Cover Meet the new residents of Yulje (Photo: tvN)
Meet the new residents of Yulje (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
‘Resident Playbook’, the ‘Hospital Playlist’ spinoff, introduces a new class of doctors at Jongno Yulje. Meet rising stars Go Youn-jung, Shin Shi-ah, Kang You-seok and Han Ye-ji.
Resident Playbook, the highly anticipated spinoff to the hit K-drama Hospital Playlist, is finally here. Set in the OB/GYN department of Jongno Yulje Hospital, the new series introduces a next-generation cast of resident doctors—each with their own quirks, aspirations and emotional baggage.
This time around, it’s not the familiar five. Instead, a bright young ensemble takes the lead: Moving star Go Youn-jung, rising actress Shin Shi-ah, K-drama favourite Kang You-seok, and newcomer Han Ye-ji. Whether you’re in it for the medical drama or the heartwarming friendships, these characters are poised to win over fans as the hospital’s newest recruits.
Also read: 8 slice-of-life K-dramas with no villains—just love, growth and healing
Go Youn-jung as Oh Yi-young, the reluctant resident
Above Reluctant resident (Photo: tvN)
Reluctant resident (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
Oh Yi-young (Go Youn-jung) is back at Jongno Yulje—reluctantly. Bright, privileged and disinterested in hospital life, Yi-young is repeating her residency after her family’s fortunes take a turn. While technically present, she’s emotionally checked out, often teetering on the edge of quitting.
The role is played by rising star Go Youn-jung, a familiar face to fans of the hit series Moving on Disney+, where she impressed with her emotional range and action chops. She also starred in Netflix’s Sweet Home alongside Song Kang and Lee Do-hyun, and in the sweeping fantasy Alchemy of Souls opposite Lee Jae-wook. Coming up, she’s set to share the screen with Kim Seon-ho in the much-anticipated romance Can This Love Be Translated?
See also: 4 Things To Expect From Season 2 of Hit Korean Fantasy Drama, ‘Alchemy of Souls’
Shin Shi-ah as the stylish Pyo Nam-kyung
Above Yulje’s fashion fairy (Photo: tvN)
Yulje’s fashion fairy (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
Pyo Nam-kyung (Shin Shi-ah) is young, pretty and easily the most stylish resident at Jongno Yulje. She also seems determined to compete with Yi-young who, to her frustration, couldn’t care less. Enamoured with the prestige that comes with wearing the white coat, Nam-kyung quickly finds herself overwhelmed by the harsh reality that comes with it: long hours of backbreaking work, relentless demands and countless sleepless nights.
Nam-kyung is portrayed by Shin Shi-ah, best known for her breakout role in The Witch: Part 2. The Other One, as well as a supporting part in The Old Woman with the Knife. Resident Playbook marks her official K-drama debut.
Kang You-seok as former K-pop idol Um Jae-il
Above Former K-pop idol (Photo: tvN)
Former K-pop idol (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
A K-pop career behind him, Um Jae-il (Kang You-seok) has redirected his brainpower towards medicine—only to find he’s still struggling to stand out. Hard-working but frequently overzealous, Jae-il is often more of a handful than a help, though his dedication is undeniable.
You may remember Kang You-seok as Yang Eun-myeong, the underachieving younger brother to IU’s Geum-myeong in the recently concluded When Life Gives You Tangerines. He also played Kim Woo-bin’s young protégé Yoon Sa-wol in Netflix’s Black Knight, and had a memorable turn as one-half of the Shin twins from Sandbox in Start-Up.
Don’t miss: 7 hidden details in ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ that fans spotted—but you might have missed
Han Ye-ji as Kim Sa-bi, the model student on a learning curve
Above Most bookish resident (Photo: tvN)
Most bookish resident (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
Model student Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji) was number one in medical school and came number one in the national exams. By all accounts, she’s destined to be number one resident of Jongno Yulje’s OB/GYN department, too. But her strictly by-the-book approach to doing things—to doing everything, really—may be hurting her more than its helping. And while she excels academically, her bedside manners leave much to be desired.
This marks Han Ye-ji’s first appearance in a K-drama, but if her portrayal of the shy but sharp Sa-bi is any indication, she’s a name to watch.
