Doctor on the Edge Episode 1 Review: Promising Start with Mystery, Humour and a Brewing Love Triangle

The brand new medical drama, Doctor on the Edge, starts with a small town’s charm and a sad mystery. Set on an island where hospitals aren’t really equipped with facilities, our male lead, the doctor, is sent to handle emergencies. The cast seems exceptional, and the coastal visuals aren’t a joke.

Doctor on the Edge Episode 1 has a runtime of 70 minutes.

Doctor on the Edge Episode 1 Review

What Stood Out?

The premiere episode is definitely entertaining. We immediately see how much Do Ji-ui (Lee Jae-wook) struggles in the military and how immediately we know he’s going to have lots of trauma. We right away learn that Ji-ui carries a deep trauma because, during the ferry, he has a panic attack at just the thought of boarding it. Probably, he was involved in a tragic accident and lost someone he failed to save, but we’re unsure about that.

What is the connection between his panic attack and a mere ferry? We’re yet to know. Regardless of this series’ theme, the episode is loaded with humour to balance out the emotional breadcrumbs. And how was our female lead introduced? Well, she jumped into the ocean from the ferry boat, leading our male lead to jump in too. Chaotic.

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One amazing moment is the soju bottle scene, which was both hilarious and alarming. Most importantly, the dog-chasing scene and Ji-ui climbing the tree. Funny! Something that stood out in this episode is that most of the medical dramas rely heavily on the hospital buildings, but we’re here on an island for a change and a challenge. Real medical care is most needed in these places, but isn’t Ji-ui a plastic surgeon? What’s going to happen now? We’re yet to see more.

Also, we immediately sense the love triangle right after Hyun Chi-yeon (Hong Min-gi) is introduced. We know Yook Ha-ri (Shin Ye-eun) and Do Ji-ui are going to end up together, but our Chi-yeon is going to make things a bit frustrating. But luckily, we have another character, Um Jeong-seon (Lee Soo-kyung) , who might make things better or even worse.

Cast’s Performance

The cast and their performance leave a good impression. Jae-wook ensures to captivate the vulnerability of his character. We can see that even during the lighter scenes, something about the character seems sad. Shin Ye-eun brightens the vibe with her chaotic character as Ha-ri. She is super cute, and one will definitely love her confident character sketch.

We can’t really determine the chemistry between Jae-wook and Ye-eun as it is just the first episode, but given that they’re great actors, we are sure to see some amazing spark between them. The supporting cast also deserves praise for making the episode feel lighter there and here.

Direction

The island is beautifully filmed, creating a space for the viewers to indulge in the peaceful scenery and the coastline. We also see the intense medical emergencies, and it immediately hooks us. The pacing feels strong as it doesn’t overwhelm the viewers with too much information right in the first episode. Everything feels gradually revealed, and it still has mysteries covered.

Particularly effective are the scenes involving the male lead’s trauma. The direction uses close-ups, sound design, and subtle visual scenes to show his anxiety. The humour is handled equally well. Several comedic scenes are directed naturally, and the actors’ natural expressions are well shown.

Stream It or Skip It?

Stream It. Episode 1 did a great job in introducing the characters, creating mysteries, setting up a love triangle and leaving the viewers to know more. While some logical aspects don’t fit well, for instance, the medical emergencies, helicopters and the hospital being understaffed, a Kdrama isn’t to be taken too seriously. It’s a series for a reason.

The developing mystery surrounding the male lead’s past is particularly effective, while Shin Ye-eun’s energetic performance adds optimism to his sadness. Hence, this series is definitely worth streaming, as of now.

Wrap Up

Doctor on the Edge delivers a good kickstart. It shows us a handsome doctor with emotional wounds, a vibrant and chaotic female lead, a beautiful island, a love triangle getting formed and mysteries. The episode isn’t completely flawless, but it isn’t boring either.

With strong performances from Lee Jae-wook and Shin Ye-eun, engaging character works, and an intriguing storyline, Episode 1 successfully lays the base for what could be a highly entertaining series. The diagnosis after one episode? Definitely worth another doctor appointment.