MustSayGoodBye
Earthling
Value of a Sad and Pseudo-Life
Screenwriter Lee Woo Jung brought us a near-perfect script compounded by the Director’s vision revolving around the daily occurrences within a hospital setting of the value of a sad and pseudo-life. Shin PD and Lee Woo Jung are inseparable since 2012 as I like to call it the Shin PD/Lee Woo Magical Express-Down Memory Lane ride. The writers of Reply 1988 and Prison Playbook bashed it out of the park with a visual treat to be sui generis.
First, if you do not like this screenwriter, then I will save you the time, do not see this show. Every episode is about an hour fifteen to forty minutes long. It is the one drawback and only drawback to a drama with steady character development from the main leads. Read on if you are willing to maybe think about viewing Hospital Playlist, aka Sage of Life.
What is the reason why so many people were enthusiastic, ‘sad and happy? It was not your typical backstabbing hospital politics drama. It was a medical drama that broke the traditional framework and made us more aware of humanism; we called it empathy rather than a doctor's story. It was different from Life (2018), Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim (2016), or Chocolate (2019). The Director’s passion for editing without an editor was to complete a drama full of detail, and the nostalgic playbook of the Yoo Jung artist formed a sympathetic band beyond generations. I give kudos to the cinematography. Of course, it would be a drama for nothing without clichés sprinkled into the story.
First-rate acting at its finest. Actor Jo Jung Seok demonstrates his irreplaceable presence through his character Lee Ik Jun. Without spoiling when it occurs, I am naming the comical scenes his role creates with his company alone. He made some humorous scenes, “Das Vader, Pick Me dance, Frog King eyes, and subway guide,” which had become a central topic of discussion throughout the drama. One word his character generates DE-STRESS situations.
Jo Jung Seok’s whole character’s essence is the ability to mingle with several surrounding characters, focus on their work, and relieve them of their presence. Jo Jung Seok has developed a unique sense of life-tight acting, giving him persuasion and empathy for the situation and engaging in Anbang Theater style with a friendly fascination that we see with the ambassador in the show. It may be offputting, but his role intended to engage in comical antics.
If that is not enough, Kim Joon plays the winning and always hungry son Lee Woo Joo of Jo Jung Seok. His eyes are beguiling that can manipulate you to no end in sight. He is an impressive child actor who I am looking forward to in the coming years.
The heroine of the show actress Jeon Mi Do was phenomenal her first time on screen portraying a Professor of Neurosurgery. She has a unique screen presence and acting style from her critical success attributed to Anbang Theatre and Musical Theatre. The real eye-opener in the drama, not that she cannot act far from it; it is she cannot sing. Granted, we do hear her angel voice on the OST, but there is a stark difference, which the writers hit on this early. The chemistry with her co-leads is natural that a month or two months of acting cannot teach, but her years of stage/music theater taught her well. She did not appear stiff, which I consider that a plus.
Yoo Yeon Sook, Jung Kyung Ho, and Kim Dae Myung were equally impressive in their roles. You know the Director and Screenwriter did a marvelous job when the viewer can connect with working individuals in a demanding profession that do not get the respect they deserve every day. You will fall in love with Kim Da Myung’s stoic facial expressions/antisocial nature, Yoo Yeon Sook's kindhearted nature, and Jung Kyung Ho’s grave but tenderhearted answers to the patient's family. They are all talented gifted with musical talents, not just acting from the soul.
There were so many new and old faces; they all did a great job on screen. I am no medical expert, but in my eyes, the surgeries performed looked realistic to a certain extent, but like all medical shows bound to be slipups. You may find a slipup here and there, but do not let it discourage you from watching this extraordinary show. The only negatives are there is no real story. The story revolves around the lives of five friends working at a Medical Hospital, but do not let it influence your decision.
The OST was a hit in South Korea, and I, for one, liked the music choices. Every episode, the band the five friends meet once a week or when their schedule is not chaotic to perform a particular song. I viewed every episode at least two times, and the get-togethers are an intricate part of the story. What I got out of this drama, which I hope Season 2 continues this extraordinary story, friendship should not stop at College but extend into our workplace or virtual workplace long after we form attachments. Bonds damaged and amended along the way. One thing I am looking forward to how Season 2 OST will top Season 1 OST.
It is maybe not Bing-Worthy material, but savoring every minute may be an episode every other day. Watch the first fifteen minutes of the first episode if you like, watch the next fifteen minutes. It is all around a tremendous enjoyable show that will have you laughing, maybe tearing up, or cursing. I recommend this show even if it is a one time watch for you. Hop on the "Shin PD/Lee Woo Magical Express-Down Memory Lane ride."
