Episode 3 of "Resident Playbook" kicks off on a light yet poignantly relatable note, as Oh I-yeong finds herself captivated by Do-won, unaware that his attention towards her resembles that bestowed upon an overzealous puppy. In her quest for a private moment with him, I-yeong conjures up a pretend hospital meeting, merely to catch a ride alongside him. To her dismay, she discovers him engrossed in drafting a paper with none other than Dr. Myeong. Curiosity piqued, she listens in on their conversation and realizes that Do-won's life revolves around the hospital, his schedule crammed with responsibilities.
We are also introduced to beloved characters from "Hospital Playlist"—Seon-bin and Seok-min. Seon-bin continues her collaboration with Song-hwa, while Seok-min has ascended to the position of a professor. Their unwavering love for each other is evidently still burning bright, serving as a delightful nod to their relationship from the predecessor series.
Meanwhile, the residents convene to meet their senior, who divulges that a professor is furious with I-yeong over the delays in preparing for his surgeries. On a brighter note, Jae-il receives a heartfelt thank-you note from a patient, boosting his chances of being featured on the hospital’s commendation board. This modest acknowledgment transforms him into a sort of "guru of patient care" in the eyes of his fellow residents.
I-yeong begins managing new patients, including a mother who receives the devastating news of her daughter's cancer diagnosis. Struggling to find the right words of comfort, I-yeong receives gentle guidance from Do-won: visit patients frequently to assure them of your care.
Elsewhere, Nam-kyung observes Jae-il's effortless charm with his patients and inquires about his secret. Jae-il shares his golden rule: "Eat well and exercise well." Intrigued, Nam-kyung adopts this practice and, surprisingly, it proves effective.
Despite this, I-yeong continues to grapple with forging a connection with the mother-daughter duo. She later joins Do-won for a meal, only to be once again let down—it remains a casual dining experience, far from the intimate moment she had hoped for. Later, Do-won steps in again to help elucidate the medical process to I-yeong’s patient and her mother, demonstrating his serene bedside demeanor.
In a separate wing of the hospital, Sa-bi is entrusted with the care of a first-year university student who has unexpectedly become pregnant. The news strikes her father with a wave of shock, compounding the tension as the identity of the baby's father remains uncertain and possibly absent. Seeking guidance, Sa-bi turns to Jae-il, who offers an unsympathetic remark—suggesting that only the sound of the baby's cries can truly awaken the father's understanding.
Elsewhere in the narrative, I-yeong faces a dressing down from her professor for once again delaying surgeries. Just as the reprimand intensifies, the patient's mother steps in, gently pulling I-yeong aside. With poignant sincerity, she expresses her aspiration for her daughter to lead a normal life, filled with the very trials and errors that have marked I-yeong's journey. Moved, I-yeong vows to delve deeper into potential treatments for her young patient.
Eventually, Sa-bi's patient brings forth a healthy baby girl, amidst a twist of surprise. The baby's father reappears, recounting his relentless struggle to be a part of their lives. This heartfelt revelation softens the father's initially hardened stance, who had been deeply concerned about his daughter's future.
In a separate chapter, I-yeong accompanies her young cancer patient into the operating room for a hysterectomy. The mother's anxieties escalate, fearing her daughter might be consigned to a lifetime of hormone therapy. The brave patient, who had held her composure until now, succumbs to her fears within the sterile confines of the OR. Sensing her distress, I-yeong boldly postpones the surgery, earning yet another rebuke from her professor. However, she ultimately conveys the good news of a successful procedure to the relieved family.
Meanwhile, Sa-bi discovers a heartfelt gift that the pregnant student's father, overwhelmed by despair, had cast aside. Sa-bi presents it to her patient, who, upon reading the note, breaks down in tears. With tender encouragement, Sa-bi prompts her partner to step in and provide comfort.
Turning to Nam-kyung's storyline, guilt sets in as she learns that her elderly patient is pushing herself through late-night exercises, eager to recover swiftly for an upcoming wedding. The surprising revelation? The octogenarian is the bride herself, not a grandmother anticipating her grandchild's special day. Together, they decide to postpone the wedding until after her full recovery, ensuring that love and health prevail.
As the episode draws to a close, the residents are imparted with a profound lesson—recognition cannot be earned through shortcuts. This time, it is a nurse who finds her place on the compliment board, her genuine empathy and compassionate care shining through. The episode concludes on a heartwarming note, with the residents assembling for a department photo. In a daring gesture, I-yeong seizes Do-won's hand just as the camera captures the moment, leaving him utterly astonished with his eyes wide open.
