"A 9.21% viewership rating, we will not fail"… "Doctor X" star Kim Ji-won returns with a toned-down glamour [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Actress Kim Ji-won is set to showcase a new side of herself in "Doctor X," teaming up with Lee Jung-eun and Son Hyun-joo.

On the 7th, SBS held a production press conference for its new Friday-Saturday drama "Doctor X: The Age of the White Mafia" (hereinafter referred to as "Doctor X") at the SBS headquarters in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Director Lee Jung-rim and actors Kim Ji-won, Lee Jung-eun, Son Hyun-joo, and Kim Woo-seok attended the event.

"Doctor X" is a drama depicting the activities of "Doctor X" Gye Su-jeong, who shatters massive injustices with her genius surgical skills that know no failure or compromise. The series is based on the Japanese drama "Doctor X," which aired on TV Asahi.

On this day, Director Lee stated, "While it is fundamentally a medical drama, we aimed to capture the exhilaration of watching a genius doctor, as well as elements of a human drama and stories about power within hospital organizations. We placed particular emphasis on the fact that a hospital is also a massive organization."

Additionally, regarding the Korean adaptation of the Japanese original, Director Lee explained, "The background and systems are vastly different. We respected the framework and settings of the original while reinterpreting certain aspects to preserve Korean sensibilities. We adapted various parts of the characters, including Gye Su-jeong, to fit these sensibilities."

He continued, "We are aware that the original has a thick fan base, with production continuing through Season 7 and even a theatrical release, which may cause some concern. While taking in as many strengths of the original as possible, we aimed to make it comfortable for Korean viewers to accept."

Kim Ji-won plays Gye Su-jeong, known as "the crazy one in the operating room," a character who shakes up the status quo with her exceptional surgical skills against the so-called "White Mafia" that pursues power and profit within Gu-seo University Hospital.

Returning to television screens for the first time in two years since the tvN drama "Queen of Tears" aired in 2024, Kim Ji-won shared her thoughts on her comeback, saying, "It has been a long time since I last greeted you all, so my hands are trembling, and I feel both excited and nervous. During my break, I prepared and thought about what kind of image I could show you while waiting."

She added, "I have really enjoyed watching the director's previous works, and first of all, I wanted to try working with him based on trust. Also, the more I heard the names of the people I would be acting with, the more reassured I felt. While I had personal ambitions, I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn a lot while working with excellent senior actors, so I took the challenge."

Regarding her decision to sport short hair again after the KBS 2TV drama "Descendants of the Sun" aired in 2016, Kim Ji-won explained, "I tried rough short hair to express the character well. In 'Queen of Tears,' I showed off glamorous fashion, but this time I wanted to tone down the glamour as much as possible."

Lee Jung-eun plays Jang Hee-sook, the director of a money-driven medical staffing agency, Son Hyun-joo plays Bu Seung-gwon, the hospital director leading a hospital stained with corruption and bribery, and Kim Woo-seok plays Park Tae-kyung, a surgical intern whose life at the hospital is turned 180 degrees after meeting Gye Su-jeong.

Lee Jung-eun said, "I had been continuously looking for an opportunity to work with Kim Ji-won," adding, "The writers and directors around me praised her so much that I thought, 'If I get the chance, could I meet her?' When it came to this project, I felt we could create great scenes. We have moments where we share history together. My satisfaction level is high." She expressed her satisfaction with the chemistry of their "woman's bond" with Kim Ji-won.

In response, Kim Ji-won also said, "It was really good. As you all know, she is incredibly lovable. Watching her from the side was one of the happinesses I found on set, and it was a time when I could satisfy my personal desires and learn as an actor. It is chemistry that caught both rabbits: happiness and learning." She also joked, "I am aiming for the Best Couple Award."

Son Hyun-joo, who plays Hospital Director Bu Seung-gwon, also expressed his desire to win a couple award with Lee Jung-eun, bringing laughter. In response, Lee Jung-eun smiled and said, "It would be good if viewers watch the broadcast and decide which of us should receive the couple award."

Son Hyun-joo then introduced his character as "a hospital director who has many worries," stating, "He agonizes over the harmony between new and old staff and the direction of the hospital's development. He is a character who struggles with how to choose good people amid the appearance of Gye Su-jeong."

He continued, "In this drama, I am working for the first time with all the actors and the director. Kim Ji-won perfectly completed the character of Gye Su-jeong from the first day of filming to the last. Director Lee Jung-rim was also such an excellent director that I would want to work with him again," mentioning their solid teamwork.

Kim Ji-won is challenging the medical genre through "Doctor X." She stated, "There are many medical works that viewers love, and as an actress, it would be an honor if I could leave behind one such work. There was pressure, but I tried my best and took on the challenge with ambition."

So, what is the appeal of "Doctor X"? Son Hyun-joo said, "The biggest appeal of our drama is that a huge number of actors appear," adding, "With characters of diverse charms gathered together, I dare to call it a 'variety gift set.'" He expressed his confidence.

Kim Woo-seok, who plays intern Park Tae-kyung, also said, "The appeal of 'Doctor X' is the combination of actors that you can just look at and expect great things from." He continued, "I used to watch my senior colleagues' works only on TV and imagine, 'When will I be able to work with them?' This time, I got to meet them. I was able to gain everything: fun, learning, enjoyment, and a sense of happiness," expressing his satisfaction with the acting chemistry with his seniors.

They also discussed viewership ratings. Director Lee said, "My birthday is September 21," adding, "I would like to make a pledge that the first episode's viewership rating will be 9.21%." Lee Jung-eun, who was sitting next to him, confidently replied, "We will not fail." Then, Son Hyun-joo joked, "That expected rating is too high. I would be truly grateful if even 0.01% of viewers watch it."

Meanwhile, "Doctor X" premieres at 9:50 p.m. on the 9th.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original