Dr. Romantic

A brilliant, unconventional surgeon gives up a prestigious Seoul position and quietly takes a post at a small, rundown provincial hospital. He goes by Teacher Kim while keeping a complicated past to himself, but his surgical skill and strict standards quickly change the place. Young doctors arrive with big ambitions and raw talent, and he pushes them hard, teaching practical techniques, tough ethics, and how to prioritize patients when resources are scarce. Cases range from everyday emergencies to rare, high-stakes operations, and the series balances intense operating-room work with the personal growth of both mentor and mentees, without spoiling any twists in their stories.

Created in 2016 by Kang Eun-kyung, Yoo In-sik, and Lim Hye-min, the show stars Han Suk-kyu as Teacher Kim, with Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyoung, Kim Min-jae, and Kim Ju-hun among the main cast, marking a high-profile ensemble for a medical drama.

The series earned attention at Korean television award events, with cast members receiving nominations and some wins across acting and newcomer categories, reflecting the strong performances that anchored the show.

Teacher Kim became an iconic TV figure, and the show helped revive interest in hospital-set dramas with its focus on mentorship and realistic medical procedure scenes. Its characters and the teacher-student dynamic entered wider pop culture conversations in Korea, inspiring discussions about medical ethics and the pressures faced by clinicians in smaller hospitals.

Critics and viewers praised the series for its strong performances and tight storytelling, reflected in a solid vote average of 8.239 out of 10 from 115 votes. Major themes include professional responsibility, the moral complexities of patient care, and the slow rebuilding of trust between teachers and trainees. The tone mixes high-tension surgery sequences with quieter moments of character work, keeping the focus on human choices rather than melodrama.