The airing of the CJ ENM tvN medical drama “Resident Playbook,” initially postponed to the latter half of this year due to the ongoing doctors’ strike in Korea, has been completely canceled.
As the medical staff strike, which was anticipated to reach a resolution soon, continues indefinitely, public discontent towards doctors has intensified, compelling medical dramas to completely withdraw from the schedule.
Industry insiders revealed on September 13 that CJ ENM’s new medical drama “Resident Playbook,” once slated to air in the second half of this year, has been omitted from this year’s programming plans. There are concerns that it may not air at all in the future.
In light of the tragic loss of lives during the strike, these dramas face criticism for ‘idealizing doctors.’ “Resident Playbook” focuses on the commitment of doctors and medical personnel to their patients in the hospital.
Originally set to premiere in May as a follow-up to tvN’s weekend series “Queen of Tears,” the broadcast was delayed due to the ongoing medical strike. While it was intended to be available on Netflix, the cancellation of airing could lead to potential penalties for the production company.
The perception of medical staff among the Korean public is deteriorating as numerous doctors have resigned in protest against government policies aimed at increasing the number of medical schools. With the protests extending beyond six months, the number of patients experiencing negative impacts continues to rise.
Following the release of a trailer and promotional content for “Resident Playbook” on YouTube and social media platforms, there has been significant public backlash, with comments such as, “Please include scenes depicting doctors going on strike just before a patient’s surgery” and “Isn’t this a drama that glorifies the medical profession?” The prevailing public sentiment has deteriorated to the point where broadcasting medical dramas appears unfeasible at this time.
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