Early Access: Hospital Playlist 2 E2

E2. It's official. I love this show. There's just something quite magical about it, in that despite the long episodes, I just don't want to say goodbye to the characters, when I get to the end of the episode. The warm feels are uplifting and aspirational, and so comforting and calming, that I just want to linger with Show, just a little bit more.

This episode, it feels like our main theme is resilience. I feel like just about everyone goes through some kind of challenge, and qualities like patience, humility, and fortitude are tested. Difficult cases, difficult patients, difficult family members; it feels like our Fabulous Five face them all, between them.

As before, Seok Hyeong's case really has my attention. I'm really disappointed that they lose the baby, but Seok Hyeong's soothing, encouraging approach really drew me to him. Even when he and Min Ha were talking with the patient about her situation, which might require emergency surgery, the predominant tone is a hopeful, reassuring one. He doesn't promise a positive outcome, but his very grounded, gentle sort of aura, is enough to tell me - and anyone else listening - that he is very good at what he does, and he will remain hopeful, and do everything he can, under all circumstances. And what more could anyone ask for, from a fellow human, right?

The thing that really gets me, is how deeply affected Seok Hyeong is, when they lose the baby. For someone with as much experience as he does, I'd imagined that he would have a more.. well, steady way of dealing with it, since it's par for the course, that doctors sometimes lose their patients. But, Seok Hyeong's very personally affected by the loss, so much so that he doesn't feel like going on his rounds, and he wrestles with what he could possibly say to the mother who's just lost her baby. That tenderness of heart just really gets to me. I love that about him, so much.

I love that he puts so much thought into what he should say to the parents who've just lost their baby, and I really appreciate the sentiment behind the quote that he chooses to share with them: "Bad things at times do happen to good people." It's a short little sentence, but in it, there is sympathy for the bad thing that's happened to them, and also, an affirmation that they didn't do anything wrong; that it's not their fault that this bad thing has happened. Seok Hyeong has such a deep sense of compassion and empathy, and I respect that about him, so much.

It is so heartening to know that Seok Hyeong's efforts are so deeply appreciated by the grieving parents of that baby. Some people turn their grief into anger towards their doctors, but these two people do not. I love that they are so grateful, and so aware that it was because of Seok Hyeong's painstaking efforts, that they had had those extra 4 weeks to bond with their baby in the womb, and listen to his heartbeat. I also love that there is hope in the words that Mom writes to Seok Hyeong, in that card; that if she were to be visited by another angel, she'd like Seok Hyeong to be the one to protect them, again. It warms my heart so, to know that this experience has not caused her to lose hope, and she's leaving the hospital, with a positive outlook for the future. That's lovely.

As for Seok Hyeong's ex-wife wanting to connect with him on a more regular basis, I can imagine why she might want to, given how I'm growing more impressed with him, the more we get to know him. I'm so proud of him, though, for being honest and telling her that he would prefer that they move on with their lives. I mean, Seok Hyeong is nice enough that I'd imagine he might have said ok, so as not to disappoint her, even though he himself felt uncomfortable about it. I'm so proud of him for speaking his truth, even though he looks quite awkward and stricken, as the words come out of his mouth. I'm impressed that he doesn't shy away from saying the hard stuff, in order to be true to himself. Love that.

This episode, the song that our Five play is so pitch perfect for our theme this episode, and because Seok Hyeong's arc lands with such emotional resonance for me, I find it perfectly fitting, that he'd be the one to sing lead, on the song. His rendition is so heartfelt and plaintive; I feel like he's working out all his difficult emotions, through playing this music, and singing these words.

I am also really taken with Song Hwa this episode - although, when am I ever not taken with Song Hwa? She's so awesome, truly.

First of all, I love the joy that she gets from being Daddy Long Legs, even though it is physically taxing for her to commute between Sokcho and Seoul. She's practically giddy with happiness at being able to help others as Daddy Long Legs, and even asks for more VIP surgeries, so that she'll be able to help more people. And, when Jeong Won tells her that it's too much for her and talks about maybe taking it away from her, Song Hwa looks positively horrified, and the way she cajoles Jeong Won into letting her keep doing it, is just so, so pure. How could anyone not love Song Hwa?

And then there's how dedicated she is, when she's preparing for the surgery. Not only does she study the case very earnestly, even though she already has years of experience, she also makes it a point to check in often, on the patient, because she feels that it would help to set the patient's mind at ease. Plus, she doesn't even seem to take offense, when the patient's mother mistakes her for a resident, even though she does appear genuinely surprised.

It's so clear that Song Hwa's focus isn't ever on herself, but on others. I feel like most people would take offense at being mistaken for a resident, and being talked down to in such a disdainful manner as a result. But Song Hwa's reaction isn't about herself; she realizes that her residents aren't receiving the respect that they deserve, and she speaks up, not for herself, but for them. And then, when that TV station interview comes up because the patient is a world-famous violinist, she declines when she realizes that none of the residents will be available to be interviewed alongside her. Guh. She's wonderful, and I can see why all the residents respect her as much as they do.

