"Kim Ji-won Shines": "Doctor X" Draws Praise from Overseas Viewers Amid Controversy Comparing It to the Japanese Original [K-EYES]

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"'Queen of Tears' Returns": Kim Ji-won's 'Doctor X' Receives Overseas Review Praising Her 'Perfect Comedic Timing'

Kim Ji-won's 'Doctor X' Tops Netflix Non-English Chart... Overseas Fans Debate: 'Addictive' vs. 'Original Is Better'

SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Doctor X: The Age of the White Mafia" (hereinafter referred to as "Doctor X"), starring actress Kim Ji-won, is on an unstoppable upward trajectory both domestically and internationally. Among overseas viewers, there is praise for Kim Ji-won's acting transformation, alongside a debate comparing the series to its Japanese original.

Episode 4 of "Doctor X," which aired on the 17th, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 18.5%. Starting at 11.4% in the first episode, it has seen four consecutive episodes of rising ratings. It also ranked No. 1 in the Netflix Global Top 10 Non-English Shows category during its first week of release. With 4.6 million views, it entered the top 10 in 36 countries and took the No. 1 spot in seven countries, including South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Kim Ji-won is at the center of overseas viewer reactions. On IMDb, the world's largest movie and drama information site, a favorable review read: "You are drawn in from the very first scene. A genius freelance surgeon who completely shatters a corrupt hospital system—it is an addictive chaos." Another viewer welcomed her return, stating, "'Queen of Tears' has returned. October 2026 is her month." The user rating currently stands at 7.9 out of 10, based on participation from 410 people.

One user who gave a perfect score of 10 highly praised the drama for tackling the medical scene dominated by the logic of capital and power, positioning it as a "medical noir."

Another reviewer who gave a 10-point rating assessed that "Kim Ji-won is completely insane (TRULY INSANE). She perfectly embodies the character."

Overseas review media have also focused on Kim Ji-won. The U.S. pop culture review site "But Why Tho" gave 7 out of 10 for episodes 1 and 2, commenting, "Kim Ji-won shines. Her expressionless delivery of lines and comedic timing are perfect." Indian media outlet India.com awarded four stars out of five, stating that "Kim Ji-won's acting is the identity of this series." On MyDramaList, a community-based Asian drama rating site, over 1,700 people have participated, with the current score standing at 8.4 out of 10.

There is also debate viewing the series in comparison to the Japanese original. The original is "Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon," a popular series by Japan's TV Asahi that has continued from 2012 through Season 7. On the K-drama board of the online community Reddit, a post gained empathy stating, "There are three types of people on this board: those who watched the original and dislike the remake, those who wish more scenes from the original were included, and those watching it for the first time without comparison."

Fans of the original expressed disappointment. One IMDb viewer missed the original protagonist, saying, "Michiko Daimon did not need to prove that she was Doctor X. She simply was." He stated that he had watched the Japanese original for a long time and assessed that the Korean version had lost the mystery, humor, and chemistry between characters that were the appeal of the original. It was pointed out that while Michiko Daimon's confidence in the original was revealed through her skills, scenes emphasizing identity in the Korean version felt unnecessary.

On the other hand, many viewers highlighted the unique charm of the Korean version, with comments such as, "I am a long-time fan of the original, but I like this version. The restrained acting and Korean-style adaptation fit very well," and "I still laugh at the scene where they kick a VIP patient out of a wheelchair and then use that same wheelchair."

Similar debates continued on Reddit. Among users who had seen the original, some pointed out that while the Korean version reproduced scenes from the original too closely, it failed to sufficiently capture the comedy and fun.

Conversely, viewers who had not seen the original found Kim Ji-won's portrayal of Gye Su-jeong's cold and independent personality and the fast-paced development refreshing. One user assessed that Kim Ji-won has a particular strength in playing strong and cold female characters.

Reactions grew even hotter when Na Dae-il, a new surgeon played by actor Jang Seung-jo, appeared in episodes 3 and 4. Reddit users immersed themselves in the drama, commenting, "The moment Jang Seung-jo entered, I knew a psychopath had been added," and "You can see madness just from his gaze. It is truly chilling." One viewer wrote, "Those you thought were okay are villains, and those you thought were villains were simply tired of the system. This drama keeps surprising me."

Different perspectives emerged regarding the depiction of the medical scene. A user identifying as a medical professional pointed out the unrealistic nature of situations in the work while explaining that they understood it was a drama intended for satire and comedy. However, he expressed concern that excessively simplifying doctors' judgments and medical ethics could foster public distrust of the medical system. One Reddit user added, "I understand it is satire and comedy, but at a time when anti-doctor sentiment is spreading on social media, some messages feel dangerous," noting, "The system is broken, yes, but there are more people on the side of patients in the medical field."

"Doctor X" airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. on SBS and is available on Netflix.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original