Meet the Rising Stars of ‘Resident Life, Someday Wise’: A Warm-Hearted Medical Drama Making Waves

The South Korean medical drama ‘Resident Life, Someday Wise’ (Korean title: ‘언젠가는 슬기로울 전공의생활’) is turning heads not just for its hospital setting, but for its deeply human characters and emotional storytelling. Airing on tvN every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM, the show revolves around four first-year OB-GYN residents at Yulje Medical Center as they navigate work, relationships, and their own unique paths in life.

Oh I-young, played by Go Youn-jung, carries a stoic exterior and joined the field burdened by debt. While seemingly detached, she springs into action at the sound of an emergency call and reveals deep emotional responsibility for her patients. Her quiet resilience and warmth suggest a profound growth arc worth watching.

Pyos Nam-kyeong, portrayed by rising actress Cynthia, dreams of making an impact, swirling her white coat as a symbol of professional ambition. A high-performing all-rounder, she thrives on doing things meticulously—from charting to dressing wounds—but even the sunniest characters face burnout. Still, the smile she regains after a patient’s thankful comment keeps audiences rooting for her perseverance.

Uhm Jae-il, played by Kang Yoo-seok, is an ex-idol turned medical resident—an unusual combo that makes for an instantly lovable personality. His charm transcends patient demographics, and his relentless passion propels late-night study sessions and emotional highs and lows. His journey is about persistence, making him one of the drama’s most dynamic characters.

Kim Sa-bi, brought to life by Han Ye-ji, is a top-performing academic whose textbook knowledge doesn’t always translate to real-life empathy. Her logical approach initially creates social friction, but a moving transition unfolds as she begins understanding her patients beyond clinical symptoms, thanks to mentorship and growing experience.

While the show positions itself as a drama about first-year residents’ professional and emotional growth, it cleverly weaves in a central romantic subplot between Oh I-young and Gu Do-won (played by Jung Joon-won). Despite being related by marriage, their coexisting tension as senior-junior residents forms a compelling love line. According to the creators, the show isn’t about politics or dramatic medical dilemmas—it’s about people and relationships—with medicine playing only a contextual role.

‘Resident Life, Someday Wise’ ultimately thrives off character-driven storytelling, backed by a strong ensemble cast. With director Shin Won-ho’s signature touch, fans are already rallying behind Gu Do-won’s character as a fan favorite. Whether the series can maintain this emotional momentum remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a comfort drama that delivers where it matters—heart, growth and honest human connection.