Dr. Romantic (South Korean Television Series)

Dr. Romantic, also known by its literal Korean title Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim (Hangul: 낭만닥터 김사부; revised romanization: Nangmandakteo Kimsaboo), is a South Korean television series broadcast by SBS.

Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim promotional image

Background and Synopsis

The series follows the story of Kim Sabu, a once-famous surgeon known by the nickname "Hand of God" who mysteriously disappears from his prominent position and chooses a life in seclusion. Calling himself the "Romantic Doctor" and known as Teacher Kim, he eventually encounters younger doctors Kang Dong-Ju and Yoon Seo-Jung. Through their interactions with Kim Sabu, the characters confront their personal motivations in the medical field and learn about life values and comfort from love.

Production and Broadcast History

Directed by Yu In-Sik and Park Soo-Jin, with a script written by Kang Eun-Kyung, Dr. Romantic originally aired on SBS from November 7, 2016, to January 17, 2017, taking over the Monday and Tuesday 22:00 time slot previously occupied by Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. The series concluded its run before being succeeded by Defendant on January 23, 2017.

The first script reading for the production took place on September 13, 2016, at the SBS Ilsan Production Studios located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. During its broadcast run, episode 15 aired on Tuesday, December 17, 2016, rather than its originally scheduled Monday slot, to accommodate the broadcast of the annual end-of-year music program SBS Gayo Daejeon. A special episode subsequently aired on January 17, 2017, focusing on Teacher Kim and his first love, Lee Young-Jo.

Actress Lim Soo-Jung was initially offered the lead female role in the series, but ultimately declined.