As Resident Playbook premieres on Netflix, 5 reasons why Hospital Playlist spin-off is your next comfort weekend watch

The new medical K-drama, Resident Playbook, is finally here, and if you were a Hospital Playlist fan, this spin-off might just become your new weekend favourite. The show kicked off on April 12, 2025, on tvN, with episodes also streaming on Netflix in select regions.

Set in the OB-GYN department at Yulje Medical Centre’s Jongno branch, Resident Playbook zooms in on a group of young residents trying to keep it together through long shifts, difficult decisions, and life outside the hospital walls. It’s all set against the backdrop of South Korea’s declining birth rate, making their work feel even more urgent and emotional.

Starring Go Youn Jung, Shin Si Ah, Han Ye Ji, Kang You Seok, and Jung Joon Won, the series is directed by Lee Min Soo and written by Kim Song Hee, who’s no stranger to stories that tug at your heartstrings (Reply 1988, Hospital Playlist), so you know you’re in good hands.

5 reasons to watch Hospital Playlist spinoff Resident Playbook

If you’ve been missing the warm, slice-of-life charm of Hospital Playlist, you’re in for a treat. Resident Playbook is here to fill that void with the same heart but new faces. Here are 5 things to look forward to from the new weekend K-drama:

1. Fresh doctors, same Yulje feels

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This time around, we’re hanging out with OB-GYN residents instead of veterans (who were still residents at heart) at Yulje Medical Centre’s Jongno branch. Slightly overwhelmed and trying to keep up with hospital life, the story of residents—99-liners-cum-friends— is expected to focus on their little win amid the big chaos.

2. A cast you’ll instantly root for

The fresh new cast includes Go Youn Jung (Alchemy of Souls), Shin Si Ah (The Witch: Part 2. The Other One), Kang You Seok (Payback), and a few more rising stars.

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Just like the characters in the show in the hospital, the cast is also new to the acting world. Their nerves, awkward moments, and growing confidence make it all feel so real. You’ll laugh with them, feel for them, and maybe even wish you could hug them.

3. Cameos you didn’t know you needed

We’re getting Hospital Playlist cameos! You might spot a familiar face or two walking down those hospital halls.

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Additionally, according to MTN News, the original cast of Hospital Playlist has officially contributed to the OST of Resident Playbook. The beloved fictional band Mido and Falasol, made up of the OG five, will be lending their voices once again, bringing a wave of nostalgia for anyone who’s missing the heartwarming magic of the original series.

4. That soft, comforting vibe is back

Written by Kim Song Hee and directed by Lee Min Soo, this show keeps that same gentle rhythm. It’s not rushing anywhere. It’s the kind of drama that’s more about people than plot, and that’s what makes it feel so genuine.

5. You can totally watch it without the original

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Never seen Hospital Playlist? No problem at all. Resident Playbook stands on its own, and you’ll get pulled into the characters’ world right away. But if you have watched the OG show, those subtle callbacks will hit differently.

The show will air 16 episodes, every Saturday and Sunday at 9:10 PM KST.

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