Doctor Cha

Doctor Cha () is a 2023 South Korean television series starring Uhm Jung-hwa in the title role, along with Kim Byung-chul, Myung Se-bin, and Min Woo-hyuk. It aired on JTBC from April 15 to June 4, 2023, every Saturday and Sunday at 22:30 (KST) for 16 episodes.^[5] It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea and on Netflix in selected regions.^[7]

The series was a commercial hit and became one of the highest-rated series in Korean cable television history.^[8]

Synopsis

The series follows the story of Cha Jeong-suk, a housewife of twenty years who becomes a first-year medical resident.^[2]

Cast

Main

• Uhm Jung-hwa as Cha Jeong-seok: a full-time housewife of twenty years who decides to return to her medical career after surviving an unexpected crisis.^[9]
  • Park Joo-won as young Cha Jeong-seok^[10]
• Kim Byung-chul as Seo In-ho: the perfectionist husband of Jeong-suk and the chief surgeon at a university hospital, who has an affair with his first love Seung-hee, and is the father of her illegitimate daughter who is the same age as his daughter.^[9][11]
  • Park Tae-in as young Seo In-ho
• Myung Se-bin as Choi Seung-hee: In-ho's first love who is a family medicine professor and is mother to In-Ho's illegitimate daughter.^[9]
  • Moon Ye-jin as young Choi Seung-hee^[12]
• Min Woo-hyuk as Roy Kim: a charismatic surgeon who gets entangled with Jeong-suk. He was adopted by American parents and tries to find his biological family by registering his DNA^[9]

Supporting

• Song Ji-ho as Seo Jung-min: Jeong-suk and In-ho's son who is a first-year surgical resident.^[13]
• Jo Aram as Jeon So-ra: Jung-min's girlfriend who is a third-year surgical resident.^[14]
• Baek Joo-hee as Baek Mi-hee: Jeong-suk's friend who is a dermatologist.^[15]
• Park Joon-geum as Kwak Ae-sim: In-ho's mother and Jeong-suk's mother-in-law.^[15]
• Kim Mi-kyung as Oh Deok-rye: Jeong-suk's mother who works as a caregiver in a geriatric hospital.^[15]
• Lee Seo-yeon as Seo Yi-rang: Jeong-suk and In-ho's daughter.^[15]
• So A-rin as Choi Eun-seo / Seo Eun-seo: Seung-hee and In-ho's daughter. Yi-rang and Jung-min's half sister^[16]
• Park Chul-min as Yoon Tae-sik: the chief of surgery department.^[15]
• Kim Byung-chun as Im Jong-kwon: the chief of the family medicine department.^[15]
• Lim Hyun-soo as Lee Do-gyeom: a first-year resident in the family medicine department.^[17]
• Kim Ye-eun as Min Chae-yoon: an intern in the family medicine department.^[18]

Extended

• Jo Eun-yoo as Hwang Mi-ra: a surgeon at a university hospital.^[19]
• Song Young-ah as Park Ji-yeon: a third-year chief resident.^[20]
• Song Young-chang as Chairman Oh Chang-gyu: a VIP patient.^[21]
• Sung Byung-sook as Jang Hae-nam: a patient who was imprisoned for killing her husband.^[22]
• Kim Hyun-mok as Hwang Seong-gyu: a patient who has Crohn's disease.^[23]
• Seo Yoon-ji as Seo-yeon: Seong-gyu's wife.^[23]
• Nam Myeong-ryeol as Park Ho-won^[24]

Special appearances

• Kang Ji-young as Yoo Ji-seon: a single mother.^[25]
• Choi Eun-kyung as a shaman^[26]

Release

It was reported that Doctor Cha was initially scheduled for release in October 2022.^[27] However, in November 2022, JTBC announced that the series was included in their 2023 drama lineup.^[2]

Original soundtrack

The original soundtrack for Doctor Cha includes five singles, released between April 15 and May 20, 2023.^{[28][29][30][31][32]} These singles, as well as 46 score tracks, were later included in the original soundtrack album for Doctor Cha, released on June 3, 2023 by Music&NEW.^[33]

Reception

Viewership

Accolades

Awards and nominations

Listicle

Remake

The Turkish adaptation, Bahar, began being broadcast on Show TV in February 13, 2024. The protagonist is played by Demet Evgar.^[42]

