Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist | Season 2 | K-Drama

Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist Season 2 started airing in January 2023 on tvN. Episodes are also being streamed on Rakuten Viki. Fans of this Korean drama series were excited to watch this “doctor of the heart” cure more patients.  But what they really want to know is whether will he ever be able to heal his own heart.  

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RECAP of Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist Season 1

In Season 1 we meet a royal physician named Yoo Se-yeop (played by Kim Min-jae).

His medical skills are so extraordinary that he is given the title “Divine Acupuncturist”. He is usually the first physician called upon to treat members of the royal family. Unbeknownst to him the king has been poisoned so when he is summoned to his bed chamber, he is not aware that performing acupuncture would cause the king’s death. He is accused of murder and thrown into prison. While in prison, his father comes across information that could prove his son’s innocence. He intends to reveal his findings to the crown prince but he is murdered and the incriminating documents are taken from his body.

First the death of the king, then the death of his father

Yoo Se-yeop is told that his father died a tragic accidental death. The grief from the loss of his father, as well as his belief that he caused the death of the king overwhelms him. He should have been put to death but the crown prince is suspicious about the death of the king. So he refuses to sentence Yoo Se-yeop to death and instead sends him into exile. The crown prince believes that one day he and Yoo Se-yeop will be able to uncover the truth about the king’s murder.

Yoo Se-yeop starts a new life and becomes a “heart doctor”

Yoo Se-yeop is so traumatized by what happened to the king that he has lost his ability to perform acupuncture. He travels to Gyesu Village in Joseon. This is where he plans to end his life by committing suicide. But in this small community, he meets a group of people who help him begin a new life. They help him heal his broken heart and troubled mind. One of the people in this group is an old woman with dementia who calls him “Poong”. Poong is the name of her own son, and she decides that Yoo Se-yeop is the son she cherishes.

Yoo Se-yeop? Yoo Se-poong? What does it matter? The “Divine Acupuncturist” no longer exist. Yoo Se-yeop begins to refer to himself as Yoo Se-poong.

Working at a rural clinic is more rewarding than working at the royal clinic

Yoo Se-yeop accepts an offer of employment and works at the Gyesu Clinic with Gye Ji-hanan (played by Kim Sang-kyung), an older physician who is the head of the clinic.

The people who assist the two (2) physicians with providing medical services are;

• Ip-bun (played by Kim Su-an), the daughter of Gye Ji-hanan;
• Jang-goon (played by Han Chang-min), an autistic boy who is also a genius;
• Nam-hae (played by Yeon-Bora), housekeeper and cook;
• Man-bok (played by Ahn Chang-hwan), Yoo Se-yeop’s loyal servant from childhood;
• Lady Seo Eun-woo (played by Kim Hyang-gi), a young widow he teaches acupuncture. She becomes “his hands” and also his love interest; and finally,
• ‘Grandmother’ or ‘Granny’ (played by Jeon Guk-hyang).

Poong changes his method of treating patients. He diagnoses their physical sickness but also determines what is needed to heal their aching hearts and anguished minds.

Season 1 was 12 episodes

Yoo Se-yeop is on a “Hit List”. Since he was sent into exile and not put to death, the people who killed the king and his father, also want him dead. With each episode, you begin to like Poong more and more. You look forward to him outwitting his enemies and ultimately revealing these murderers. But he does not fight alone. His “family” at the clinic offers their full support.

Season 2 has only 10 episodes

Even though there are fewer episodes, it’s the same endearing cast of characters who stay close and loyal to each other. Poong is content to work in a rural clinic, far away from the palace with its ruthless treachery and intrigue. However, he has a new set of enemies – people in the palace AGAIN! – who are determined to prevent him from practicing medicine and want to erase him from the records of Joseon’s history. But no matter how many difficulties arise, Poong and his family face these trials and tribulations together, and they overcome them.

Will there be a Season 3?

This series is not intense. But there is enough going on to keep you interested. It is G-rated content, definitely made for a general audience that includes both kids and adults. For me, Season 2 of Poong, The Joseon Psychiatrist is just as enjoyable as Season 1. But if I’m being honest, I don’t think they should make a Season 3.  But that’s what I think.  According to amazfeed.com: “Speculation about a 3rd season has been rampant on social media platforms and various fan forums have dedicated threads discussing this very topic.”  Season 3?  We must wait and see. 

https://youtu.be/s5Mg5nhQK10