
Dedicated to all my new K-drama friends and supporters. Thanks a lot for your support and amazing comments guys!
Who would have thought an arrogant surgeon teaming up with a cocky book-smart intern would have caught the attention of so many viewers? Did we just get addicted to a fantasy medical drama where one doctor possesses another doctor’s body?
It’s 2022 and Hallyu fans have been promised a huge variety of K-dramas with enticing plotlines – be it the unanticipated body switch in Ghost Doctor or trapped students fighting a zombie virus outbreak in All of Us Are Dead.
After the Heirs –one of the most cherished K-dramas in the industry– director Boo Sung Chul, comes up with a new drama that looks captivating at first glance – it promises the exciting story of how two doctors with different personalities, medical abilities, principles and perceptions of life end up combining their bodies and spirits.
So many of us grew up with Vampire Diaries, Walking Dead and Buffy The Vampire Slayer and we know how ghosts, vampires, zombies and demons are common plot devices, so common that we’ll know how to survive in an apocalypse or kill them through the heart.
However, what is it that makes this Korean drama so different? How did this show get us so addicted?
#Rain, Rain and Rain
After three years, the charismatic K-pop star is back on screen, playing the role of arrogant and cold-blooded Cha Young Min.
Sometimes all a show needs is a great character that keeps audiences coming back for more and here, the scene-stealer is Cha Young Min.
Despite being a skilled thoracic surgeon who can save people’s lives with just a touch, he only cares about his career and doesn’t give a damn about others’ personal stories. Yet, we are drawn to that fierce and bold attitude of his.
Let’s not also forget how Cha Young Min left us awe-struck as he pulled off the most fashionable looks with killer outfits. And, we all know where he gets all those stylish clothes, from “fancy boo-tiques” – on this note, let’s take one moment to mourn the loss of his red-colored designer suit that was hauled off the window by Go Seung Tak.
The Extraordinary Bromance
From the first episode, Cha Young Min and Go Seung Tak became our new favorite comedic duo.
When Cha Young Min goes into a coma and becomes a “coma ghost”, he has no other choice than to possess and use Go Seung Tak’s hands during surgery. Due to their clashing personalities – the arrogant genius doctor Cha Young Min and the always-bright-and-optimistic rookie – initially appeared as if their collab would never work. However, as they are earnestly asked to save people’s lives, they both realize they need each other.
That’s when it becomes nearly impossible to take the bromance out of our fav bickering couple. Not only do their interactions make our hearts race with excitement, but they also inject lots of comedic relief – the part where Go Seung Tak says, “I can at least talk. You can’t even open your eyes,” or when Cha Young Min’s constantly taking his car and losing it are just too good for me to handle.
Their hilarious squabbles – “You darned ghost! You rude punk!” – will definitely have you glued to the screen.
Interesting Plot Developments
At its heart, the story is supposed to follow Young Min as he rediscovers his passion for saving lives and reuniting with his ex-girlfriend while silver-spoon resident Go Seung Tak matures into a real doctor.
However, just as the adorable pair sets ground rules for their differences, as if on cue, their secret is discovered by the scheming Han Seung Won (Go Seung Tak’s cousin) and bad news and troubles start to occur one by one.
It’ll be interesting to see how our favorite pair will overcome these challenges.
Other Interesting Characters
Maybe more than the romance between Cha Young Min and Jang Se Jin, we’ve greatly enjoyed the interactions of the trio of coma ghosts – with Choi Hoon Ki wanting to punch Cha Young Min and Hwang Kook Chan teaching ghost Young Min how to “open a door.”
Another cool character is Tess –another coma ghost whose story we’ve still got to learn –who is always seen hanging around in Young Min’s designer suits. My favorite moment is when he brags about his ability to go outside the hospital and says, “My spirit is free. If you are jealous, die!”
By the way, did I mention that I’m also a fan of the ajumma? Possessed or not, she’s just great at “cleaning off” Oh Soo Jung’s rude senior.
The Ending
As the show is reaching its final episode very soon, viewers are holding on tight to their seats and eagerly waiting for Young Min to gain his senses back.
Despite the frightful preview of episode 15, as the genre is “medical fantasy”, drawing an unforeseen border between life and death, can we expect a miracle or a happy ending for our main leads?
I think I’ll really miss these eye candies, especially Go Seung Tak’s infectious smile. And what about you? What are you going to miss the most in this drama?
