The breakout hit drama that captivated audiences is The Good Doctor, but many viewers may not know its origins lie in South Korea. While the American adaptation starring Freddie Highmore has become a global phenomenon, the original Good Doctor Korean show paved the way, offering a compelling and award-winning narrative first. Daniel Dae Kim recognized its potential early on, championing an American remake years before it graced screens in 2017 on ABC. But beyond the shared premise of a gifted surgeon with autism, how do these two versions truly stack up? Let’s delve into a detailed comparison to uncover the key similarities and striking differences between the Good Doctor Korean show and its American counterpart.
Both series center around a brilliant young surgeon with autism spectrum disorder and savant syndrome. The core concept, the emotional resonance, and certain plot points are undeniably shared. For viewers who have only experienced the American Good Doctor, exploring the original Korean drama offers a fascinating look at the source material and a different cultural lens on the same story.
Echoes of the Original: What Stays the Same
David Shore, the creator behind the popular medical drama House, spearheaded the American adaptation, and he consciously maintained fidelity to the Korean pilot episode. Even the protagonist’s name reflects this close adaptation: the Korean version features Park Shi-on (played by Joo Won), while the American version introduces Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore).
Shore himself acknowledged the deep influence of the original pilot. He aimed to establish the characters and setting faithfully, recognizing the strong foundation laid by the Korean Good Doctor. This commitment to the source material is evident in the pilot episode of the American series, which mirrors the Korean version almost scene for scene.
The opening scenario is virtually identical: both Shi-on and Shaun are on their way to their new hospital jobs when they encounter a critical incident. A young boy is injured by a falling glass sign, and our protagonist, despite being just a soon-to-be resident, steps in to perform a life-saving procedure that surpasses the knowledge of the on-site paramedics. Crucially, this boy is then taken to the very hospital where both doctors are starting work.
Dr. Shaun Murphy portrayed by Freddie Highmore in the American adaptation of The Good Doctor.
In both narratives, Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff in the US version), the hospital president and a mentor figure, plays a crucial role in advocating for Shaun/Shi-on. He must persuade a skeptical hospital board to look past Shaun’s autism and recognize his exceptional medical abilities. The viral video capturing Shaun’s heroic roadside intervention becomes a pivotal tool in swaying the board’s opinion.
Furthermore, both doctors deliver the same impactful speech, detailing how the loss of their pet bunny and brother fueled their aspiration to become a doctor. This emotional monologue serves as the turning point, ultimately convincing the board to grant him a chance. The pilot episodes of both Good Doctor versions are remarkably similar in structure and key plot points.
Flashbacks revealing the tragic backstories are also shared. Both series depict the deaths of the bunny and the brother, alongside the abusive childhood and bullying endured by Shi-on/Shaun. Symbolic elements, like the toy scalpel gifted by the brother, and visual representations of medical illustrations during procedures, are present in both. The characters also share archetypes: a supportive female doctor friend and a dismissive, arrogant surgeon boss who initially underestimates the protagonist.
The close resemblance between the pilots makes it challenging to judge the American series independently at first glance, especially concerning the plot structure. The warm, comforting tone characteristic of Korean melodramas is also successfully translated in the initial episodes of the American Good Doctor. To truly appreciate the American adaptation, viewers need to venture beyond the pilot to see how it carves its own path.
Joo Won as Park Shi-on, the lead in the original Good Doctor Korean show.
Diverging Paths: Key Differences Emerge
While the American Good Doctor began with a near-identical pilot, it quickly diverged from the Korean storyline, a deliberate choice by David Shore. He aimed to honor the original while also crafting a unique narrative for American audiences. Shore emphasized the universal themes of the show, seeking to personalize the adaptation and enhance aspects he appreciated while reimagining elements he felt could be improved.
Even within the pilot episode, subtle yet significant changes hint at the diverging storylines to come. A distinctly American addition is a scene depicting a post-coital encounter between Claire (Antonia Thomas) and Kalu (Chuku Modu). Such overt intimacy is absent in the Korean drama, reflecting the more modest sensibilities often found in K-dramas.
