Double-Digit Ratings in Just One Episode! Kim Ji-won's New Dark Medical Drama Doctor X Premiere Sparks Heated Discussion
Watching her act is so satisfying.
Summary
- Kim Ji-won's new SBS drama Doctor X premiered on October 9, with its first episode reaching an average nationwide rating of 11.4%.
- It broke the premiere rating record for 2026 Korean miniseries, debuting straight at number one in its Friday time slot.
- Remade from a hit classic Japanese drama, Kim Ji-won stars as a genius surgeon confronting a corrupt medical system through sheer skill.
One look at Kim Ji-won in a white coat with an icy stare, and you know her new character is not to be messed with. She returns in SBS’s new dark medical drama Doctor X. While the premise alone was already intriguing, the show’s October 9 premiere instantly set the internet ablaze.
Just one episode in, it broke the 2026 premiere ratings record
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The show is off to a massive start. According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode of Doctor X pulled in an average nationwide rating of 11.4%, effortlessly hitting double digits right out of the gate. Beyond securing the top Friday broadcast spot, it set the highest debut rating for any 2026 miniseries. Those numbers alone prove the drama’s pacing and tension are the real deal.
Adapted from a legendary Japanese hit, the fast-paced plot delivers
Japanese drama fans will instantly recognize the name Doctor X. Remaking such a beloved Japanese hit guaranteed plenty of buzz from the start. Capturing the edge of a Korean dark medical drama within a legendary framework left many wondering how the team would handle it, but the tight premiere shows the creators nailed the thrill of challenging a massive, corrupt system.
Watching her take a scalpel to the elite is a pure thrill
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At the heart of the show is Kim Ji-won. She plays genius surgeon Gye Soo-jung, who navigates a hospital system rotten with power struggles and corruption. Free of elite connections or any interest in political games, she lets her skill in the operating room prove what being a real doctor actually means.
Watching her pick up a scalpel to calmly and fiercely cut down the corrupt establishment is incredibly satisfying. As the plot unfolds and she confronts tougher medical challenges and political backlash, expectations for SBS’s Doctor X are soaring.
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