New Heart

New Heart is a difficult Drama to review.

It is a good change of pace from most of the current productions being introduced to the audience in that it deals with romance in a hospital setting. And while a mix of medical drama and romance may seem like a winning formula, execution may be susceptible to blunders.

One of the main problems with the drama are the characters. You'll find that while the characters are charming at first, none of them really change as the drama unfolds and those that do, are either too sudden or not believable. Most of the characters, however, remain loyal to their convictions and may almost appear too stubborn to be taken seriously. A few characters are simply overused archetypes, such as the cutthroat b*astard who's only purpose is to be antagonistic without motivation and the uncompromising power figure who never sees eye to eye with anyone.

The acting however, for the most part, is top-notch, especially from the 3 principle actors. It is unfortunate however that the material they are given to work with is often lacking and always falls short of reaching its full potential. This is further exacerbated by the length of the drama. 23 episodes with very little character development can really wear you out. Each character introduces their own family problems, but none are ever fully explored and adequately resolved, leaving something to be desired.

Having said all this, I must say that I still enjoyed watching this drama all the way through. The characters, despite their lack of development, are alluring in their own unique ways and the constant life-and-death situations are always enticing and get your blood flowing.

It is not a bad drama at all, but it is hard not to notice that it could have been much more. Instead, it seems to fall somewhere in between being a guilty pleasure and original storytelling.

3.5/5 Recommended for lovers of romance and medical drama.

This drama that takes place in a KwangHee University Hospital is a life changing story about two person both from different background, trying to reach their goal becoming a Cardiovascular Surgeons in the top hospital in Korea.
Lee En Cheng is a high school dropout from a small orphanage in the southern countryside of Korea. Although he is a high school dropout he has manage to overcome many hardship and attended medical school close to home that landed him a job at the local clinic as an assistant doctor. One day as he was on duty, stitching a stubborn man (Cui Gang-Guo) who just got into a fight and unwilling to let En Cheng call his wife to notify his injuries; he had an urgent call to help a man who had a hard time breathing .... little did he know his knowledge had almost cause this man to die. While he was still in shock about the x ray scans, Cui Gang-Guo had already acted fast with his professional sense and did a vasectomy in the room saving the man's life and leaving En Cheng Speechless about Cui Gnag-Guo fast movement to save the dying patient. Reluctant to know who this man was (Cui Gang-Guo), En Cheng followed after him after the incident and threaten Cui Gang-Guo. After finding out that this man was the first man in korean to sucessfully do a heart transplant, En Cheng was inspired to move on out of the local hospital and apply to be part of the KwangHee Hospital's Cardiovascular Surgeon Team. A team that has much to do and not much hands to help. Little does En Cheng knows he will be having a little competition, with a girl (Hae-Seon) who's academic is surpassed his and also the Dean of the KwangHee Universtiy Hospital's illegitimate daughter.
As both of these competitor are rejected by ther Head Chief of the Cardiovascular Surgeon Team; Cui Gang-Guo, by their careless acts days before the interview. They started to protest in front of the hospital as to their unreasonable rejections. Determined to be part of the team both En Cheng and Ha-Seon, shows Cui Gang-Guo what they are made of and finally gets the approval of the Chief.
Battling through with fitting in as the newbie may not seems easy but as they both enter the world of being a new surgeon in the top hospital. Life seems to fall apart little by little as they do not have their family or friend's support with them... can they both make it through being the new resident in the Cardiovascular Care Center or are they eventually going to fall back, letting all the pressure of helping patients hurt their pride?

This drama can possibly be the most educated and well acted drama that drama watcher can possibly ever see. It provides the right amount of stress that each character in the story expericences and the reality of what a surgeon's full time life is from emotional roller coaster rides to personal family complications. Each doctor has life complicantions but at the end of the day everyone knows that their goals are all the same. To Save A Heart.
-chaosthao_09