Emergency Couple (2014)

Oh, where do I start! Finished this drama like 10 minutes ago and I'm for once entirely happy after a drama ending! Not because it was terrible, no no!
The drama itself plays out at a steady, average pace, there's not really much or major incidents pushing the drama forward aggresively as we're used to, but I really enjoyed it anyways! I did put it on hold for a few months though but that's because I had trouble with the site I was watching on and I fell out of it.
The characters are A+ in this drama! They're all very mature and respectful! No one was a true bitch in it! The characters all acted like adults should and they really understood each other. There was no hard feelings happening between the women being in love with the same man which was REALLY nice for a change! Even the "evil" mother-in-law changed and realized how she was behaving!

The ending wasn't grand and it wasn't the "fairytale-ending" some of you might want but I actually liked it better that way. It was realistic. Fairytales rarely ever occur in real life and the drama dealt with some important question (i.e parenthood and career from the females perspective). They also viewed the consequences of hesitating and not confessing or making a move on the person you have an interest in.

I hope this review was of any help, this is my first time writing one so please keep that in mind if it was a mess! I just really wanted to make a review to tell people how great the characters are in this drama!

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Love between a prince and a servant maid is a staple K-Drama trope. Predictably, like Cinderella, the forces of good triumph over evil but not before our heroes contend with and overcome insurmountable obstacles which the writers in collusion with the sponsors often pile up stratosphere-high just so the show can go on and on and the cash cow milked for all its worth.

I'm happy to inform you that Emergency Couple is the exception to the aforementioned rule; to wit, its premise: A prince and a servant maid, who are in love, defy their elders and marry but just as quickly fall out of love and divorce. Coincidentally, they meet again as fellow medical doctors in training and fall in love all over again.

At first, I was skeptical. The ads had me thinking that it would be a silly comedy with a lot of improbable situations thrown in for the sake of cheap laughs. Boy, was I wrong. There was silliness, but for the most part, human flaws and how they undermine our best intentions were the show's focal point. Funny, sad, and poignant is how I would characterize the general tone and tenor of the show.

For any show to succeed, the main leads have to shine and they did. That the supporting roles almost impressed me as much is an endorsement of the show that needs no further comment.

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A Medical drama focuses on Romance, Relationships and Character Development - not medical cases

“Emergency Couple” holds up pretty well even after 10 years. Although most of the scenes are spent in the ER, I would say this is not a true medical drama as it focuses on romance, relationships and character development more than medical cases. The patients help with fostering the interns growth and maturity, which I quite like. But if you want a true medical drama, you might want to look elsewhere.

What I Like:

Choi Jin Hyuk - I always thought he’s a handsome guy but this is the first time I realized what a great actor he is. I hated his character in the first few episodes and couldn’t wait for his character development to happen soon. He was great in making me hate him, and made me laugh and smile when he’s acting adorable, petty and jealous. But I was most impressed with his emotional scenes towards the last quarter of the drama. His eyes can act and emote very well.

Oh Chang Min (ML) - How I hate him in the first few episodes. I wanted to punch him in the face during those early scenes before the divorce. I definitely enjoy his character development the most throughout the drama. He went from an asshole → doctor with a reputation → doctor who couldn’t live up to his reputation → maturing doctor → doctor who cares → a real doctor. He also went from an impulsive sweetheart → demeaning husband → sabotaging ex-husband → adorably-in-love but pushy loverboy → heartbroken but understanding ex → hopeful boyfriend. I actually think he should forget about his ex-wife and go find someone else. He’s too good for her.

Medical cases - They are not too complicated and don’t last too long. Their injuries and treatments seem realistic enough. The drama does not go into the background stories and nor try to make you feel a certain way. The patients do not take the spotlight away from the doctors. If you are watching this as a medical drama, you might be disappointed. But since I am a romance-junkie especially for second-chance romance, I think the amount of screen time for the medical cases and hospital politics are perfect for me.

No evil secondary characters - It’s so refreshing, especially for an older drama, to have a non-toxic love hexagon. No one is forcing their feelings on others. No one is doing or saying anything to drive the leads apart from each other. In fact, they are all too nice.

Acting - Acting is pretty good all around, including those in supporting and minor roles. I don’t really have any complaints.


What I have Mixed Feelings:

Main Romance - I really enjoy the first ¾ of the drama when it comes to romance. I like enemies-to-lovers and second-chance romances. I think both leads have great chemistry together, especially when they are fighting. Because of how much I disliked the ML in the beginning, I love seeing him try to chase FL back and grovel. I also like how FL is taking the more cautious approach to the relationship. However, when it comes to the last few episodes, I do not like how FL starts to change her mind and wants to get back together. Not that I don’t like them together, but I don't like the writing of the process and development. It feels off and not genuine for some reason.

Oh Jin Hee (FL) - I felt so bad for her in the early episodes and was rooting hard for her to be a successful doctor. Even after successfully starting her internship and obviously doing a pretty good job, she just keeps on apologizing. She’s also very wishy-washy with her feelings towards the Chief and her ex-husband. I do not like her character towards the end. I also don’t like how she acts when she’s trying to woo her ex back. I blame the writer for doing a poor job here.

