A whole year later and I still stand by this character analysis.
However, as I wrote this after Episode 6, I didn’t have the advantage (like many of you now) of knowing the other delusional things he did later on. Like, how in Ep 12 he proposed to SongHwa, all the while ignoring her awkward silence.
Yes. He’s Dr. Romantic alright…and not entirely in a good way.
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
I didn’t watch “Dr. Romantic” so I can’t make comparisons.
However, if I read this writer correctly, she has another interpretation of the word “romantic.”
It means unrealistic.
You see, there are times when IJ lives in a sort of fantasy world where he expects things to end happily ever after. He means well, of course, but his blindness to reality can have unintended consequences. Whenever he tries to create an ideal situation, his expectations can beccome impractical or impossible to fulfill.
That’s what I think “Dr. Romantic” meant here. I’m sure it’s meant to be a shout-out to that other drama which starred Yoo Yeon Seok. But even without referring to that kdrama, and just limiting ourselves within the scope of this kdrama, we can still understand how “Dr. Romantic” refers to IJ.
I’ll give a few examples.
Episode 1
• The Darth Vader
🙂 What do you think was that whole scene about? It wasn’t just for comedy.
To me, IJ’s character flaw was revealed in that instant. He was somebody who was literally and METAPHORICALLY stuck in a fantasy world. He’d put on his child’s helmet without realizing that the helmet had glue on it so the helmet got stuck on his head. To save face, he went to Songhwa’s hospital (not his) to get it removed.
Episode 2
• The sausage incident. I pointed this out, didn’t I?
The sausage fiasco was his idealistic attempt to socialize the distribution of sausages. He meant well: he wanted the “minor” members in the hospital to get more sausages than the “major” players in the hospital. But as a result of his interference, he ended up messing the equitable system devised by the kitchen staff.
What’s worse, he unfairly gave more to Maggot to curry favor.
Episode 3
• Sigh. Maggot happened.
In his blind desire to have Maggot as his resident, he encouraged her one-sided infatuation. He showed her pictures and related stories of his college days with JW. He exploited his friendship with JW to get Maggot to work for him. He thought it was a win-win situation for both him and Maggot. He thought it was romantic to help Maggot get together with his friend.
He didn’t stop to think of the consequences of his meddling.
• Not only this, in Episode 3, his marriage dissolved.
To me, it’s ironic that the featured song in this episode was “Aloha.” He sang this song which talked about always being together when he and his wife lived separate lives.
Cause your love is so sweet
You are my everything
I’m not just saying this
Because I feel dreamy like it’s the first night
I won’t change, I’ll only look at you
Sure, the marriage breakdown wasn’t entirely his fault. But to me, he romanticized a long-distance marriage. Everybody knows that successful marriages don’t happen by magic. They’re built slowly, day by day, with lots of effort and care…TOGETHER. That’s the key word there: together.
But he was perfectly fine with a long-distance marriage because he was satisfied with IDEA of a marriage. He idealized his marriage.
Episode 4
• Still encouraging Maggot
• The fantasy boyfriend for his sister
He created a fantasy boyfriend for his sister. He wanted Capt Ahn for his sister that he failed to see the romance blooming between JWan and sister. It didn’t enter his head to wonder why JWan showed extra attention to his sister and visited her often.
He decided that Capt Ahn was a good match for his sister because he wanted him as his brother-in-law.
Episode 5
• He continued encouraging Maggot’s fantasies and harboring his own fantasies of a brother-in-law.
Episode 6
Everything comes to a head. IJ realized that his romantic ideas didn’t match reality.
First, JWan egged him because he couldn’t stand his obliviousness any longer. In Jwan’s opinion, IJ was proud of his sister because he saw himself in her. IJ was projecting his own dating success onto his sister. He was referring to himself when he described his sister like this:
“My sister, she’s so used to receiving love. She’s never liked a guy first. Even if she had a crush on someone, she never showed it. But I think my sister likes you.”