Super well written, kudos to you 👏🏻👏🏻
Great article! I love tvn dramas 🙂
Woah! This is super well written. I haven’t watched Ghost Doctor yet, but reading this article makes me want to watch it.
I came to Ghost Doctor mainly because of my long-term fondness for medical dramas and this is a good one. In some ways it reminds me of a J drama. I can’t say I’m a fan of Rain or Kim Beom but I really liked Kim Beom in Law School and was keen what he would achieve here. I like the storyline and the dynamic between the male leads although I think the pacing could be better.
Glad to hear that you’re enjoying this. Keep up with the writing.
Well written, I really like it.
Well written,,, I didn’t watch it yet , but sure am going to after reading your review
I know!!! It got me hook and reason is none other than rain, Kim bum’s smile, a cute bromance and an interesting and engaging plotline. You comprehend all of them in this article.
I really liked this article. It perfectly described the reasons why I’m enjoying this drama so much!
Keep going upward and forward !!
great post loving ghost doctor and can’t wait fo the finale
Fantastic article! This is my favourite drama currently and I’m going to be soo sad when it ends – I will also miss Go Seung Tak’s infectious smile haha. 10/10 would recommend!
well written article . good job
Great article! Hope many more people will enjoy Ghost Doctor ^^
Man, I am loving this show so much! I love the bromance of both the leads!!
Well written.. keep going
This spoke my heart! I’m truly going to miss this drama. The constant banter and wonderful characters are going to be in my head for a long long time. This was so well written!
So far this is one of the dramas I enjoy of late. The characters are very interesting to follow especially CYM and KST. The bromance chemistry is finger licking and something worth to enjoy. This article really touches on the drama in a very critical manner and I hope more people will give love to this drama
Nice Article! I def agree with everything written, great Job and keep writing! Can’t wait for the next one!
Well written. I am enjoying the show but I hoped that Dr.Cha should have wakened in ep 12-13 so we would have seen more chemistry between Go Sung Tak and Oh Soo Jung. Also, Dr. Jang and Dr. Cha could have resolved the misunderstanding between each other and fought together against the evil.
Beautifully written! I agree with all the points you have mentioned. I started this drama thinking it would be a usual medical drama which I would drop after a few episodes but never expected to watch until the end. Even though the story was a usual one, the cast brought the show to success. It was refreshing to watch Ghost Doctor! Glad you wrote this article.
Well written!!! Best of luck…
The article is awesome and very interesting, keep it up and give us more articles to read.😊😘
The most I will miss in this drama is the bromance and the cute, innocent smile of Ko Seung Tak.
Nice article Claire! Definitely will put this on my ever-long watchlist. Currently, not in the mood of watching medical dramas as just hearing and watching hospital scenes brings back horrific memories of when I was hospitalized due to the virus last year. But will check this out some day as I am a sucker for bromance in KDramaLand
Thanks for the artlicle ! I really love bromance so I think this it the thing that I will miss the most. Others Kdramas I can recommend with great bromance : The Guest, Bad And Crazy, Tunnel, Life on Mars, Waikiki Guest House, The Good detective, Chief Kim and so on.
Thanks for the article, keep it up =D
this drama can be said as a drama, which can be watched by all groups, and I quite like all the opinions expressed on this blog
Well it’s surely one of the most pleasant & fun dramas of the first half of 2022.
Enjoyed it thoroughly. RAIN was outstanding throughout! Kim beom was also very good.
Epis 13, 14 were quite ordinary but then the last two episodes & the finale wind up was perfect.
Wouldn’t mind a season 2 with perhaps just 12 epis?
Superb article. Well analysed and great review.
Keep writing!
Cheers
Renn
Once again, the charming writer strikes again with her equally as charming and engaging writing. I love your post and I must say, I’m very much intrigued by it. This drama has been sitting on my “want to watch but has no time” list for the longest time, so I’ve yet to check it out. Your post definitely has me interested in watching it, alongside the fact that I love Rain and his antics lol. I’ll definitely give it a watch once I make it out of the hell called timetables and busy schedules. You can’t really say no to fantasy and the medical field combination, as absurd as it sounds, I think this makes for an interesting combo. Your takes on shows and how you word your ideas is very lovely, wish I had half the talent you have for such thing, keep up the good work and I’ll be looking forward to your next posts.