Netflix’s Resident Playbook concluded its debut season with a heartfelt finale that prioritized character development over dramatic twists. The series follows OB-GYN residents at Jongno Yulje Medical Centre, highlighting their personal and professional journeys.
Across the season, viewers witnessed the growth, struggles, and evolving relationships of these young doctors, culminating in a finale that offered emotional payoffs while hinting at future developments. The show balances the challenges of a medical career with moments of warmth, camaraderie, and self-discovery, leaving fans both satisfied and eager for the next season.
Directed by Lee Min-soo and written by Kim Song-hee, Resident Playbook is a spin-off of the acclaimed K-drama Hospital Playlist. Lee explained that the choice of the OB-GYN department was deliberate, given its dual focus on birth and medical complications.
Obstetrics celebrates new life, while gynecology often confronts loss, making it a fertile ground for storytelling about growth, resilience, and ethical dilemmas. This setting allows the show to explore a spectrum of human experiences, making it both emotionally engaging and meaningful, particularly for the young residents navigating their early careers.
Yi-young’s Secret Romance and Career Challenges Shape Her Growth and Milestones
One of the season’s central storylines is the secret romance between first-year resident Oh Yi-young (Go Youn-jung) and senior resident Ku Do-hwan (Jung Joon-won). Throughout the year, Yi-young keeps their relationship hidden, worried about judgment from colleagues and the perception of commitment.
Subtle clues eventually lead her friends to suspect the truth. In the finale, Yi-young confesses to her friends but asks them to keep the relationship private within the hospital, reflecting her cautious approach to love amid a demanding professional environment.
Resident Playbook (Eggiscoming)Yi-young repeatedly considers quitting her residency, expressing doubt about her passion for OB-GYN and framing her stay as a debt repayment. A twist arises when she wins a lottery and contemplates resignation. However, she misses the deadline to claim her prize, ultimately remaining a second-year resident.
The finale celebrates her professional growth, showcasing her successful completion of a challenging procedure and receiving quiet recognition from her senior, Dr. Seo Jeong-min. Her achievements culminate with Do-hwan gifting her a bouquet and ring, symbolizing both personal and professional milestones.
Residents’ Professional Growth and Personal Bonds Lead to Promising Future Developments
Other residents also experience meaningful development. Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji) evolves from a detached, logical intern to a more empathetic doctor, forming deeper connections with patients. Um Jae-il (Kang You-seok) earns recognition from the stern Dr. Jo Joon-mo, who invites him to co-author a research paper, marking a major career milestone.
Their growing friendship takes a romantic turn, leaving their relationship open-ended but hopeful. This narrative emphasizes that professional accomplishments and personal bonds are intertwined, highlighting the human side of medical training.
Intern Tak Gi-on (Cha Kang-yoon) faces a career-defining choice: whether to join OB-GYN. Pushed subtly by Pyo Nam-gyeong (Shin Si-ah), Gi-on ultimately decides to pursue the department, creating a promising new chapter.
The finale portrays a touching moment at a bus stop, where Gi-on informs Nam-gyeong of his decision. Their handshake, prolonged and meaningful, hints at potential personal developments beyond the hospital. This ending underscores the series’ emphasis on growth, both in career paths and relationships, leaving audiences with optimism for the next season.
