'Romantic Doctor' puts injustice under knife

A scene from "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim" / Courtesy of SBS

By Park Jin-hai

Fresh updates on the nation’s largest corruption scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her close confidant Choi Soon-sil pop up every day, fanning anger and frustration about society’s deep seated injustice and inequality.

“Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim,” a well-crafted medical drama currently airing on SBS reflects this society’s injustice and inequality and continues to draw viewers.

The drama, after sweeping the broadcaster’s annual drama awards this year gaining seven trophies, including the Grand Prize Award given to its lead actor Han Suk-kyu, has once again topped its own viewership record.

With three more episodes left, the latest episode Tuesday posted a 25.1 percent viewer rating, according to media ratings company Nielsen Korea.

The drama started out with a 9.5 percent viewership rating. The first episode opened with a male voice that drew in the viewers with the line, “In an era of injustice, an era of inequality, an era full of discontent and distrust, it became an era when patients were discriminated against.”

“Romantic Doctor” tells the story of a celebrated surgeon who leaves his former workplace to work in a small hospital in a remote rural area, where he becomes "Teacher Kim" and teaches two young doctors the true meaning of being a doctor.

Whereas the star-studded “Doctors,” that aired on SBS last June, placed more emphasis on romance than actual hospital treatment, the Monday-Tuesday series shines with its outstanding directing and solid plot.

In each fable-like episode, the drama is packed with tension and mysteries that make the viewers cringe, from social messages criticizing the privileged to a bit of romance that doesn’t get in the way to take the weight off the story.

The drama deals with a range of issues, including a rich mother who shows no remorse and remains nonchalant to victims after her son’s reckless drunk driving killed people; the request of the cover-up for the death of a deserter beaten to death; loopholes in the current medical system and a lack of control at the time of the MERS outbreak.

Local critics say, as people blatantly face how unequal this society is after experiencing the Choi Soon-sil gate, “Teacher Kim” who stands firm against the social ills and sticks to his oath of saving lives has earned the hearts of viewers.

With outdated medical equipment, Kim shows god-like surgical skills under the belief that every patient, regardless of economic or social class, has the right to fair medical treatment. He treats patients based on priority of their need, not their money.

“In an age where the truth is concealed, in an age where truth submits to power, baseless rumors and a plethora of tales have been piled up while the truth has been forced to take a back seat. And it’s become hard to tell what is real and what is fake. Such is the world we live in,” says the narration of the drama.

In the latest episode titled “Moment of Truth,” a reporter tailing Kim to uncover Kim’s mysterious past says, “People want truth.” Then, Kim asks back, “If you get to know the truth, you have to have the courage to speak out.”

The short line had impacted viewers deeply, as it came soon after local reporters were under fire after they were recently called in to write down what they heard from President Park, who denied all allegations against her in the corruption, disallowing reporters the use of their cell phones, laptops and cameras.