These were my crib notes after Episode 2 was shown last year. Feel free to skip this post.

But I found it fun re-reading this because:

a. as early as Episode 2, I suggested that Capt Ahn might have a crush on Songhwa.
b. as early as Episode 2, my dislike Jang was growing. I said I wouldn’t approve of her being matched with JW. And mind you, it wasn’t her slovenly appearance but her appalling lack of empathy for the distraught mom that disqualified her.

Jang: Did you perform CPR?
Mom: Pardon?
Jang: Did you do chest compressions?
Mom: No.
Jang: He could have lived if you had done that.

This was a RED FLAG. It astounds me that she (and her fans) didn’t see anything offensive about her line of questioning. This had NOTHING to do with her relative “inexperience” at ER. It’s her mentality.

Just imagine if a stranger stepped on your foot while you were standing in line, and I was the junior cop writing up the report.

Me: Did you move your foot out of the way?
You: Excuse me?
Me: Didn’t you see him coming your way?
You: No.
Me: Well, if you had moved your foot out of the way and paid attention to your surroundings, you wouldn’t have been stepped on.

Do you get it?

c. until now, we still don’t know who gave Songhwa her 10-year-old shoes.

While it’s possible that she bought them herself, I always believed there was a sentimental reason — and not a financial reason — for her keeping those old shoes for so long. Judging from the way she bought expensive camping equipment, she wasn’t above splurging on nice items for herself. So why didn’t she buy herself a brand new pair of shoes?

If somebody did buy the shoes for her, then my first guess would be IJ. He was the one messing around with her eyeglasses and her shoe that day in her office, and measuring them, if they had changed.

But second guess would be JW. He was a deep one, that guy. I wouldn’t put it past him to give a clandestine gift.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Episode 2 The Additional Doctors

Just as when we’re accustoming ourselves to all five characters, we’re introduced to more characters.

Here are the familiar ones.

Ahn JeonWon, (JW) chaebol kid, Pediatric Surgery
Yang SeokHyeong, (SH) band guy, Ob/gyn
Lee IkJung, (IJ) Darth Vader, Transplant surgeon
Kim Junwan, (JWan) playboy, Cardiothoracic surgeon
Chae Songhwa, THE girl, neurosurgeon

And here are the new ones. For me, the best way to remember these new people is to think of them in pairs. They come in pairs and they’re opposite of each other. I’ll show you.

A. The two chief residents

1. Dr. Do Jaehak, chief resident for CS, working for Jwan

-Jwan yelled at him for not following his directions.
-Dr Do looked older than the rest of resident doctor (he probably was, anyway). He said that it was because he took the CSAT four times and the bar exam six times.

CSAT is the College Scholastic Ability Test. The fact that he retook it four times meant he wasn’t the brightest, but he was the most determined. He didn’t let failure get him down.

As for retesting the “bar exam” six times, I’m not sure if this is a subbing error or he actually took the exam to enter the legal profession then decided to go for medicine instead. Lawyers take the bar; doctors take the board.

To me, he was a novelty among the doctors because he wasn’t embarrassed to admit his failures.

-However, he was good at reading people. He knocked on Jwan’s door to rescue him from Songhwa. They were fighting over Jwan’s perceived disloyalty.

Jwan: (asking his Chief Resident) What is it?
Do Jaehak: It’s time for your outpatients.
Jwan: I don’t have outpatients today.
Do Jaehak: I was talking to Professor Chae.

Note: It was natural for Jwan to assume that Dr. Do was talking to him as Dr. Do was looking at him, not Songhwa.

Songhwa: Ah. Right. (turning to Jwan) We’re not done yet (Meaning, she’s not done yet scolding him for not warning her about cheating boyfriend).
Jwan: (sighing)
Do Jaehak: (explaining his interruption) Dr. Ahn Chihong from Neurosurgery was waiting by the door.

He was apologetic but Jwan was relieved by the interruption.

Jwan: Okay. (then he changed mood) Good. This is the best thing you’ve done this year.

Do Jaehak smiled…or rather, simpered. I think he was delighted that he was in Jwan’s good graces again.

