Kim Ji Won is making her comeback to the small screen with a completely different character. The ‘Queen of Tears’ star trades romance for surgical scrubs in SBS’s upcoming medical noir ‘Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia’.
The drama marks Kim Ji Won’s first project since her massive hit ‘Queen of Tears’ and her first time stepping into the medical genre. SBS has already released the first stills showing her powerful transformation, and fans across the globe are eagerly waiting for the premiere.
What Is ‘Doctor X’ About?
‘Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia’ is a medical noir drama that follows Gye Soo-jung (played by Kim Ji Won), a genius surgeon who refuses to compromise or accept failure. She uses her exceptional surgical skills to tear down corruption and abuse of power inside a university hospital.
The story centers on Soo-jung, who is sent to Guseo University Hospital through a doctor staffing agency to fill a surgical vacancy. The hospital is filled with corruption and rigid hierarchies. But Soo-jung does not play by their rules. She relies only on her skills and takes on the powerful figures running the institution.
Her character is known as the “crazy hound of the operating room” because of her obsessive focus on surgery. She does not care about hospital politics or money. Her only goal is to do her job perfectly and expose the wrongdoing around her.
The drama is based on the hit Japanese series of the same name, which ran for multiple seasons and gained a huge following. The Korean adaptation brings a fresh take while keeping the core spirit of the original.
When and Where to Watch ‘Doctor X’
‘Doctor X’ premieres on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 9:50 PM KST on SBS. The drama will air in the Friday-Saturday time slot, following the conclusion of ‘Flex x Cop 2’.
Global streaming details: The drama will be available on Netflix for international audiences. Viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other countries can watch it through the platform. Specific release times on Netflix may vary by region.
The drama consists of 12 episodes total.
Kim Ji Won’s Complete Transformation
The first stills released by SBS on September 2 show Kim Ji Won in a completely different light. Instead of a white doctor’s coat, she appears in a black leather coat, giving her character a distant and rebellious image.
Her calm expression and intense gaze show Soo-jung as an outsider entering a system she does not belong to. In the operating room stills, she appears fully focused on surgery with a sharp look that allows no mistakes.
The production team of ‘Doctor X’ said, “From her very first shoot, Kim Ji Won was ‘Gye Soo-jung’ herself, right down to her vocal tone, gaze, and habits. It is impossible to imagine Gye Soo-jung as anyone other than Kim Ji Won.”
The team also asked viewers to “look forward to the birth of a medical dark hero”.
This role marks Kim Ji Won’s first time in the medical noir genre. She shows a darker and more forceful side as a surgeon who challenges powerful figures. The actress reportedly spent time learning surgical techniques like suturing and knot-tying used by neurosurgeons to prepare for the role.
Full Cast of ‘Doctor X’
The drama brings together a strong cast of experienced actors:
- Kim Ji Won as Gye Soo-jung – The genius surgeon and dark hero
- Lee Jung Eun as Jang Hee-sook – Head of the doctor staffing agency. She is a clever strategist who appears materialistic but knows how to protect her people. The production team shared that Lee Jung Eun and Kim Ji Won will have a special “wo-mance” chemistry, sometimes forming a bond like aunt and niece.
- Son Hyun Joo as Bu Seung-kwon – The director of Guseo University Hospital branch. He wants to rebuild the crumbling institution.
- Kim Woo Seok as Park Tae-kyung – A wealthy intern from a rich family. He develops a teacher-mentor relationship with Soo-jung.
Other cast members include Lee Jin-hee, Kim Young-min, Lee Sung-wook, Kwon Seung-woo, Heo Jun-seok, Choi Deok-moon, Kim Jung-young, Kim Young-ah, and Choi Kwang-il.
Behind the Scenes
The drama is directed by Lee Jung-rim, known for his work on ‘VIP’ (2019), ‘Revenant’ (2021), and ‘As You Stood By’ (2025). The script is written by rookie writer Pyeon Seung-geun.
The production team released photos from the script reading session on August 31, showing all the main cast members together. The chemistry among the actors was clear from the start.
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Fan Reactions
Fans have been expressing their excitement on social media since the announcement.
One fan wrote on X, “Can’t wait.”
Another commented, “I’m really looking forward to it.”
A fan said, “Finally!!! The long wait is over the most anticipated Doctor X: Age of White Mafia is coming. I really can’t wait for Doctor Gye Soo-jung.”
Another fan added, “Finally, actress Kim Ji-won is soooo back! Let’s go Team Doctor X!”
The excitement is high as Kim Ji Won returns after her record-breaking performance in ‘Queen of Tears’. Her previous drama became one of the highest-rated Korean dramas in history, and viewers are curious to see her take on a completely different role.
‘Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia’ premieres on October 9 at 9:50 PM KST on SBS and will be available on Netflix globally.
Also Read: Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia Teaser Out: Kim Ji Won Is a Surgeon Who “Objects”
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