SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama, 'Doctor X: The White Mafia Era,' has seen its ratings climb steadily since its premiere, but its medical storylines are now sparking significant controversy. A netizen identifying as an orthopedic surgeon recently announced they had filed a review request with the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), arguing that the drama's depiction of medical professionals as incompetent villains could lead viewers to misunderstand the reality of the healthcare field. In response, SBS offered a brief statement on October 15, saying it had "no further comment." The news has ignited fierce debate not only between medical professionals and the entertainment industry but also across Korean online forums.
On October 15, the self-proclaimed orthopedic surgeon posted on social media, revealing they had submitted a review request for 'Doctor X.' They pointed out that the drama repeatedly portrays doctor rounds as unnecessary chores, simplifies medical staff into incompetent antagonists, and even ignores the inherent uncertainties of medical procedures. The doctor believes these portrayals could cause viewers to misunderstand the actual medical environment.
The physician stated, "I understand that dramas include exaggerated plots for dramatic effect, but I believe this portrayal could lead viewers to form incorrect perceptions of the medical field." According to the screenshot of the application they shared, the request was submitted to the KCSC on October 13, citing "distortion of medical reality" and "inappropriate depiction of medical personnel" as reasons.
However, the doctor also admitted that they did not expect the application to result in the drama being penalized, but still felt it was necessary to raise the issue. They emphasized, "Even so, I still believe it's important to raise these questions. As a professional, I cannot stand by and watch incorrect perceptions gradually take root."
Regarding the controversy, SBS told Korean media outlet *Maeil Business Star Today* on October 15, "We have no further comment." The network did not elaborate, leaving the public to wonder if a more detailed response would follow.
However, when the incident reached the Korean online forum theqoo, netizen reactions were sharply divided. Many did not sympathize with the doctor who filed the request, instead siding with the drama, arguing that dramas naturally incorporate exaggerated settings for plot development. Some even directly asked, "Did it hit a nerve?" These comments quickly sparked heated discussion.
Some netizens sarcastically commented, "Are doctors really as sensitive as sunfish? They're too touchy!" and "Doctors' antics are truly unmatched." Others remarked, "It seems they only want to watch dramas like 'Hospital Playlist' their whole lives!" Comparisons were also drawn to other professional dramas: "There are plenty of corrupt prosecutors and police in dramas, but we don't hear about those professions complaining. What's wrong with doctors?"
Furthermore, some netizens questioned whether past medical dramas had overly romanticized the medical field, commenting, "'Hospital Playlist' was the one romanticizing it!" and "How did 'Trauma Center: D.V.O.C.' even survive? There were so many difficult patients there!" Some even mocked, "They complain about patients being difficult customers, but now they've become difficult customers themselves." and "Their big fuss makes me wonder if this drama actually hit on some truth."
Some comments carried a strong sarcastic tone, such as "They all got hit where it hurts, how funny," "Doctors really have a lot of time on their hands," "No one takes dramas as reality, why are they doing this? Everyone watches it as a fantasy," and "The more they do this, the more I want to support this drama and make them furious." These reactions indicate that some viewers are quite dismissive of the medical community's concerns.
'Doctor X: The White Mafia Era' premiered on October 9, starring Kim Ji-won (김지원) as Gye Su-jeong (계수정), a genius surgeon with exceptional skills who fights against the irrationalities of the medical world. Thanks to Kim Ji-won's superb acting and the fast-paced, satisfying plot, the first episode achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 11.4%, with the second episode climbing to 14.9%, demonstrating impressive ratings performance.
However, as the drama's popularity continues to rise, some medical scenes have been questioned for their perceived disconnect from real-life medical practices. The controversy has now escalated from online discussions about medical accuracy to a formal review request filed by a practicing physician. Coupled with SBS's brief "no further comment" response and the polarized reactions from Korean netizens, the debate surrounding 'Doctor X''s portrayal of medicine continues to draw significant attention.