Another key difference lies in the hospital setting. The Korean Good Doctor is set in a pediatric hospital, limiting the scope to child patients. In contrast, St. Bonaventure Hospital in the American version is a general teaching hospital, allowing Shaun to treat a wider spectrum of patients and medical cases, expanding the potential storylines.
Character dynamics also evolve differently. In the American adaptation, Dr. Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez), Shaun’s initially skeptical boss, shows signs of warming up to Shaun sooner than his Korean counterpart. Melendez even permits Shaun to scrub in for surgery at the end of the pilot, a deviation from the Korean version, indicating a faster pace of acceptance and professional growth for Shaun.
This accelerated pacing is a defining characteristic of the American Good Doctor. With longer seasons (initially planned for 18 episodes, contrasting with the Korean series’ concise 20-episode run), the American version moves at a quicker clip. From the rapid-fire medical procedures to the snappy dialogue and editing, there’s a sense of urgency that distinguishes it from the more deliberate and emotionally lingering rhythm of the original K-drama. Korean dramas, often airing hour-long episodes twice a week, allow scenes and emotions to develop more organically.
One notable plotline absent in the American adaptation involves a drunken Yoon-seo (the Korean equivalent of Claire) mistakenly entering Shi-on’s apartment, which was previously hers, and falling asleep in his bed. This scenario, which occurs at the end of the Korean pilot and the beginning of episode 2, is a classic K-drama trope but was deemed potentially cliché or awkward for American audiences.
Instead, the American Good Doctor introduces a different romantic possibility in the third episode. Shaun befriends his neighbor, Lea (Paige Spara), setting up a more gradual and nuanced relationship. Lea becomes a significant figure in Shaun’s personal development, offering friendship and understanding. While the Korean series progresses towards a romantic relationship between Shi-on and Yoon-seo, culminating in them living together by the finale, the American Good Doctor takes a different approach. Shaun and Claire remain platonic friends, and while Lea emerges as a potential love interest, the focus remains on their evolving friendship and Shaun’s personal growth. Shaun’s declaration to Glassman, “I don’t want love,” underscores this divergence in character arc.
Even the backstories are tweaked. Shi-on’s brother in the Korean version, Yi-on, is older and dies in a mine accident, while Shaun’s brother Steve in the American version dies from a fall from a train car.
However, perhaps the most discussed and visually striking difference lies in the depiction of the bunny’s death. Firstly, Shi-on’s bunny is white, whereas Shaun’s is brown. More dramatically, the manner of death differs significantly. Shaun’s father brutally throws the bunny against a wall in a shocking, visceral moment. In contrast, Shi-on’s father throws the bunny cage against a wall, a less direct and arguably less fatal act.
A GIF depicting the bunny death scene from the American Good Doctor showing a more brutal depiction.
The bunny death scene from the Good Doctor Korean show, portraying a less direct impact.
While both scenes are undoubtedly upsetting, the American version presents a more overtly violent and disturbing portrayal of animal cruelty. This difference in depicting a key emotional backstory highlights the distinct tones and cultural nuances present in each adaptation.
Adaptation and Heart: Finding its Own Beat
Despite these deviations, the American Good Doctor successfully captures the heartwarming essence of the original Korean series. David Shore aimed to retain the spirit of the source material while making it resonate with American viewers, and this balance is a key reason for its widespread appeal. The success of The Good Doctor, and other adaptations, stems from the recognition of a universally compelling story that can be retold and reimagined through different cultural lenses. It’s not simply about making a story “American,” but about embracing a great narrative and making it uniquely one’s own.
Ultimately, both the Good Doctor Korean show and the American adaptation offer valuable and emotionally resonant viewing experiences. Exploring both allows audiences to appreciate the nuances of cultural adaptation and the enduring power of a well-told story.
