Doctor Slump (2024) K Drama Episode 9 with Park Shin Hye and Park Hyung Shik

Feb 25, 2024

Episode 9 begins with a flashback of Ha-neul’s interview at her previous hospital. The interviewers question her ability to work in a team and her reputation amongst her peers. Kyung-min comes to her aid and defends her. Later, he is nice to her and helps her whenever she finds herself in a pickle. Ha-neul treats Kyung-min to a meal and asks him why he is nice to her. Kyung-min praises Ha-neul and her hard work. However, after Ha-neul completely starts trusting him, he starts taking advantage of her – showcasing her work as his own, spreading rumours about her and so on.

The scene shifts and Ha-neul explains that she broke up with Jeong-woo because their relationship will only end up hurting both of them as Jeong-woo is looking for Ha-neul while it rains.

The next day, Jeong-woo leaves with Bin Dae-young to work in his clinic and he is to stay in a nearby place for some time. He doesn’t evacuate the house, however. Ha-neul’s family except Ha-neul herself bid him farewell. Back home, Bada confronts Ha-neul if they have broken up but Ha-neul is silent. Wol-Seon is also worried about her.

Jeong-woo is quiet inside Dae-young’s car and he guesses that Jeong-woo broke up with Ha-neul but still likes her. He tells him to hold on to Ha-neul if he still likes her. Meanwhile, Ha-neul is out drinking with Hong-ran and tells her that she broke up with Jeong-woo. She drinks too much and has to be carried by Hong-ran and Bada. Wol-seon becomes worried about her.

The next day, Jeong-woo is received by Dae-young’s employees in high spirits. Wol-seon receives a call from Ha-neul’s aunt, who tells her that the director of a hospital in Busan is looking for a bride for his incompetent son so that he can pass on the hospital to his daughter-in-law. She persuades her mother to make Ha-neul meet the director’s son. Although reluctant at first, Wol-seon feels that it might help Ha-neul and lies to her to make her go on a blind date.

Ha-neul arrives at the blind date thinking that the director’s son wants help from her. However, the son is a complete jerk to her and she realises what her mother has done. She leaves the place and confronts her mother about it. Ha-neul feels betrayed that her mother finds her pathetic just like other people. Wol-seon feels guilty and cries in Ha-neul’s uncle’s restaurant.

Ha-neul sits on the rooftop and remembers Jeong-woo. At this time, her uncle joins her and confides in her that her family can only help her as her support system and it breaks their heart to see her struggle. He asks her to fulfil his wish and takes her to a restaurant that sells pig trotters. Sometime later, Bada comes in with their mother. It’s revealed that the uncle and nephew plotted this meeting to let Ha-neul and her mother reconcile.

After some awkward exchanges, Wol-seon tells Ha-neul that her parents have always been proud of her and her achievements and never once did they find her pathetic. She asks her to let go of her guilt about her father’s passing; she blames herself for not being there because of her studies. Ha-neul and Wol-seon cry and reconcile. Wol-seon also tells her that Jeong-woo is “a rare gem” and that she is worried about how much he is struggling. She expected Ha-neul and Jeong-woo to become each other’s support system.

The next day, Ha-neul wakes up to find that she drunk texted Jeong-woo. She goes to the rooftop to gather chilis for her mother but is surprised to find Jeong-woo there. Jeong-woo blurts that she has been doing well: going on blind dates and having dinner with her family. He fumbles for words but finally tells her that he will wait for her. Ha-neul finds it reassuring.

Later, Jeong-woo and Dae-young enter the clinic to find it full of clients. They are also booked for the next two weeks since people find out about Yeo Jeong-woo working at the clinic. jeong-woo feels burdened but stays silent. He is booked for his first surgery after the accident. He tries to concentrate but ends up pulling out of the surgery in panic. The nurses figure out that he has PTSD. Dae-young proposes to cancel the next day’s surgeries but Jeong-woo insists upon them.

Hong-ran learns about Jeong-woo’s PTSD, overhearing the nurses talk and relays the same to Ha-neul. The next day, Jeong-woo nervously enters the operation theatre to find Ha-neul as his anaesthesiologist for the day.

The Episode Review

This episode again was a treat to watch especially Ha-neul and Wol-seon’s relationship. It is heart-warming to watch her family stand behind her as her strongest support system. This episode was a great concoction of tear-jerky scenes and the comic relief that Jeong-woo brings.

We also find the reason behind Ha-neul’s misery and how she was treated by her peers and seniors at her previous workplace. Kyung-min has consolidated his position as one of the most horrible double-faced characters who manipulate the weak to meet his ends. It would be satisfying to watch his downfall, if at all, in the show.