Why is Doctor X Korean drama trending in Singapore?
Doctor X has drawn massive audience interest, topping local ratings and Netflix non‑English charts, while also attracting criticism for medical inaccuracies that led a doctor to request a broadcast review.
What happened
- 9 Oct, 2026
Episode 1 of Doctor X aired on SBS, earning an 11.4% nationwide rating [1]
- 10 Oct, 2026
Episode 2 aired, boosting ratings to 14.9% and reaching 17.4% in combined viewership, topping Saturday mini‑series charts [2]
- 11 Oct, 2026
Emergency‑medicine consultant Namgung In acknowledged medical inaccuracies on social media, saying the production team overruled his advice [1][3]
- 13 Oct, 2026
An orthopedic surgeon filed a formal request with the Korea Communications Standards Commission for a broadcast review over distorted medical reality [3]
- 16 Oct, 2026
Promotional stills showed Kim Ji‑won blood‑soaked in the ER, fueling online buzz ahead of episode 3 [2]
What you need to know
The drama adapts Japan’s long‑running Doctor‑X series, localising the story for Korean audiences.
Kim Ji‑won returns to TV after a two‑year break, playing the maverick surgeon Gye Soo‑jung.
The show emphasizes a dark, atmospheric tone and portrays power struggles within a hospital.
Critics point to specific scenes—such as unnecessary emergency surgery for a reduced hernia—as unrealistic.
The outcome of the broadcast review request and whether any edits will be made to future episodes remain unclear.
Background
Doctor X: Mafia In White premiered on SBS on 9 Oct 2026 and quickly became a ratings hit, achieving the highest debut scores for 2026 miniseries and leading Netflix’s global non‑English TV rankings [1][2].
The series follows Gye Soo‑jung, a brilliant but rebellious surgeon who challenges corrupt hospital hierarchies, mirroring the Japanese original that ran from 2012‑2021 [1].
Alongside its popularity, the drama has faced sharp criticism from medical professionals who say it misrepresents procedures, prompting a formal review request and public comments from the on‑set medical consultant [1][3].
Questions people ask
Why are viewers talking about medical accuracy?
Several scenes show procedures that doctors say would not happen in real hospitals, such as emergency surgery for a hernia already reduced and a single surgeon making unilateral decisions in multi‑specialty operations [1][3].
Is the show based on a real story?
It is an adaptation of the Japanese drama Doctor‑X, which fictionalises a surgeon’s battles against hospital politics rather than depicting actual events.
Will the controversy affect the series?
A doctor has filed a broadcast‑review request, but no decision has been announced, so any impact on future episodes is uncertain.
Where this came from
[1] straitstimes.com
Top-rated K-drama Doctor X: Mafia In White draws criticism over alleged medical inaccuracies
Preview image from straitstimes.com
[2] starnewskorea.com
Kim Ji-won, on a roll until… Rushed to the ER in a blood-soaked state: 'Shocking' [Doctor X]
Preview image from starnewskorea.com
[3] sportschosun.com
"‘Doctor X’ seriously distorts reality"... Practicing doctor files for broadcast review, sparking controversy
Preview image from sportschosun.com
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.