References

1. ^ Lee Gyu-lee (April 16, 2023). "Uhm Jung-hwa's hopeful comedy "Doctor Cha" kicks off". The Korea Times. Archived April 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
2. ^ Kim Ji-woo (November 8, 2022). "조승우·이보영·한지민·이준호·임윤아, JTBC 초호화 드라마 라인업" (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived November 12, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 9, 2023. – via Naver
3. ^ Kim Na-yul (March 14, 2023). "'닥터 차정숙' 엄정화X김병철, 메인 포스터 공개..불꽃 따귀로 반격" (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived March 14, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 14, 2023. – via Naver
4. ^ "ko:프로그램 정보" [Program Information] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived April 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
5. ^ Ha Su-jeong (April 11, 2023). "엄정화의 화끈한 반란..'닥터 차정숙'으로 인생 리부팅 도전" (in Korean). OSEN. Archived April 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 17, 2023. – via Naver
6. ^ Oh Jung-eun (September 23, 2022). "NEW, 올해 실적 턴어라운드 기대-IBK證" (in Korean). Money Today. Archived March 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 9, 2023. – via Naver News
7. ^ Lee Gyu-lee (May 9, 2023). "'Doctor Cha' surges up Netflix's ranking, enters top 10 in 17 countries". The Korea Times. Archived May 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
8. ^ Lee Min-ji (May 22, 2023). "ko:엄정화 이혼 통보 '닥터 차정숙' 18.493% 또 자체 최고 시청률, 20% 넘어설까" [Eom Jung-hwa's divorce notice 'Dr. Cha Jung-sook' will have its own highest viewer rating of 18.493% and exceed 20%?] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived May 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 24, 2023. – via Naver
9. ^ Kim Chae-yeon (March 7, 2023). "ko:엄정화·김병철·명세빈·민우혁, '닥터 차정숙'으로 뭉쳤다..4월 15일 첫 방송 [공식]" [Um Jung-hwa, Kim Byung-chul, Myung Se-bin, Min Woo-hyuk, and Dr. Cha Jung-sook were united..The first episode will air on April 15th. [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN. Archived March 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 9, 2023. – via Naver
10. ^ Kang Hyo-jin (March 28, 2023). "ko:신인 박주원, '닥터 차정숙' 엄정화 아역 맡는다…'인턴시절 연기'" [Rookie Park Joo-won takes on the role of Uhm Jung-hwa in 'Doctor Cha'… 'Acting as an intern'] (in Korean). SpoTV News. Archived March 28, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2023. – via Naver
11. ^ Hwang So-young (May 8, 2023). "ko:[리뷰] 불륜 깨달은 '닥터 차정숙' 엄정화 또 자체 최고 16.9%" [[Review] 'Dr. Cha Jung-sook' Uhm Jung-hwa, who realized an affair, also has a maximum of 16.9% in itself] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived May 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 24, 2023. – via Naver
12. ^ Lee Ge-eun (October 19, 2022). "ko:신예 문예진, 일이삼공 컬쳐와 전속계약 후 겹경사...벌써 네 작품 캐스팅 [공식]" (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived March 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 9, 2023. – via Naver
13. ^ Kim Myung-mi (March 16, 2023). "ko:송지호 '닥터 차정숙' 출연 확정…엄정화 아들 된다[공식]" [Song Ji-ho confirmed to appear in 'Doctor Cha'… Becoming Uhm Jung-hwa's son [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived March 16, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 16, 2023. – via Naver
14. ^ Lee Joon-hyun (March 21, 2023). "ko:조아람, '닥터 차정숙' 합류…엄정화와 호흡 예고" [Jo Ah-ram Joins 'Dr. Cha Jung-sook'...Announcement of collaboration with Uhm Jung Hwa.] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived March 21, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 21, 2023. – via Naver
15. ^ "ko:등장인물소개 – 그 밖의 인물" [Introduction of Characters – Other Characters] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived April 12, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
16. ^ Lee Jung-hyeok (May 20, 2023). "'닥터 차정숙' 드디어 '삼자대면'…엄정화·명세빈 '살벌 눈싸움'에 고개 숙인 김병철" (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived May 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 24, 2023. – via Naver
17. ^ Yoo Jung-min (April 5, 2023). "ko:임현수, '닥터 차정숙' 캐스팅...유능한 레지던트 役 도전" (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived April 5, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 5, 2023. – via Naver