Dr. Do might have failed his exams, but he had good people skills. I suspect that he sensed that Jwan was in trouble so he barged in.

2. Dr. Yong Seong Nim, chief resident for Neurosurgery, working for Songhwa

-He’s the sleepy one. Back in Episode 1, he nearly dozed off.

-The reason he was sleepy was because he was working on his research paper.

-He should have done the “lumbar drain” procedure. But he didn’t want to do it because the patient’s doctor was Professor Min and Prof Min said that everything had to be checked by him.

Yong: Should I just do it myself? Han Seung-heyok really needs to get a lumbar drain today.
Heo: You can’t just do it yourself. Prof Min told you to check everything with him. Don’t you remember the colossal disaster last week? Prof Min should at least give you orders. He didn’t give any orders after the patient got admitted. He seems nice in front of patients, but he doesn’t care about them at all.

-After Professor Min yelled at him and pushed hi’s m in full view of the Neurosurgery team, he worked behind-the-scenes to get him off the Good Samaritan’s surgery rotation.

-He pestered his superior, Songhwa, to take over the case.

-But he had another reason for wanting Songhwa on the case. It wasn’t just because he cared for the patient. He wanted the operation for his research.

Yong: I must attend the conference for Gong Hyeongu’s surgery.
Do: I know him! He’s the Good Samaritan, Gong Hyeongu. (explaining to 2 med students) He was a subway homeless guy. He’s a hero who saved a pregnant lady from the tracks.
Yong: I don’t get why Chief Min is suddenly leading this surgery. This patient needs transsphenoidal surgery. Dr. Chae is the specialist for it. How could he steal that?
Do: (explaining to 2 med students) An endoscope is inserted into the nose.
Yong: I gathered all of his data, too. It’ll be perfect if I do this with Dr. Chae.

-he gave Songhwa the nickname “ghost.”

-Songhwa made him apologized to the Good Samaritan patient. She had overhead him talking down to the patient. He told the patient, “I’d never suggest you do something that is bad for you. I’ve explained it to you multiple times. What can I do if you just don’t get it? Please just do as I say, okay? Just do as you’re told if you don’t know anything. Your guardian doesn’t get it either.”

She was angry at his insults and pressure. But she held back and waited for the opportune time to make him apologize as she had another surgery to focus on.

Then, later during surgery itself, she reprimanded him again, quietly but firmly.

Songhwa: Seokmin-ah. Come here.
Yong: Yes.
Songhwa: Dr. Yong. (she addressed him formally to signify that they were talking professionally here.)
Yong: Yes, Professor Chae.
Songhwa: Do not talk like that.
Yong: Okay.
Songhwa: Wasn’t it because of your thesis? (she was referring to his reason for asking her to take over Prof Min’s case) Why did you talk like it was for the patient? (he couldn’t respond) If you talk to any patient in that tone again, I’ll not forgive you.
Yong: Okay.
Songhwa: Do you understand?
Yong: (bowing) Yes, understood. I’m sorry.

Do you see the difference between the two resident chiefs? Songhwa’s Dr. Yong worked hard, and he was juggling many jobs. He tried to emulate Songhwa but failed.

Jwan’s Dr. Do didn’t seem to be that competent but he was easy-going and didn’t mind being the butt of jokes because of his age. He seemed to have plenty of time in his hand, too. His lunch hour was long…and I don’t get why he ate at the Neurosurgery’s room and hung around with them instead of his own people. Perhaps he was hiding from Jwan?? lol.

B. The two “couple” residents in the Neurosurgery Department

1. Dr. Heo SeonBin

-third year resident
-she showed the two new medical students around the hospital.
-she complained about Prof Min’s lack of patient instruction

According to Dr. Yong, she and Dr. Ahn looked like a couple. But Dr. Heo said that they were close because they went to the same med school.

2. Dr. Ahn Chihong/Captain Ahn

-third year resident, but he’s older than Dr. Heo.
-he’s from the military academy.
-he was doing the rounds with Prof Min. The reason he looked worried when Prof Min approached the angry mom. He knew that Prof Min hadn’t given instructions yet.