Final Rating: 9.20/10
Story: 8.90/10
Acting: 9.76/10
Rewatch Value: I would rewatch it again in a heartbeat.
First, if you do not like this screenwriter, then I will save you the time, do not see this show. Every episode is about an hour fifteen to forty minutes long. It is the one drawback and only drawback to a drama with steady character development from the main leads. Read on if you are willing to maybe think about viewing Hospital Playlist, aka Sage of Life.
What is the reason why so many people were enthusiastic, ‘sad and happy? It was not your typical backstabbing hospital politics drama. It was a medical drama that broke the traditional framework and made us more aware of humanism; we called it empathy rather than a doctor's story. It was different from Life (2018), Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim (2016), or Chocolate (2019). The Director’s passion for editing without an editor was to complete a drama full of detail, and the nostalgic playbook of the Yoo Jung artist formed a sympathetic band beyond generations. I give kudos to the cinematography. Of course, it would be a drama for nothing without clichés sprinkled into the story.
First-rate acting at its finest. Actor Jo Jung Seok demonstrates his irreplaceable presence through his character Lee Ik Jun. Without spoiling when it occurs, I am naming the comical scenes his role creates with his company alone. He made some humorous scenes, “Das Vader, Pick Me dance, Frog King eyes, and subway guide,” which had become a central topic of discussion throughout the drama. One word his character generates DE-STRESS situations.
Jo Jung Seok’s whole character’s essence is the ability to mingle with several surrounding characters, focus on their work, and relieve them of their presence. Jo Jung Seok has developed a unique sense of life-tight acting, giving him persuasion and empathy for the situation and engaging in Anbang Theater style with a friendly fascination that we see with the ambassador in the show. It may be offputting, but his role intended to engage in comical antics.
If that is not enough, Kim Joon plays the winning and always hungry son Lee Woo Joo of Jo Jung Seok. His eyes are beguiling that can manipulate you to no end in sight. He is an impressive child actor who I am looking forward to in the coming years.
The heroine of the show actress Jeon Mi Do was phenomenal her first time on screen portraying a Professor of Neurosurgery. She has a unique screen presence and acting style from her critical success attributed to Anbang Theatre and Musical Theatre. The real eye-opener in the drama, not that she cannot act far from it; it is she cannot sing. Granted, we do hear her angel voice on the OST, but there is a stark difference, which the writers hit on this early. The chemistry with her co-leads is natural that a month or two months of acting cannot teach, but her years of stage/music theater taught her well. She did not appear stiff, which I consider that a plus.
Yoo Yeon Sook, Jung Kyung Ho, and Kim Dae Myung were equally impressive in their roles. You know the Director and Screenwriter did a marvelous job when the viewer can connect with working individuals in a demanding profession that do not get the respect they deserve every day. You will fall in love with Kim Da Myung’s stoic facial expressions/antisocial nature, Yoo Yeon Sook's kindhearted nature, and Jung Kyung Ho’s grave but tenderhearted answers to the patient's family. They are all talented gifted with musical talents, not just acting from the soul.
There were so many new and old faces; they all did a great job on screen. I am no medical expert, but in my eyes, the surgeries performed looked realistic to a certain extent, but like all medical shows bound to be slipups. You may find a slipup here and there, but do not let it discourage you from watching this extraordinary show. The only negatives are there is no real story. The story revolves around the lives of five friends working at a Medical Hospital, but do not let it influence your decision.
The OST was a hit in South Korea, and I, for one, liked the music choices. Every episode, the band the five friends meet once a week or when their schedule is not chaotic to perform a particular song. I viewed every episode at least two times, and the get-togethers are an intricate part of the story. What I got out of this drama, which I hope Season 2 continues this extraordinary story, friendship should not stop at College but extend into our workplace or virtual workplace long after we form attachments. Bonds damaged and amended along the way. One thing I am looking forward to how Season 2 OST will top Season 1 OST.
It is maybe not Bing-Worthy material, but savoring every minute may be an episode every other day. Watch the first fifteen minutes of the first episode if you like, watch the next fifteen minutes. It is all around a tremendous enjoyable show that will have you laughing, maybe tearing up, or cursing. I recommend this show even if it is a one time watch for you. Hop on the "Shin PD/Lee Woo Magical Express-Down Memory Lane ride."
Final Rating: 9.20/10
Story: 8.90/10
Acting: 9.76/10
Rewatch Value: I would rewatch it again in a heartbeat.
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