Cha Jeong-suk's 180 Degree transformation in 'Doctor Cha'

The early narrative of the drama 'Doctor Cha' unfolds around the conflicts and changes experienced by the protagonist, Cha Jeong-suk, who gave up her medical career to live as a housewife for 20 years. According to a video review, Cha collapses due to sudden health issues at a department store and is rushed to a hospital. Her liver enzyme levels were found to be over 3,000, far exceeding the normal range of less than 40, placing her in a situation where she requires a liver transplant due to acute hepatitis.

Family neglect, husband's affair, and the refusal of a transplant

The reactions of Cha's family members to her crisis are polarized. While she is incapacitated, her husband, In-ho, is depicted spending time with Choi Seung-hee. Although donor testing was conducted for the transplant, her son and daughter were excluded due to mismatched blood types or being minors, and both her mother and mother-in-law were also ruled out. Ultimately, In-ho was considered the only viable donor candidate, but his mother opposes the surgery, arguing he should not undergo such a dangerous procedure for the sake of the children. In this process, Cha is left feeling abandoned by her family while unable to decide on the surgery.

'I will live a different future': Breaking a 20-year career break

After recovering her health, Cha exhibits a completely different attitude toward life. Noting that she had never spent money on herself during her 20 years as a housewife, she demonstrates her newfound independence by purchasing a bag worth approximately 11.35 million won. Furthermore, when In-ho advises her to focus on domestic life, Cha expresses her resolve to live a new life by quoting Einstein, remarking that expecting a different future while living the same as yesterday is akin to the early symptoms of insanity. This decision serves as the catalyst for her return to medicine.

Returning as a first-year resident and facing hospital conflicts

Leveraging her past academic excellence, Cha passes the medical exams and returns to Gusan University Hospital as a first-year resident. The series follows her episodes of adapting to hospital life, including the complex dynamics between professors and residents as she explains test results to patients. She also faces challenges, such as making mistakes when dealing with a high-profile patient. Meanwhile, the drama captures the internal politics of the hospital, including personnel adjustments made by a Family Medicine professor to fill the vacancy left by a second-year doctor who resigned due to pregnancy.