Following her highly successful performance in the global television sensation Queen of Tears, celebrated actress Kim Ji Won is officially making her return to the screen. After an eager anticipation of more than two years from her global fanbase, the actress will headline the upcoming Korean medical series Doctor X: Mafia in White. The first official look at this intense television series was unveiled on Monday, September 21, showcasing the prominent actress in a completely new light as a headstrong medical professional.
In this brand-new adaptation, Kim Ji Won steps into the shoes of Gye Soo Jung, a highly capable and unapologetically confident surgeon. This series serves as the Korean reimagining of the classic Japanese medical franchise Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon. The role represents a dramatic departure from her previous romantic and dramatic television portrayals, offering audiences a chance to see her tackle a gritty, high-stakes thriller.
Gye Soo Jung: The Maverick of the Operating Room
The newly released promotional trailer introduces Gye Soo Jung as a surgical genius with absolute confidence in her specialized skills. Secured by an external medical employment agency, she joins the prestigious Guseo University Hospital. Upon her arrival, she is instantly dropped into a web of institutional hierarchy, corporate greed, and complex administrative politics.
While most medical professionals try to navigate hospital politics smoothly to advance their careers, Gye Soo Jung proves to be an exception. She is entirely prepared to confront anyone who gets in her way. Earning the fearsome moniker of “Doctor X” and frequently referred to as the “mad dog of the operating room,” she is shown taking complete control during high-risk surgical procedures. The trailer highlights her resilience, showing that she refuses to be intimidated by veteran staff or administrative authorities. In one standout moment, her unwavering confidence shines through as she boldly declares her intention to handle a critical operation entirely on her own.
A Darker Turn for the Medical Genre
Beyond the clinical brilliance, the promotional footage hints at a much darker, mysterious narrative. While Gye Soo Jung possesses undeniable talent in the operating theater, her history remains shrouded in mystery. At the same time, she must survive an environment where personal ambition and institutional power struggles are prioritized just as much as patient care.
This upcoming series represents a major stylistic shift for the broadcasting network SBS, as it is being promoted as their very first “medical-noir” project. The show promises to seamlessly blend traditional hospital-based high stakes with the suspenseful, moody elements of a dark psychological thriller.
Broadcast Schedule and Global Streaming Details
The wait for this highly anticipated television series is almost over. Doctor X: Mafia in White is scheduled to make its official television premiere on October 9, 2026. The series will consist of 12 episodes and will air in South Korea on the SBS network, dropping new episodes every Friday and Saturday. Viewers in South Korea can tune in at 9:50 PM Korean Standard Time to catch the weekly double-episode broadcasts.
For international audiences, including viewers across Asia and Western markets, the series will be available to stream globally on Netflix. The streaming platform will release episodes internationally on October 9, coinciding with the domestic television broadcast schedule.
The Creative Team and Supporting Cast
In addition to Kim Ji Won, the series boasts a remarkably talented supporting cast. Esteemed actress Lee Jung Eun stars as Jang Hee Sook, the influential head of the placement agency responsible for bringing Gye Soo Jung into the hospital. Veteran actor Son Hyun Joo portrays the ambitious hospital director, Bu Seung Kwon, while rising actor Kim Woo Seok plays the role of an eager medical intern, Park Tae Kyeong.
Behind the camera, the creative direction is led by filmmaker Lee Jung Rim, while the compelling scripts have been penned by screenwriter Pyeon Seung Geun.
