[Mar 17] "Doctor Slump" Ep 16: Rating, Recap, Review

JTBC's "Doctor Slump" finished its last episode with a rating of 6.5%, which is 1.4% higher than its second-to-last episode.

"Doctor Slump" episode 16: Recap & review

Moving forward amidst life’s twists and turns?

Ha-neul got her job back, and Wol-seon stood up to the relatives who were speaking poorly of her daughter. As things calmed down, everyone, including Ba-da, started to move forward with their lives. Ba-da’s new enthusiasm for work touched his family deeply.

Yet, Jeong-woo’s late arrival interrupted the peace, not realizing Ba-da was the one who made the noodles he just criticized. Surprised and pleased by Ba-da’s efforts, Jeong-woo inquired about Ha-neul’s response to his marriage proposal, but she delayed answering, recalling a recent distraction.

Excited about getting paid by his uncle, Ba-da treated Ha-neul to a meal. The following day, Jeong-woo’s conversation with Dae-young left him questioning his own rush. Ha-neul then called Jeong-woo to invite him to a fancy dinner by the Han River.

Jeong-woo was thrilled, expecting a yes to his proposal. However, that night, Ha-neul needed to talk about an overseas job offer instead, leaving Jeong-woo supportive but secretly upset. Alone, he showed his reluctance to let Ha-neul go. Dae-young noticed Jeong-woo’s sadness the next day.

A customer’s outburst at Dae-young was interrupted by Hong-ran, who stepped in to help, reversing their roles of protector. Nurse Do’s resignation to travel left Dae-young reflective, and he shared his thoughts with Jeong-woo, who then supported Ha-neul’s decision, despite their mutual sadness.

But Ha-neul’s opportunity was given to someone else, leading to more confusion as Jeong-woo started planning dates before her expected departure. Misunderstandings grew, involving her family too. Jeong-woo’s discovery of a message on Ha-neul’s phone ended a farewell party abruptly, and he apologized for his mistake.

Ha-neul openly shared her feelings, pleased with the changes in her life. She expressed a desire to go on the dates Jeong-woo mentioned, and they planned to start anew. A visit to her psychiatrist showed Ha-neul’s progress, as her test responses had changed, indicating an end to her difficult period.

In another place, Dae-young hangs out with Hong-ran and her son. He shares that he feels sorry for not always being able to be strong for her, but she reassures him that she likes him just as he is. She then wonders how he’s been coping since he parted ways with Nurse Do and Jeong-woo. And he explains that it was necessary because they each had their own journeys to embark on.

How about its ending? 

Jeong-woo reopens his clinic, opting for a smaller, more manageable setup this time. He promises Ha-neul not to overwork himself. 

Life starts to normalize for everyone. Ba-da takes Wol-seon shopping, and Tae-seon meets his first love again. Jeong-woo and Ha-neul, sitting in the quiet clinic, reminisce about their past visit and their decision to watch the sunrise together. Despite the cloudy skies, they laugh and plan to see the sunrise once more. When they do, it symbolizes their triumph over tough times, achieved together.

Jeong-woo seeks an answer to his marriage proposal, and Ha-neul gives him the response he hoped for. They acknowledge that life will have ups and downs, but they’re content knowing they have each other.

"Doctor Slump" episode 16 review

We missed it last time, but we finally got to see it this time.

I’m moved to tears. They made it through. They didn’t catch the sunrise, but they witnessed a stunning sunset. 

The final episode arrives, delivering a fitting conclusion for the playful and healing journey of the Jeong-Ha couple. The series presents inspiring scenes and a love story that captures the essence of hope and motivation.

This episode explores new aspects of the couple’s relationship and introduces a surprise romance for Tae-seon. It also highlights the ongoing personal growth of each character, suggesting that growth never truly ends. The story of Jeong-Ha and their companions continues, signaling not an end, but a fresh start.

At last, after a tumultuous journey, everyone finds their happy place, and the joy brought by the series becomes clear to us all.

Are you going to miss "Doctor Slump"? Let me know what you think in the comments!~