I was rather surprised by Ik Jun's arc this episode, with him growing so disappointed with that transplant patient's irresponsible behavior, that he would discharge the patient from his care, and refer him to another hospital near the patient's home. Ik Jun's always come across as such a friendly and kind people's person, that his taking this stance here, is quite startling, honestly. However, given the patient's track record of being irresponsible enough to warrant a second transplant, Ik Jun has a very solid point: it's highly possible that he will need another transplant, and if this patient refuses to change his ways, it would be a transplant that would deprive other patients of a chance of survival.

I completely respect Ik Jun's decision to discharge the patient. It feels like an ethical decision, and one that protects not only the potential donor and their family, but other patients as well. Hopefully, the shock of essentially being rejected by his doctor, will cause the patient to change his ways.

I do appreciate, though, how this is a difficult decision for Ik Jun to make, so much so that it affects his mood. He doesn't say much about it, because he chooses to give Seok Hyeong a listening ear instead, but his disappointment and disillusionment is written all over his face.

Aside from this, though, I do like that Ik Jun continues to be his funny, gregarious self through most of the episode. I especially like the fact that he continues to be as close and friendly with Song Hwa as ever.

My three favorite moments involving Ik Jun and Song Hwa, this episode, is, 1, when Ik Jun does that funny mime in the glass panel of Song Hwa's office door, making like he's trapped and trying to climb out of it - so cute; 2, when Ik Jun casually puts his arm around Song Hwa's shoulder, as they and Jun Wan walk away from Seon Bin at the tail end of the episode - so casually cozy, ahhh!; and 3, when Song Hwa finds those two cups of coffee on the hood of her car, with personalized messages on each one, so that she'll have something to drink, whatever her condition - that has to be Ik Jun, right? Right??

Also, I love the detail, that Song Hwa is tickled by Ik Jun's jokes, even when the others groan at his brand of humor. I mean, the fact that she finds him funny, is a very positive thing, right? As you can tell, I very much ship them together, heh.

I like that when Jeong Won finally tells the rest of the Five that he's dating Gyeo Wool, their reactions - when he finally gets to make his announcement - are so down-to-earth. For some reason, I love the fact that no one makes a big deal out of it, and therefore Jeong Won doesn't get put on the spot. A few mild questions, Song Hwa smiling and telling him that it's great because she's always thought they make a great pair, and everyone's ready to move on, having absorbed this new piece of information into their reality. It's pretty awesome, from where I'm sitting.

Although Jeong Won's challenge this episode feels comparatively smaller when contrasted with the rest of the Five, his patience is still put to the test, with that little boy who is so terrified of having his stitches removed, that they make no progress even after multiple tries. It's impressive that Jeong Won manages to stay so calm and so soothing, to the child and to the parents, even though it must be trying on him too. I particularly like how he puts things into perspective for the boy's mother, by reminding her that her son has been through a lot with the cancer treatment and surgery.

That feels so universal, honestly. Humans tend to forget the forest for the trees, and in this mom's case, she'd lost sight of how much her child had endured, and how far he's come, and only fixated on the fact that he was fussing and uncooperative that day. I like how Jeong Won helps her regain her perspective, and even more, I love that he does so with such grace and kindness.

As for Jun Wan, I like that he's as invested as the rest of the Five, when it comes to his patients, even though he may not show it so much. I liked that scene of Eun Ji's mother comforting Min Chan's mother, and assuring her that Jun Wan's a very good and caring doctor. I do think that no one would understand a mother's fears, as much as another mother with a child in a similar situation.

I do love how happy Jun Wan is, when the surgery is a success, and Min Chan doesn't end up needing the ECMO machine after all. And, I appreciate that Jun Wan puts aside his own happy news, when he realizes that Ik Sun's had a bad day, and is struggling to process the racist behavior that she's just encountered.

While this might look like a setback of sorts to their relationship, I don't think it is. This is part of love; that you'd be able to put aside your own joy, when you realize that your partner is in need of your support and your listening ear. This is not a distance-related thing, from my perspective, and it's a good sign, that Jun Wan has the sensitivity and maturity, to provide this to Ik Sun without question.

This episode, we see that done twice. The first time, is when Ik Jun puts aside his own poor mood, in order to give Seok Hyeong a listening ear, and the second, is when Jun Wan puts aside his good news, to give Ik Sun a listening ear. I like that this gesture of love is demonstrated in both platonic and romantic contexts, because this giving attitude is needful and precious in every context.

Ahh. This felt like a rewarding episode, and I'm halfway tempted to binge this show because I just want to immerse myself in this world some more. But, I won't, because there's just as much joy to be had, from pacing myself, so that I can savor this for longer.