Director Oh Jin-seok used a desaturated color palette for Yong Pal . Unlike the bright, pastel tones of Descendants of the Sun (which aired the following year), Yong Pal is washed in blues, greys, and blacks. The hospital looks like a mausoleum; the underground parking lots look like an arena for gladiators.
The story follows (Joo Won), a brilliant third-year resident surgeon at Hanshin Medical Center. Burdened by massive debt from his sister's expensive dialysis treatments, Tae-hyun adopts the alias "Yong-pal" (a "skilled quack") to perform illegal, high-stakes medical procedures for criminals and corrupt elites who cannot visit legitimate hospitals. YONG PAL -2015-
A single word. In plain English.
: The first six episodes are frequently cited as the series' peak. The pacing is fast, and the blend of medical procedures with underground action feels fresh and high-stakes. Intriguing Lead Female Director Oh Jin-seok used a desaturated color palette