Watch Life (2018)

Life is a 2018 medical drama television series set in a hospital in South Korea that revolves around the power struggle between the hospital's CEO and the chief medical officer (CMO) as they make tough decisions concerning the hospital's patients and staff. The show stars Lee Dong-wook as Ye Jin-woo, a skilled and intelligent doctor who has both a photographic memory and a no-nonsense attitude, and Cho Seung-woo as Goo Seung-hyo, the CEO of the hospital who is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the hospital running but also has a personal agenda.

The series is produced by Lee Soo-yeon, the same writer-director behind the popular Korean drama Stranger, and it marks her comeback on the small screen since she took a break in 2017. Notably, both Lee Dong-wook and Cho Seung-woo worked together before in the series, Strangers, which further raised the expectations of their reunion in Life. Along with Lee and Cho, other notable actors who play important characters include Jin-ah Won, who plays the female lead, Lee No-eul, a medical intern who slowly gains more confidence under the guidance of Dr. Ye, and Yoo Jae-myung, who plays the role of the head of the hospital's emergency center.

The show sets itself apart from other medical dramas by showcasing the dilemma of its characters, who are constantly trying to find a balance between their personal beliefs and their professional responsibilities. The show demonstrates how each character interacts with one another and how far they are willing to go to achieve their goals, while emphasizing the ethical and moral values that should come with being a medical professional. What drives the characters in Life is not just the desire to make money, protect their job or their social status, but also a fierce sense of duty to their patients and the desire to make a difference in their lives.

The narrative in Life is intricate and sophisticated as it tackles multiple storylines alongside the main storyline of the conflict between the CEO and the CMO. One of the significant topics that they explore is the concept of family and community within the medical field. The show tackles the dynamic between the healthcare professionals who work in the hospital, highlighting how they come from different backgrounds, and how their values and priorities differ. The series delivers a compelling portrayal of how the hospital is a microcosm of society, and it is evident that the show's writers have taken great care to explore the complexities of its characters through their various patient cases.

The cinematography in Life is excellent, capturing the gritty and sometimes gruesome nature of the hospital environment. The director of photography, Yoon Nam-joo, succeeds in highlighting the hospital's sterile and tense atmosphere, emphasising the life-and-death situations the staff and patients face at the hospital. The score, too, is very impactful, with an intense and sombre tone that adds to the show's overall ambiance.

The characters in Life are full of depth and complexity, making the show an excellent character-driven drama. Lee Dong-wook's Ye Jin-woo is a fascinating character whose dedication to medicine is driven by his internal conflict and the pain he carries in his heart from his past. Cho Seung-woo's Goo Seung-hyo, on the other hand, is a complicated character whose motivations are hidden in layers of ambition and guilt. Their unstable relationship is one of the show's primary plot drivers, and the tension between them creates an edge-of-the-seat viewing experience.

Life is a show that manages to balance its morally challenging themes with riveting storytelling to create a series that is both emotionally satisfying and intellectually engaging. Despite its somber tone and heavy themes, the show has moments of humour that balance out the drama and helps to lighten the mood from time to time. The show is an excellent study on the human psyche and an exploration of the ethical issues within the medical field.

In conclusion, Life is an outstanding drama that showcases the complexity of the medical field, the struggles of those who work within it and the importance and dedication of helping those in need. The show was a refreshing change from the usual Korean drama tropes, demonstrating an emotionally deep and intellectually stimulating experience. The dynamic between the characters, their stories, and their relationships make for a fascinating drama, and the top-notch performances from the cast elevate the show's overall quality.

Life (2018) is a series that ran for 1 seasons (16 episodes) between July 23, 2018 and on Netflix