Answer Me team returns with slice-of-life drama Smart Doctor Living
by tineybeanie
Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Dae-myung, Jeon Mi-do, Jo Jung-seok, Jung Kyung-ho
I can’t express how excited I am for this series to begin. Answer Me star team PD Shin Won-ho and writer Lee Woo-jung are back! The title of their new drama is Smart Doctor Living (aka Wise Doctor Life), styled similarly to Shin Won-ho’s most recent project Smart Prison Living (aka Prison Playbook), so I’m not sure if it’s going to be a related work or if it’ll just have some awesome cameos like the Answer Me series. Anyway, the first script read was held recently, and we have photos.
As the name suggests, Smart Doctor Living takes place in a hospital, where life and death are on the line every day. This drama will take a look at this microcosm and the seemingly ordinary but simultaneously extraordinary things that happen around the people who work there. As always, PD Shin Won-ho promises this will be a people-focused drama, so Beanies, bring out those tissues because I can already tell this is going to get heartfelt.
Jo Jung-seok (Nokdu Flower), Kim Dae-myung (The Sound of Your Heart), Yoo Yeon-seok (Mr. Sunshine), Jung Kyung-ho (When the Devil Calls Your Name), and Jeon Mi-do (Mother) play the tight-knit group that plays at the center of most of PD Shin Won-ho and writer Lee Woo-jung’s dramas. They are doctors who formed a strong bond as they persevered through med school together as part of the ’99 class. In addition to the leads, the supporting cast was also present at the script read.
Yoo Yeon-seok had his breakout role in Answer Me 1988 as a rising baseball star, and Jung Kyung-ho was amazing in his role as a playboy prison guard in Smart Prison Living, so I’m super stoked that these two are working together with the Answer Me dream team. Not to mention, some of my favorite veteran actors like Kim Hae-sook (Mother of Mine) and Kim Gab-soo (Chief of Staff 2) are on the cast list. The best part of the dramas that PD Shin Won-ho makes are the friendships and familial relationships, so I’m really excited to see that he’s recruited such talented actors to portray the poignant moments of those bonds.
Regarding the drama, PD Shin Won-ho said, “I’ve done many dramas that featured hospital settings in the past. I think it’s because hospitals are where many critical moments in life happen. Smart Doctor Living began because I wanted to tell a story about the lives of people who work in a place where all four stages of life occur. It’s not a drama of great thrills or hidden corruption. As I’ve always done, I’ve created a story about ordinary and small everyday things. And I’ve gathered actors who can show the power and strength of ordinary, small everyday things. As such, I will try my best to present a high-quality finished performance.”
Smart Doctor Living is scheduled to air on tvN sometime in 2020.
Via Xports News
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Tags: Hospital Playlist, Jo Jung-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Hae-sook, Yoo Yeon-seok
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1 drawde2000
December 3, 2019 at 5:16 PM
Wooohhh. Exciting!!
Alexa, please buy 10 boxes of tissue.
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2 mrsdimple
December 3, 2019 at 5:20 PM
I remember being skeptical of Prison Playbook in the beginning and did not watch it after the third episode while it aired. I watched all Answer Me series during their run. After PP finish airing, I accidentally watched the first few episodes where I left off and was hooked, cried my eyes out and declared the drama as one of the best dramas of the year that I’d watch. I’ not gonna doubt the PD and writer duo anymore.
Bring it on Smart Doctor Living! I already love you.
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CS
December 6, 2019 at 7:25 AM
I had the same reaction - initially I resisted PP but fell hard for it in the end. I will never doubt again! I can't wait for this one and I'm even more excited to see some familiar faces back for the new story.
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3 gadis
December 3, 2019 at 5:40 PM
I'm so pumped up for this drama! Jo Jung-seok is back, and with my favorite PD to boost. The casts are absolutely amazing, and I'm going to trust the writer-PD duo to meet my high expectation. Fighting!!
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4 Jamie Opso
December 3, 2019 at 6:22 PM
!!!
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5 Kairoskat 💐
December 3, 2019 at 6:34 PM
Will this be find the husband hospital version? Yes. I think it will be. Unless it goes the Prison Playbook route and not have the husband finding the main plot. 😆
Anyways, if it comes to rooting one person, I already know who I'll be rooting for *cough* Jung Kyung Ho *cough*.
