Hey everyone! Hallyu Tanya and I have teamed up once again to bring you a weekly review of SBS’s newest drama, Doctor Stranger and with so much happening in these first two episodes, there’s no time to waste on introductions. We’ve got a drama to talk about, so let’s get to it!
Let me just begin by saying that I was hooked on Doctor Stranger less than five minutes into it. Between the fear of impending war, a damaged father/son relationship and an ominous challenge to be a hero and save the world… How could I not be? The tension in these first few minutes was fantastic as it’s what pushed me into a story that was both terrifying, heart-warming and heartbreaking, all at the same time! Talk about depth! Even better, the characters in this story have just as much, or even more, depth than the story itself which means, I’m as interested in learning all I can about each of the characters as I am in finding out what happens next. Needless to say, I’m dying for next week’s episodes!
Until then, let’s talk a bit about Park Cheol and his son, Park Hoon, shall we? What started out as a seemingly broken relationship between father and son quickly turned into one of infinite love and understanding. I was so afraid that Park Cheol was going to leave his son, standing along and confused, without so much as a goodbye so I cried tears of relief and joy when he came running back to Park Hoon a minute later. Knowing that Park Cheol’s trip to North Korea would be the last trip he ever made, I was dreading the thought of Park Hoon growing up believing that both of his parents hated him. The poor kid was already scarred enough by overhearing his mom say as much on the phone the night before; it would have been too much for him to believe his dad hated him too, especially considering how much Park Hoon idolizes his father. Thank goodness Park Cheol had the good sense to go back and hug the snot out of Park Hoon before he left. I’m convinced that single act solidified their relationship and it’s a good thing it did because I’m pretty sure Park Hoon wouldn’t have been nearly as calm, standing in that operating room with a gun to his head, had he not had complete faith in his father.
I think a big part of the beauty of this story has been the love between Park Cheol and Park Hoon. They have been through some of the most unimaginable horrors and as they’ve had no one to rely upon but each other, they have developed a relationship that most parents could only dream of having with their children. Yes, they have their moments of conflict but they have an underlying love and respect for each other that is has shaped who they have both become. I admire them both for remaining warm and caring people and I respect Park Cheol’s willingness to sacrifice himself in order for his son to have a chance at freedom, I just with he hadn’t taken such drastic measures. My heart broke for Park Hoon as he was holding his dying father in his arms but at the same time, it made me wonder what lasting impact this would make on him. A person doesn’t watch their father die without being affected in the long run and I’m wondering what this will do to Park Hoon in the future.
Of course the love between Park Hoon and Song Jae Hee is nearly as lovely as the love between father and son. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain of losing someone you love, searching for her for years, finding her on the brink of death, saving her only to very nearly kill her, reviving her and then running away with her, only to lose her at the very last moment. Ugh! This would be the melodramatic part of this story. Oh my word! The love between Park Hoon and Jae Hee started out so innocently and sweetly and it grew into something so lovely and then it was lost and then found and then lost again and my poor heart is breaking in protest. Being left with the hope that Park Hoon may be able to rescue Jae Hee from some awful North Korean prison camp is torture as I have no idea whether she’s actually in that camp and if she is, will she survive long enough for Park Hoon to get her out? I have a feeling it’s going to take an awful long time for these two to actually get together but I’m okay with that, as long as the story remains as intriguing as it has been these first two episodes.
As much as I’d like to keep going with this review, I’d better leave something for Tanya and I to talk about tomorrow so I’ll end this here by asking you what you thought of these first two episodes of Doctor Stranger. I’d love to hear your initial impressions of this drama and I’m always up for chatting so be sure to leave me a comment below!
Great recap! I think the heart of this drama is the love of PH and SJH. So strong and touching. I really hope she’s alive because she has gone through much suffering as Park Hoon until now and it’s only the beginning. That scare me.
Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! I think there’s a very good chance Song Jae Hee is still alive, I think the bigger question is, how much will she have changed in the past two years? I have this horrible feeling that she’s not going to be the same lovable Jae Hee that she once was and that’s what scares me the most. It’s going to break my heart if Park Hoon goes through all of this trouble to rescue Jae Hee and he finds out she’s no longer a person worth rescuing. Eeek! The very idea sends chills down my spine!