Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist (2022)

Healing drama they said, Healing drama it was.

If the objective of the drama was to make every shot look like a painting from that time period, that was successfully satisfied. The soft cool color grading and the sweeping shots of the fields and single trees: a dream! The chemistry of the whole cast especially the clinic family was so tightknit and so much fun to watch. Many of the previews were describing it as a healing drama and due to the sincerity of the script and the casts’ skills in thoroughly portraying their character’s traumas and how they got them, I actually did feel like it was a healing drama because we went through that process with them. However, I wish they included more “psychiatrist counseling therapy” cause that’s in the title, leading to my main complaint that there was too much screen time for the antagonists planning their evil plans only to be basically re-explained later. It was nice to see the different patient cases that Poong and the Gye Soo clinic family would help, just like in other modern medical dramas. However, I think the build up to the climax at Hanyang would have accelerated (and not dragged a little like some reviews had said about the middle half) if all of the cases had either developed Poong and Eunwoo as medical practitioners (skill and counseling wise) or if each case had given us clues about the "final battle" at Hanyang discovering who killed the king and how they got away with it. Some of the patient cases felt a little rushed being resolved and were just there to grow the sweet relationship between Eun woo and Poong (those moments I won't complain about because they were all highly anticipated for me personally:). There should be a trigger warning in the first episode (at least) because the make up team did an incredible job of making all the “soft gore” stuff look really real. The OST (especially Solji’s and Sohyang’s) really illustrates the mood of the drama and the background instrumentals were sometimes really funny during appropriately comedic scenes esp with the off tune flutes whenever Manbok said/did anything (he is truly comedy central haha).

To me, it looks like the directors and the screenwriters had the overall goal of making a healing drama and went in that direction while successfully balancing mystery, romance, and family comedy on their plate. It wasn’t too much for each genre, contributing to an overall very soft healing drama…except for the last ep.
So here I am rewatching each episode AGAIN for the nth time while I wait for season 2 after almost losing IT to that cliffhanger.
Final note: the two main leads Hyang Gi and Min jae are obviously seasoned actors because all their emotional scenes tore my heart out. Deep sincerity in their eyes and body language every time.

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More of a smooth scenic drive than an emotional roller coaster ride

On the surface, a story about a royal physician framed for conspiracy against the royal family, and his quest to right the wrong done to him may not be a candidate for a feel-good show. However, Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist was surprisingly chill with beautiful cinematography, soothing color palates for the sets and outfits and a great selection of songs and background music.

Even-keeled, endearing and easy to watch - this drama was one of those shows that go down smooth and make one smile. There were conflicts, melodrama and palace politics but nothing heavy that dragged me down and stressed me out. That said, there was also nothing intense that left me waiting in anticipation for the next episodes. Overall, it was the kind of show where one can leave the world behind for a bit, get a temporary mood boost and not think too much about it until the next episodes aired.

The story followed the adventures of physician Yoo Se Yeop/Poong, who after exile, ended up with a makeshift family headed by Kye Ji Han, a village doctor running the Gyesu clinic. Having suffered PTSD and unable to use his acupuncture skills, Poong ended up healing people by focusing on their emotional issues. Hence his transition to becoming more of a psychiatrist.

The Gyesu clinic family was hilarious and I enjoyed watching how they did so much to uplift and support each other in their own ways. Their interactions were so organic that I could feel the love, warmth, and camaraderie among the different characters. It was an ensemble cast guaranteed to constantly entertain. The villains fell flat though, almost farcical in how stereotypical they were.

There was romance but a slow burn kind; a perfect cocktail of sweet and silly as our young couple navigated through their awakening feelings of love and attraction for each other. Watching the natural buildup of a relationship between Poong and Sun Woo was time well spent.

In general, the cast did a great job. I see the potential in Kim Min Jae and Kim Hyang Gi but as main leads, they are not quite there yet. Something is missing, and they just don’t have the lead aura yet and they do need to hone their emoting skills further. I am sure that they will get there after a few more dramas.

Music-wise, some songs were not what I would expect from a historical drama. Still, they were fitting for this drama and I really like the instrumental pieces that underscored the more poignant scenes.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this drama and I felt that it never got the views and higher ratings that it deserved. While I would have preferred a lovely happy ending to Season 1, I am happy that there will be a season 2 which is expected to air in January 2023.

Soundtrack:

By Your Side (사랑스런 너의 곁에) - Solji (솔지)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKTfioKlWa8
https://open.spotify.com/track/3beMVL4X8krvydjvUToFTm

I Guess I Like You (그댈 많이 좋아하는가 봐요) - Hello Gayoung (안녕하신가영)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF7YJY8rY08
https://open.spotify.com/track/7IP4kpJo2r5EGvKmQIpjtG

She (반짝이는 그대여) - Standing Egg (스탠딩 에그) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-3dkb6AkIM
https://open.spotify.com/track/0BnIEkvcwpCH0UhPUqtUTg?si=005aa1e2a1ff43dd

Luminous (눈이 부시게) - Sohyang (소향)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvufDr9GhwQ
https://open.spotify.com/track/3fQTr5geEQ2q8kgdqx44gl?si=f3c18dc76a32475e

Starlight (별빛처럼) - Xydo (시도)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR6SfjFa0ms
https://open.spotify.com/track/24dSyqfPW6WNzdegehvuBw?si=70fa3a46920442bf

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