The highly popular K-drama Doctor Slump aired episode 2 on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. KST on JTBC and Netflix. The series follows the story of two high school rivals—Yeo Jeong-Woo (Park Hyung-Sik) and Nam Ha-Neul (Park Shin-Hye). The two reunite 14 years later during the worst phase of their lives. Battling personal and professional struggles, the two become friends and gradually fall in love while supporting each other.
Episode 2 documented Yeo Jeong-Woo and Nam Ha-Neul struggling to understand their mental state. The two were also awkward when Jeong-Woo had to move into his former rival’s house on rent. Throughout the episode, the two caught a glimpse of each other’s struggles. By the end, they bonded over a drink and ultimately shared their concerns. The episode ended with the two embracing each other, finding comfort and solace that they desperately needed. Viewers will have to wait and see their journey unfold.
Doctor Slump Episode 2: Park Hyung-Sik & Park Shin-Hye learn of each other’s journeys
The latest Doctor Slump episode began with Nam Ha-Neul reflecting on her deteriorating health, both physically and mentally. She finally picked up the courage to take out the medicines that she threw in the trash, recognizing her mental health diagnosis. Meanwhile, Yeo Jeong-Woo moved into her house as a tenant. He discovered from his mother that his scandal might affect his father’s reputation. However, Jeong-Woo was upset that his mother was more concerned about this than her son.
Eventually, Jeong-Woo and Ha-Neul reunited 14 years later. It turned out that Jeong-Woo’s tutor, Min Kyung Min, discovered the house with the help of Ha-Neul’s friend. While talking to Kyung-Min, Jeong-Woo reflected on their rivalry back in high school when Ha-Neul beat him in the midterms. He called her his “nemesis,” and Ha-Neul echoed that sentiment.
Jeong-Woo and Ha-Neul accidentally ran into each other at night when he mentioned his situation to her. However, Ha-Neul couldn’t care less and hoped he could move out soon. As he was introduced to her family members on his way back, a mystery man followed him. The following day, he looked for new tenants, but the ladies hesitated to offer him a place to stay due to his scandal. He went looking for information about one of his male nurses, who refused to give a statement. However, Kyung-Min offered some necessary details about the nurse.
Not many people knew about the nurse. However, the nurse didn’t like to socialize much and didn’t panic, no matter what situation he may have faced. Jeong-Woo recalled hiring the nurse because he brought his resume in person. Meanwhile, Jeong-Woo met Ha-Neul and spent time talking about their high school rivalry when she scored better than him. Eventually, Ha-Neul assisted her senior in surgery.
However, she felt a tight feeling in her chest. Ha-Neul later discovered that it was the physical symptoms caused by her anxiety and depression. Later, a doctor called her into the hospital room. Ha-Neul saw bruises on her recently operated patient’s body. While she knew it wasn’t her fault, her senior blamed it on her. She discovered she could not take more of her senior’s bullying, so she confronted him. Eventually, Ha-Neul kicked him and quit her job, prioritizing her health over her work.
But when her mother discovered she had quit, the two argued. Ha-Neul spoke up about her mental illness, but her mother failed to accept it. She left the house angrily, but Jeong-Woo coincidentally heard about her situation. Later, her mother and her family discovered that Ha-Neul indeed suffered from depression and anxiety. Ha-Neul’s mother broke down over failing to recognize her daughter’s suffering.
Meanwhile, Ha-Neul ran into Jeong-Woo on the street. He offered her his coat and asked her to join him for a drink. She agreed, and the duo entered a bar only to find their high school friends hanging out. It turned out that Jeong-Woo’s two friends had spread false rumors about losing their jobs due to him when it wasn’t the case. Jeong-Woo confronted the two and ended his friendship with them.
Ha-Neul followed him as they lived in the same house. The two eventually hung out over drinks. On a challenge over who could drink more, the two shared their concerns and discovered more about each other’s struggles. While on their way back, the two began playing around when Ha-Neul received a text message from her mother. The latter acknowledged her daughter’s suffering and hoped for Ha-Neul to be healthy. This made Ha-Neul emotional, and she had a breakdown. Seeing her cry, Jeong-Woo, who was holding his tears back, also cried.
At the end of the episode, the duo held each other in a tight embrace. Although Ha-Neul felt that she would regret the hug later, Jeong-Woo thought, “But the warmth she gave me that day was so comforting, it helped me forget all the pain in that moment.”
To watch what happens next, tune in to Doctor Slump episodes 3 and 4 on Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. KST on JTBC. The episodes will also be available to stream on Netflix.
