ENA’s Monday-Tuesday drama Doctor on the Edge is quickly becoming one of the breakout romance series of the season. After premiering with an impressive nationwide rating of 4.0%, the drama broke ENA’s previous opening record and climbed to 5.0% in just two episodes, signaling a promising start for the feel-good island healing romance.
For many viewers, watching Doctor on the Edge inevitably brings back memories of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, the hit 2021 tvN drama starring Kim Seon Ho and Shin Min Ah, which peaked at a 12.7% viewership rating. The similarities are hard to miss: a city outsider suddenly adapting to life in a quiet seaside village, a dependable local who knows every corner of the community, and colorful residents whose everyday stories create warmth and charm.
However, Doctor on the Edge sets itself apart with a refreshing twist on familiar rom-com dynamics. While Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha followed Seoul dentist Yoon Hye Jin (played by Shin Min Ah) adjusting to village life, Doctor on the Edge centers on a male lead, portrayed by Lee Jae Wook, who leaves Seoul after working as a plastic surgeon and unexpectedly finds himself serving as a public health doctor in a remote island town. The fishing village, lacking proper medical infrastructure, initially feels unfamiliar and uncomfortable, but gradually becomes a place of healing and human connection.
Adding to the appeal is the female lead, played by Shin Ye Eun, a nurse born and raised on the island who knows everyone in town and becomes the steady support system for the prickly outsider doctor. Her character naturally evokes memories of “Chief Hong,” Kim Seon Ho’s beloved character in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Meanwhile, the bickering chemistry between the sharp-tongued but secretly warm male lead and the confident, energetic heroine delivers a romantic tension that feels comfortingly familiar yet exciting.
The drama also strengthens its appeal through smaller, relatable stories rather than high-stakes medical crises. Instead of focusing on dramatic hospital scandals, Doctor on the Edge captures slice-of-life moments unique to island living. Elderly residents self-medicating, hiding illnesses, or avoiding hospitals bring a sense of realism and emotional resonance to the narrative. At the same time, the hidden emotional wounds of doctor Do Ji Ui and nurse Yook Ha Ri add layers of mystery that keep viewers invested.
Another reason for the drama’s growing popularity is the chemistry between same-aged stars Lee Jae Wook and Shin Ye Eun, both born in 1998. Viewers have praised their visual pairing, noting Lee Jae Wook’s sharp yet emotional gaze and Shin Ye Eun’s bright, refreshing presence. Together, they create what many are calling a “perfect rom-com visual match.”
The scenic ocean backdrop also plays a major role in building the drama’s emotional atmosphere. From Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha to Our Blues (2022) and Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023), seaside romance dramas have consistently resonated with audiences. Doctor on the Edge appears ready to continue that successful tradition while bringing its own refreshing energy to viewers.
The drama is also proving that ENA, a network largely recognized for thriller and genre series, can succeed in romance as well. If its upward momentum continues, industry watchers are already wondering whether Doctor on the Edge could surpass the 7.1% rating record currently held by ENA romance hit Ms. Incognito.
Sources: Daum
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