(Non) Romance - As I mentioned above, I do not like FL’s wishy-washy unclear feelings, especially towards the Chief. She was giving out all these mixed signals, asking if the Chief would consider someone who makes his heart flutter or someone he’s comfortable with. Now you got his answer and then what? I know she could still be confused about her feelings or resisting certain feelings, it was still a frustrating watch. The Chief demonstrated in the earlier episodes that he might like FL, and nothing happened for the longest time until the last few episodes. He has no chemistry with FL. I started to question Lee Pil Mo’s (Chief) acting a little because he seemed so restrained, then emotionless and then acted his ass off in a conflicted/embarrassed/shy/heartbroken way in the last episode during that one-on-one conversation with FL. On another note, Chief has so much more chemistry with his ex, Dr. Shim, and seems to be giving her mixed signals as well. I kept on going back and forth whether he still has feelings for her or not, especially, when I am not feeling anything towards FL.

Pacing - I think the pace is pretty good for the first half of the drama. But 21 episodes is way too long. Even though I know older dramas tend to be about 16-20 episodes long and not the 8-16 format these days, 21 is way more than enough. Not a whole lot happened and the romances in this drama dragged on for too long. There’s a lot of talking but not a lot of doing/actions taken.


What I don’t Like/Don’t Care for:

ML’s Mother - OMG… I hated her so much. I really want to believe somewhere in there, all her actions and mean words, come from her love for her son. But it’s really hard to not want to strangle her. I fast-forwarded most of her scenes in the first ¾ of the drama. I have mixed feelings about her character redemption in the end.

FL’s sister - I really don’t care for the sister and her boyfriend. The kid is cute enough, but their story really didn’t add much to the main plot.


Overall, I had an enjoyable time, especially during the first half of the drama. I was going to give this an 8.5 up until the last few episodes when I start to dislike FL more and more. As I said, I do not like how the romance came around and started, and felt that the last episode is just a filler. But seeing that this is a 10-year old drama, I don’t find too many things cringey.



Other Random Observations:
1. Who knew CPR could be so sensual. LOL ?
2. FL was running around looking for ML, no wonder her heart was beating fast! It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s because of ML (but of course, that’s what my brain says, not what the drama’s point).
3. I find it a little cringey when FL was trying to seduce ML in the last couple episodes.
4. Does anyone find Song Ji Hyo (FL), Han Ji Min (One Spring Night), Hwang Jung Eum (Kill Me, Heal Me) look alike? OK, maybe just me then. ?

Completed: 2/11/2024 - Review #402

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No Hesitation - Entertaining Drama

Loved this drama so much. Very entertaining from first Episode right until the end. The plot, the acting, the script kept my attention each episode. I find the characters of the divorce couple Choi Jin Hyuk (he acted as Lee Minho's older brother in 'Heirs') and Song Ji Hyo very entertaining as their relationship had to struggle, when the meet again as interns in a hospital Emergency Ward. Each episode gradually sees them re-discovering their respective qualities which they did not notice before, when they were married at a younger age. I found myself laughing quite a bit too. Lots of highs and lows emotionally and would definitely watch again one of these fine days.

I was pleasantly surprised by this drama. It was very entertaining from the first episode to the last. The chemistry between the two leads were perfect. Imagine a divorce couple, meeting again after many years as interns in the hospital Emergency Room. With a bad history in their relationship, it was good to see as tempers and resentment flares in the place of work, but it was obvious also that there is much feeling of love and care un-resolved. Through all the trials at work, they begin to support one another and are able to come to a more mature feeling of love and support. Of course, to add to the tension there is a triangle with the senior but the roles were managed well and tastefully and the ending was perfect towards the end of an eventful drama series. Highly recommended for those who loves being entertained from beginning to end.

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The story was good but the acting on the other hand had some issues. It started all well but too much forced actions. They overdid it. I love my running man girl and of course they had to have a monday couple scene. I had dropped the show from 1st episode then decided to bite the bullet. The episodes got better but I still couldnt give it a 9. There was something missing. The reunion had too much cliche moments but seriously when will kdramas start having descent kissing scenes. lips touching is called a peck or childs play. Its a good show and the chief is easy on the eyes, hes smile is cute. For once the other girl wasnt evil and annoying as usual, shes beautiful too.

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What I liked about this drama:
1. Choi Jin Hyuk's face.

2. There were some funny moments that were able to make me smile.

What I didn't like about this drama?
1. Overly generic storyline. Everything was predictable, and frankly quite bring. I'm not sure how I even finished it.

There were too many useless flashbacks and other scenes that did not contribute to the storyline or character development. It became rather repetitive.

2. The music was horrible, and a lot of it did not fit.

3. Most of the main characters were annoying, particularly Oh Jin Hee.

4. The resolution was too sudden and there was not much that lead up to it.

Overall, bad writing. Bad everything, actually. I do not recommend this drama, but you may like it if you're into generic love stories that are drama (cough, most Korean dramas).

