Yong-pal (Korean: 용팔이; RR: Yongpari) is a 2015 South Korean drama series starring Joo Won, Kim Tae-hee, Chae Jung-an and Jo Hyun-jae. It aired on SBS from August 5 to October 1, 2015, on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:55 for 18 episodes.[unreliable source?] Originally slated for 16 episodes, due to the high ratings and popularity of the drama, it was extended by two episodes.[unreliable source?]

This drama reunites Kim Tae-hee and Jo Hyun-jae who first worked together in the 2004 drama Forbidden Love.

Synopsis

Kim Tae Hyun is a talented surgeon. Desperate for money to pay for his sister's medical bills, he adopts the code name Yong-pal and offers his medical skills to those in need of medical attention but who cannot do so publicly, dealing with criminals and corrupt plutocrats. Joining a team of corrupt physicians Kim rescues "sleeping beauty" Han Yeo Jin, a chaebol heiress, from a medically induced coma, leading to unintended consequences.

Cast

Main

A skilled surgeon, who under the alias Yong-pal moonlights as a mercenary doctor for hire. He falls in love with Yeo-jin.

A chaebol heiress placed in a coma by her enemies to get their revenge. She falls in love with Tae-hyun.

Han Yeo-jin's half-brother, who covets his sister's inheritance.

Han Do-joon's wife.

Supporting

Special appearances

Original soundtrack

Part 1

Released on August 12, 2015 (2015-08-12)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."To My Love" (사랑하는그대에게)The One (singer)3:41
2."To My Love" (Inst.)3:41
Total length:7:22

Part 2

Released on August 19, 2015 (2015-08-19)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."A Nightmare" (악몽)Yong Jun-hyung (Highlight) and Heo Ga-yoon (4minute)3:51
2."A Nightmare" (Inst.)3:51
Total length:7:02

Part 3

Released on September 2, 2015 (2015-09-02)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Actually, I'm..." (사실은내가)Jung In4:16
2."Actually, I'm..." (Inst.)4:16
Total length:8:22

Part 4

Released on September 9, 2015 (2015-09-09)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."So we are" (이렇게우리)Baek A-yeon3:57
2."So we are" (Inst.)3:57
Total length:4:14

Part 5

Released on September 16, 2015 (2015-09-16)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Come to me" (내게 와줘서)K.Will3:57
2."Come to me" (Inst.)3:57
Total length:4:14

Part 6

Released on September 24, 2015 (2015-09-24)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Only remember me" (나하나만)Park Hye-soo3:57
2."Only remember me" (Inst.)3:57
Total length:4:14

Part 7

Released on September 30, 2015 (2015-09-30)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."I Hear you" (니가들려)Ahn Se-ha3:23
2."I Hear you" (Inst.)3:23
Total length:6:46

Part 8

Released on September 30, 2015 (2015-09-30)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Suddenly one day" (어느날갑감자기)Jin Min-ho3:48
2."Suddenly one day" (Inst.)3:48
Total length:7:22
Disc 2:
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Main theme of Yong-pal" (Opening Title)Various Artists3:32
2."Black Room"Various Artists2:36
3."Hero"Various Artists2:09
4."Its not that"Various Artists2:11
5."I never get caught"Various Artists2:35
6."Let's be friend"Various Artists2:48
7."Light of Hope"Various Artists3:07
8."My Mother"Various Artists2:59
9."Persuit"Various Artists3:07
10."Precious Family"Various Artists3:27
11."Run and Run"Various Artists3:30
12."Sleeping Witch"Various Artists2:45
13."The Battle"Various Artists2:22
14."Tae-Hyun's Family"Various Artists2:55
15."Wound of a question"Various Artists2:18
16."Yeo Jin's Destiny"Various Artists2:44
17."Yeo Jin's Theme"Various Artists2:47
18."Yong-pal"Various Artists3:12

Viewership

Since it began airing, Yong-pal recorded steadily increasing viewership ratings, eventually hitting an impressive 20 percent by its sixth episode. It consistently topped other shows in its Wednesday-Thursday timeslot, eventually becoming one of the top-rated Korean drama primetime miniseries of 2015.

