I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the Korean drama Doctor X lately. It’s been a while since a show made me count down the days until the next episode — the last one was “Mr. Kim” (김부장).
Doctor X airs on SBS as a Friday–Saturday drama under the Korean title “Doctor X: The Age of the White Mafia.” International viewers can watch it on Netflix under the title “Doctor X: Mafia in White.”
The series is based on a hit Japanese drama, with the story adapted to fit Korean society. I haven’t seen the Japanese original, so I can’t compare the two directly, but so far I haven’t felt any trace of a Japanese drama at all. That tells me the writer has done a great job making it feel genuinely Korean.
The Ratings Say It All
The ratings clearly show how popular Doctor X has become. It premiered at around 11% and has already climbed to 19.5%, closing in on 20%. I expect it to go even higher.
With popularity comes controversy. Some doctors have filed complaints with Korea’s broadcasting standards commission, arguing that the drama portrays doctors as an incompetent, self-serving privileged group. There’s even a petition to the National Assembly demanding the show be taken off the air, claiming that Episode 6 is politically biased because it includes content related to the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.
For readers unfamiliar with it, the May 18 Democratic Uprising took place in Gwangju, South Korea, in May 1980. Citizens rose up to demand democracy against the new military regime that had seized power through a coup, and many civilians lost their lives when martial law troops violently suppressed them. Today it is officially recognized in Korea as a democratic movement and commemorated with a national memorial day. However, distortions and political debates surrounding it continue to this day, so whenever it appears in a drama or film, it often sparks controversy.
Personally, I think a drama should simply be enjoyed as a drama.
Why Doctor X Is So Popular
1. Pure Catharsis
The main character says and does things that would be hard to get away with in real life. Add a classic good-versus-evil structure, and it’s no wonder viewers find it so satisfying. It’s refreshing enough to make you wonder what it would be like if a doctor like her actually existed.
2. No Romance
Most Korean dramas include a romance between the male and female leads. Romance is one of the genre’s strengths, but sometimes an unnecessary love line gets squeezed in and becomes a letdown. Six episodes in, Doctor X has no romance at all, and judging by the direction of the story, I don’t think it will add one.
3. Kim Ji-won’s Performance
I’m not sure how well this comes through for international viewers, but Kim Ji-won’s way of speaking is really entertaining. She delivers her quirky lines with a distinctive tone that makes them even funnier, and her acting has been well received in Korea too.
4. The Supporting Cast
The actors playing the doctors — those desperate to protect their positions and who often come across as incompetent — are excellent. Then there are the mysterious contract workers whose purpose is never quite clear. Together, these characters make Doctor X lighter and more fun. The one exception for me is the intern character. Whether it’s the acting or the script, I personally feel the character doesn’t quite fit into the story.
The Actor I’m Keeping an Eye On: Lee Jin-hee
The actor who caught my attention in Doctor X is Lee Jin-hee, who plays the anesthesiology professor. Her face looks very familiar, probably because she has played many small roles in popular dramas over the years. I believe Doctor X may be the first time she’s taken on such a significant role.
Lee Jin-hee has worked mainly in theater rather than TV or film. She has been performing on stage since 2004, so her acting is hard to fault, and I expect we’ll be seeing much more of her in dramas and movies.
Looking Forward to the Second Half
With 6 of the 12 episodes now aired, Doctor X has reached its halfway point. I hope the remaining six episodes wrap things up well and that it ends as a drama that doesn’t disappoint.
Have you been watching Doctor X: Mafia in White? Let me know what you think of it so far.