Resident Playbook may be a spin-off, but it has a heartbeat of its own—one that’s made even more special by the surprise visits from our beloved characters from Hospital Playlist. Whether it was a subtle walk-in, a short exchange, or a meaningful interaction, these cameos weren’t just fan service—they were emotional reminders of the stories we once followed so closely. Let’s take a stroll through the heartwarming (and sometimes hilarious) appearances from Yulje’s finest across Season 1 of Resident Playbook.
Hospital Playlist Cameos in Resident Playbook Season 1
Episode 2 – Ahn Eun-jin (Chu Min-ha)
Our first wave of nostalgia hits early in Episode 2 when Yi-young is sent to transfer a pregnant woman to another Yulje branch. It’s a high-stakes moment for a first-year resident, but Yi-young handles it with grace. And who’s there to greet her? None other than Chu Min-ha, the ever-kind OB-GYN resident from Hospital Playlist! Their brief chat reveals that Min-ha is now married to her former professor and long-time crush, Yang Seok-hyung. This tiny update sends a ripple of joy through long-time viewers—it’s a small moment, but deeply satisfying.
Episode 3 – Moon Tae-yoo & Ha Yoon-kyung (Yong Seok-min & Heo Seon-bin)
Tension hangs heavy as the rookies brace for a grilling session by their seniors. As Nam-kyung walks toward her doom (read: the conference room), she bumps into Seok-min and Seon-bin in the elevator. These two were the bickering duo in Hospital Playlist, always at each other’s throats, but now they’re flirting like a couple of high school sweethearts. It’s a subtle shift that longtime fans can’t help but smile at, especially when Seok-min flashes Nam-kyung a cheeky grin.
Episode 4 – Jung Kyung-ho (Kim Jun-wan)
Professor Jun-wan makes a grand return in Episode 4—and he’s not here to play nice. Yi-young, already stressed about her new assignment, finds herself bombarded with rapid-fire questions by none other than Jun-wan. His sharp tongue and signature sass are on full display as he, alongside Professor Seo, critiques her unpreparedness. It was such a warm cameo and undeniably memorable. He’s as always the zesty man!
Episode 5 – Yoo Yeon-seok (Ahn Jeong-won)
In classic Resident Playbook fashion, chaos finds Yi-young in the funniest way. After a night of heavy drinking, she wakes up groggy in a restaurant restroom. Still dazed, she munches on dried pollock left on a random table—only to discover she’s stealing someone else’s food. That someone? None other than the gentle and beloved Dr. Ahn Jeong-won. His surprised reaction and her mortified apology make this one of the most comically charming cameos of the season. Not just that towards the end of the episode, he comes in as the guardian of a patient, pointing to the other series’ charity program which he created. Aww!
Episode 6 – Bae Hyun-sung (Jang Hong-do)
After saving a mother and child during a high-risk delivery, Jae-il escapes the praise and hides out in the nursery. There, he crosses paths with Dr. Jang Hong-do, the soft-spoken and awkward CS resident from Hospital Playlist. It’s a brief interaction, but seeing Hong-do in his element again reminds us of his growth journey and quiet confidence that slowly blossomed over two seasons. Seeing him so bold and brave, reminds us of the time he was so scared and almost gave up during his internship. Time really flies.
Episode 7 – Kwak Sun-young (Lee Ik-sun) and Kim Jun-han (Ahn Chi-hong)
The formidable Lee Ik-sun storms into Episode 7, needing treatment for minor injuries. Her bold manner of speaking and undeniable charisma immediately evoke memories of her whirlwind romance with Jun-wan. Her presence not only injects humour but also reminds us of the deep relationships that shaped the original series. She’s every bit the firecracker she used to be—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We also have Ahn Chi-hong, the doctor who died for the love of Song-hwa in every possible way but dang, he didn’t bag her!
Episode 8 – Shin Hyun-bin (Jang Gyeo-wool)
Gyeo-wool’s cameo in Episode 8 is loaded with unspoken tension. She meets with Jae-il given she is her first love and he was dying to see her, and for a moment, his old feelings bubble up. But the illusion shatters when she answers a call from her boyfriend—Ahn Jeong-won. Cue the heartstrings. Their ongoing romance was a central thread in Hospital Playlist, and seeing her still happily in love delivers a quiet but powerful emotional punch.
Episode 10 – Jeon Mi-do & Jo Jung-suk (Chae Song-hwa & Lee Ik-jun)
Just when we thought things couldn’t get more nostalgic, Episode 10 delivers the ultimate fan treat: Song-hwa and Ik-jun walk back into our screens. While the main story revolves around Yi-young’s family grappling with a miscarriage, the cameo brings needed levity. Ik-jun, true to form, enters with his hands accidentally glued together, and his banter with Song-hwa is as flirty and fun as ever. The bonus? We learn Dr. Kong once had a thing for him—cue awkward laughter and memories of his signature clueless charm.
Episode 11 – Jung Moon-sung (Do Jae-hak)
Yi-young and Do-won go apartment hunting, only to be approached by an overly enthusiastic stranger trying to offload his unit. That stranger? Do Jae-hak! Always the lovable, slightly chaotic friend from Hospital Playlist, his attempt to sell his apartment is both hilarious and suspicious. Too bad he never mentioned he was a doctor—it might’ve saved the deal.
Episode 12 – Kim Dae-myung (Yang Seok-hyung)
In the finale, we come full circle. After a patient passes away in Nam-kyung’s arms, she’s thrust into an emergency delivery. As she rushes to act, Prof. Yang Seok-hyung steps in to help. It’s a powerful scene—one life ends while another begins. Having Seok-hyung there brings comfort, as though the original Hospital Playlist family is still watching over this new generation. In the same episode, Chu Min-ha also comes back but this time she joins the series.
Final Thoughts
Each cameo in Resident Playbook wasn’t just a random insert—it was a carefully placed spark of joy, reminding us of the friendships, love stories, and personal journeys that made Hospital Playlist unforgettable. There were other notable cameos such as of NA PD and indeed TXT Yeonjun and Soobin dancing in a music video, but these are what caught our eyes and melted our hearts.
For longtime fans, it was like coming home. And for new viewers, it was a warm invitation to explore the series that started it all. Either way, every appearance added something beautiful to this already heartfelt drama.
Resident Playbook is streaming on Netflix.
Also read: All Reviews and Recaps of Resident Playbook