-he also closed the door when Prof Min started shouting at Dr Yong the chief resident.
-he looked reliable
-but he also seemed reserved with Songhwa.

She tried to engage him in small talk, but he ignored her. I thought at first it had something to do with Songhwa massaging her toes in public. He could have been embarrassed at the sight.

Songhwa: (talking about the med students) They’re cute. I used to be young like them.
Ahn: (just looked up from his paper and didn’t smile.)
Songhwa: I’m sorry.
The director wanted the med students introduce themselves.
Songhwa: What’s wrong with him? Just let them go. Right? You don’t like that, either.
Ahn: Pardon?
Songhwa: I’m sorry. I won’t talk to you.

But later when they were doing the surgery together, Songhwa again talked to him, he responded to her with a smile.

Ahn: Professor, the med students are here to observe.
Songhwa: Okay, tell then to come closer.
Ahn: You may come closer.
Songhwa: Observe careful, students, and don’t hesitate to ask me if you have any questions. (then whispering to Dr. Ahn) This way, more of them will apply to Neurosurgery.
Ahn: (smiling at her because he finally got her joke)

To me, he could be “crushing” on Songhwa because of her competence. But he maintains distance between them to avoid fraternization.

C. The two fraternal twin medical students

1. Jang HongDo

– the male twin
– he played the guitar in the band at his church
– I’m sure the actor gets teased a lot for looking like Park BoGum, that squeaky-clean actor.
– liked to cry a lot
– he was the first one to recognize Prof Chae.

Hongdo: Do you go to Myeongjin Church in Sanggyedong?
Songhwa: Yes, I do.
Yunbok: You’re the prima donna of the choir, right?
Songhwa: I’m known as the “prima donna”
Yunbok. Yes. We’re in the church band. You’re so famous.
Dr Heo: What’s she famous for?
Hongdo: She dances so passionately while singing hymns. People say it’s because she’s stressed out from work.

lol. I think it’s intriguing that Songhwa has 2 nicknames in this episode, too, “Ghost” and “Prima donna.” And both names alluded to her work ethics and heavy work load.

2. Jang Yunbok

-the female twin
-she looked more knowledgeable, and more into medicine than her brother

Dr. Yong asked them if they were a couple because they did things together, but they were actually fraternal twins.

Dr. Do thought they were pulling his leg when they gave him their names. Their names must have sounded old-fashioned,

but I think he was surprised because the medical students were named after two famous painters during the Joseon period named Hongdo (aka Danwon) and Yunbok (aka Hyewon). They painted the everyday life of common folks.

Yunbok and Hongdo admitted to Dr. Heo and Prof Chae that they were actually twins. They became doctors because they were inspired by their encounter with Professor Chae.

Yunbok: My mom had a major surgery ten years ago, and I was so inspired by her doctor by then.
Heo: What? Seriously?
Yunbok: Yes, my mom was very ill when I was in seventh grade. Her surgery took over ten hours. They kept her in the ICU for a week after the surgery. But she never woke up. She passed away.

She continued to talk about the doctor. I think she’s the “talker” and her brother was the silent one.

Yunbok: I think she was either an intern or a resident. But back then, I thought everyone in the white coat was a doctor. The doctor bawled her eyes out and apologized to me for not being able to save my mom.

She said she didn’t cry until the doctor started crying. I think she was proud of the fact that she wasn’t a crier. Her brother was the emotional one.

Yunbok: I was okay until an old doctor came and told me that my mom passed away. But that doctor started bawling as soon as she saw us. And she apologized. “Your mom will watch over you from heaven, so grow into a wonderful woman.” Then she said she’d be a better doctor. She said that in tears to a seventh grader. That’s when it really hit us, both me and Hongdo. “Ah. We don’t have a mom anymore. Everyone else has a mom, but we don’t.” I cried my eyes out.

They said they didn’t remember her name and could barely remember her face.

Hongdo: Her shoes are the only thing we remember.
Heo: Shoes?
Yunbok: Yes, our eyes were glued to the floor because we kept crying. I think the doctor was wearing a new pair of shoes that day, but she forgot to take off the size sticker because she was too busy. It was 225 mm. That’s all I remember.

