Doctor CHA – Review (Episodes 1 – 4)

By NayK | May 3, 2023

Doctor CHA is airing now on Netflix, starring Uhm Jung Hwa in the titular role as Cha Jeong Suk, Kim Byung Chul as her husband, Seo In Ho, Min Woo Hyuk as Roy Kim, and Myung Se Bin as Choi Sung Hee. We watched the first few episodes, and it’s so far, so good!

Cha Jeong Suk has a medical licence. She just never used it. Instead, she fell pregnant, married, raised two children, and in the process, became the ‘ideal’ wife and daughter-in-law. No easy feat. Her academic and medical licence has been cast into a pit of what-might-have-been. But she feels like she chose her path and tries hard to be grateful for the many gifts it has given her. 

A serious hiccup

During a morning of shopping, Jeong Suk collapses. Rushed to the hospital, she discovers she’s suffering from jaundice. Unfortunately, no one is there to be her guardian. She’s left to wait for results alone. Her husband tells her not to worry. He’s off to a conference in Europe—with his mistress, Myung Se Bin. A month on Jeong Suk has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis and needs a liver transplant stat. The husband is still unwilling to help, despite being a donor match. Oh, did we mention he’s the Chief Surgeon at a well-known hospital? He knows the consequences if she doesn’t receive a replacement liver.

Do we wish Seo In Ho had copped the nasty, rather than Jeong Suk? Yes, yes we do. And we are willing to take the drama karma for saying it.

His mother is adamant that he shouldn’t donate, as is the mistress. Her son worries but does nothing when he witnesses his father’s disrespect for his mother, and her daughter, who’s in Year 12, sobs her heart out until Jeong Suk is home, then immediately returns to taking her for granted. 

So what happens when life smacks you upside-the-head?

It’s time to re-evaluate.

“The realization of my loneliness came out of the blue. My beautiful family that was so perfect and elegant. What was I to them?” – Cha Jeong Suk

Jeong Suk begins to look at things differently and wonders why she’s been so bent on self-sacrifice all these years. She reacts much like you or I might. She goes on a shopping spree and stops letting her family walk all over her. Heaven forbid they have to make their own detox juice! She tells In Ho she wants to be included as joint owner on their house, which (after checking with his mother) he rejects. Predictably.

It’s her transplant doctor, Roy Kim, who encourages her to so something with her medical licence. When he does, Jeong Suk begins to remember how much she enjoyed studying and decides to take the Resident Assessment Examination and apply for residency at In Ho’s hospital.

Review

We’re only four episodes in, but Doctor CHA is proving to be a good watch. The storyline is engaging, and our lead character is very relatable.

You don’t have to be a mature person to enjoy this drama. Yes, Jeong Suk faces ageism, but there’s much more to the show than that. The desire to connect, the necessity for self-reflection, and knowing when to sacrifice for others and when to prioritise your own needs are issues we all face. The show also reminds us that you’re always young enough to start something new. It might not be easy; Jeong Suk feels the pressure and is understandably tired. She’s working and taking care of her family. Still, we see that success is about willingness and effort. 

It’s a pity her family can’t be more like Dr Roy Kim, who demonstrates sincere regard, even admiration.

The cast is putting out quality performances, and the writing is solid. The characters feel robust and well-established from episode one. Kim Byung Chul is doing a great job as In Ho. You’ll find yourself laughing even as you want to smack him. (Not that we’re suggesting violence as an option, lol).

During episode four it looked like the pacing might slip. It appears we were concerned for nothing however. The episode has a great final hook; Jeong Suk discovers her husband’s infidelity as she and Dr Jeon try to save Chairman Oh’s life. Her disorientation when she sees In Ho with Myung Se Bin and the bracelet she was told had been bought for her birthday on Se Bin’s wrist was so well executed. Hmmm. …Executed. A poor choice of words perhaps, given in her shock, Jeong Suk put her hand between Chairman Oh and the deliberator and finished the episode unconscious.

In reality, the scene sums up this series so far—great storytelling that has found the balance between heartfelt drama and comedy.

What will Jeong Suk do when she wakes up? Will she challenge him? Does she continue to have faith in herself? Will she end up divorcing In Ho and consider other (handsome) options? We’re not sure, but we’re looking forward to finding out. Bring on the next episode!

What did you think of Doctor CHA so far? Tell us in the comments.

Doctor CHA is a 2023 South Korean drama series, directed by Kim Tae Jin and Kim Jung Wook.

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Written by NayK

Edited by Narelle