My main hope is for the writer/producer/tvn to please not make the episodes super long. While I do like the reply series and prison playbook, the episodes were movie length. Hua3
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
December 3, 2019 at 8:11 PM
I had the same thought about the episode length... Answer Me 1988 was great but two movie length episodes a week were rough...
What if it’s “fine the director” as in which doctor will be in charge of the hospital later? Or which one , and they are all reuniting for memorial (not that I want anyone to die, just thinking about the different time lines possibilities if it isn’t going a romantic route)
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wapz
December 4, 2019 at 3:58 AM
Isn't that storyline already done in Life?
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
December 4, 2019 at 4:47 AM
Oh, I didn’t watch Life 😅
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byuldreamer
December 5, 2019 at 9:57 PM
They were never long enough for me lol - I loved it too much
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CS
December 6, 2019 at 7:28 AM
I was beginning to think I was the only want that always wanted more not less! I love that the long episodes give it time to really play out. Of course, I've never tried to live watch on of their shows before - so I might find it more difficult.
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6 Diana Hansen
December 3, 2019 at 6:35 PM
WHAT? jo jung seok with jung kyung ho and yoo yeon seok with these guys? boy am i excited and impressed!!!!! bring it on! not to forget jeon mi so and the others . where do i sign up?
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Diana Hansen
December 3, 2019 at 6:36 PM
mi do that is
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7 kiara
December 3, 2019 at 6:36 PM
Love, love, love. That is all!
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8 astromantic
December 3, 2019 at 6:40 PM
Can't wait to watch this and cry every week!
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9 Ally
December 3, 2019 at 6:54 PM
Umm, 10000% yes! YOO YEON SEUK! I’ve missed you as a doctor! (He’s going to be a doctor, right?). Show off those surgical ties for us! I’m getting excited just thinking about it...excuse me ☺️.
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PakalanaPikake
December 3, 2019 at 9:07 PM
ROFLMAO at your unbounded enthusiasm, Doc @ally-le. I'm jumping up and down right along with you. ;-)
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin will pop up at Doldam Hospital in RDTK 2. But not via ambulance, please, Writer-nim.
Paging Doc @michykdrama! Yoo hoo! Not only can we look forward to YYS, but Jo Jung-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Hae-sook, and Kim Gap-soo, too? Sell my clothes, I'm going to heaven. I haven't seen SMART PRISON LIVING, but am getting the feeling that SMART DOCTOR LIVING will be akin to what LIVE was for police officers. I am ecstatic at the prospect of a hospital show free of eeevil chaebol politics and corruption.
According to AsianWiki, it looks as if SMART DOCTOR LIVING will be airing in tvN's 11PM Friday night slot. Will it air only one weekly episode, like PEGASUS MARKET? Perhaps for only 12 episodes?
http://asianwiki.com/Wise_Doctor_Life
I took a peek at the opening week of CHOCOLATE, which looks promising. I just hope I don't end up watching 3 dramas with hospital settings simultaneously. Yikes. ;-)
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Ally
December 4, 2019 at 5:06 AM
Fun fact, I started my medical training in 1999 as well, so guess what? If fiction met fact, these characters would have been my classmates! How coincidental is that????? Again, my excitement is through the roof with this one!
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michykdrama
December 4, 2019 at 5:39 AM
Haha! What an exciting time you would have had...
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michykdrama
December 4, 2019 at 5:38 AM
Haha! Hello I’m here!
I’m being cautiously optimistic about it. Agree it’s a excellent cast and PD and I only can hope the writing is up to it.
Still I’m glad that based on the description they aren’t going to irritate me with politics so that’s a point in their favour!
I’m wondering just what non thrilling day-to-day stuff they think doctors do. Haha.
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WishfulToki
December 4, 2019 at 6:11 AM
Paperwork maybe? Though nurses can do most of that... 🤔
The doctors I worked with used to prefer seeing patients in serious condition in hospital, rather than sitting in clinic all day to see patients with minor issues or follow ups. I guess it depends on the specialty.
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Meheartisamusicbox
December 4, 2019 at 6:49 AM
I am joining the bandwagon! 2020 comes fast! Aaahhhh, the freedom following an exam is priceless!
michykdrama
December 4, 2019 at 8:23 AM
Count me in as one of those doctors. I prefer being in the operating room to running clinic.