When Dr. Heo asked them if they were “soulmates,” Hongdo readily said yes, because they were siblings. But Yunbok elbowed him either because she didn’t want to give Dr. Heo the wrong idea that they were dating or because she was afraid that Hongdo would give them away.

I think between the two of them, Yunbok was the one invested in the subterfuge.

D. The two female doctors in the Emergency Room.

1. Dr. Bae, the doctor with the good interpersonal skills

-she had excellent bedside manners. She comforted the worried mother, saying that moms get scared more easily with their first child and come to the ER a lot. JW was impressed with her.

-Hmmm…she seemed to call on her superiors for consultation quickly. For instance, in the beginning of this episode, she called JW to the ER but then apologized because she solved the problem. “He had a stomachache and was constipated so I performed an enema. He’s fine now. I’m sorry, sir.” Then, she blamed the intern, “My intern was so scared that they called you directly.”

-Then, towards the end of this episode, she called on the ER orthopedic doctor for help. They didn’t know what to do with a homeless man with a leg that was totally covered with maggot.

The ER orthopedic doctor went to help her. He also directed her to “call on Dr. Jang Gyeo-ul as well, just in case.”

While waiting for the Ortho Doctor to arrive, she worked out the solution by herself. “We have to remove the maggots to be able to disinfect the skin. Where’s the suction unit?” But while she was thinking about the process, the other female doctor, Dr. Jang, was already manually removing the maggots.

-Her favorite expression is “What should we do?”

But this didn’t mean that she was actually stumped for solutions. It was a rhetorical question. It only meant that she was slowly processing the next step.  (That’s why JW was called in to the ER after she’d already figured out that an enema was to be given to the constipated child.)

2. Dr. Jang, the doctor with no people skills

-Ugh! I’d be annoyed if she’d turn out to be Chilbongie…I mean… JW’s love interest.

-She was the only resident for General Surgery so she was highly in demand by the other specialized surgeons, like by IJ.

-IJ tried to recruit her help with his liver transplant. He danced, “Pick me, Pick me, Pick me up.”

-she wasn’t scared of touching maggots. She impressed both the ER orthopedic doctor and JW.

-can be clueless. The ER doctor rattled off a list of injuries sustained by a boy in a truck accident. He said, “He’s (the boy) losing consciousness. And we can’t get his pulse, and his breathing is weak. We only checked his ultrasound and X-ray scan. He has hemoperitoneum, cervical spine injury and a pelvic fracture. We’ll know more once we take his brain CT. There’s a high chance that his brain might be swelling as well. We can operate, but even if we do, it may be hard for him to regain consciousness.”

After he finished, she just stood there.

lol. She thought that she was having a casual conversation with the ER Doctor. She didn’t get that he actually wanted her to relay the info to the boy’s mother.

– had zero empathy for mom. She should have observed that the mom was beside herself that she had gone to the ER without a shoe. It was a good thing that JW arrived to deal with the mom himself.

Jang: It’s likely that he’s having a hemorrhagic shock.
Mom: Then, what should we do?
Jang: His pulse is weak. We believe he may have a thoracic and brain injury. We took him up to CT. But we’re not sure if he’ll last. There’s a slim chance we can save him. There’s no hope for him.
Mom: Doctor, please save Juhwan. If he’s gone, I won’t be able to live.
Jang: Did you perform CPR?

Mom: Pardon?
Jang: Did you do chest compressions?
Mom: No.
Jang: He could have lived if you had done that.
Mom: What?
JW: Dr. Jang.
Jang: Yes?
JW: A word, please. (Meaning, can he speak with her for a second. But when she reached his side, he turned around and spoke to the mom).

JW: I’m Professor Ahn from Pediatric Surgery. It’s true that things aren’t good for your son, but we’ll do everything we can to save him. I’ll talk to you once we get the CT scan. Mother, it’s too early to be sure about anything. (bowing)

Then, he went to speak with Dr. Jang privately. He pulled the curtain for privacy.