To me, JWan probably knew more about Iksun’s situation than he was letting on. So, after his fistfight his IJ, he visited Capt Ahn in the NS room. His purported reason was to look for his chief resident, Dr Do, but I believe he went there to look for the Capt Ahn. His eyes were too shifty. Even when he was told that Dr Do wasn’t there, he was still scanning the NS room.
Then, Capt Ahn revealed to IJ that his sister was actually nursing a broken heart.
Ahn: Gosh, no. We’re really not involved romantically. Besides, IkSun is still hurt by what happened in the past. She said she wasn’t ready to date someone yet. She said she can’t trust anyone. I think it will take her some time.
IJ: Really?
It bothered IJ that his sister had been hurting without his knowledge. His head was stuck in the clouds…or in that Darth Vader’s helmet.
Do you see know why I say he’s Dr. Romantic…as opposed to Dr. Realistic or Dr. Practical.
Oddly enough, it was the male twin who realized that something was with IJ.
IJ: Don’t stay in here. Go to the café in the lobby. If you stay in here, whoever walks in will try to give you advice and meddle. Okay? Gosh, I’m even out of breath. Bye!
Brother: Is he a comedian?
Sister: No. He’s Dr. Romantic.
The brother knew that IJ’s advice had good intentions. But he also knew that nothing could be further from the truth. None of the doctors who entered that room had anything to say to them. They were too busy to engage in a meaningful conversation with them.
IJ’s expectation ≠ reality
That’s why he’s “Dr. Romantic.” He loves romance. Who doesn’t? But there are times when he needlessly romanticizes the harsh reality (cough cough Maggot) and gets a wrong reading. Unfortunately, he doesn’t understand yet that maintaining this illusion of romance can lead to disappointment.
My two cents.
Other notes
– the pics that he took of Jwon for Jang? They were all in the most unflattering of poses? 🤣. He wanted Jang to think badly of JWon?
– girl twin’s surname? It’s also Jang. 🤣. She’s crushing over Dr Romantic.
Yes to IJ being the guy who romanticizes everything. He lives in fantasy land. JWan called him a nut job. And he would know. He’s grown up with him. I find it interesting that the pair of them were good friends in the beginning of Med school and now it looks like the 2 JWs are closer as friends and SH/IJ (probably by virtue of their shared divorces) are buddies in YulJe.
Another meta reference to Dr. Romantic in addition to YYS is that JJS’s wife sang the OST for Dr. Romantic 2. (And, as an aside, the leads of Dr. Romantic 2 sang a very charming appealing version of the same OST as a thank you to fans.) And I really (really) know this thread isn’t about Dr. Romantic but I will add that the Dr. Romantic’s Han Suk-kyu (the ML) is outstanding in his portrayal/embodiment of a character in a drama. Getting back to HP, IJ’s character’s manic energy would get exhausting irl. Perhaps Jang can mellow him out.
I agree @GoodTwin about IJ’s manic energy. 😂. He’s just constantly on the move and getting involved in everybody’s business – canteen lady, nurse, Jang’s confidante and bringing in the bulk of the funds for the VIP with his surgery roster. He never stops. 😂. He’s not suited for the quiet life at all. I can’t ever see him going camping with SHwa. She’s happy to just sit and chill in nature. And settle for a country practice where life is moving at a slower pace. He can’t do that. It’s clear that the weren’t meant to be.
@nrllee, I have even more difficulty imagining Songhwa living life according to IJ’s portrayed preferences. Maybe because I am also very fond of camping and being alone.
On the other hand I’m musing how in every new relationship you are bound to do new things that in the early stages can be very exiting.
But I agree they seem not a good match right now.
it’s one thing to accept and adapt to your new partner’s strength and flaws, balancing each other. But it’s another thing to change your true self to fulfill the requirement or needs of the other person. Like what Ikjun made Shwa do. Patronising her. Not accepting her for being herself. Like what fangirl did to PG. Not willing to look at why he finds the need to fulfill his dreams and at the same time torn to stay for his patients. It will be one very taxing and tiring relationship. Both ikjun and his resident dismissed Shwa x and PG. What’s more important to them is they get what they want and they want Shwa and PG to fulfill the lack of love they so need. Period. Shwa x PG are not in teenage years anymore to be treated like that.
