# Kim Ji-won's 'Doctor X' Opens to 11.4% and Climbs to 15.1%

- URL: https://hallyu-brief.vercel.app/en/news/kim-ji-won-doctor-x-ratings-debut-8bb3fc
- Published: 2026-10-17T14:19:09.026Z
- Publisher: Hallyu Brief

> Kim Ji-won's SBS drama 'Doctor X: The Age of the White Mafia' premiered on October 9 with a top-rated first episode for a 2026 miniseries.

## Key points

1. Episode 1 drew 11.4%, Episode 2 rose to 14.9%, and Episode 3 reached 15.1%, per Nielsen Korea.
2. Kim Ji-won plays Gye Su-jung, a genius surgeon who relies only on her skill.
3. The drama is a Korean remake of Japan's TV Asahi series 'Doctor X'.

Kim Ji-won is drawing strong ratings with SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Doctor X: The Age of the White Mafia', which premiered on October 9. According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode drew 11.4% nationwide, the highest first-episode rating for a miniseries this year, and the figures climbed to 14.9% and then 15.1% over the next two episodes.

## Who does Kim Ji-won play?

She plays Gye Su-jung, a genius surgeon who trusts only her own ability. Industry observers praised her controlled, shifting performance, saying she has moved from supporting roles to leading her first top-billed drama. Her earlier hit 'The Queen of Tears' (2024) came just before this project.

## What is the drama based on?

The series is a Korean adaptation of the Japanese TV Asahi drama 'Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon', which ran for seven seasons from 2012 to 2021. Commentators note the Korean version reshapes the original with local sentiment, though some viewers criticized its portrayal of doctors as comic caricatures.

## Why is her track record drawing attention?

Media analyst Professor Yoon, quoted by Yonhap News, argued that Kim's project choices engage with social issues, from young people struggling to find their footing to the pressures of the modern workplace. Her previous lead drama 'Ssam, My Way' rose from 5.4% to 13.8% by its finale, and 'Crash Landing on You' peaked at 38.8%.

## For international fans

Kim Ji-won is known abroad for 'Crash Landing on You' and 'The Queen of Tears'. Viewers outside Korea should check the official SBS or streaming partners for availability and subtitles, since these details were not confirmed in the source.

## FAQ

### What is Doctor X: The Age of the White Mafia about?

It follows Gye Su-jung, a genius surgeon played by Kim Ji-won, who relies only on her skill. It is a Korean adaptation of the Japanese series 'Doctor X'.

### Is Doctor X a remake?

Yes. The Korean series is based on TV Asahi's Japanese drama 'Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon', which aired from 2012 to 2021.

### How well is the drama rating?

According to Nielsen Korea, it started at 11.4% and reached 15.1% by episode 3, per the reported figures.

## Sources

- [Yonhap News](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20261017018000005)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._