18. ^ Park Ah-reum (March 16, 2023). "ko:김예은 '닥터 차정숙' 합류, 얄미운 의사 된다[공식]" [Kim Ye-eun joins 'Doctor Cha', becomes a nasty doctor [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived March 16, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 16, 2023. – via Naver
19. ^ Yoo Ji-hye (March 14, 2023). "ko:배우 조은유, JTBC 드라마 '닥터 차정숙' 캐스팅" [Actor Cho Eun-yu cast for JTBC drama 'Dr. Cha Jung-sook'] (in Korean). Sports Dong-a. Archived March 14, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 14, 2023. – via Naver
20. ^ Lee Seung-rok (March 22, 2023). "ko:송영아, JTBC 새 드라마 '닥터 차정숙' 캐스팅" [Song Young-ah Casts JTBC's New Drama 'Dr. Cha Jung-sook'] (in Korean). MyDaily. Archived March 22, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 22, 2023. – via Naver
21. ^ Lee Min-ji (April 29, 2023). "ko:'닥터 차정숙' 병원 그만둔다던 엄정화, 드라마틱한 터닝 포인트" [Dr. Cha Jung-sook's Eom Jung-hwa, who quit the hospital, is a dramatic turning point.] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived May 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 8, 2023. – via Naver
22. ^ Lee Jung-hyeok (April 30, 2023). "ko:차정숙의 진정성, 결국 통했다! 시청률도 12% 돌파하며 터닝 포인트?('닥터 차정숙')" [Cha Jung-sook's sincerity finally worked! Turning points with ratings exceeding 12% ('Dr. Cha Jung-sook')] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived May 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 8, 2023. – via Naver
23. ^ Park Sang-hoo (May 7, 2023). "ko:'닥터 차정숙' 서윤지, 신인답지 않은 강렬한 존재감" ['Dr. Cha Jung-sook', Seo Yoon-ji has a strong presence that is not like a rookie] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived May 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 8, 2023. – via Naver
24. ^ Choi Hee-jae (May 28, 2023). "ko:엄정화, '불륜' 김병철과 이혼 보류했지만 '위기'…시청률 14,4% (닥터 차정숙)[종합]" (in Korean). Xports News. Archived July 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 17, 2023. – via Naver
25. ^ Lee Seung-gil (May 1, 2023). "ko:카라 강지영이 미혼모 역할이라니…'닥터 차정숙' 깜짝등장" [Kara Kang Ji-young playing the role of a single mother… 'Doctor Cha' makes a surprise appearance] (in Korean). MyDaily. Archived May 1, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
26. ^ Ahn Byung-gil (May 8, 2023). "ko:'닥터 차정숙' 무속인 최은경, 누군가 했더니" ["Dr. Cha Jung-sook" shaman Choi Eun-kyung. who it was] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived May 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
27. ^ Gong Young-joo (August 9, 2022). "ko:[단독] 엄정화 '닥터 차정숙', JTBC 10월 편성 확정" [[Exclusive] Uhm Jung-hwa's "Dr. Cha Jung-sook" is confirmed to be on JTBC in October] (in Korean). YTN. Archived March 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 9, 2023. – via Naver
28. ^ "ko:로시, '닥터 차정숙' 첫 번째 OST 주자…'홀로' 오늘(15일) 발매" [Rothy releases "Alone" today (15th), first part of "Doctor Cha" soundtrack] (in Korean). Xportsnews. 2023-04-15. Archived June 12, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
29. ^ "ko:손디아, '닥터 차정숙' OST 'Shine Like a Star' 22일 발매" [Sondia releases "Shine Like a Star" for "Doctor Cha" soundtrack on 22nd] (in Korean). Star News. 2023-04-22. Archived June 12, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
30. ^ "ko:'차정숙' 감동 더한다..정승환, 세번째 OST 주자로 29일 '숨' 발매 [공식]" ['Doctor Cha' is even more touching...Jung Seung-hwan will release "Breath" on the 29th as the third soundtrack release [Official]] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. 2023-04-29. Archived June 12, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
31. ^ "ko:빅마마 박민혜 '닥터 차정숙' OST 참여..'이 밤이 지나면' 13일 발매" [Big Mama's Park Min-hye participates in 'Doctor Cha' soundtrack...'After This Night' to be released on the 13th] (in Korean). Herald Pop. 2023-05-13. Archived June 12, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
32. ^ "ko:바버렛츠 안신애, '닥터 차정숙' OST '나를 위한 하루' 오늘(20일) 발매" [Shinae An of the Barberettes releases 'A Day For Me' for 'Doctor Cha' soundtrack today (20th)] (in Korean). Ilgan Sports. 2023-05-20. Archived June 12, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
33. ^ "ko:'닥터 차정숙', 오늘(3일) OST 오리지널 사운드 트랙 발매" ["Doctor Cha" original soundtrack released today (3rd)] (in Korean). Star News. 2023-06-03. Archived June 12, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
