Following the overwhelming success of Hospital Playlist and its sequel, and the growing popularity of its spin-off Resident Playbook, fans have been demanding Hospital Playlist Season 3 for years. Now, after ongoing speculation and numerous rumors, the original cast has started hinting that the series might be making a long-awaited comeback.

Excitement Builds for Hospital Playlist Season 3

With the incredible impact of Hospital Playlist and its sequel, paired with the recent popularity of the spin-off Resident Playbook, longtime fans have been vocal about their desire for a third season. After years of lingering speculation, it appears the cast is finally dropping hints that the beloved series could be making its return.

Originally premiering in 2020, Hospital Playlist introduced viewers to five doctors in their 40s who have remained close friends while navigating their careers and bonding through a shared love of music. While medical dramas are not uncommon, this series distinguished itself by focusing deeply on the doctors’ sincerity, their emotional connection with patients, and heartwarming everyday moments. These elements, combined with outstanding performances by the cast, helped the show gain massive attention, critical acclaim, and strong viewership.

Riding on its popularity, the second season arrived in 2021, continuing the journey of the same five characters and diving further into their personal lives. It set new ratings records early on and even had a cultural impact—most notably contributing to a rise in organ donations across South Korea. Both seasons are now considered among the most watched and cherished K-dramas ever, and anticipation for a third season only grew stronger with time.

However, in 2023, instead of a new sequel, fans were surprised with the announcement of Resident Playbook, a spin-off from the Hospital Playlist universe. The spin-off faced major delays due to real-world challenges in South Korea’s medical sector, at one point leading to fears it might be canceled entirely. Eventually, the show was rescheduled for a 2025 release and was warmly received upon airing.

Resident Playbook shifted focus to a group of young obstetrics and gynecology residents dealing with the demanding realities of a field struggling with low birth rates. This fresh perspective drew in curious viewers, with the drama climbing ratings charts and its cast being widely praised. Yet despite the success of the spin-off, many fans still longed to reunite with the original characters from Hospital Playlist.

Rumors of a third season had already been circulating, but things picked up in April 2024 when director Shin Won-ho appeared on a YouTube show alongside several cast members. When asked directly about Hospital Playlist Season 3, he didn’t confirm any concrete plans, but he did say he’d “work on it at some point,” reigniting hope among the fanbase. Though his words didn’t officially greenlight the project, fans were thrilled that the director was still open to the idea.

Naturally, speculation about the cast’s return followed. Viewers widely believe the original leads—Jo Jung-suk, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung, and Jeon Mi-do—would reprise their beloved roles if a new season were to happen. Fans also expect the new season would maintain the emotional tone and character growth that made the first two seasons so successful. Still, fresh storylines would be essential, as most of the previous plot threads were neatly resolved.

Some even argue a third season isn’t necessary, citing how the show was always intended to run for only two seasons and how it concluded in a satisfying way. However, one storyline likely to feature prominently if the show returns is the relationship between Kim Dae-myung’s character Yang Seok-hyeong and Chu Min-ha, played by Ahn Eun-jin. The two shared a romantic moment in Season 2, and in Resident Playbook, it was revealed they eventually got married. Director Shin Won-ho confirmed this in a recent interview, setting up the potential for a deeper dive into their relationship in Season 3.

Fans are also eager for updates on the show’s other couples, along with more screen time for side characters like the twins Jang Yoon-bok and Jang Hong-do, played by Cho Yi-hyun and Bae Hyun-sung. As Resident Playbook contained several subtle nods to the original cast, speculation about another crossover began to build. Director Shin was initially asked whether there would be a sequel to Resident Playbook, to which he responded that it depended on audience reception. But when the topic turned to Hospital Playlist Season 3, he admitted that both fans and cast members had been pressuring him to continue the story. He joked that he might finally cave just to relieve the pressure.

Although still not an official confirmation, the fact that the director is open about the possibility has kept fans optimistic. Adding to the buzz, some of the original cast members have also commented on the potential return. Jung Kyung-ho, during a promotional appearance for another project, reminisced about his time on Hospital Playlist, discussing how he had to master medical terminology and practice musical performances for the role. He also confirmed his cameo in Resident Playbook, noting that the original characters’ stories continued off-screen during the events of the spin-off.

When asked if his character had married Lee Ik-jun, portrayed by Kwak Sun-young, Kyung-ho answered mysteriously, saying, “Could it really be Ik-jun?” This playful tease further fueled speculation about where the story might go next, especially regarding his character’s love life.

Meanwhile, the Resident Playbook cast has also shown enthusiasm about crossing over into the main series. Go Youn-jung, a standout from the spin-off, shared in an interview that she would gladly appear in Hospital Playlist Season 3 and expressed a desire to see her character continue through a crossover. “If they call, I will do it,” she said. Other cast members echoed her sentiment, stating they’d love to reprise their roles if the opportunity arose.

Fans were especially excited by rumors that Director Shin has already talked to the Resident Playbook cast about potential cameos in Season 3 of Hospital Playlist. This has led many to believe that early discussions and planning may already be underway. The idea of seeing characters from both shows interacting has thrilled audiences, and the buzz around a major crossover continues to grow.

While there’s no official confirmation yet, the renewed rumors and growing cast enthusiasm suggest that Hospital Playlist Season 3 could be more than just a fantasy. With the director saying that audience interest plays a major role in determining the future of the series, fans are taking matters into their own hands—amplifying conversations, generating buzz, and showing just how much demand there is for a continuation.

For now, Hospital Playlist 3 remains in the realm of hopeful anticipation. But with momentum building, it’s possible that an announcement could come sooner than expected. While we wait for the update, do check out on some of the K-Drama recaps that we have from the following link.

Alternatively, do check out the following link on all the latest releases in 2025: