Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim

Synopsis

Story about Boo Yong-joo (Han Suk-kyu) a genius and triple-board certified surgeon, who was once at the top of his field and used to work at Seoul’s top hospital, Geodae. After a traumatic incident, he disappears and changes his name to Kim Sa-bu to work at a small hospital named Doldam, which is located at Gangwon Province. He guides Kang Dong-joo (Yoo Yeon-seok) and Yoon Seo-jeong (Seo Hyun-jin) to become great doctors there, teaches them to fight against power and money for the sake of patients.

Principal

Han Suk-kyu as Kim Sa-bu (Teacher Kim) / Boo Yong-joo

His real name is Boo Yong-joo, he is the only genius surgeon in Korea who achieved triple-board certified in General surgery, Cardiac surgery and Neurosurgery. After the death of his junior in Geodae hospital, he isolates himself and moves to Doldam hospital to become the Chief Surgeon there.

Yoo Yeon-seok as Kang Dong-joo

Yoon Chan-young as young Kang Dong-joo

Intelligent and armed with excellent skills, he has strong desire to succeed, but he doesn't have a guarantee because of his poor family background. He gets transferred to Doldam hospital due to his failed surgery on a VIP, which was an opportunity for him to excel.

Seo Hyun-jin as Yoon Seo-jung

Has a strong desire to be recognized more than anyone. She gets swayed by Dong-joo's romantic confession and feels guilty after the death of her boyfriend. She disappears from Geodae hospital, and gets rescued by Kim Sa-bu after hurting herself. She then becomes a doctor at Doldam hospital.

People of Doldam Hospital

Kim Hong-pa as Yeo Woon-young

Director of Doldam hospital. A proud doctor but lost his motivation after the death of his wife.

Jin Kyung as Oh Myeong-shim

Head of the nurses. A woman with strong sense of being able to stand still against Kim Sa-bu.

Im Won-hee as Jang Gi-tae

Executive director of Doldam hospital.

Byun Woo-min as Nam Do-il

A freelance anesthesiologist and owner of a restaurant.

Kim Min-jae as Park Eun-tak

A nurse at Doldam hospital, he is curious about things and has a crush on Yeon-hwa.

Seo Eun-su as Woo Yeon-hwa

A staff member in Doldam hospital, after being hospitalized at Doldam, she works there to pay for her hospital expenses. She disappeared for a little while from Doldam Hospital after an incident of trying to save a patient. Later on, she returned as a paid Doctor and revealed that she is a General Surgeon.

People of Geodae Hospital

Choi Jin-ho as Do Yoon-wan

Director of Goedae hospital. He wasn't a great doctor, but he is good at managing hospital and has an excellent political power.

Yang Se-jong as Do In-bum

Yoon-wan's son. He went to the same college and class as Dong-joo. He wants to be acknowledged by his father. He feels inferior to Dong-joo who has excellent skills without a good background.

Jang Hyuk-jin as chief surgeon Song Hyun-cheol

Head of the surgeons at Geodae hospital. He is from a poor family and has a strong desire for success.

Joo Hyun as chairman Shin

Owner of Jungsun Casino and the hidden Chairman of Geodae hospital.

Yoon Na-moo as Senior In-soo

Special appearance

Tae In-ho as Dr. Moon Tae-hwa (Ep. 1)

Moon Ji-in as Doctor, Yoon Seo-jung's friend (Ep. 1)

Hwang Chan-sung as Young Gyun (Ep. 8,11-12)

Kim Hye-eun (Ep. 14-18)

Kim Hye-soo as Dr. Lee Young-jo (Ep. 20-21 (prequel))

Production

First script reading took place September 13, 2016 at SBS Ilsan Production Studios in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Filming started on September 23.

Ratings

In the table below, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

Note: Episode 15 didn't air as scheduled (Monday, December 26) due to SBS Gayo Daejeon.

International broadcast

The drama airs in greater Los Angeles area on LA 18 KSCI-TV with English subtitles, starting December 5 to February 7, 2017.