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Surgeon Bong Dal Hee korean drama review
Completed
Surgeon Bong Dal Hee
0 people found this review helpful
by desshou
Oct 11, 2018
18 of 18 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 7.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers
I remember that the first time I watched this drama a few years ago, when I was also new to kdrama, I thought it was way too long so I skipped many parts just looking for the romance bits. Therefore, I decided to rewatched it again last week, this time properly.

Story - I think the concept is quite interesting, the struggles of a young doctor in possibly the most demanding period of her life. However, one thing I didn’t like much, in the beginning Bong Dal Hee is the newest there and of course the most inefficient but, because it fits the plot, she quickly finds herself undertaking procedures and surgeries none of the other interns who have been there for months before her had yet the opportunity to perform. Later on, because of her plead and special place in Ahn Jong Geun’s heart, she even gets to participate in most if not all of his surgeries. Even when she runs away from the hospital without further notice (for the second time!) Ahn Jong Geun is still saving her spot and not letting any other intern join him in the operation room. As a result, after a few months she’s shown as an innate doctor while the skills of the other interns don’t seem to have developed much.
Personality-wise, I think Bong Dal Hee is actually difficult to deal with. She’s generally portrayed as humble and agreeable even when being wronged by other doctors, but she never showed much consideration towards others and would quickly withdraw into her own world when things didn’t go well. I didn’t like her personality in the epilogue either, like a know it all.
The side story with the other couple already begun with a big issue into which we increasingly get more information on throughout the drama. Communication between the couple is scarce and inefficient, so the issue is dragged and only solved practically at the end of the drama. I’m even okay with that, but I ended up disliking the wife doctor who was made too proud, unreasonable and selfish of a person. I mean, this person who loved her husband so much and was raising a child with him couldn’t get over her pride to ask him for forgiveness? Couldn’t reveal the name of the biological father and felt betrayed when he asked?... she embarrassed him in front of his uncle and the whole hospital and the man had to literally be about to die for her to just get out of her pedestal and open up to him. I felt no empathy towards her at all.
It’s no wonder the ex-husband felt drawn to Bong Dal Hee. Inadvertently, she was the only one there for him.
Even Ahn Jong Geun would always hear the female doctor out and not say a word, but kept on pressuring the other doctor to sort things out as if everything were his fault.
The background story of the Ahn Jong Geun was also good.
Many details here and there were left unclear, at least to me (e.g. why exactly was he abandoned after all?) and I thought many scenes could have been better explored (quality over quantity), but overall I still feel the story was okay.

Cast - I’ve read some reviews of people complaining about how old the male lead looks and the age gap between the couple. I actually think they look as what they ought to look - she in her late twenties and he in his late thirties, possibly early forties. I know the drama itself claims Ahn Jong Geun to be like 32 years-old (the other male lead 35 yo) but I find that unacceptable. At least in my country medical school takes many years to finish, they’re too young to be as experienced as they’re and be considered top surgeons in Korea’s biggest hospital. That’s what the story claims, but yeah.
I also think that the drama could have its name changed to Surgeon Ahn Jong Geun, because the man simply stole every single scene he was in (the drama would probably be more interesting from his POV as well. Oops). Even though his lines were usually short, sweet and, at times, sufficiently awkward, the short man with big eyes and small glasses had great charisma and facial expressions. Definitely no lack of emotion there.
The biggest flop in the cast is really the main character... appearance-wise she looks okay. She’s not exactly gorgeous, but it’s not because of her stunning beauty that she finds herself in a love triangle anyway. Even her very unathletic way of running (sorry) could be due to the fact that she could never exercise much even as a child. However, her poker face at most times doesn’t fit the character and doesn’t make her look any smarter. As other people also mentioned, there’s no chemistry between the leads and I think it’s her fault. You don’t really feel she loves him anymore than she did before, or more than she did the other doctor. She’s just there. I can even understand what they were going for - a lot of emotion expressed with very few words - but the matter of fact is that it doesn’t seem to work with this actress, her face isn’t very expressive.
Jeez, also can’t forget how awkward that last peck was... what would otherwise be a warm scene. But that I think it’s the director’s fault.

Music - nothing worth of mentioning.

Rewatch Value - I actually think it’s worth rewatching, if not only for the medical stuff and Surgeon Ahn Jong Geun. The case of the boy with cancer was particularly sad, so I will probably skip that one next time.
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