I’m sure they will find things for the doctors to do, as long as it’s not too romanced focused I will be happy.
Ally
December 5, 2019 at 9:05 PM
Although, if they’re in training, it’ll be 24 hour shifts and scut work, waking up way before dawn and sleeping way after midnight. All night study groups studying for boards and sobbing and drinking to oblivion after failing a test, and then possibly hooking up with a fellow classmate to ease the pain—-wait, did I just write the kdrama? @michykdrama and I could probably write this one in our sleep. Lol.
michykdrama
December 5, 2019 at 9:52 PM
@ally-le 🤣 indeed maybe we could! Sometimes real life is stranger and more amazing (and also more heart breaking) than fiction.
Hyesung_Addicts
December 4, 2019 at 6:50 AM
Yes!! I’m still hoping to see Yoo Yeonseok and Seo Hyunjin in Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim 2! I’ll be super happy even if they only appear for 5 seconds, haha
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CS
December 6, 2019 at 7:32 AM
You might really like Smart Prison Living. It did for prisoners/ prison guards what LIVE did for police officers. Slice of prison life?? It was surprisingly good. I loved LIVE and can't wait for another drama from that team, too!
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PakalanaPikake
December 6, 2019 at 11:41 PM
Thanks, @csmith. I've been reading raves about SMART PRISON LIVING since it aired. ;-)
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Khushi
January 24, 2020 at 7:40 PM
It is good to watch medical dramas. You should watch Quiz of God too if you start liking medical dramas. The rarest disease of the world are describe d in it.
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Ally
January 24, 2020 at 8:48 PM
I actually “hate” medical dramas! YYS in RTDK changed my mind for a split second, so that’s why I’m excited about this one!
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PakalanaPikake
January 25, 2020 at 3:31 AM
@Khushi,
I've watched the first season of QUIZ FROM GOD and GOD'S QUIZ: REBOOT because I'm a fan of Ryu Deok-hwan. REBOOT was memorable, and even included the recipe for Ye Olde Joseon Death Sentence Poison.
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10 나지하
December 3, 2019 at 7:00 PM
It’s Reply 1994 for Yoo Yeon Seok not 1988. Nice article btw can’t wait for the drama!
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11 FH
December 3, 2019 at 7:08 PM
Yoo Yeon-seok had his breakout role in Answer Me 1988 <-- it's 1994. =)
can't wait for this drama!!
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12 Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
December 3, 2019 at 8:08 PM
I usually stay away from medical dramas, but this cast and PD team ~ gah I might have to break my own rules.
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Ally
December 3, 2019 at 8:25 PM
You know you’ll want to snark with me!
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
December 4, 2019 at 4:47 AM
Maybeeee
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PakalanaPikake
December 3, 2019 at 9:59 PM
@hotcocoagirl,
If it gets to be too much, we can crash in the recovery room -- or in the Doldam Hospital ER a la Kim Sabu. ;-)
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Cocoa, The Fake Poet of February
December 4, 2019 at 4:48 AM
I’ll keep the offer in mind ~ ;)
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13 miss h
December 3, 2019 at 8:13 PM
The cast is good. The PD and writer are good, but I find it hard to watch their projects due to their penchant for extra extra long episodes. The thought of 90 minute episodes in a hospital setting does not thrill me.
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Midnight
December 3, 2019 at 8:47 PM
Exactly. PP was so boring for me. At least 20 minutes in the middle of every episode were dragged like filler. If they insist so much on making them long at least make them two half episodes. That way they will be forced to make the stories tighter like R1997.
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14 Yn00na
December 3, 2019 at 9:41 PM
Omo... I'm squeeling like a little girl. This is my top fave PD-writer ever. They've consistently deliver dramas that warm my heart these last few years. And they cast JJS and YYS as well! Aaaarg...double squeel... how can my hear takes it. This is my most anticipated 2020 drama.
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15 wapz
December 3, 2019 at 9:49 PM
Ok so this show has 2 of my ultimate favorite actors from Korea, Jo Jung Seok and Jung Kyung ho and and equally wonderful Yoo Yeon Seok. Honestly JJS and JKH are a scene stealer in every drama they act and YYS was a scene stealer in Mr Sunshine. So who would I be watching? I mean this is terrific, I didn't know they could put 3 great actors (who also act as leads in their own shows) in one drama. But I am a little sceptical too. PP gave JKH very less screen time, also here it clearly looks JJS will lead so I am hoping still JKH and YYS manage to have good screen time. They should not be wasted otherwise well they know how to steal the scene anyway. Hoping for it to not be on Netflix, get it Viki pleaseee.
