'Resident Playbook' will not have season 2 due to THIS reason

The rising medical K-drama 'Resident Playbook' has been called off after just a handful of episodes, despite achieving major success in viewership and international rankings. The drama, which had only just begun to find its rhythm with audiences worldwide, will not be continuing beyond its initial 12-episode run. The OTT platform has decided not to renew 'Resident Playbook' for a second season.
A spin-off of the beloved 'Hospital Playlist', this fresh series introduced a new generation of medical interns navigating the complexities of South Korea’s healthcare system. With rising stars such as Go Youn Jung, Shin Si Ah, Han Ye Ji, Kang You Seok, and Jung Joon Won at the forefront, the show steadily built momentum after a slightly delayed and controversial launch. According to The Korea Times, it garnered 2.8 million views in a single week and secured a position in the top three of the global non-English TV rankings. It also topped the charts in six countries, including India, and landed in the top 10 in over 14 nations worldwide.
Despite its growing fanbase and critical acclaim, the production has now been labelled a “limited series”—a term often used to signal a conclusive single-season format. This reclassification has effectively dashed any hopes of a continuation, disappointing viewers who had embraced the show’s emotional depth and topical relevance.
The series’ fourth episode achieved its best domestic performance; however, its viewership was slightly eclipsed by the debut of another anticipated drama, Heavenly Ever After, starring Son Suk Ku and Kim Hye Ja.
Set within the OB-GYN department of the fictional Yulje Hospital, 'Resident Playbook' focused on four Gen Z interns grappling with long shifts, ethical dilemmas, and their own doubts about the demanding career path they had chosen. The storyline also struck a chord within the national conversation, as it paralleled real-life tensions in South Korea’s medical field. The series premiered shortly after a wave of protests and mass resignations by doctors, sparked by a controversial policy aimed at increasing medical school admissions. Many critics feared the drama might romanticize the very struggles that professionals have been protesting against.
While the show offered an authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by young doctors in a high-pressure environment, it appears the complex blend of real-world controversy and dramatized storytelling may have impacted its long-term viability. Nonetheless, for many viewers, 'Resident Playbook' stood out for its heartfelt narrative and compelling characters.