JW: (seething) Dr. Jang, how long have you been a resident?
Jang: Three years.
JW: Is that how you talk to guardians? He could’ve lived if she did CPR? How could you say that? Did you think about how guilty she would feel for the rest of her life? And how can you be certain if he has no hope or a slim chance?
Jang: I’ve observed him since he got here. I’ve only told her the facts after reading his chart and observing his condition. (he rolled his eyes and sighed) But what I told her is true. He indeed has a slim chance. I told her the truth because I believed she needed to know about her son’s condition. (he stared at her) Telling her that she should have performed CPR…it was my mistake. I’m sorry.

The ER ortho doctor came and reported that the boy’s brain scan was fine. He ordered Dr. Jang to take care of the mother as he and Dr. Bae JunHui were going to treat a patient with a stomachache.

JW: Dr. Jang, do you know why doctors only give vague answers such as “We can’t be sure yet,” “We don’t know yet,” and “We need to observe a bit more”? Doctors must take responsibility for their words. So we must be careful with our words. There’s only one thing we, doctors, can tell our patients with certainty. “We will do our best.” That’s the only thing.

When you think about this, JW and Songhwa treated their subordinates in the same way. They didn’t berate them in public and they were measured with their words. Their contrast is JWan.

E. The two other important people in Neurosurgery

1. The new Professor Min

Professor Min had what the Koreans call the “celebrity disease.” He liked to be on camera. When the film was rolling, he’d put on the fake face to look good and benevolent. However, the mom of the “lumbar drain” patient got mad because nobody had seen to him. Since the mom made him lose face in front of the camera, he came after the Chief Resident of the Neurosurgery Department, the sleepy Dr. Young.

Min: How can you eat now? Why didn’t you do a lumbar drain for HSH? Why didn’t you?
Dr. Ahn: Sir….

Ahn was reminding him that the camera was taping them.

You’d have expected Prof Min to calm down because of the camera but instead he became more forceful. Why? Because then he could shift the blame to somebody else. The narrative would be: he got shouted at UNFAIRLY by the mom; he apologized even though it was actually his resident’s fault; he yelled at the resident to teach him the lesson; he was the good guy.

Min: (continuing) Do you call yourself a doctor? How can you call yourself a doctor? What if the hydrocephalus gets worse and puts him in danger? Will you take responsibility for that? Will you?
Dr. Yong: You didn’t give me any orders. Why are you blaming me?
Min: Are you out of your mind? How dare you talk back to me? Hey. (punch) Hey. (punch) You call yourself a chief resident? You can’t even make a judgement call. You shouldn’t be a chief resident. Seriously? Look at you. Are you glaring at me? Stop glaring. Stop glaring at me, you bastard!

Ahn and Songhwa exchanged glances; she signaled him to close the door. After closing the door, he also blocked the window from the camera.

2. The old nurse/colleague of Songhwa, Ms. Hwang

Hwang: You’re known as the Ghost and yet your shoes are worn out.

Since a ghost floats in the air.  it won’t need shoes. And if it did wear shoes, the shoes wouldn’t look worn out.

Songhwa: I’m the Ghost?
Hwang: That’s your nickname.
Songhwa: Why?
Hwang: Because you can’t be human. (they talk business) By the way, your birthday is next week. I’ll buy you a pair of shoes.
Songhwa: This pair can last me ten more years.
Hwang: It’s been about 10 years since I first saw them. You got them when you wear a resident. You should bid farewell to your shoes.
Songhwa: Who was it? Who gave me that nickname?
Hwang: Yong Seokmin did.
Songhwa: I got it.

She bought her a brand new pair of shoes as promised.

**************

To me, it’s easy to remember these new characters if you see them as a couple with socialization skills on the opposite ends.

Those doctors with people skills are Drs. Do, Heo, Bae, and medical student Yunbok, and Nurse Hwang.

Their counterparts, i.e., Drs. Yong, Ahn, Jang, and medical student HongDo, and Professor Min, are those who need to hone their people skills.

Tomorrow, I’ll list the tropes to watch out for.