Writer Im Sung Han, also known as Phoebe, is already getting strong reactions with her new drama Doctor Shin.
The new TV Chosun weekend mini series officially premiered and quickly became a hot topic for its unusual style and polarizing response from viewers. Despite the mixed reviews, the drama opened with stable ratings, showing steady early interest.
According to Nielsen Korea, episode 2 of Doctor Shin, which aired on March 15, recorded a nationwide rating of 1.4% among paid households. This matched the 1.4% rating from episode 1, meaning the drama held steady across its first two episodes.
Doctor Shin has been drawing attention as Im Sung Han’s first medical thriller drama. The series combines romance and suspense, and its bold setup has already led to strong discussion online.
Much of the current conversation has centered less on the storyline itself and more on how the drama feels to viewers. Reactions have been sharply divided, especially when it comes to the performances of the rookie lead cast and the overall directing style.
Some viewers said the drama is strangely compelling, with comments like, “It pulls you in,” even while noting the unique tone. Others were far more critical, with some saying the acting “sounds like AI dubbing.”
The directing style has also become a major talking point, with viewers reacting to the drama’s sudden shifts, unusual visual choices, and over the top presentation.
Online responses have included comments such as, “It feels like an overseas short form drama,” while others said they could not tell “if it’s old fashioned or ahead of its time.”
Even with the split reaction, Doctor Shin has already succeeded in getting people talking, and its stable 1.4% start suggests viewers are curious to see where this bold new series goes next.
Doctor Shin airs every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 PM KST on TV Chosun and Coupang Play.
Source: [1]