A refreshing medical noir ready to captivate living rooms is on its way. SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Doctor X: Mafia in White", uniting actors Kim Ji-won, Lee Jung-eun, Son Hyun-joo, and Kim Woo-seok under director Lee Jung-rim, is fully prepared to steal viewers' hearts.

On the afternoon of October 7, a press conference for the new Friday-Saturday drama "Doctor X: Mafia in White" (written by Pyun Sung-geun, directed by Lee Jung-rim) took place at the SBS headquarters in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Director Lee Jung-rim and cast members Kim Ji-won, Lee Jung-eun, Son Hyun-joo, and Kim Woo-seok attended the event and shared various stories about the project.

"Doctor X: Mafia in White" is a cathartic medical noir chronicling the exploits of Doctor X Gye Soo-jung (played by Kim Ji-won), a figure known as the "operating room's crazy Gye," who shatters massive institutional corruption through her genius surgical skills.

▲ Two Years After 'Queen of Tears'… Kim Ji-won's Dramatic Acting Transformation

Kim Ji-won, who received immense love for her previous project "Queen of Tears", returns to the small screen after two years. Taking on the role of freelance genius surgeon Gye Soo-jung, Kim Ji-won shared her thoughts on returning: "During my break, I had a period of personal waiting and preparation, and then I encountered the wonderful script for 'Doctor X: Mafia in White.' Given my trust in Director Lee Jung-rim and the dependable lineup of senior actors, I really wanted to take on the challenge."

In "Doctor X: Mafia in White", Kim Ji-won plays a genius surgeon who takes over the world of the "white mafia" at the massive Guseo University Hospital purely through her overwhelming surgical skills. Consistently responding with "I will not do that" to unreasonable demands such as hospital rounds, company dinners, paper assistance, and overtime shifts, Gye Soo-jung is expected to deliver thrilling vicarious satisfaction and catharsis as she surgically dissects the hospital's cartel with peerless, monstrous skills.

Regarding her physical transformation, Kim Ji-won remarked, "I tried a rough short bob hairstyle and stripped away as much of the glamorous external styling seen in my previous work as possible."

Medical dramas are often viewed as a genre where male actors take the titular leads and deliver weighty performances, but Kim Ji-won threw her hat into the ring.

Kim Ji-won expressed her bold aspirations: "I took courage thinking, 'When will I ever get to play such an attractive title role again?' I prepared diligently with the thought that it would be the greatest honor if I could leave behind one great medical project in my acting career. Looking back after a long time, I think it will be an honor to remember having worked on this drama alongside such wonderful people. Of course, there was pressure, which made me do my absolute best and work even harder."

▲ Korean Adaptation of a Japanese Hit… Cathartic Medical Story Infused With 'Noir' Conventions

"Doctor X: Mafia in White" is based on the hit Japanese drama series of the same name, which expanded up to Season 7 and even had a film adaptation. Director Lee Jung-rim explained, "While respecting the original's compelling premise, energy, and framework, we reinterpreted and varied it emotionally so Korean viewers could easily connect with it."

"Doctor X: Mafia in White" joins the lineage of SBS's cathartic universe alongside titles like "Agent Kim Reactivated", "Taxi Driver", and "The Fiery Priest", marking the first medical drama in SBS's cathartic universe. Explaining the distinct edge of SBS's brand of "cathartic medical" drama, Director Lee emphasized, "We overlaid the grammar of 'noir' onto the basic hospital power dynamics, human drama, and the exhilarating nature of an eccentric doctor. We meticulously captured the choices that arise as individual convictions and desires clash inside a colossal organization."

▲ "Aiming for Best Couple"… Kim Ji-won and Lee Jung-eun's Close 'Womance'

Lee Jung-eun plays Jang Hee-sook, director of a doctor staffing agency. While seemingly fussy and materialistic on the outside, Jang Hee-sook is tougher than anyone and shares a deep bond with Gye Soo-jung after harboring deep past wounds together, igniting a special womance chemistry.

The close womance between Kim Ji-won and Lee Jung-eun was a major talking point at the press conference. Lee Jung-eun expressed high satisfaction with their acting synergy, saying, "I had heard so much praise about Kim Ji-won from directors and writers around me that I really wanted to work with her."

Kim Ji-won likewise heightened expectations for their bond, saying, "My senior is so lovely. Being able to watch her by her side was one of the joys I found on set. In terms of acting, I was also able to satisfy my personal aspirations. It was a time where I learned so much while performing together with her. I caught two rabbits with one stone: learning and happiness."

When asked if they were aiming for the "Best Couple Award" at the year-end Drama Awards, Kim Ji-won smiled brightly and confessed her ambition, answering, "I really want to win it." Lee Jung-eun added, "My chemistry with Ji-won was truly wonderful," but then demonstrated her quick wit by adding, "Son Hyun-joo, who plays the hospital director in an adversarial dynamic, might also secretly want a couple award with me," which filled the venue with laughter.

▲ Decades After "Nurse, Prep for Surgery"… Son Hyun-joo's Hospital Director Role and Kim Woo-seok's Learning Experience

The performances of senior and junior actors also draw anticipation. Son Hyun-joo takes on the role of Boo Seung-kwon, director of Guseo University Hospital, standing at the center of immense power while continuously wrestling with the hospital's progress and the harmony between the old and the new.

Son Hyun-joo drew laughter at the venue by recalling, "When I was an early rookie, I played a doctor once. My line back then was 'Nurse, prep for surgery,' and I still remember it. Decades after that line, I finally got to play a hospital director."

He then previewed a fresh transformation through this drama. "When else would I ever play a hospital director again?" Son Hyun-joo said, conveying the character's realistic dilemma. "As an unconventional figure named Gye Soo-jung appears, he goes through truly difficult deliberations to choose good people and lead the hospital."

He also added strong trust in his fellow cast members and the director. "It was my first time working with all the actors here, and from the first shoot to the last, I felt that 'Gye Soo-jung was completed because it was Kim Ji-won,'" Son Hyun-joo said, expressing full confidence in the project. "Director Lee Jung-rim also possesses immense detail and directorial prowess radiating from her petite frame. I would boldly call 'Doctor X: Mafia in White' a total gift set."

Kim Woo-seok portrays Park Tae-kyung, an intern at Guseo University Hospital who appears clumsy but is warmhearted and pure.

Kim Woo-seok shared, "Just meeting these wonderful senior actors in a single project was a time where I caught fun, learning, and happiness all at once," asking viewers, "Please look forward to his journey of discovering what a true doctor is after meeting Gye Soo-jung."

▲ First-Week Viewership Rating Goal of 9.21%… "A Drama That Never Fails"

Director Lee Jung-rim set a witty goal, saying, "I hope it achieves a first-week viewership rating of 9.21%, matching my birthday on September 21." In response, Lee Jung-eun quoted a line from the drama, expressing strong conviction by stating, "'Doctor X: Mafia in White' never fails," and urged anticipation for the premiere.

Lastly, Kim Ji-won shared her hopes: "Although we are greeting you as representatives today, truly wonderful actors filmed together while doing their utmost. Please look forward to the ensemble we create. If you enjoy the first broadcast, please spread the word."

SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Doctor X: Mafia in White" premieres on Friday, October 9, at 9:50 PM. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)