The episode opens with Oh Yi-young waking abruptly from a nightmare filled with anxiety and images of overwhelming debt. She is haunted by memories of a past trauma that caused her to abandon her medical career. After waking, she immediately goes to the bank to address her financial crisis, where she learns she must repay an overdraft of 50 million won within a week. The bank demands proof of employment, which Yi-young no longer has, putting her under legal threat. Unable to pay, she is forced to return to the hospital where she once interned, Yulje Medical Center's Jongno branch.

At home, Yi-young's older sister, Oh Ju-yeong, urges her to return to medicine as the only viable way to escape their dire financial situation. Their family's bankruptcy was caused by their father being scammed by a friend, which also destroyed Yi-young's dream of running a hospital, a promise their father had made to her. Reluctantly, Yi-young agrees to go back to work at the hospital.

Upon arriving at Yulje Medical Center, Yi-young encounters Ku Do-won, her former colleague and now a senior doctor in the OB-GYN department. Ku Do-won warmly welcomes her back but makes it clear he hopes she will stay this time. Yi-young also meets three other first-year residents: Pyo Nam-kyung, a fashionable and socially conscious former high school classmate of Yi-young's who seems to have forgotten their connection; Um Jae-il, a hyperactive ex-K-pop idol eager but clumsy in his new medical role; and Kim Sa-bi, a brilliant but emotionally detached resident who struggles with bedside manner.

The episode then follows the four first-year residents as they begin their demanding hospital duties. Yi-young is assigned to surgery under a senior doctor known among residents as the "witch" due to her strictness. During surgery, Yi-young makes a mistake but gradually starts to learn and adapt. Meanwhile, Pyo Nam-kyung is overwhelmed by her workload, barely managing basic self-care, and is assigned a difficult cancer patient who demands frequent dressing changes. Um Jae-il, despite his enthusiasm to help, makes several sleep-deprived errors and is temporarily benched, giving him time to wander off and eat leisurely, frustrating his mentors.

Kim Sa-bi approaches her tasks with clinical detachment, viewing consent forms and patient interactions as mere procedural steps rather than opportunities for empathy. After advice from Professor Seo, who understands her personality, Sa-bi begins to embrace her strengths and reanalyzes a patient's charts, correctly diagnosing early signs of pre-eclampsia. She is present when the patient suddenly collapses, validating her clinical acumen despite her emotional shortcomings.

The episode's climax occurs when Yi-young fails to adequately monitor a heavily pregnant patient, leading to an emergency delivery situation. The sequence unfolds with urgency: the patient's condition deteriorates rapidly, and Yi-young must act quickly under pressure. She assists in the delivery, overcoming her initial hesitation and mistakes, marking a turning point in her return to medicine.

Throughout the episode, the four residents struggle with their new responsibilities, making mistakes and facing personal challenges. Yi-young's blunt honesty and reluctance to fully engage with her colleagues hint at her unresolved trauma and intention not to stay long. The episode ends with the residents beginning to bond through their shared hardships, setting the stage for their growth and development in the demanding world of medical residency.

At the end of Resident Playbook Specials Episode 1, Oh Yi-young misses out on claiming a lottery prize because she prioritizes assisting in a surgery, showing her growth and commitment to her patients. Pyo Nam-kyung faces the emotional challenge of losing her first patient but remains strong and mature. Um Jae-il and Kim Sa-bi share a quiet moment of emotional openness, and Yi-young's family subplot concludes with her sister and brother-in-law deciding to stop IVF treatment and focus on healing. The episode closes with Yi-young receiving a call on her first day as a second-year resident, signaling a new chapter in her medical career.

The ending unfolds on New Year's Eve at Yulje Hospital's Jongno branch, where the first-year OB-GYN residents are tested amid the usual hospital bustle. The episode opens with Oh Yi-young assisting in a surgery despite having won a lottery. She misses the deadline to claim the prize because she chooses to stay with her patient, demonstrating her shift from reluctance to dedication. This moment highlights her internal growth and willingness to embrace her role as a doctor.

