The drama doesn't resolve the doctor's potential "workaholic" tendencies, but it reminded me how popular doctors are in romance!
On television: ER. Saving Hope (which starts as a decent medical mystery show with supernatural elements; then, turns into Soap Opera Central). Dear Doctor, I'm Coming For Soul. And more!
In manga: A Murmur of the Heart by Makoto Tateno followed by A Waltz in the Clinic by the same author. Allure by Yuri Ebihara showcases an eye doctor. And of course, the doctor is a major character in Hana-Kimi by Hisaya Nakajo.
Why are doctors so popular?
(1) Like many other alphas, doctors appear naturally attractive, being authoritarian (supposedly), hard-working, and responsible (except for all the doctors on Law & Order who kill people when they're drunk).
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| AND he broods . . . |
(2) It is easy to give a singular doctor character Holmes and Watson qualities, to make him or her seemingly cold yet affectionate, logical yet emotional, all at the same time. Don't believe me? See Hawkeye from M.A.S.H. The cold man or woman who feels deeply, can't express it, and has to thaw is a VERY popular romance trope.
The same way everybody secretly thinks they weren't popular in high school, everybody secretly thinks they need to be warmed up. (Allure, with a physician protagonist, references Andersen's Snow Queen tale directly.)
(3) The alpha is useful writing fodder. Doctors are even more
useful since they come with plots and problems and tension ready-made.
Not sure what to do with the alpha character this week? Throw in a
patient with a mysterious disease (or turn the whole show into House). After all, romances where people have jobs are always more grounded than romances that don't.
Like Star Trek and Sherlock Holmes, doctor dramas--especially doctor dramas where people fall in love--will always be with us.
