Dr. Romantic 3 Review: Han Suk Kyu, Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Sung Kyung, Kim Min Jae scrub up in captivating mix of medical thriller, office romance and drama

The wait to meet Master Kim and his disciples has ended! Doctor Romantic aka Master Kim is back with a new set of stories, and a lot of intrigue with Dr Romantic season 3. The drama premiered on April 26, 2023. Our beloved pairing of Ahn Hyo Seop and Lee Sung Kyung as Seo Woo Jin and Cha Eun Jae also returned to the screen! Kim Min Jae as Park Eun Tak and So Ju Yeon as Yoon Ah Reum are also back with their ‘will they won’t they’ chemistry. With this season, we see Doldam Hospital getting back on its feet once again. The first two episodes of the show were off to a promising start.

In true K-drama fashion, the story starts in the epicenter of a problem posed in front of our skilled doctors. They are tasked with creating a couple of North Korean defectors, but the task is not as easy as it sounds. There are a lot of things to keep in mind such as the politics and power play between the two nations. Any step in the wrong direction by the team could lead to dire consequences for both nations. Kim Sa Bu, who was away on a vacation, is pulled out of his holiday for this emergency. Eventually, through a series of discussions and favour calling, Kim Sa Bu and his team manage to save the lives of the defectors and also avoid any conflict between the two warring nations.

Kim Sa Bu’s dream to open a trauma center at Doldam Hospital is close to fruition after three whole years. There are still a few last-minute formalities to clear as well. Kim Sa Bu has raked up quite a reputation for himself over the years. He changed his identity after a severe incident and has since lived his life as Kim Sa Bu. Fate throws a curveball in Kim Sa Bu’s plans as Cha Eun Jae’s father is approached by Park Min Guk to join the trauma center at Doldam. Additionally, we also have our supporting case springing back into action at the Emergency Center as the hospital is back on its feet and ready to take on new challenges.

The pacing of the drama is quite indulgent as well. The frames are used beautifully to catch the emotions and depth of a scene as the characters tackle new challenges before them. The old town landscape that surrounds the hospital invokes a sense of nostalgia, a home-like feel. The amiable bond between the staff at Doldam is delightful to see. In addition to the old cast reprising their roles, this season we see the addition of a few new faces as well. Lee Shin Young as Lee Dong Hwa is under the tutelage of Seo Woo Jin as a resident doctor. He is more involved in his online games than working at the hospital. This lackadaisical attitude of his is a reason for friction between the mentor and mentee. Lee Hong Nae as Lee Seon Wung is another addition to the team who holds promise. The character looks steadfast and takes an interest in the workings of the hospital.

The OST of Dr Romantic Season 3 is once again set to a charming tone. It beautifully reflects the mood of the story that it plays against further enriching the immersive experience of watching the show. EXO’s vocalist Baekhyun gave his voice to the first OST ‘Hello’ which encapsulates the sweet romance between our leads. In the previous season as well, Baekhyun had lent his voice to one such romantic ballad for the leads. Then, the song focused on the budding relationship between them, and this time it focuses on the next step as the two move in together.

As the team at Doldam Hospital tackles new cases each day, it will be interesting to see them navigate their personal and professional lives amidst the fast-paced nature of their workplace. The political intrigue which was foreshadowed in the first two episodes would also lead up to a nail-biting drama, both for the characters and the viewers. There was a lack of a good medical drama for a while now, especially with the big names like Hospital Playlist on a break. But the emergence of Dr. Romantic Season 3 is now here to fill up the gap!

Also Read: Han Suk Kyu spills the beans on Kim Min Jae’s July military enlistment; Dr. Romantic 3 actor responds