JTBC's Saturday-Sunday drama 'Doctor Cha Jeong-sook' (directed by Kim Dae-jin and Kim Jeong-wook, written by Jeong Yeo-rang, produced by Studio & New Co., Ltd., SLL, and JCN) will enter its second act starting with episode 9, which will be aired on the 13th.
The residency challenge of Cha Jeong-sook (played by Eom Jeong-hwa), a full-time housewife of 20 years, is showing a frightening power, evoking not only exhilarating catharsis but also empathy with reality. Amidst the enthusiastic response, viewership ratings and topicality are also overwhelming. The last 8th episode ranked first in its time slot with its own highest rating of 16.9% (Nielsen Korea, based on paid households, metropolitan area), and it continued its strong performance by recording 5.6% in the 2049 target audience rating and ranking first on all channels.
It also proved its popularity in the topicality index. In the topicality survey for the first week of May (May 1 to May 7) announced by Good Data Corporation, it ranked first in the drama category, first in the overall broadcast including non-drama, and first in the comprehensive drama chart including OTT. swept away In addition, Uhm Jung-hwa and Kim Byeong-cheol attracted attention by ranking first and second for three weeks in a row. Myung Se-bin (7th place) and Min Woo-hyuk (6th place) also showed off their presence by consecutively appearing in the TOP 10.
However, she was embroiled in controversy over 'Dr. Cha Jeong-sook'. In episode 7, there was a scene where the mother-in-law of a Crohn's disease patient said, "How can you hide such a nasty disease and get married?" Crohn's disease was called a 'bad disease', causing controversy.
In response, ‘Dr. Cha Jeong-sook’ side bowed its head. The production team apologized, saying, "We failed to pay close attention to the fact that the dialogue could increase negative perceptions about certain diseases. We did not intend to lightly treat the pain and depression of patients suffering from disease. We will produce with more caution."
In the midst of this, ‘Doctor Cha Jeong-sook’s’ fiery rebellion begins. Above all, the variables that come to Cha Jeong-sook's 'torn life suture' bring about a turning point in an unpredictable relationship. Cha Jeong-sook and Seo In-ho (played by Kim Byeong-cheol) are in crisis after finding out about her husband's double life, Choi Seung-hee (played by Myung Se-bin) is determined to make everything right, and the dangerous steps are taken, as well as Roy Kim (played by Min Woo-hyuk) who begins to realize his feelings for Cha Jung-sook. We look forward to seeing what kind of storm will hit people.
While Cha Jeong-sook's choices and changes have aroused curiosity, we pointed out the points to watch ahead of the second act.
# Will new resident Cha Jeong-suk overcome reality and be reborn as ‘Doctor Cha Jeong-suk’?
Cha Jeong-sook's challenge as a new resident was a series of hardships. Cha Jeong-suk, who steadfastly fought for a new tomorrow despite the high walls of reality, prejudice, and everyone's opposition. Cha Jeong-sook had to swallow tears at every moment, but the sincerity accumulated over the years of her life, sincerity for patients, and sense of duty as a 'doctor' that she showed changed even the cold eyes of those around her. Viewers also poured out their enthusiastic support for Cha Jeong-sook, who realized that her challenges were not meaningless as she watched patients regaining their will to live. Although she hesitated due to the guilt of not being able to take care of her family as much as before, Cha Jeong-sook broke through it in her own way. The mistake-filled new resident who was not welcomed anywhere has now grown into ‘Dr. Cha Jeong-sook.’ Attention is focused on how Cha Jung-sook's life reboot, which has begun to regain her former vibrant self, will be completed, and whether she will be able to continue her residency at a hospital after learning of the relationship between her husband Seo In-ho and Choi Seung-hee.
# Cha Jeong-sook's choice after finding out about her husband's double life?! ‘Relationship reversal’, the actions of Cha Jeong-sook and Seo In-ho couple
Cha Jeong-sook's awakening brought changes to the couple's relationship. Cha Jeong-suk has now developed the strength to protect her daughter's dreams on her own without worrying about her authoritarian husband. The discovery of Seo In-ho's double life foreshadows another major upheaval and another reversal in relationships to come. Cha Jeong-sook sobbed after confirming her husband Seo In-ho's double life, which had been full of questions. Cha Jeong-sook's heart broke when she realized that the reason she was so opposed to her residency challenge was because of her secret relationship with Choi Seung-hee. Even though his double life was discovered by his family, Seo In-ho continued to walk a tightrope between Cha Jeong-sook and Choi Seung-hee. In particular, the existence of Choi Eun-seo (So Ah-rin), the daughter of Seo In-ho and Choi Seung-hee, is still unknown. Curiosity is also focused on what choice Cha Jeong-sook, who announced that she will leave home, will make, and what Seo In-ho will do after his secret is revealed.
# The storm that hit Cha Jung-sook, Seo In-ho, Choi Seung-hee, and Roy Kim! A dizzying turning point in an unpredictable relationship
The turning point in the dizzying relationship between Cha Jeong-sook, Seo In-ho, Choi Seung-hee, and Roy Kim is also a point to watch that cannot be missed. The unpredictable actions of Choi Seung-hee, who showed his willingness to risk everything to correct the wrong button, and the unstoppable actions of Roy Kim, who had been unable to express his feelings for Cha Jung-sook out loud, but burst out with his sincerity in a crisis situation, added to the dizzying effect. Attention is being paid to what variables they will have on the crisis-ridden couple Cha Jung-sook and Seo In-ho, as well as the direction of their complex relationship. Here, Seo In-ho explodes with jealousy at the affectionate appearance of Cha Jung-sook and Roy Kim, and his emotional changes due to his wife's unusual charms suggest another change. The changes in the family, which cannot hide their disappointment at the bare face of their respected father, Seo In-ho, are also interesting. Cha Jeong-sook, who learned all of these truths, is receiving a lot of attention in her choice as she stands at an unimaginable crossroads in rebooting her life.
Ten Asia Reporter Kim Seo-yoon seogugu@tenasia.co.kr