By ANNE LOCSIN

This may not be the usual theme for a medical drama, but such a vibe can be felt in all three epic seasons of the Korean medical drama, Dr. Romantic. The episodes are undoubtedly filled with fast-paced, suspenseful, and heartbreaking medical emergency cases, but the often assertive, sometimes hardheaded, yet extremely talented and hardworking doctors, nurses, and staff of Doldam Hospital also portrayed how to aspire for something, to fight for that aspiration, and to wait for that aspiration to be realized.

Master Kim Sabu (Han Suk Kyu) is an enigmatic medical prodigy—his skills are unmatched as much as his personality is mysterious. His unorthodox approach as a triple-board certified surgeon and his distant demeanor toward his colleagues are both impressive and annoying, yet those impressive and annoying traits are his love language. They may hate him at first, but that hatred does not stop Master Kim Sabu from showing his brand of tough love that leaves them challenged, in awe, and puzzled about his true intentions. It may seem that he gave up on those whom he vehemently confronts, but he continues to mentor and support them, mistakes, apprehensions, nervousness, growth, and all, even by just listening and observing on the sidelines.  After a few disagreements and intense surgical procedures, the hatred vanishes and no one wants to let go and leave his side. Confusing, but romantic indeed. 

Just like Master Kim Sabu, Doldam Hospital is also a contradicting medical mystery. At first glance, the new doctors hate their fate, having to transfer to a small and shabby hospital in the middle of nowhere, and then they realize that the small and shabby hospital is growing on them, and the plan to escape from change fades away. The rival doctors and staff do not stay as such for long, relationships that falter are suddenly reconciled, and they eventually find common ground in which set aside their differences and work together. Suddenly, they are doctors who dutifully and wholeheartedly save lives even with limited resources and in tight spaces, helping and reading each other’s minds while caring for and protecting the small and shabby Doldam Hospital. With such care and dedication, the dream of building the Doldam Trauma Center becomes a reality, standing as a testament to the team’s unwavering hard work and belief to Master Kim Sabu’s teaching—to save the patient no matter what. 

Having a third season of Dr. Romantic has also been a journey of waiting and change. It came at the right time when everyone and everything was ready. Han Suk Kyu, Lee Sung Kyung, Ahn Hyo Seop, and all the other actors went out of their way to return and reprise their roles with exceptional acting and an unparalleled level of commitment and loyalty to the franchise. The result is a truly entertaining new season, imparting realistic and relatable life lessons with elements of romance, friendship, and career, all neatly sutured together. From the script to the soundtrack to the direction, Dr. Romantic 3 has maintained its charm and romance, with a surprising ending that leaves us longing for another season to cure our loneliness and post-K-drama withdrawal syndrome.

I wish there is a place like Doldam Hospital, a place where we could find ourselves, find purpose, and find healing. I wish we could meet someone like Master Kim Sabu, Dr. Seo Woo Jin, Dr. Cha Eun Jae, Nurse Oh Myung Shim, Nurse Park Eun Tak, Dr. Yoon Ah Reum, or Dr. Bae Moon Jung, someone who will guide us, support us, and stand by our failures and victories. 
And that is the romance of Dr. Romantic. Cut.