing more on his plate to worry about, he finds himself falling in love with Cha Yoon-seo, a senior colleague.

Overall

I think Netflix has a horrible way of describing certain dramas and movies. Good Doctor happens to be one of them. When I first was browsing through Netflix, the description elaborated an intense love triangle between two doctors fighting over another colleague. I thought to just give it a chance regardless and Good Doctor, in all honesty, is nothing like that. I was completely taken aback by the severity of this complex k-drama.

I love how controversial Park Shi-on's disabilities were when he wanted to fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a doctor. From the beginning you're left cheering for Shi-on, especially since his past is not only heartbreaking, but vile. To think children actually go through physical and emotional abuse in itself is sick, but adding on brewing hate from a child's disability bothered me to a degree unable to be explained. After the death of his oldest, Mr. Park turned to violence to cope for the loss of his "perfect son". And Mrs. Park was left burdened and alone.

Both parents individually abandoned Shi-on so he was left alone and taken in to a specialized care center. Turning his abandonment issues to a newer sight at hand, Shi-on catches the attention of a university hospital official who then encourages him to continue with his dream.

What I really like about Good Doctor is the reality of the situation. The straight-forward disapproval of all the staff members and residents when Shi-on is introduced as a resident himself is intense. The fact that no one has faith in him and Shi-on is meant to rise up to the occasion gives off an underdog vibe which is fantastic in this setting.

Also, the summary of this drama indicates that it's a romance, but it's honestly so much more than that. The so-called "love triangle" wasn't even a love triangle at all. While Shi-on finds himself falling for Cha Yoon-seo, Kim Do-han finds himself to be infatuated with her. He never really makes a move on Yoon-seo as he's already in a committed relationship (which has its severe ups and downs). And on another note, Yoon-seo never shows her interest in Do-han who in her eyes is a superior.

While romance is expressed throughout the drama, it's not part of the main storyline.

If you're a fan of medical dramas, a bit of clichéd romance, and an emotional adventure (yes, prepare some tissues), Good Doctor will not disappoint!