HALLYU ZOMBIE DRAMA REVIEW: Doctor Stranger Episodes 5-6 (2/2)

jae hee

Tanya: So… I’m starting to think I was right. Jae Hee was a toy. Now imposter Jae Hee (or possibly actual Jae Hee but we just don’t know yet because it’s super easy to fake or replace medical records) is a toy. Apparently North Korea has time to play all sorts of games.

Zombie: Which means we have no idea what’s actually going on here and I’m not just talking about with Jae Hee… I’m so lost trying to figure out what’s actually going on with the South Korean Prime Minister, the ex-administrator/doctor from the hospital (Dr. Choi) and the creepy North Korean baddie (Cha Jin Soo)… It seems to me they’re all in cahoots but I can’t figure out what their dastardly master plan is. Is the Prime Minister some sort of North Korean agent, whose mission is to become president and then “take over the world,” so to speak?

Tanya: Oh! Good theory. And somehow totally believable. This drama is way deeper than I was expecting, by the way.

bad guy

Zombie: I know! And that’s only one of the reasons why I LOVE IT! There’s so much more going on here than just a love story or just a medical drama or just a political piece… There are so many plots and subplots that I’m completely drawn in and the fact that I can’t figure out everything that’s going on thrills me! I love being forced to use my brain as I watch a drama and yes, I’m totally serious about that.

Tanya: No, it’s a great thing. I enjoy dramas where you can’t really figure the story out because it’s not a stereotypical story line. Like, you may be able to figure out some things, but it’s not a clear, cut-and-dry “oh this is going to happen and she’s going to end up with this guy.” It’s a good feeling and part of the reason why I keep watching. I’m 99% sure Hoon believes those medical records are fake. I haven’t decided if I think Jae Hee is Jae Hee or not.

what does it mean

Zombie: I’m dying to know what that look on Hoon’s face meant at the end of this week’s episodes, when he did his little heartbeat test on Seung Hee. Did he realize then and there that she actually is Jae Hee or not? My guess is he’s convinced, now more than ever, that Seung Hee and Jae Hee are the same person but, as always, we’re forced to wait until the next episode to figure out anything more definite. I’m not one to rely on previews of the next episode so I won’t bring up anything from there but I will say I’ve got some theories that need a little more fleshing out before I share them. Just know that there are some things I’m convinced are happening that are going to drive Hoon crazy. In the meantime, I’m going crazy myself trying to decide if Jae Hee/Seung Hee are the same person. One second I’m convinced they’re the same and the next I’m convinced they’re actually different. Honestly, the suspense is killing me and it’s all because what I really want to know is if Hoon is going to get his heart broken or not. (Because that’s what’s so very important in the grand scheme of things… *heavy hints of sarcasm there*)

Tanya: Maybe some brainwashing going on and she doesn’t know she’s her? All the theories here people. I am surprised by the lack of reaction Jae Joon had when he saw Hoon hugging Soo Hyun. I mean, he had a tantrum later, but in the moment? Just walk away? I was expecting more.

i don't buy it

Zombie: I can’t say that I really was. I’m not convinced he actually cares for Soo Hyun beyond what he can get out of her and I’m kinda feeling like she knows it. She did tell Hoon that she was envious of the affection he has for Jae Hee because she’d like to experience that kind of love and devotion herself. When Hoon reminds her that she’s got Jae Joon she just kind of shrugs it off with a half-convinced “I suppose” kind of thing. I think she would like to think that Jae Joon cares more for her but she doesn’t really believe it… Perhaps because she doesn’t really feel anything for him in the first place??? It seems to me she’s more liable to fall for Hoon than she is for Jae Joon… He seems too much like a family friend/brother than an actual love interest, to me anyway but maybe I’m just crazy.

Tanya: I don’t know if I would even call him that. More of a mutual player? I mean if she marries him she’ll get a larger foothold in the hospital after all. I really want to smack her brother and I obviously disagree with her father’s decision to choose her brother over her in the end. I get that it was out of anger, but still unfair based on qualifications.

grumpy dad

Zombie: When are drama parents ever fair? It seems to me they’re all ruled by emotion over brains so this move should come as no surprise, really. That being said, I was still surprised that he would stoop to such pettiness. I was kinda hoping he was bigger than that but… Nope! I can honestly say I hope the decision to promote Oh Sang Jin comes back to bite him in the butt. (Can I say that here???) It seems to me Soo Hyun is the better choice but since she dared to rebel she’s going to be punished for it. Figures!

Tanya: Sometimes the drama needs a little rebel…. or three in this case. I think the brother will crash and fall honestly, so it’ll work out in the end. I’m still hoping for a Jae Joon/Hoon bromance in the end. I honestly think they could make that happen being ace surgeons.

face off

Zombie: There’s certainly room for some growing respect there. I’m not sure I can see a bromance in the making, at least not at this point. Maybe once the whole rivalry thing comes to some sort of resolution. I think that right now they’re so busy trying to vie for the position of top dog that they can’t actually admit the other’s talents. Plus, once Jae Joon sees Hoon as a love rival, things are only going to get worse between the two. As much as I’d like to see a Kim Tan/Young Do type bromance bloom between Jae Joon and Hoon, I just don’t see it happening. Though, if things were to get crazy and the two suddenly found themselves on the same side of some bigger issue, then yes, I could totally see them developing a bromance worth talking about.

Tanya: Assuming Jae Joon even wants that love rival. He could just do the “screw this,” throw some papers, and walk away. Well, as away as he can from Soo Hyun without leaving the hospital.

Zombie: I don’t think he’s at all interested in any sort of real romantic relationship with Soo Hyun but I think that he very much wants to make her think that he does because that’s his strongest tie/quickest route to the top. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want that taken away by anyone, let alone Hoon.

Tanya: He wants the perks without the hassle. I get that, but he could actually remain on top without having to give that up if Soo Hyun just spoke a word. Her father has acknowledged that he pretty much does whatever his kids ask him to do. And that’s a very real option actually, whether or not Hoon is involved in the romance end of things. I honestly just want him to let Jae Hee go and move on. I’m hoping this story gets him there or at least it really is her and she magically decides that Hoon is the right path and forgiveness happens on his end.

a lovely place to be

Zombie: I’m really hoping Hoon does move on. I have such a bad feeling about Jae Hee/Seung Hee that I really want to see him walk away from her and never look back. Unfortunately I don’t see that happening at all, which means Hoon is in for so much heartbreak it kills me to even think about it. After all that poor boy has gone through, he still so so much more suffering to endure. My only hope is that through it all, Soo Hyun is there to comfort him and help him through it and at the end, they’ll be able to live their own “happily ever after.”

Tanya: Well here’s to hoping for a happy ending because nothing can ruin a great story more than not knowing how to end it.

With so many theories, we aren’t even sure what’s happening! Do you think the look-alike is really Jae Hee? Should Hoon just move on? Does Jae Joon really care for Soo Hyun or is he just using her for his own gain? What do you think is really going on with the Prime Minister and his cohorts? Is there some bigger, darker plot working here that we’re oblivious to at the moment? We’d love to hear what you’re thinking so be sure to leave us a comment below!

 

You can also tweet at us @Hallyu_Tanya and @TheZombieMamma or find us talking about all manner of Hallyu goodness on our blogs:cHallyuKnow and ZombieMamma

Catch up on all of our previous Doctor Stranger reviews here:

Episodes 1-2: [Part 1] [Part 2]

Episodes 3-4: [Part 1] [Part 2]

Episodes 5-6: [Part 1] [Part 2]

%d bloggers like this: