SBS has unveiled an electrifying teaser for Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia, showcasing Queen of Tears star Kim Ji Won in a completely different avatar—a fearless genius surgeon ready to dismantle corruption with nothing but her surgical skills. Premiering at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards on December 31, the special teaser gives viewers their first look at what promises to be one of 2026’s most anticipated K-dramas.
Table of Contents
Doctor X Cast & Character Breakdown
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Ji Won | Gye Soo Jung (“Doctor X”) | Genius surgeon, “mad dog of the OR” |
| Lee Jung Eun | Jang Hee Suk | Money-obsessed dispatch agency head |
| Son Hyun Joo | Boo Seung Gwon | Guseo University Hospital director |
| Kim Woo Seok | Park Tae Kyung | Intern from wealthy hospital family |
The ‘Mad Dog’ Arrives
Based on the hit Japanese series Doctor X, this medical noir follows Gye Soo Jung, a freelance surgeon dispatched through a staffing agency to Guseo University Hospital. Nicknamed the “mad dog of the operating room,” she uses pure surgical skill to expose corruption within the medical establishment where money and power dictate life-saving care.
The teaser features powerful narration by Lee Jung Eun: “This is the story of a lone wolf. In an era of white mafia, where even life-saving medical care is ruled by money and power, there appears a solitary figure—surgeon Gye Soo Jung. Another name for her is Doctor X.” This sets the tone for a drama that challenges systemic corruption through exceptional medical expertise.
Behind the Stellar Production
Director Lee Jung Rim, known for critically acclaimed dramas like Revenant and VIP, brings her signature intensity to this project. Rising writer Pyeon Seong Geun crafts a narrative that positions Gye Soo Jung as a “doctor who fixes doctors”—proving what it truly means to be a physician through skill alone.
For official updates about SBS programming and schedules, visit SBS’s official website. The network has a strong history of successful medical dramas and is betting big on this October 2026 premiere.
Curious about Kim Ji Won’s journey? Check out our Queen of Tears retrospective and explore our guide to must-watch medical K-dramas of 2025-2026 for comprehensive genre coverage.
From Chaebol Heiress to Rogue Surgeon
Following her phenomenal success as Hong Hae In in Queen of Tears, Kim Ji Won transforms into a character driven by skill rather than privilege. This marks her first lead role where her name tops the billing—a significant milestone showcasing her evolution from ensemble member to undisputed leading actress.
The drama is produced by Studio Dragon and Studio S, ensuring high production values that match the ambitious storytelling.
FAQs
When does Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia premiere?
The drama is scheduled to premiere in October 2026 as SBS’s new Friday-Saturday series, marking Kim Ji Won’s first top-billed lead role after Queen of Tears’ massive success.
Is Doctor X based on a Japanese series?
Yes, it’s based on the hit Japanese drama Doctor X, adapting the story of a genius freelance surgeon who challenges corrupt medical establishments through exceptional surgical skills rather than institutional politics.
