"Up to 21.3%, Unstoppable"... 'Doctor X' Ranks 5th Among SBS Friday-Saturday Dramas in Just 6 Episodes

SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Doctor X: Mafia in White' is enjoying an unstoppable box office run, breaking into the top 5 highest-rated SBS Friday-Saturday dramas of all time in just 6 episodes.

'Doctor X: Mafia in White' (hereafter 'Doctor X') is a refreshing medical noir drama depicting the exploits of Gye Su-jeong (played by Kim Ji-won), a mad genius in the operating room who shatters massive absurdities with surgical skills that know neither failure nor compromise.

Episode 6 of 'Doctor X', which aired most recently, broke its own viewership ratings record once again, recording a peak rating of 21.3%, a national rating of 19.5%, and a metropolitan area rating of 19.2% according to Nielsen Korea. This secured not only first place in its time slot but also an unrivaled first place across all weekly miniseries.

In particular, it draws attention for climbing to 5th place for the highest viewership ratings among all-time SBS Friday-Saturday dramas in just 6 episodes. Based on national ratings, it claimed the fifth spot following 'The Penthouse: War in Life' (29.2%), 'Agent Kim Reactivated' (23.1%), 'The Fiery Priest' (22.0%), and 'Taxi Driver' (21.0%), proving its fierce upward momentum.

The enthusiasm from the live broadcast continued into reruns. The rerun broadcast on October 24 recorded a national viewership rating of 6.8%, figures surpassing the live broadcasts of most miniseries.

It is also sweeping buzzworthiness indicators. In the 'Favorite Broadcast Video Programs in October 2026' survey announced by Gallup Korea on October 27, 'Doctor X' took 1st place overall with a preference rate of 9.8%, and also maintained 1st place for 2 consecutive weeks in the 'Most Watched TV-OTT Buzzworthy Works This Week' survey announced by research and data consulting firm PMI on October 26.

At the center of this craze are Kim Ji-won's unrivaled character portrayal as 'Gye Su-jeong', who prioritizes patients' lives above all else and stands up to power, and a gratifying, cathartic narrative. On top of this, passionate performances by trusted veteran actors such as Lee Jung-eun, Son Hyun-ju, WOOSEOK, and Kim Young-min deliver overwhelming immersion.

'Doctor X', which has captured both viewership ratings and buzzworthiness to establish itself as the hottest hit of the second half of 2026, will air Episode 7 at 9:50 PM on Friday, October 30.

Reporter Kang Seon-ae

(Photo: SBS Entertainment News, reported by Kang Seon-ae)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.