Doctor on the edge" is recording a positive start on Korean screens when ratings increased from 4% to 5% after only two episodes aired. Besides viewership achievements, the work is also noticed thanks to the healing atmosphere and chemical reactions between Lee Jae Wook and Shin Ye Eun.
The film tells the story of Do Ji Eui (Lee Jae Wook) - a public health doctor who is sent to Pyeondong Island (Korea), a place famous for being harsh and avoided by many people. Here, he meets Yook Ha Ri (Shin Ye Eun) - a nurse born and raised on the island, who also carries many secrets.
According to Korean media, the context and healing colors of the film remind many viewers of "Cha-cha-cha dance of the sea village" - a work that helped Kim Seon Ho and Shin Min Ah create a small screen fever in 2021.
The easily noticeable similarity lies in the peaceful coastal context, where a person from the city must learn to adapt to a completely different life. Besides, there are local residents with everyday stories, contributing to creating a sense of closeness and healing.
However, "The Desert Island Doctor" still has its own direction. If "The Sea Village Cha-cha-cha Melody" focuses on the adaptation journey of female dentist Yoon Hye Jin, the new work focuses on Do Ji Eui - a doctor with many psychological trauma related to the sea and life on the island.
Instead of building tense medical situations or fighting in hospitals, the film chooses to exploit small stories of local people. Familiar issues such as psychology of reluctance to see a doctor, self-treatment at home or isolation in remote areas are gently integrated into the film's flow.
One of the most mentioned factors today is the combination of Lee Jae Wook and Shin Ye Eun. Both were born in 1998 and are considered to bring youthful, natural energy to the screen.
If Lee Jae Wook scores points with the image of doctor Do Ji Eui who is both professionally skilled and clumsy when adapting to life on the island, then Shin Ye Eun creates sympathy thanks to the role of energetic nurse Yook Ha Ri, who is always a support for local people.
The contrast in personality helps the interactions between the two characters become the highlight of the film.
In particular, Shin Ye Eun received many compliments for her ability to portray a character that is both bright and warm on the outside but still carries injuries and secrets that have not been revealed.
Many viewers believe that this is one of the roles that shows the maturity of the actress after previous works.
Besides the love story, the sea and island scenery also play an important role in creating attraction for the work. Before "Doctor of the Isle", many films set in the sea such as "Cha-cha-cha dance of the sea village", "Blues on the blue island" or "Welcome to Samdal-ri", "Blue Spring" all received positive feedback thanks to bringing a feeling of relaxation and healing to viewers.
With the growth momentum of ratings and positive word-of-mouth effects, "Doctor of the Isle" is expected to continue to extend the appeal of the healing film genre set in the sea on Korean screens.
