ENA’s Monday-Tuesday drama Doctor on the edge is quickly becoming one of the hit romance series of the season. After premiering to an impressive 4.0% national rating, the drama broke ENA’s previous opening record and rose to 5.0% in just two episodes, signaling a promising start for the island’s healing romance.
For many viewers, watch Doctor on the edge inevitably brings back memories of Hometown Cha-Cha-ChatvN’s 2021 hit drama starring Kim Seon Ho and Shin Min Ah, which peaked with a viewership rating of 12.7%. The similarities are hard to miss: a city outsider suddenly adapting to life in a quiet seaside village, a reliable local who knows every nook and cranny of the community, and colorful residents whose daily stories create warmth and charm.
However, Doctor on the edge stands out with a refreshing twist on the family dynamics of romantic comedies. While Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha followed Seoul dentist Yoon Hye Jin (played by Shin Min Ah) adapt to village life, Doctor on the edge centers on a male protagonist, played by Lee Jae Wook, who leaves Seoul after working as a plastic surgeon and unexpectedly finds himself serving as a public health doctor in a remote island town. The fishing village, lacking adequate medical infrastructure, initially seems unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but gradually becomes a place of healing and human connection.
Adding to the charm is the female protagonist, played by Shin Ye Eun, a nurse born and raised on the island who knows everyone in town and becomes the constant support for the touchy outsider doctor. His character naturally evokes memories of “Chief Hong”, Kim Seon Ho’s beloved character in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Meanwhile, the bickering chemistry between the sharp-tongued but secretly warm male protagonist and the confident, energetic heroine creates a romantic tension that feels comfortingly familiar yet exciting at the same time.
The drama also bolsters its appeal through smaller, relatable stories rather than high-stakes medical crises. Instead of focusing on dramatic hospital scandals, Doctor on the edge capture unique moments of island life. Elderly residents who self-medicate, hide illnesses, or avoid hospitals bring a sense of realism and emotional resonance to the narrative. At the same time, the hidden emotional wounds of Doctor Do Ji Ui and Nurse Yook Ha Ri add layers of mystery that keep viewers engaged.
Another reason for the drama’s growing popularity is the chemistry between peers Lee Jae Wook and Shin Ye Eun, both born in 1998. Viewers praised their visual pairing, noting Lee Jae Wook’s sharp yet emotional gaze and Shin Ye Eun’s bright and refreshing presence. Together, they create what many call a “perfect romantic comedy visual pairing.”
The scenic ocean backdrop also plays an important role in building the emotional atmosphere of the drama. From Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha TO Our blues (2022) e Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023), romantic seaside dramas have consistently resonated with audiences. Doctor on the edge seems poised to continue that tradition of success while bringing his own refreshing energy to viewers.
The drama is also proving that ENA, a network widely recognized for thriller and genre series, can succeed in romance as well. If its upward momentum continues, industry watchers are already wondering whether Doctor on the edge could surpass the ratings record of 7.1% currently held by ENA’s romantic hit Mrs. Incognito.
Sources: Daum