Meanwhile, Pyo Nam-kyung confronts the death of her first patient, Yeom Mi-so, who passes away in the hospital ward. Nam-kyung holds Mi-so's hand, plays her favorite hymn, and confirms a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, showing her acceptance of the limits of medicine. After Mi-so's death, Nam-kyung breaks down emotionally while filling out the death certificate but quickly regains composure when a patient in labor arrives, underscoring the relentless pace and emotional demands of hospital life.

Um Jae-il and Kim Sa-bi share a subtle but meaningful moment where they open up about their feelings, providing emotional closure to their subplot. This scene is quiet but significant, reflecting the personal growth and bonds formed among the residents throughout the season.

In parallel, Yi-young's family storyline reaches a resolution as her sister and brother-in-law decide to stop IVF treatments and focus on healing, adding a personal dimension to Yi-young's journey and emphasizing themes of acceptance and moving forward.

The episode concludes with Yi-young receiving a phone call on her first day as a second-year resident, symbolizing a new beginning and the continuation of her medical career. This ending ties back to the series' themes of growth, resilience, and the ongoing cycle of life and death in the hospital setting.

Regarding the fate of the main characters at the end:

• Oh Yi-young: She embraces her role as a doctor, choosing patients over personal gain, and steps into her second year as a resident.
• Pyo Nam-kyung: She matures emotionally, accepting the realities of patient loss while maintaining her strength.
• Um Jae-il and Kim Sa-bi: They find emotional connection and openness with each other, hinting at a deepening relationship.
• Yi-young's family: They decide to stop IVF treatment, focusing on healing and acceptance.

The episode closes the first season with a sense of continuity and emotional realism, without dramatic climaxes but with meaningful character development and life's ongoing challenges.

The TV show "Resident Playbook," season 0 titled "Specials," episode 1 titled "Episode 1" (2025), does not have any information in the available sources indicating the presence of a post-credit scene. The detailed episode reviews and recaps focus on the main content and character developments without mentioning any post-credit or after-credits scenes.

Therefore, based on the current information, there is no post-credit scene in this episode.

Oh Yi-Young quit her medical internship because her father, who had promised to give her a hospital to run, lost his clinic due to financial ruin caused by a friend's betrayal, shattering her dream and leading to her dropping out.

Dr. Seo Jung-min, known as 'the witch' for her strictness, lives up to her reputation by harshly reprimanding Yi-Young, especially after Yi-Young mishandles the disposal of sutures in the operating room, which unknowingly angers Jung-min.

The four first-year residents are: Yi-Young, cynical and reluctant due to past trauma; Kim Sa-Bi, a rule-following, brilliant but emotionally aloof 'textbook genius' struggling with empathy; Pyo Nam-kyung, overwhelmed by workload and patient care; and Um Jae-il, a former K-pop idol eager but often misguided, causing frustration among mentors.

Joo-Young helps Yi-Young secure a position at Yulje Medical Centre to help her manage her 50 million won debt, encouraging her to make friends and return to medicine despite Yi-Young's reluctance and cynicism.

Kim Sa-Bi struggles with empathy but learns to use her book smarts to diagnose pre-eclampsia; Pyo Nam-kyung is overwhelmed by demanding patient care; Um Jae-il's eagerness leads to mistakes and exhaustion; and Yi-Young faces the challenge of adapting to a strict mentor and hospital environment after her hiatus.

The TV show "Resident Playbook," season 0 "Specials," episode 1 (2025), is generally suitable for teens aged 15 and older but is not specifically family-friendly for young children. It contains mature themes related to medical residency, including emotional and meaningful patient stories, social issues like mental health and reproductive choices, and the stresses of hospital work.

Potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects for children or sensitive viewers include:

• Emotional scenes involving patients that may be tear-jerking or intense.
• Themes around mental health, infertility treatments (IVF), and women's reproductive choices.
• Some slow pacing and emotionally heavy moments reflecting the challenges of medical residency.
• Mild references to alcohol, drugs, and smoking, though no explicit sex, nudity, violence, or profanity is reported.

There are no reports of graphic violence, gore, or frightening scenes, and the show avoids explicit content, but the emotional and thematic weight may be upsetting for younger or sensitive viewers. The content rating is 15+, indicating it is intended for teenagers and older audiences rather than children.