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daydreamer11
December 4, 2019 at 3:23 AM
For Prison Playbook, Shin Won Ho PD expressly stated that it is safe to say that PP is a one-top (sole lead) drama and the lead is Park Hae Soo. Jung Kyung Ho's role was a secondary role to his. JKH himself persistently asked Shin PD to be in the drama and he didn't mind the order of the role, be it a secondary, tertiary or quartenary role. Shin PD tried to advice him against it since JKH has been a main lead for a long time and persuased him saying 'let's do it next time', but he was so persistent so Shin PD took him in for Jun Ho's role. Hence why his screentime was rather limited. (Source : http://m.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201711151206134110 )
As for Wise Doctor Life / Doctor Playbook, there was an article not long ago mentioning in passing that it will be an omnibus type of drama where the main lead will be different in each episode so the main leads will be alternating as leads in each episode, I suppose (Source: http://naver.me/IDSDle2V ) So hopefully everyone will have a fair amount of screen time and not under-utilised because that would be such a bummer.
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wapz
December 4, 2019 at 3:59 AM
It would be so good to have one lead each episode.
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byuldreamer
December 5, 2019 at 9:56 PM
That would make it so much better bc with three leads like that, it would break hearts all around. and JKH DESERVES ALL THE SCREEN SPACE
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16 PakalanaPikake
December 3, 2019 at 10:13 PM
Thanks for this exciting casting news, @tineybeanie. I've been looking forward to YYS's next role after his character's arc ended in MR. SUNSHINE. I'm thrilled to see who else is in the cast. Kim Hae-sook and Kim Gap-soo are the icing on the cake. ;-)
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17 cozybooks
December 3, 2019 at 10:43 PM
*Literally* such a star-studded cast. I'm so excited. Look at that cast!! I can't wait!
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18 raekaddict
December 3, 2019 at 11:03 PM
I have no words so I leave just this emoji..... 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
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19 Beanies206
December 4, 2019 at 1:16 AM
I am going to cry buckets and laugh my ass off if the team are going to talk about the real happenings in Emergency Department. Working at A&E really put all the medical dramas I watched into perspective.
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20 spazmo
December 4, 2019 at 1:18 AM
omooomoooomomomomooooo.......
three oh my boys.... must watch. better be good or i'm going to smash something.
: D
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21 RenOIshi
December 4, 2019 at 1:36 AM
Not a fan of hospital settings but I am a fan of just about everything else in this drama!!! Bring it on!!!
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22 pohonphee
December 4, 2019 at 2:46 AM
OMG look at Jung Kyung-ho 😮 I dig his style 🕺 dress him like that at the drama I watch it (distaste medical drama though) Lol. I know I'm cheap like that
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23 frabbycrabsis loves KBS Drama Specials
December 4, 2019 at 2:46 AM
I'm currently rewatching Reply 1988 with my Mum, so I'm more onboard for a new Shin Won-ho project than ever! Doctoring slice of life sounds like a fantastic combination to me, and if anyone can pull it off, it's him.
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24 daydreamer11
December 4, 2019 at 3:56 AM
tvN has released each actor's role's specialisation as such:
👨⚕️ Jo Jung Suk - Professor of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
👨⚕️ Yoo Yeon Seok - Professor of Pediatric Surgery
👨⚕️ Jung Kyung Ho - Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery
👨⚕️ Kim Dae Myung - Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology Surgery
👩⚕️ Jeon Mi Do - Professor of Neurological Surgery
(lifted from https://t.co/SCyaDGJciL )
As it was also said that Wise Doctor Life is a story about those doctors forming a live band, fans are curious as to each character's band position 😆
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PakalanaPikake
December 6, 2019 at 10:59 PM
@daydreamer11,
Thanks for mentioning the music angle, which adds an unexpected dimension. Suddenly I'm having visions of a garage band, along with hints of the movie ROCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR. "For You" by Bruce Springsteen (Greetings from Asbury Park LP) better be on their playlist for the medical imagery alone. ;-)
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25 Izie
December 4, 2019 at 4:22 AM
Wow. Great casting with awesome PD.
