The popular medical K-drama Resident Playbook, a spin-off of the beloved series Hospital Playlist, will not return for a second season. Despite strong ratings and a dedicated fanbase, the show has been officially labeled a “limited series,” ending its run after just 12 episodes.
Fans had high hopes for a renewal, especially after the cast celebrated the show’s success with a trip to Bali. The trip was filmed as a special episode, adding to excitement about the show’s future. However, production sources confirmed that Resident Playbook will not continue.
The drama followed first-year OB-GYN residents at Yulje Medical Center, focusing on their struggles, friendships, and growth. It starred Go Yoon-jung, Kang Yoo-seok, Han Ye-ji, and Jung Joon-won, with cameos from Hospital Playlist characters. The show started with a 3.7% rating and climbed to 7.5% by its 10th episode, proving its popularity.
One major reason for the cancellation is its connection to real-life medical controversies in South Korea. The drama premiered amid mass doctor protests over government plans to increase medical school admissions. Some critics felt the show risked romanticizing the struggles of resident doctors, a sensitive topic during the strikes.
Another factor was the show’s classification as a limited series, meaning it was always planned as a one-season story. While fans hoped for more, producers decided against extending it.
Despite the cancellation, Resident Playbook made an impact. Its fictional K-pop group HI-BOYZ, featuring Um Jae-il (Kang Yoo-seok) and TXT members, even debuted on music charts. The OST When the Day Comes entered MelOn’s Top 100, joining other fictional bands like Eclipse from Lovely Runner.
Fans expressed disappointment online, with many demanding a second season.
“We are on the finale week. 12 episodes is not enough. Give us Season 2!”
“Season 2 please,” another fan wrote.
“NO ONE BOTHERS THEM IN BALI IM TELLING YALL LET MY DOCTORS HAVE A VACATION,” a fan joked about the cast’s trip.
The show’s realistic portrayal of residency life resonated with viewers. Unlike typical medical dramas with genius doctors, Resident Playbook showed young doctors making mistakes, dealing with burnout, and learning empathy.
Some viewers initially criticized the characters for being unlikable, but their growth won over audiences.
“The resident O I Yeong (Go Youn Jung) is the character who represents better the transformation, being heartless in the beginning to cry with the patients with the time,” a reviewer noted.
The drama also faced comparisons to Hospital Playlist, which had a warmer, more established group of doctors. While Resident Playbook was grittier, it carved its own identity by focusing on the chaotic early years of medical careers.
Despite its strong performance, the show faced tough competition. Its ratings were overshadowed by new dramas like Heavenly Ever After, starring Son Suk-ku and Kim Hye-ja.
Internationally, Resident Playbook ranked in Netflix’s top 10 in multiple countries, including India. However, it struggled to maintain momentum against global hits like Tastefully Yours, which topped charts in 23 countries despite low domestic ratings.
The cancellation leaves fans wondering if the story could continue in another form. Some hope producer Na Young-seok, known for his work on Hospital Playlist, might revisit the characters in the future.
For now, the Bali special episode will serve as a farewell. The main cast, including Go Yoon-jung, Kang Yoo-seok, Cynthia, Han Ye-ji, and Jung Joon-won, will appear in the trip footage, giving fans one last glimpse of their off-screen chemistry.
While Resident Playbook won’t return, its mix of medical drama, humor, and emotional depth made it a standout in 2025. Fans will likely keep asking for more, but for now, the story ends here.
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