Not as dark as, say, House MD, these Korean series are sure to make an entertaining watch.
If you think hospital dramas are all like Grey's Anatomy, with its endless love triangles and dramatic surgeries, then you've got to check out these 15 medical K-dramas from Korea; they're a whole different game, mixing in that unique K-drama magic of heart-fluttering romance, gut-wrenching drama, and moments so funny they'll have you laughing out loud, all set against the backdrop of hospitals and the lives of those who work in them.
Here are 15 of the best medical dramas Korea has to offer (along with the info on where to actually stream them in 2024):
1. "Good Doctor" (2013) Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
Park Shi-on, an autistic savant, overcomes prejudice and skepticism from his colleagues and patients to become a pediatric surgical resident, proving his extraordinary medical skills and navigating complex hospital dynamics and personal growth.
2. "D-Day" (2015) Stream it on: Viki, Apple TV+, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies
After a major earthquake devastates Seoul, trauma surgeon Lee Hae-sung finds himself leading rescue operations, treating victims, and managing scarce resources at a makeshift city hospital, while battling hospital politics and his own brother's corporate greed.
In the power struggle between the hospital's emergency medicine department and the new CEO who seeks to privatize the hospital, Ye Jin-woo, a compassionate but stoic doctor, becomes embroiled in the conflict, uncovering corruption and fighting to protect patient care.
4. "Hospital Playlist" (2020) Stream it on: Netflix
Five doctors, who have been friends since medical school, navigate their complex personal and professional lives while working together in the same hospital, sharing love for music by forming a band as a creative escape.
5. "Dr. Romantic" (2016-2023) Stream it on: Viki, Hulu, Kocowa+
Genius but eccentric surgeon Boo Yong-joo, now known as Teacher Kim, mentors two young doctors with contrasting personalities and backgrounds at a small, under-resourced hospital, instilling in them passion, empathy, and the essence of being a true doctor.
6. "Surgeon Bong Dal Hee" (2007) Stream it on: Kocowa+
New cardiac surgeon Bong Dal Hee, despite having a heart condition herself, faces challenges in the competitive and demanding field of surgery, finding love and mentorship along her journey to becoming a respected surgeon.
7. "Descendants of the Sun" (2016) Stream it on: Viki, Hulu, Kocowa+
In a war-torn country, Captain Yoo Shi-jin, a South Korean Special Forces officer, and Dr. Kang Mo-yeon, a surgeon, fall in love amid disaster relief efforts but struggle with their conflicting principles of saving and taking lives.
8. "A Beautiful Mind" (2016) Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
Neurosurgeon Lee Young-oh, facing personal and professional challenges due to his inability to empathize with others, gets involved in a mysterious series of patient deaths, leading him to confront his condition and uncover a deep hospital conspiracy.
9. "Doctor John" (2019) Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
Anesthesiologist Cha Yo-han and resident doctor Kang Shi-young tackle the complexities of pain management in patients with chronic pain, while Yo-han faces his own legal and ethical battles surrounding euthanasia and his mysterious past.
10. "The 3rd Hospital" (2012)
After a sudden closure of their hospital, a neurosurgeon, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and other medical staff face the daunting task of rebuilding their careers and the hospital's reputation, navigating personal conflicts and challenges in patient care.
11. "Emergency Couple" (2014) Stream it on: ViX
Divorced couple Oh Jin-hee and Oh Chang-min reunite unexpectedly as interns in the same hospital's emergency department, where they confront their unresolved issues, rediscover mutual respect, and tackle the pressures of life-saving medical work.
12. "A Poem a Day" (2018)
A story of physical therapists, radiologists, and trainees in a hospital setting, focusing on their personal and professional lives, the healing power of poetry, and the small but significant moments that compose their days.
13. "Hospital Ship" (2017) Stream it on: Kocowa+
A dedicated medical team aboard a floating hospital faces the challenges of providing care in remote islands, where they encounter various patients and personal growth, led by a passionate surgeon seeking redemption for her past.
14. "Doctor Stranger" (2014) Stream it on: Viki, Kocowa+
Park Hoon, a genius doctor who was trained in North Korea, escapes to South Korea and begins work at a top hospital but gets caught in a tangled web of politics, love, and hospital rivalries as he tries to save his kidnapped love from the North.
15. "Doctors" (2016) Stream it on: Kocowa+
Yoo Hye-jung, a tough gangster turned compassionate doctor, overcomes her troubled past with the help of her mentor, Hong Ji-hong, as she tackles personal demons and professional challenges in her journey to heal others and herself.
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