Ep.Original broadcast dateAverage audience share
Nielsen KoreaTNmS
NationwideSeoulNationwideSeoul
1August 5, 201511.6% (4th)12.9% (3rd)9.2% (9th)11.2% (5th)
2August 6, 201514.1% (3rd)16.0% (3rd)11.8% (5th)14.9% (3rd)
3August 12, 201514.5% (3rd)16.3% (3rd)12.5% (5th)15.8% (3rd)
4August 13, 201516.3% (3rd)17.8% (2nd)15.3% (3rd)18.8% (2nd)
5August 19, 201518.0% (2nd)20.3% (2nd)16.4% (3rd)19.4% (2nd)
6August 20, 201520.4% (2nd)22.2% (2nd)18.1% (3rd)20.7% (2nd)
7August 26, 201519.2% (2nd)21.4% (1st)17.1% (3rd)21.2% (2nd)
8August 27, 201520.5% (2nd)22.8% (2nd)18.4% (2nd)21.9% (1st)
9September 2, 201517.0% (3rd)19.1% (2nd)15.7% (4th)18.2% (2nd)
10September 3, 201517.4% (2nd)19.3% (2nd)16.3% (2nd)19.3% (2nd)
11September 9, 201519.3% (2nd)21.7% (2nd)15.9% (3rd)18.4% (2nd)
12September 10, 201519.1% (2nd)21.0% (2nd)18.2% (2nd)21.3% (2nd)
13September 16, 201521.5% (2nd)23.7% (1st)18.0% (2nd)21.0% (2nd)
14September 17, 201520.9% (2nd)22.3% (2nd)19.5% (2nd)21.8% (2nd)
15September 23, 201520.0% (2nd)22.3% (2nd)17.8% (2nd)20.0% (2nd)
16September 24, 201520.2% (2nd)22.3% (2nd)19.2% (2nd)21.0% (1st)
17September 30, 201518.4% (3rd)20.0% (2nd)16.4% (3rd)18.2% (2nd)
18October 1, 201520.4% (2nd)21.6% (2nd)19.6% (2nd)21.4% (2nd)
Average18.3%20.2%16.4%19.1%
In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
20158th Korea Drama AwardsGrand Prize (Daesang)Joo WonNominated
Best DramaYong-palNominated
Top Excellence Award, actressKim Tae-heeWon
Best ScreenplayJang Hyuk-rinWon
4th APAN Star AwardsTop Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesJoo WonNominated
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a MiniseriesKim Tae-heeNominated
Best Supporting ActressChae Jung-anWon
2015 Hallyu AwardsBest DramaYong-palWon
Grimae AwardsGrand PrizeYoon Dae-young, Choi Je-rakWon
Best DirectorOh Jin-seokWon
23rd SBS Drama Awards[unreliable source?]Grand Prize (Daesang)Joo WonWon
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesJoo WonNominated
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a MiniseriesKim Tae-heeWon
Special Award, Actor in a MiniseriesJung Woong-inNominated
Jo Hyun-jaeNominated
Special Award, Actress in a MiniseriesBae Hae-sunNominated
PD AwardJoo WonNominated
Top 10 StarsJoo WonWon
Kim Tae-heeWon
Chinese Netizen Popularity AwardJoo WonWon
Kim Tae-heeNominated
Netizen Popularity AwardJoo WonNominated
Kim Tae-heeNominated
Best Couple AwardJoo Won and Kim Tae-heeWon
201652nd Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actor (TV)Joo WonNominated

Remake

There was a talk that the drama Yong-pal which starred Joo Won and Kim Tae-hee could be remade for American audiences.[unreliable source?] It was reported in December 2015 that a Russian remake produced by Sony Pictures Studios was in development.

External links