Episode 2 of Doctor on the Edge picks up with a brief glimpse of Ji Ui and Hwayeong by the sea before returning to the aftermath of the previous episode.
After helping Ji Ui earlier, Ha-ri hands back his headphones, only to discover the battery has already died. Trying to ease the tension, she offers him some candy and casually mentions that he kept saying the name “Seonu” while unconscious the day before. That comment immediately hits a nerve. Ji Ui becomes irritated, accuses her of crossing a line, and leaves to get medication from a friend’s clinic.
Back at the health center, Ji Ui explains his absence by claiming he simply fell asleep on the ferry. Once alone, he throws away both the candy Ha-ri gave him and the medication he brought back.
The next morning starts with an unexpected gift. Lee Jang-su arrives carrying bellflower roots from the village youth association as a thank-you for saving the chief’s life. While there, Jang-su also asks for medicine that he usually shares with his wife.
Ji Ui isn’t comfortable with that arrangement. Concerned about Jang-su’s persistent cough, he warns that the condition could worsen and even develop into pneumonia. Instead of handing over the usual medicine, he prescribes a three-day supply and asks him to return for another checkup.
Jang-su is furious. Rather than accepting the doctor’s advice, he storms off and files a complaint with the county office, accusing Ji Ui of misconduct. Miss Hwang later warns Ji Ui that island residents expect things to be done a certain way. She suggests he simply give people what they ask for. Ji Ui refuses to bend.
Not long after, the village chief drops by carrying monkfish liver as a gift for the health center. Jucheon is especially pleased, seeing it as proof that Ji Ui has finally won over the chief.
Meanwhile, another small mystery appears. Jucheon opens a box containing slippers that look nearly identical to Nurse Eom’s. The sight clearly unsettles her, and she quickly leaves.
That night, Ji Ui struggles to sleep because he’s hungry. The staff group chat turns into a discussion about the island’s limited convenience store options, prompting him to head out in search of beer.
Unfortunately for him, Ha-ri gets there first.
The two immediately fall back into their usual bickering. During the argument, Ji Ui trips over a boundary rope. He catches Ha-ri before she falls, then deliberately lets go while reminding her that she was the one who crossed a line earlier.
Then comes the episode’s biggest surprise.
Ha-ri isn’t just visiting the island. She’s the new nurse assigned to the health center.
Nurse Eom wastes no time establishing seniority, proudly reminding Ha-ri that she’s one year older. During introductions, everyone learns that Ha-ri previously worked as an ER nurse at Ansong Hospital and often visited the island in the past. The staff is shocked when they discover she already knows Ji Ui, while Chiyeon seems especially happy to see her.
Later, Nurse Eom asks why she left city life behind. Ha-ri simply says she wanted a break. Nurse Eom quickly laughs that there’s nothing relaxing about working at the health center and immediately sends her off on an errand.
Soon afterward, Ji Ui receives a home-visit assignment involving a cancer patient who hasn’t been responding to calls. Ha-ri is paired with him.
At the ferry terminal, Ji Ui’s fear of crossing the metal boarding bridge becomes obvious. Before they leave, the boat driver warns them about the patient, Kim Jeong-bae, describing him as someone who dislikes visitors and refuses to let people into his home.
When they arrive, another problem appears. A venomous spider falls onto Ji Ui and crawls inside his clothing.
Ha-ri freezes for a moment, unsure what to do. Ji Ui surprisingly tells her to cross the line and help him. She carefully removes the spider and releases it.
When they reach Jeong-bae’s home, the place appears deserted. The pair cautiously enters to investigate.
Eventually, Jeong-bae emerges, ignores them completely, and casually starts smoking. Ji Ui decides it’s pointless to stay, but Ha-ri refuses to back down. She scolds him directly, which only makes the situation worse. Jeong-bae threatens them, forcing Ji Ui to drag her away.
By the time they begin the trip back, darkness has fallen.
Ha-ri is frustrated by Jeong-bae’s refusal to care for himself. While discussing the situation, Ji Ui notices the medicine she’s carrying and comes up with a possible way to help the patient.
Unfortunately, there’s a new problem. They’re lost.
Ji Ui’s fear of darkness and animals becomes painfully obvious. Thankfully, Chiyeon arrives to help. However, he only has room for Ha-ri and promises another ride will come for Ji Ui.
During the drive, Chiyeon reminisces about his first meeting with Ha-ri and jokingly asks her to buy him a meal someday.
The flashback reveals a misunderstanding. Ha-ri initially assumed he was asking for her phone number, but that wasn’t his intention at all.
