Lee Jae-wook, 'Gangbaegi' trending higher... 'Doctor Island Boy' surpasses 5% in just two episodes [Official]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Doctor Island Boy' surpassed a 5% viewership rating in just two episodes.

In the second episode of ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Doctor Island Boy' (directed by Lee Myung-woo, written by Kim Ji-soo), the story depicted Do Ji-ji (played by Lee Jae-wook), a public health physician, and Yuk Ha-ri (played by Shin Ye-eun), a nurse, facing each other.

While wary of her 'overstepping' kindness, they save lives, worry about each other's wounds, and grow closer, raising expectations for the medical human romance to unfold. Amidst glowing reviews, viewership also rose. The second episode's ratings soared to 5.0% nationwide, 5.1% in the Seoul metropolitan area, and a peak of 5.6% in Bundang, securing the number one spot in viewership across all channels in the same time slot (Nielsen Korea, based on paid households).

Yuk Ha-ri was worried about Do Ji-ji, who was trembling with anxiety. She tried every method to ease his tension, from gum to music, but Do Ji-ji refused, saying he was fine. Although Ha-ri sensed his words were false, all she received in return was Do Ji-ji's sharp response: "I never asked for your help. So go your own way and don't overstep."

The conflict in Pyeondong-do continued without end. Do Ji-ji, unable to prescribe without following procedures and rules, clashed with Lee Jang-su (played by Kim Ki-cheon). As war with Lee Jang-su, who threatened to file a complaint and raged on, loomed, even the health clinic became divided. This revealed the differing stances between public health physicians who refused to be swayed by patients and nurses in Pyeondong-do who understood the clinic's physiology. Amidst this, Lee Jang-park Chun-sik (played by Woo Hyun), who owed his life to Do Ji-ji, stepped forward to quell the anxiety.

The connection between Do Ji-ji and Yuk Ha-ri continued. After awkwardly meeting as colleagues at the Pyeondong Health Clinic, they even went on home visits together. Despite warnings not to overstep, as they found themselves entangled in situations again and again, Do Ji-ji discovered Ha-ri's wounds. Ha-ri could not suppress her emotions at the attitude of Kim Jeong-bae (played by Park Wan-gyu), who seemed intent on throwing away the life opportunity they had worked hard to find. At that moment, Do Ji-ji suddenly thought of Ha-ri's medicine and fell into complex thoughts.

The commotion caused by Lee Jang-su also erupted. He provoked a fight by suggesting they settle the hierarchy with a drinking game, calling it Pyeondong-do's 'rule.' Despite warnings from those around him, Do Ji-ji accepted the challenge and emerged victorious. However, a drunk Lee Jang-su could not suppress his anger and caused an accident, leading to an emergency situation. Do Ji-ji carefully treated Lee Jang-su. Even when Ha-ri asked if he hated him, his calm reply, "I hate what I hate. What's torn is torn," was warm. Between the two, who were smiling playfully for the first time, trust had already begun to accumulate, and change was detectable.

Lee Jang-su's commotion became the clue to Kim Jeong-bae's treatment. When Ha-ri comforted him, saying he gets angry when he wants to hide something, Do Ji-ji immediately went to Kim Jeong-bae. The truth behind Kim Jeong-bae, who had been raging and telling them to leave him alone, was that he had been hiding his diabetes from his family for a long time.

And that night, Kim Jeong-bae came to the clinic begging for his life. The courage that changed his mind was Ha-ri's sincere plea: "Don't feel sorry for being alive; then the remaining people will get sick." That pitiful yet touching sincerity made Ha-ri's secret even more intriguing.

As they treated patients, the boundary between Do Ji-ji and Yuk Ha-ri began to blur. Ha-ri asked Do Ji-ji, who treated her injured self amidst the commotion, about his wounds. For Do Ji-ji, who could not bring himself to speak, Ha-ri conveyed her warm heart: "I'm not overstepping; I'm speaking as a nurse. Just as you want to treat my foot because you're a doctor, I want to help the sick doctor because I'm a nurse." The two were slowly getting to know each other's wounds and erasing their boundaries.

It seemed a peaceful day was beginning. The two cheered on and saw off Kim Jeong-bae, who apologized for past events and expressed gratitude, more than anyone else. However, that tranquility did not last long. Park Chun-sik, whom they considered a reliable ally, splashed fish sauce on Do Ji-ji with an angry shout, "You fraud!" Park Chun-sik, the 'real power' who ruthlessly shattered a smooth day, raised further curiosity about what would happen next.

'Doctor Island Boy' is based on the Kakao Page webtoon 'holding strategy (holding through volatility) Doctor' by author Kim Tae-pung. It airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ENA and can also be watched on KT Genie TV and Disney+.

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-wook enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the army on the 18th of last month and is fulfilling his national defense obligation.

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*This content was translated by AI.