Medical Dramas…I love.

I always have this fetish. I love watching medical dramas, from anywhere it comes.

No, never have in mind to become a doctor myself ( can’t stand the pressures, those thick books, gross accident’s scenes, and I don’t have the steadiest hands in the world ), and even I hate if I have to visit a doctor, but hell yeah, the drama’s side of me always like to see how the doctors’ live.

According to Wikipedia ( here ), medical drama is :

a television drama in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment. While not as popular as Legal/crime drama, it is still easily identifiable occupational based drama.

I don’t know why, but everytime I heard about a new medical drama airs, no matter it’s western, or asian drama, I always look forward to catch at least an episode.

I’ve seen lots of medical dramas, whether it’s whole story about doctors, or the main role is a doctor.

I can stand watching those bloody operation scenes, which I doubt if I can’t stand them in the REAL life, even while eating. I’m interested with how doctors can cope the hectic life, especially on Emergency Rooms, when your decision counted on second, and they can’t bear a mistake because it could cost someone’s life.

The doctors on the drama are full of flaws, to show that they’re just human, but nonetheless to see them working it’s like making miracles.

With my long history in dramas, I’ve seen a lot of medical dramas that made me cry, hold my breath, or rolled my eyes.

Western ( US made in my case ) medical dramas are mostly the ones which concern on details, while the Asian ones are merely taking the medical stuffs as background only.

Some of medical dramas I’ve seen are :

Western ( US production ) :

• Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993)

I remember watched this as a kid ( was in elementary when this aired ), and was stunning to see this genius child doctor. I guess this was my first love with medical dramas ! I never watched entire seasons though.

• ER (1994–present)

ER was my favorite medical drama ever! I mean if Doogie Howser my first love, ER is my true love. I passionately waited it when it was aired on our local TV, even it was late - 10 PM if I’m not wrong - as a student I wasn’t allowed to stay up that late. I sneakily tried to watch it and turn the TV’s volume off when my parents slept.

I only watched it up to around season 5, and leaved it because no more George Clooney ( kidding! )- i was occupied with other dramas and busy as college’s student.

My favorite characters are of course, Dr. Doug Ross ( George Clooney ) and Dr. John Carter ( Noah Wyle ). ER is never the same without them….

I’m planning to catch it up again through DVD though - and now it’s already on season 14! Unbelievable! I thought only soap operas that could stay on TV that long - but then I got caught with…

• House (2004–present)

I’ve seen the season 1, like it, and somehow driven away because of my addiction to Korean dramas. But I got season 2-3’s dvds, so..I’m waiting the urge to continue it again.

• Grey’s Anatomy (2005–present)

The love of my love, now. I was quite skeptical to start this serial, because from what I heard this has more dramas than the medical aspects, but boy, how I love DRAMA! Aside of its ridiculous over the top moments ( yeah, doctors can make out in the closet without anyone noticed ), I’m falling for this. I watched 3 seasons almost in a row, sacrificed my sleeping time, cried and laugh while watching it.

• Scrubs (2001–present)

I tried Scrubs when I’ve got this withdrawal symptom after I have no more Grey’s Anatomy episodes to watch. I only managed to see 1st episode, and was thinking that was a bad idea choosing this, because after those dramas in Grey’s now I got comedy! Medical Comedy! Ugh. I think doctors are supposed to be serious, you know, and so I dropped it. Maybe one day I’ll come back - hey it already aired up to season 7 so it must have something good in it - one day when I need more comedy.

• Nip/Tuck (2003–present)

The other serial that didn’t work out with me. I mean I like the concept, I like the cast - handsome doctors! - but after some episodes, I didn’t get interest, and never come back since.

Korean production :

I think Korean doesn’t have many notable medical drama, I mean serious drama with heavy medical relation, but it has many dramas with medical stuff related, or the main role is a doctor.

I don’t care, you know I almost see every kind of drama anyway, so if the main role is a doctor, it’s a plus.

Some of Korean medical related dramas I’ve seen are :

• Medical Brothers ( 1997 )

Yeah, I watched it for the sake of Jang Dong Gun. It was drama, and JDG didn’t do some serious difficult operation of an incurable patient or so, but still it was a memorable drama for me.

• Dae Jang Geum ( 2003-2004 )

A historical story about first lady doctor of Korea. Okay, this is not really ‘medical’ medical drama. But it’s awesome drama ever, nonetheless.

• Thank You ( 2007 )

How about this? I know this can’t categorized as medical drama ok, but it has main role as a doctor! Hot doctor! I love this drama, I love the girl who plays as Lee Bom, Seo Shin Ae, who did awesome performance, simply the soul of “Thank You”. Not to mention, the ‘come back’ of Jang Hyuk, who is hotter than ever!

• White Tower ( 2007 )

It’s an adaptation of Japanese drama, Shiroi Kyoto ( or also known as The Great White Tower ). I’ve seen the Jap’s version, and tried to watch this Korean version, but mine has bad subtitles which made me reluctant to continue it..

• New Heart ( 2008 )

I’m watching it right now. Interesting, with some operation scenes which look real. Not too ‘drama’, talks about some intrigues around the hospital, and of course romance matters. It’s also a ‘come back’ project of Ji Sung after he finished the military service. Unfortunately, Ji Sung didn’t flash his body in this show, not like Jang Hyuk in “Thank You“, who showed the result of his hard work during the service, rock hard abs.

Japanese Production :

I know that there are good Japanese medical dramas, but since I don’t watch too many Japanese shows, I’ve only seen few of medical related dramas such as :

• Psycho Doctor ( 2002 )

which I watched because there’s Takenouchi Yutaka in it. It was interesting tho, the story is about a weird doctor who also acts as a detective, examining his patient’s problems.

• Shiroi Kyoto ( 2003 )

or also known as The Great White Tower. This production is a remake of the 1978’s version. This one serious full of intrigues, deep characterization Asian medical drama I’ve ever seen. One of the best. Highly recommended.

Hong Kong Production :

Actually I’ve seen only one HK drama that medical related, and I like. It is :

• Healing Hands ( 1998, 2000, 2005 )

Unlike the US kind of production, eventhough this drama comes in 3 seasons, they’re not really related each other. TVB made the 2nd and 3rd season because of its previous season’s high rating.

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The other reason why I love medical ( related ) dramas? The DOCTORS!

Tell me, who doesn’t want to be treated by this hot yummylicious white robed doctors?

row one : Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy), Sakaguchi Kenji (IRYU), George Clooney (ER), Lawrence Ng (Healing Hands)

row two : Kim Myung Min (White Tower), Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy), Jang Hyuk (Thank You), Jang Dong Gun (Medical Brothers)

row three : Joe Zheng (They Kiss Again), Lee Sung Gyun (White Tower), Ji Sung (New Heart), Jerry Yan (The Hospital)

Still scare to pay a visit to the doctor? Well, me yeah.