I need to watch Dr. Romantic. Miracle23 likes it, too.
Yes, in real life, a person with IJ’s personality would tire me out. He reminds me of Puck from Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Mischievous, troublesome, hyper.
Theoretically, Jang would make him a good partner because:
a. as you said, she could calm him down
b. he likes fussing over her and she likes that attention
c. his happy-go-lucky attitude would balance her woebegone look
d. he doesn’t need to have another child with her soon. Remember he was asked what he would like to do if he didn’t have Uju? He said he wanted to enjoy the nightlife/party life?
e. she said she didn’t mind his Uju
@packmule yes yes you have to watch dr. Romantic ✨✨✨✨
@packmule3, Am adding my voice to the group that says watch Dr. Romantic.Han Sul-kyu is terrific-an “older” heartthrob, not a flower boy, with gravitas. Also, it’s an underdog story, set in a satellite hospital in the boonies.
One thought about IJ-didn’t they say early on, that thingscame easily to him-he didmn’t have to study. It appears that now that he’s reaching middle age, that characterization no longer runs true, starting with darthvader helmet stuck tohis head(not seeking treatment in his own hospital). And then he is facing his impending divorce. You point out hismisstep with the sausage(is his judgment going badbdcause of his ego). And when in need, who does he run to-Good Ole Songwha (who doesn’t get reciprocal treatment from him), his human default.Boo IJ who indulges Maggot, who has done nothing for him except maybe feed his ego. I wouldn’t match her with him purely because Uju deserves a better stepmother! Going into the srcond season, IJ is in the dog house (and how dare he play with Songhwa,who we know is inneed of medical trearment). Anyway, sorry to be ranting away in the USA-just couldn’t help myself.
whoahhhh @packmule3 as charming as IkJun seems, until now I don’t really know why I am not really into IkJun, and now you peeled it off for me. Sometimes IkJun is manipulative and almost pervert. And I think SHwa knows that and she doesn’t buy IkJun’s charms as well.
In EP6 when IkJun accompanied SHwa to get the result of her test:
SHwa : What If I have cancer
IkJun : You can get it fixed. I’ll fix it nomatter what
Shwa (smile while scoffing): It’s nice getting a confident answer from the doctor. (IkJun smile proudly, but Shwa continued) Now I understand why doctors should not give out such answers. It’s so nice to hear that. It makes me think you’ll fix whatever is wrong with me. That’s why I should never say things like that to my patients.
With that answers, It’s obvious that she will never choose IkJun to be her partner except if there is force majeure. Shwa is great ! I really love this character ! In PD Shin and LWJ I trust.
Another thing that I don’t like about IkJun: his confession in the last episode. It reminds me of Jung Hwan’s confession to DS in Reply 1988. It is so pathetic. Pfuhhhhh…no wonder SHwa was annoyed and uncomfortable. If it’s not because of their 20 years friendship, I am sure she would reject him directly like she rejected Captain Ahn.
@BulmaGoku yes to the confession by IJ. It was cowardly? Because of the way he couched it? It was a “hypothetical”? So he could back out quickly and salvage his pride if she downright rejected him. “I have a friend…” 🙄. He wanted her thoughts on it BEFORE he voiced his intentions? What would YOU do? So he threw the ball in her court and got her to bear the weight of the confession rather than him taking all the risk by confessing straight up? If you want to confess then be like SHyeong. Forthright. Took all the risk.
I’m few days late but I’m also gonna support the Watch Dr. Romantic campaign 😂😁😄.
How have you been, LeeDale9198?
I know. I should watch Dr Romantic. But let me get through Healer first. We’re having a rewatch session in a few weeks. 🙂
Just reading this now. I agree with everyone’s observations about IJ’s character.
@Packmule, when you are done with Healer you’ll need to watch both Dr. Romantic 1 and Dr. Romantic 2. Both are my favorite medical dramas, ever. 🙂