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26 Kafiyah Bello
December 4, 2019 at 5:19 AM
Yasssss, everything they do is gold, even if it is Male centric. Just fabulous stories
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CS
December 6, 2019 at 7:42 AM
@kafiyah-bello I was just looking at the whole cast photo and feeling a bit excited to see so many female faces after Prison Playbook. I know that setting made more female characters difficult, but I will be happy to have more women in this story even if they aren't the stars of the show.
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Kafiyah Bello
December 6, 2019 at 1:00 PM
Agree!!!
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27 roomay
December 4, 2019 at 7:26 AM
I read about this news yesterday and so pumped up since i've been a fan of JJS and JKH. To be able to watch them share greatness in a drama makes me super excited (plus YYS too, mygawd!).
And this could be oot but I just watched a video (finally subbed) on TVn channel on youtube where JKH spoke about his love story with Soo Young, and boy I love him even more! He's a keeper and a fine gentleman all around. Ms. Choi is a very lucky lady, I wish both of them all the happiness <3
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28 bong-soo
December 4, 2019 at 12:16 PM
Breaking radio silence to say I love the news. Since a dream cast has been put together let’s stretch the envelope even further by getting Jan Hyuk on board to reprise the role of Dr. Lee Young-oh from A BEAUTIFUL MIND and then there are the Dr. Ye(s): Lee Joon-hyuk (APAD), and Lee Dong-wook and Lee Kyu-hyung (both in LIFE).
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29 littlecat
December 4, 2019 at 4:11 PM
"It’s not a drama of great thrills or hidden corruption." - THANK GOODNESS. I don't love hospital dramas, for the shear ridiculousness of some of the scenarios they dream up for the sake of drama (surgery competitions???). BUT this PD/writer team?? I may be willing to give them a chance.
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30 lentils
December 4, 2019 at 4:26 PM
omgg!! what an amazing line-up. I cannot wait!!!
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31 faith
December 4, 2019 at 9:28 PM
amazing line up definitely. they will rock our world once again with laughter, their iconic sound effect, the heartfelt story and for the love of the god, probably shocking ending for one of the lead like the rest of Shin PD and writer Lee Woo Jung dramas. who will be the chosen one, to break our heart again this time, Shin PD? 😭😭😭
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32 ssandulak
December 4, 2019 at 10:09 PM
Oof, I’m not a fan of medical dramas...but I will still have to give this one a shot just because of the team/cast behind it. Damn...
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33 Shanzay lizay
December 5, 2019 at 5:53 AM
Love you JJS. Best of luck .
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34 Shanzay lizay
December 5, 2019 at 5:56 AM
Waiting anxiously for your return on small screen dear JJS. May this drama be a blockbuster hit just like your movie "Exit". Ameen.
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35 byuldreamer
December 5, 2019 at 9:53 PM
The best news out of dramaland of 2019!! I am crying already thinking about how amazing it will be! Every drama of this duo left me with memorable characters and relationships and FEEELS!
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36 신류지
December 6, 2019 at 11:11 AM
Ok but like Jo Jong Seok AND Yoo Yeon Seok? Hell to the YASS gurl!
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37 Zora
December 6, 2019 at 12:40 PM
Yassssssssssssssssss! This is going to be good :)
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38 earthna
December 7, 2019 at 8:12 PM
Yooooooo I didn't realize that was Jung Kyungho in that picture! So excited though omg. Jo Jungseokkk
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39 Shanzay lizay
December 10, 2019 at 12:50 AM
I watched Exit a couple of days ago & since then just rewatching it again & again , and I am already CRAVING for more JJS. Can't wait .
Plz drama come faster.
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40 June Bug
February 12, 2020 at 9:30 AM
1. Will the opening be as good as General Hospital’s? 🐷
2. This team has brought us 2(3?) varying* representations of male gay characters and a possible bisexual or demisexual character. Do y’all think they’ll ever create a non heterosexual female character?
*The series Love With Flaws had 4 non heterosexual male characters.
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June Bug
February 12, 2020 at 9:33 AM
Note that Love With Flaws is NOT made by the same team
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June Bug
February 12, 2020 at 11:56 AM
Or General Hospital
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