When they finally arrive at a restaurant, they discover Ji Ui has already beaten them there thanks to an elderly woman who drove him at remarkable speed.
The evening takes another unexpected turn when Jang-su challenges Ji Ui to a drinking contest, claiming it will determine seniority between them.
Ji Ui accepts.
The competition lasts for quite a while as the two work through different drinks. In the end, Jang-su loses. A brief flashback reveals he had once won a similar drinking competition back in 2013.
Things go downhill shortly afterward.
Jang-su injures his hand after hitting a mirror in the restroom. Ji Ui treats the wound but cannot perform a proper procedure because alcohol is involved. Since Jang-su refuses to go to the hospital due to anchovy fishing responsibilities, Ji Ui decides to wait until the next day.
Chiyeon warns him this decision could create trouble.
The following morning, after sleeping in the waiting room and being awakened by Ha-ri eight hours later, Ji Ui finally stitches Jang-su’s hand with her assistance.
During the procedure, Ha-ri asks whether Jang-su gets on his nerves. Ji Ui admits he does. Still, he insists that a wound is a wound.
That line really stood out to me because it perfectly captures how he approaches medicine.
As expected, Jang-su wakes up and immediately causes another scene, threatening more complaints. Fortunately, the village chief arrives and puts an end to the argument. He also brings maeuntang for lunch as another gesture of appreciation.
Later, Ha-ri and Ji Ui discuss Jang-su’s behavior. She points out that he recently lost a village election and now his drinking title as well. The embarrassment might explain why he has been acting out.
Their conversation sparks an idea. The two return to visit Kim Jeong-bae. This time, things escalate quickly. Jeong-bae reacts violently to their presence and throws a utensil that scrapes Ha-ri’s leg.
Despite the confrontation, they finally uncover the real issue. Jeong-bae has diabetes, and gangrene has already begun developing in his leg. Ji Ui and Ha-ri strongly recommend surgery, but Jeong-bae refuses. He also begs them not to contact his daughter.
Ji Ui has no intention of honoring that request. As rain begins to fall, Ha-ri stays behind to continue talking with him. The encounter leaves her visibly shaken.
Back at the health center, she invites Ji Ui to share ramen for dinner. Before they can relax, someone knocks on the door.
It’s Jeong-bae. He’s come asking them to save his life.
The sudden change surprises Ji Ui, who later asks what changed his mind. Through a flashback, we learn that Ha-ri spoke honestly about the pain his death would cause his family. While talking to him, she became emotional herself.
That conversation finally broke through his stubbornness.
As they monitor Jeong-bae through the night, Ji Ui reflects on how much suffering the man must have endured. He quietly states that treatment is the answer to a patient’s pain.
He also treats the injury on Ha-ri’s leg.
Before the night ends, Ha-ri asks him directly about his fears. Why is he afraid of boats? Why does he react so strongly whenever people try to help him?
Ji Ui gives no answer. Ha-ri simply smiles and says she’ll figure it out herself.
The next day, they accompany Jeong-bae as he leaves and receives treatment. He thanks them before departing.
Everything seems peaceful until the final moments.
As Ji Ui and Ha-ri head back, Ji Ui comments that they should have given Jeong-bae medicine for seasickness. Ha-ri points out that he works on boats for a living and probably doesn’t need it.
Then, out of nowhere, the village chief arrives in his pickup truck. He dumps trash on Ji Ui and loudly calls him a liar. And that’s where the episode ends.
Episode 2 Review
I enjoyed this episode much more than the premiere because it spent far more time building relationships. Ha-ri’s arrival at the health center instantly changes the dynamic, and her constant clashes with Ji Ui create some entertaining moments while also revealing deeper layers to both characters.
What stood out most was the Kim Jeong-bae storyline. Watching Ha-ri slowly break through his stubborn exterior gave the episode its emotional center. The flashback explaining why he finally sought treatment was especially effective.
The episode also continues dropping hints about Ji Ui’s past. His fear of boats, his reaction to the name Seonu, and his resistance to accepting help all feel connected to something much bigger. Every answer seems to raise another question.
The final scene caught me completely off guard. After everything Ji Ui did for the villagers, seeing the chief suddenly accuse him of being a liar creates a strong cliffhanger heading into Episode 3.
For now, the island community is becoming more interesting with every episode, and the mystery surrounding Ji Ui is slowly pulling me in.
Doctor on the Edge Episode 1 | Doctor on the Edge Episode 3