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Actually, I fell for the sweetnes between the characters and the comedy, but I hesitated a lot before watching. I didn't like the whole think with the divorcee. Not that I'm against it but just the emotions around it. But after having watched the drama, oh boy what I loved it.

The amount of epsiodes is good too. For me less than 16 is to short becasue then the story isn't going to be well played out and if it is over 25-30 episodes then they story is to long and they are dragging it out to much and in the end you have forgotten how it all started and the story loses the tension. I also think that when there are too many episodes and they tend to drag out on the tensions then it is hard to make the final really good or that thet put to many obstacles in the way for the main character to reach it goals so you give up on the way watching the drama.

STORY- It was a really good story if you like it to be near reality. They didn't go overbord with what you actually can do in real life. Some can think that it is a minus but I liked it. It is very similiar to the American drama "Grey's Anatomy". The plot is not the same but it circulates around the main role who is a female and how she gets through life with love and work. The difference is that in "Emergency Couples" it's about how the main characters has to find a way to heal the old scars and at the same time work together. When in the American drama they start out sleeping together but just like in the korean drama they find each other at their new workplace.

For me, in korean drama it tends to be to much around the family issues more than around the couple and often I think that there is to much and I get bored watching the families ruining the life of their childrens realtionship weather it is a good or bad relationship, I feel that the family butts in to much. But it was just enough of that in this drama, so I really liked that and it had a very nice ending as well. I don't like it to be to much of "and they lived happily for the rest of their days" or a big cliffhanger that leaves me heartbroken and depressed for weeks until I can fnd another drama to drown my sorrows in.

ACTING/CAST- Daebak! Seriously, with the emotions and facial expressions over the top, the actors did a great job. I'm all for the crazy acts and funny faces which they all did really good. I especially had a weak heart for Yoon Jong Hoon as Im Yong Kyu. His puppy facial expression was reall good not to talk about Choi Jin Hyuk's (Oh Chang Min) crazy expressions. He and Song Ji Hyo's (Oh Jin Hee) chemestry was very good shown. The same goes for Clara who played Han Ah Reum, her facial expression was as good as Yoon Jong Hoon's. Escapially for the heartbroken scenes.

MUSIC- The music was okay, not the best. I didn't pay so much attention to it so it couldn't be that great, but after all it was okay. It didn't add much to the feels.

REWATCH VALUE- Totally worth rewatching. I would rewatch it over and over just because the were so many good parts where you could feel the chemestry between the characters bad or good. The acting was really good to, so I would reawatch it just becasue of that.

OVERALL- A really good drama, the only thing that I would want to change is the music maybe. And I would recommend you to watch "Grey's Anatomy" if you liked this drama.

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My 1st Favorite Medical Drama

This is my first favorite medical drama........................................................................................................
I watched this drama for 4x.............................................................................................................................
Although I hate the way Oh Chang-Min (the male lead) hurts the female lead (Oh Jin-Hee),
I like the fact that she's still his one and only love....................................................................................
The drama shows that aside from cheating, there are more reasons for a couple to fall apart..
Misunderstanding... lack of communications... selfishness... over thinking... Immaturity... etc.

I love the theme song.................
I love the actors.............................
I love the story development...
I love everything...........................

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Чудесный ромком прям на праздники. А ведь начала смотреть только из-за Сон Джи Хё, а тут бац и главный герой из Тоннеля, да и второстепенный каст хорош. Я долго ходила вокруг да около из-за того, что не очень люблю смотреть про разведенные отношения, слишком много в них боли, гнева, обвинений и плохих воспоминаний. И это все я и получила в первых сериях. Жестокие слова, жестокие действия, дорама не скрывает и не украшает отношения разведенной пары. Но потом юмор стабилизировал ситуацию, а общее дело разрядил ее. И остальные серии прекрасно показывают, что же такое эти странные отношения, которые называются любовью. Конкретно здесь - зрелая любовь, которая обожглась однажды, но не "умерла". Почему она не исчезает, почему двух людей так тянет и тянет друг к другу. Вот за это спасибо этой дораме. Прекрасный образец отличной работы режиссера, сценариста и актеров.
Сон Джи Хё очень идет рыжий цвет волос, она не писанная красавица, но против ее улыбки никто не устоит. Чхве Джин Хёка рассмотрела недавно, в Тоннеле, отличный представитель мужского пола :-D Ли Пиль Мо видела много и разных амплуа, он всегда на высоте.

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Gah, the second drama that I literally just could NOT stop watching.

The story line was kind of unoriginal, yet fresh and I think that's because of the actors that were cast.

I never expected Song Ji-hyo to move me to tears and make me re-evaluate parts of my life, but she did. I'd only ever seen her on Running Man, so her performance really surprised me.

The dynamics of family and reconnecting after a tumultuous relationship and divorce really hit home for me in this.

I think that the characters were developed well, and I seemed to find a redeeming factor in all of them, even the ones I thought I'd hate forever.

The chemistry is good, not just between the leads, but between all the characters. How Chang-min interacts with his ex in laws and the hospital staff interact with eachother.

I'd strongly recommend the drama to anyone who hasn't already seen it. I've seen it twice myself.

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