JTBC's Saturday and Sunday drama 'Doctor Cha Jung-suk' ended on the 4th. The growth of Cha Jung-sook (played by Uhm Jung-hwa), who found true happiness in this moment of being alive, left a deep resonance.
The viewer ratings for the final episode of "Doctor Cha Jeong-sook" recorded the highest nationwide at 18.5% and 19.4% in the metropolitan area (Nielsen Korea, based on paid households), maintaining first place in the same time slot. The audience rating of Target 2049 was also 6.7%, winning the first place in all channels and reaping the beauty of a well-received audience.
On this day, Cha Jeong-suk eventually faced the reality of having to undergo a retransplantation of the liver. However, he did not break the determination that he had said he would not receive a liver transplant from either Seo In-ho (Kim Byung-cheol) or Roy Kim (Min Woo-hyuk). With Roy Kim's permission, he went out of the hospital and headed home. There, he looked back on past memories with his family and prepared for the end by leaving tearful letters to his children. Seo In-ho, who saw that, said, “You didn’t want to accept my liver, you didn’t want me to find a weakness for you. I'll divorce you, so get the surgery. That’s how you live,” he said, stamping the divorce papers.
Seo In-ho's sincerity eventually moved Cha Jung-sook's heart and decided to undergo a liver transplant. And the housekeeper was Roy Kim. The surgery was successfully completed with the best team members. At the same time as Cha Jeong-suk's recovery, the divorce by agreement was also carried out in a snap. Afterwards, Seo In-ho rose to the position of the youngest hospital director of Gusan University Hospital, and Cha Jung-suk returned to his resident position. By the time she was slowly finding her place, Cha expressed her gratitude to Roy Kim, who willingly offered to transplant her liver. In response, Roy Kim confessed, “Actually, I like Teacher Cha.” Cha Jeong-sook said that her heart was like the sunshine of a spring day, but she conveyed her sincerity to meet and love someone who matches well in every way other than herself, saying, “Now, ordinary everyday life is precious to me.”
Cha Jung-sook is now able to fill each day with things she likes. He became a family medicine specialist, ran 'Cha Jeong-sook Clinic', obtained a motorcycle license, and continued medical volunteer work. Cha Jeong-suk's infinite smile showed that the 'rebooting of life' was a perfect success. Added on top of that, “Thank you for everything I can see because I am alive. So at this moment, I believe that I am happy as it is.” His firm conviction left a deep resonance and completed the thrilling ending.
'Doctor Cha Jeong-suk' drew laughter and empathy by portraying the dynamic life of Cha Jeong-suk, a housewife with 20 years of experience. Cha Jeong-sook was someone's wife, daughter-in-law, and mother. His story of finding the true 'me' after passing through the crossroads of life and death summoned all 'Cha Jeong-suk' in the world and evoked support beyond sympathy. As a decent 'Doctor Cha Jung-suk' rather than an 'old and sick specialist', his rebellion with a reason, which no one wanted, eloquently wrote his own new tomorrow, gave a thrilling catharsis. Cha Jeong-sook who opened 'Cha Jeong-suk', Seo In-ho who became the youngest hospital director, Choi Seung-hee (Myung Se-bin) who took over a nursing hospital, and Roy Kim who found the true meaning of family. The new daily life of the four people who found their own happiness was also heartwarming.
At the center of it all is Uhm Jung-hwa's great performance. Uhm Jung-hwa sincerely captures Cha Jung-suk's dynamic narrative of growth. From the emptiness and helplessness she had to feel trapped in the framework of being a housewife for 20 years, to the passionate passion she radiated as a resident again. Cha Jeong-sook's transformation and growth without a break overcoming ignorance and prejudice captured the hearts of viewers wearing Uhm Jung-hwa's skill.
The true value of Kim Byung-cheol, another contributor who created a human medical comedy on a different level, also shone. Through Seo In-ho, who faces a crisis of a lifetime due to his wife's hot rebellion, Kim Byung-cheol has renewed his 'life-cry' again. Seo In-ho, who went from being a nasty husband who leads an outrageous double life between Cha Jeong-suk and Choi Seung-hee, to a desperate 'regretful man' in the world, was naturally digested and added to the fun. Kim Byeong-cheol, who perfectly portrayed 'Seo In-ho', who made Cha Jung-suk's counterattack even more thrilling, was praised as 'God's move'.
The presence of Myung Se-bin and Min Woo-hyuk cannot be left out. Myung Se-bin showed an unprecedented acting transformation and evoked positive responses from viewers. In particular, the unique charm shown in the rivalry with Cha Jeong-sook was the point responsible for the tension of the play. Min Woo-hyuk, who passionately played the affectionate surgeon Roy Kim, succeeded in capturing the hearts of women in the homeroom, taking charge of the excitement. In addition, he left a deep impression by catching both comical and thrilling tikitaka with Uhm Jung-hwa and Kim Byeong-cheol.
Reporter Tae Yuna, Ten Asia youyou@tenasia.co.kr