By Kim Ji Won in “Doctor X” (Credits: Soompi)
“Doctor X” is officially a Friday night phenomenon. On October 16, Kim Ji Won’s new medical noir drama continued its upward trend by climbing to its highest viewership ratings yet — and it’s only been on the air for three episodes.
According to Nielsen Korea, the third episode of “Doctor X” scored an average nationwide rating of 15.1 percent, making it the most-watched program of any kind to air on Friday. For a drama in its first week, that kind of number is nothing short of explosive, and it signals that SBS may have landed one of the year’s biggest hits.
Kim Ji Won’s Gye Soo Jung Wins Over Viewers
The series is a Korean remake of the hit Japanese series of the same name, but the local version has quickly carved out its own identity. Kim Ji Won stars as Gye Soo Jung, a genius surgeon who proves what it truly means to be a doctor through pure skill alone — all while taking on a corruption-ridden medical establishment from the operating table.
The medical noir format appears to be striking a chord. Rather than a straightforward hospital romance, “Doctor X” leans into power struggles, institutional politics, and high-stakes surgery, giving Kim Ji Won a darker, grittier role than fans have seen from her before. The ratings trajectory suggests word of mouth is doing heavy lifting: each new episode is pulling in viewers who missed the premiere.
What’s Next For “Doctor X”
With ratings already past 15 percent in just three episodes, the drama is now firmly in breakout territory. The question is no longer whether viewers will keep watching — it’s how high the numbers can climb as the story’s hospital corruption plot deepens and new rivals enter the picture.
If the current momentum holds, “Doctor X” could become one of the standout Korean dramas of the season — and further proof that Kim Ji Won can carry just about any genre she takes on.
Also Read: Doctor X Adds Jang Seung Jo as Kim Ji Won’s New Rival — Episode 3 Airs Tonight
Source: Soompi — read the full story there.
