"Hospital Playlist" and "Resident Playbook" Couples, Ranked! Who's #1?
- Anwaya Mane
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Hospital Playlist is undoubtedly one of the most beloved and acclaimed K-dramas worldwide. Written by Lee Woo Jeong—the brilliant mind behind the Reply series and the critically acclaimed dark comedy Prison Playbook—the drama follows the heartwarming story of five friends who have been inseparable since medical school. Now working at the same hospital, they spend their rare free time making music together in a band.
Following two immensely successful seasons, the official spin-off, Resident Playbook, premiered on Netflix. Centered on five resident doctors, the new series dives into the everyday challenges, emotional highs and lows, and perseverance of young doctors finding their way in the medical world.
To the delight of longtime fans—spoiler alert—the cast of Hospital Playlist made special appearances throughout Resident Playbook, both individually and as couples. In honor of this expanding universe, we’re ranking our six favorite couples from Hospital Playlist to Resident Playbook.
6. Um Jae Il and Kim Sa Bi (Resident Playbook)
A former idol turned first-year OB-GYN resident, Um Jae Il is all charm and sunshine, the kind of person who lights up every room he walks into. In contrast, Kim Sa Bi is quiet, introverted, and thoughtful—the classic “immovable object” to Jae Il’s “unstoppable force.” When these two share the screen, the chemistry is undeniable. Kang You Seok and Han Ye Ji have an effortless dynamic that fans can’t get enough of. With so much untapped potential, viewers are eagerly hoping for a second season to see where this slow-burn romance might lead.
Kim Jun Wan and Lee Ik Sun (Hospital Playlist)
We still remember the shock when we discovered that Kim Jun Wan was secretly dating Lee Ik Jun's sister, Lee Ik Sun. Their relationship faces real-life challenges, such as the struggle of long-distance love and the complexities of one partner not fully opening up about their illness or personal issues. Jung Kyung Ho and Kwak Sun Young bring a natural, straightforward, and relatable chemistry to their roles, making their connection feel incredibly authentic.
Oh Yi Young and Goo Do Won (Resident Playbook)
Go Youn Jung and Jung Joon Won in a still from Resident Playbook (Image via X/@yourecho_). Their pairing brought back memories of Dr. Ahn Jeong Won and Jang Gyeo Wool from Hospital Playlist: a budding resident doctor falling head over heels for a senior. Go Youn Jung and Jung Joon Won share a genuinely sweet and endearing chemistry. While there was initial skepticism due to the age difference and some criticism surrounding the male actor’s visuals, Resident Playbook won fans over with the duo's dynamic. Now, many are hoping for a Season 2 to see their romance further blossom.
Yang Seok Hyung and Chu Min Ha (Hospital Playlist)
Kim Dae Myung and Ahn Eun Jin in a still from Hospital Playlist (Image via tvN). The Hospital Playlist universe has a knack for crafting unexpected yet heartwarming romances, and the relationship between Assistant Professor Yang Seok Hyung (Kim Dae Myung) and OBGYN resident Chu Min Ha (Ahn Eun Jin) is truly one for the books. Classically, Min Ha initially sees Dr. Seok Hyung as aloof, insensitive, and—worst of all—a total mama’s boy. A walking red flag. But over time, she comes to see the real him: thoughtful, kind, and yes, still a mama’s boy—but in the sweetest way. Eventually, she realizes he’s not a red flag at all, but a complete green one.
Ahn Jeong Won and Jang Gyeo Wool (Hospital Playlist)
This slow-burn romance made hearts flutter across the Hospital Playlist fandom. Shin Hyun Been portrays Jang Gyeo Wool, a quiet, introverted, yet fiercely determined resident with a tenacious spirit. She harbors a quiet crush on the compassionate and handsome Dr. Ahn Jeong Won (played by Yoo Yeon Seok), who secretly plans to leave medicine to pursue life as a priest. Refusing to let the love of her life slip away, Gyeo Wool bravely confesses her feelings, culminating in a tender, unforgettable kiss. And as if written by fate, their names align beautifully: 'Gyeo Wool' means 'winter' and 'Jeong Won' means 'garden' in Korean. A true match made in heaven!
Lee Ik Joon and Chae Song Hwa (Hospital Playlist)
Jo Jung Suk and Jeon Mi Do in a still from Hospital Playlist (Image via tvN). As a wise philosopher once said, "true love is rooted in true friendship", and no couple embodies that better than Lee Ik Joon (Jo Jung Suk) and Chae Song Hwa (Jeon Mi Do). Lifelong best friends, they've weathered every storm together: heartbreaks, personal setbacks, and the everyday chaos of life. Their bond is built not on grand gestures but on quiet loyalty, deep understanding, and unwavering support. It’s not a whirlwind romance—it’s something far more enduring: love that has grown patiently over time. Their surprise cameo in Resident Playbook was a heartwarming reminder of just how special they are. Through every trial, they've held each other close, proving time and again why they deserve the top spot on this list.
According to multiple sources, both Hospital Playlist and Resident Playbook are reportedly in talks for a new season, though there has been no official confirmation yet, so for now, it's all speculation. Still, fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of reuniting with their favorite characters and couples on screen, with hopes even rising for a potential crossover between the two beloved universes. Both Hospital Playlist and Resident Playbook are currently streaming on Netflix.
Which Hospital Playlist/Resident Playbook couple is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!