34. ^ Nielsen Korea ratings: * "Ep. 1" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 15, 2023. Archived April 16, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 16, 2023. * "Ep. 2" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 16, 2023. Archived April 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 17, 2023. * "Ep. 3" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 22, 2023. Archived April 23, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 23, 2023. * "Ep. 4" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 23, 2023. Archived April 24, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 24, 2023. * "Ep. 5" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 29, 2023. Archived April 29, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 30, 2023. * "Ep. 6" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. April 30, 2023. Archived April 30, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 1, 2023. * "Ep. 7" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 6, 2023. Archived May 7, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 7, 2023. * "Ep. 8" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 7, 2023. Archived May 7, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 8, 2023. * "Ep. 9" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 13, 2023. Archived May 14, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 14, 2023. * "Ep. 10" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 14, 2023. Archived May 14, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 15, 2023. * "Ep. 11" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 20, 2023. Archived May 21, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 21, 2023. * "Ep. 12" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 21, 2023. Archived May 21, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 22, 2023. * "Ep. 13" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 27, 2023. Archived May 28, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 28, 2023. * "Ep. 14" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. May 28, 2023. Archived September 30, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 29, 2023. * "Ep. 15" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. June 3, 2023. Archived June 4, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 4, 2023. * "Ep. 16" (in Korean). Nielsen Korea. June 4, 2023. Archived September 30, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
35. ^ Kim, Ga-young (2024-01-02). "ko:엄정화, '닥터 차정숙'으로 최우수연기상…N번째 전성기" [Uhm Jung-hwa, Best Actor Award for 'Doctor Cha Jeong-sook'... Nth prime time] (in Korean). Edaily. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
36. ^ Heo, Ji-hyung (December 19, 2023). "'2023 서울콘 에이판 스타 어워즈', 역대급 치열한 수상 후보 공개" ['2023 Seoulcon Apan Star Awards', the fiercest award nominees ever revealed] (in Korean). Celeb Media. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
37. ^ Kim, Won-gyeom (2024-01-02). "ko:조아람, 2023년을 빛낸 올해의 여자 신인 배우 '2관왕'" [Jo A-ram, the 'double crown' female rookie actress of the year who shined in 2023] (in Korean). SPOTV NEWS. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
38. ^ Hwang, So-young (April 8, 2024). "ko:60회 맞은 '백상예술대상' TV·영화·연극 후보 공개" [60th 'Baeksang Arts Awards' TV, Film and Theater Candidates Revealed] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived April 8, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 16, 2024. – via Naver
39. ^ Park, Jun-sik (December 22, 2023). "KCA한국소비자평가, '제28회 소비자의 날 KCA 문화연예 시상식' 성료" [KCA Korea Consumer Rating, '28th Consumer Day KCA Culture and Entertainment Awards Ceremony' completed successfully] (in Korean). Korea Economic TV. Retrieved 2024-07-20. – via Naver
40. ^ Baek, Seon-ha (2024-04-24). "SBS '악귀', 2024 뉴욕 페스티벌 TV&필름 어워즈 동상 수상" [SBS 'Revenant' wins bronze medal at 2024 New York Festival TV & Film Awards] (in ko-KR). Broadcasting Technology Journal. Retrieved 2024-07-20.
41. ^ De Guzman, Chad (December 27, 2023). "The 10 Best Korean Dramas of 2023 on Netflix". Time. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
42. ^ "Show TV'nin yeni dizisi "Bahar: Uyanmaya hazır mısın?"ın yayın tarihi belli oldu!". Show TV. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024.

External links

• (in Korean)