Healing my younger self through binge-watching medical series
Everyone has a guilty pleasure; in my case, it is binge-watching medical dramas. I’m a total sucker for medical dramas! I spoil myself by watching shows with a cast typically made up of patients and doctors, and a typical setting of hospitals, operating rooms, and crime scenes. Despite how busy I am, I manage to find time to watch my favorite medical dramas. I initially believed that my obsession with medical dramas was ordinary. The kind of ‘I simply wanted to watch these kinds of shows’. Unbeknownst to me, my fondness for medical dramas began when I was still a child.
Why do I love medical dramas so much?
Unfulfilled childhood dream
Growing up, I have a strong interest in anything that is science related. I once dreamt of becoming an astronaut, a nurse, then a doctor, or anyone in the medicine field. And I believe this is where my fascination in medical dramas stemmed from. I am a journalism student at the moment. So yes, I’m a frustrated doctor. I chose not to pursue this career because I’m afraid I won’t be successful at it. I have the ambition and the drive, but I have no confidence that I have the necessary abilities and intellect to succeed in medicine. Or maybe, I failed to pursue this career, because in the first place, I did not try. Nonetheless, despite the fact that I am embarking on an entirely different path, I have not stopped admiring science, and science continues to enchant me with its magic.
Comfort
I never forgot about my childhood ambition nor did I forget how much I enjoy science. So, instead of lamenting and constantly pondering the question “why didn’t I chase my childhood dream of becoming a medical practitioner?”, I take solace in watching medical dramas. I feel an array of emotions whenever I watch medical dramas with compelling plots. Motivation, joy, satisfaction, hurt, empathy, and regret, all at once. However, I am thrilled to know that I am able to feel these things. I’m sure my younger self would have felt the same way.
Amusement
Watching medical series also amuse me at how science and technology work. Especially with regard to how it functions in the medical profession. I particularly enjoy medical dramas that have complex situations such as performing complicated surgical procedures, dealing with ethical dilemmas, resolving medical malpractice claims, and others such as these. This helped me grasp how the medical industry operates. So, even if I wasn’t able to fulfill my childhood dream, I feel as though I have had some medical experiences, at the very least.
Heartwarming lessons
Ultimately, watching medical dramas instills in me a wide range of perspectives. Because I watch dramas with various storylines, I develop and acquire new feelings and beliefs. This is when I realize how vital the field of medicine is in our lives, and recognize the value of a person’s life. So yes, medical dramas heal my younger self—my remedy for grieving my unfulfilled childhood dream.
I’m not sure whether I’m the only one who has this kind of guilty pleasure and pastime, but if you can relate with me, I would love to recommend the MY TOP 3 BEST MEDICAL DRAMAS, EVER!
Dr. Romantic / Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim
First on the list is of course my ultimate favorite medical drama, Dr. Romantic, and no one could change my mind about this. Whether it’s season one or two, this series sets a high bar for what a medical drama should be like. As I write this, I am in awe of how great this show is. From the casts, cinematography, amazing story plot, its usage of medical jargon, ideal medical setting, and sincere yet endearing dialogues—everything about this series is a masterpiece! Aside from technical details, what makes it more of a gem is the life lessons it could instill to its viewers. There are those scenes to which you, the viewer, could genuinely relate. And you’re lucky if you happen to find comfort and affirmation from this drama. Because that’s just how it is to me.
Without giving away too much of the plot, Dr. Romantic (also known as Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim) is a Korean drama series that chronicles the life story of an infamous surgeon who moved to a provincial hospital after falling victim to politics at the bigger one where he had previously worked. He then met young surgeons whom he willingly trained to be as great as he is in both abilities and morals. It may seem a simple story of a doctor but it’s not. Its story revolved around the question ‘who is a good doctor?’ as to why there are scenes that demonstrate clash of philosophies, moral dilemmas, preferences and personal judgment. Moreover, this drama is also filled with emotional sides and humorous ones. A total package indeed!
Hospital Playlist
Hospital Playlist, which was released in 2020, is distinctive because, as its name implies, it is a medical-musical-drama. It was a well-balanced drama that gave the spotlight to each of the cast in the story. Leading this series is a group of doctors who share a passion for saving lives and for music. Its plot is distinctive in that it provides each member of the group adequate screen time to highlight their own narratives as musicians, doctors, and their very own self. This show also features romantic stories that you will definitely enjoy because of their genuineness. And since the Hospital Playlist has several main characters, it conveys a lot of life lessons and realizations. Their original soundtrack is also remarkable! Consider including this in your Spotify playlist. One of my all-time favorite medical dramas, I honestly want another season of it (fervently hoping).
Doctor John
Did you know that the lead role of this drama series is a murder convict? Dr. Cha Yohan, an anesthesiologist is also portrayed as a murder convict serving a three-year sentence in prison for committing euthanasia on his patient. Who would have imagined such a plot? Because of this, despite his brilliant capabilities and extensive knowledge in the field, many people did not think he was a qualified doctor. While Dr. Kang Si-young, one of the main protagonists in this drama, had given up on being a doctor but changed her mind after meeting Dr. Cha at the prison. These two, along with the other characters, added depth to this story.
Aside from this, the drama excels at addressing sensitive topics like euthanasia and a rare and incurable illness (I won’t go into detail, you could get spoiled). Moreover, the plot is distinctive, it conveys a strong message about pain and death. It imparts to its audience the significance of experiencing pain and recognizing another person’s suffering in the course of life. And that’s what makes this drama a good one!
