‘He’s an Easy Character to Write’: The Apothecary Diaries Author Reveals Favorite Character, And It’s Not Maomao or Jinshi

The Diaries of the Apothecary regularly received accolades for its captivating narrative style, original genre blending, and well-developed characters. Consequently, it came as no shock when news broke about a second season of The Apothecary Diaries. Furthermore, Maomao stands out as a powerful female protagonist, even receiving a nomination for the top character of 2025. Audience members, including the suave Jinshi, are smitten by her, but surprisingly, Natsu Hyuga, the series writer, does not count her among his favorites.

As a fervent admirer of literature, I often find myself drawn to characters who aren’t necessarily the main protagonists in a story. For instance, just like Solo Leveling’s creator, I too have a soft spot for Chugong, not because he’s the lead, Sung Jin-Woo, but the intriguing B-rank villain, Kang Tae-Shik. He simply adds an extra layer of excitement to the narrative. Similarly, in Natsu Hyuga’s beloved series, The Apothecary Diaries, I find myself rooting for none other than the quack doctor, instead of Jinshi or Maomao. There’s just something about his character that resonates with me on a deeper level.

The Apothecary Diaries Author Picks the Quack Doctor as Her Favorite

Natsu Hyuga’s Favorite Isn’t Maomao, It’s Guen

The author of The Apothecary Diaries, Natsu Hyuga, reveals the quack doctor, Guen, as her favorite character.
The quack doctor is an easy character to write for Natsu Hyuga.

In The Apothecary Diaries, it’s common for fans to have a favorite character, whether it’s Maomao, Jinshi, Gaoshun, Lihaku, Basen, or even the High Consorts like Lady Gyokuyou and Lady Lishu. While the main characters, Maomao and Jinshi, get the most screen time, fans also show affection for side characters due to various reasons.

It turns out that Natsu Hyuga, who wrote “The Apothecary Diaries,” prefers an unexpected character: the eccentric Guen, the Quack Doctor of the Inner Court. During a fan Q&A session on Reddit, Hyuga shared why she is drawn to this peculiar character, along with others in her work.

Q: Who is your favorite character?

Natsu Hyuga: The charlatan physician. He’s a bungling individual adept at steering conversations elsewhere, thus making him effortless to create for writing purposes.

It’s intriguing to note that in a series like “The Apothecary Diaries,” where the characters are richly developed with keen intellects, the author chooses Guen, who is rather inept and timid, as her preferred character instead of Maomao or Jinshi. This may be because the quack doctor offers an effortless and amusing writing experience for Natsu Hyuga, allowing him to express creativity freely with this character without being bound by logic or intricate plotlines.

The Apothecary Diaries Author Wants More Screentime for The Quack Doctor

Guen Is Only a Side Character

The author of The Apothecary Diaries wanted more screentime for the quack doctor, but her editor rejected her ideas.
The quack doctor might receive less screentime in the sequel (possibly Season 3) of The Apothecary Diaries Season 2.

In that very Reddit post, it was disclosed that the writer behind The Apothecary Diaries had wished to expand the character of the fictional quack doctor, Guen, by providing more on-screen presence. Moreover, she proposed several ideas to her editor regarding increasing Guen’s screentime, but regrettably, these proposals were turned down. As a result, viewers in Seasons 1 and 2 of the anime may have only caught brief glimpses of this quack doctor.

While fans, including the author, may long for a larger role for the quirky quack doctor in “The Apothecary Diaries”, it’s important to remember that Guen is primarily a secondary character. His humorous and eccentric nature has always added an element of amusement to Maomao’s life within the Inner Court. However, with the narrative now focusing on Maomao’s life beyond the Inner Court, you can expect Guen to appear less frequently than before.

All in all, I’ve built a good relationship with the quack doctor.—Maomao

Although it may seem that Natsu Hyuga is just a quack doctor, there’s a deeper story behind him that many fans find captivating. Prior to being a eunuch and a court physician, Natsu was a papermaker in his village. However, when their paper business faltered, he had to forgo this occupation to save his sister from becoming a palace lady. Contrary to popular belief, Natsu lacked medical skills as a court physician. This is why he felt relieved when he discovered that Maomao could create medicine for his patients. In simpler terms, while Natsu may appear to be just a charlatan doctor, his past and reliance on Maomao add layers of complexity to his character.

The Apothecary Diaries Author Shares Which Character Is the Toughest to Write

Natsu Hyuga Admits Jinshi Is the Hardest Character to Write

There are rumors that the author dislikes Jinshi.
The author reveals Jinshi is the toughest character to write about because of his noble background.

It’s often speculated that the writer of “The Apothecary Diaries” has harbored feelings of dislike towards Jinshi and even considered eliminating him from the story. This revelation left readers taken aback, especially since it was later shared that Jinshi is the most challenging character for the author to develop in the series.

Here’s what she had to say:

Q: Who is the toughest character to write?

Character Analysis: Natsu Hyuuga – Noble Jinshi

Writing Natsu Hyuuga as a character requires careful thought due to his status as a member of royalty. This means considering his unique language, actions, and limitations. He is portrayed as a figure who hides his struggles, but it’s crucial not to mislead readers into thinking he is incompetent. Balancing his struggles is challenging because if they are too pronounced, it could imply incompetence, while subtle struggles might not resonate with the readers.

Natsu Hyuuga is a noble character who needs careful planning due to his royal status and unique traits. He appears strong but hides his struggles. However, it’s important not to make him seem weak or incompetent. It’s tricky to portray his struggles as they must be neither too obvious nor too subtle for the readers to understand.

Unquestionably, Jinshi stands out as one of the most intricate characters within “The Apothecary Diaries“. Each scene involving him, particularly those with a more somber tone, demands careful crafting. The author must avoid portraying him as excessively emotional, as this could make him appear weak or inept to both readers and viewers. Instead, Jinshi is a multi-dimensional character, and it’s precisely his complexity that makes him appealing to fans, despite moments when he seems less prominent.

2025-07-25 15:37