Doctor X: Mafia in White Review (Ep 1–2): Queen Ji-won Is Back
The Binge Team- October 11, 2026
I officially lost my entire mind the second Kim Ji-won picked up a scalpel in Episode 1 and served unadulterated boss energy. The k-drama Doctor X: Mafia in White (닥터X: 하얀 마피아의 시대), available on both SBS and Netflix, has everything we could want from a medical thriller. The K-drama follows legendary surgeon Gye Su-jeong, who steps into the toxic, power-hungry world of Guseo University Hospital. The drama is based on the Japanese medical series Doctor X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon, which first premiered in 2012.
Gye Su-jeong (Kim Ji-won) is assigned to the hospital through a temporary staffing agency run by the brilliant Lee Jung-eun (Jang Hee-sook). Meanwhile, hospital director Bu Seung-gwon (Son Hyun-joo) is busy trying to cover up major scandals within the institution, while a cute intern, Park Tae-kyung (Kim Woo-seok), gets caught up in the mess as he learns how to save lives.
Doctor X: Mafia in White Episodes 1-2 Review: What I Loved
I spent most of Episode 1 screaming at my screen because Gye Su-jeong walks in with full main-character energy and makes all those arrogant senior male doctors look ridiculous. The moment she steps into a frantic operating room and starts making split-second decisions, I was already cheering for her. The surgery scenes look so realistic and polished, and the action moves so fast that I forgot to breathe during the first half hour.
Then Episode 2 takes things up a notch by exposing a major surgical mistake that the hospital administration is desperate to cover up to protect its precious research. Gye Su-jeong refuses to put up with any of their nonsense, and her face-off with the people in charge had my heart pounding. Meanwhile, Park Tae-kyung brings the sweetest sunshine energy as he follows her around in complete awe, while Jang Hee-sook handles all the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering with ease. I’m just so into how every scene is packed with tension, attitude, and characters who refuse to back down.
My Verdict on Doctor X After 2 Episodes
I can't help thinking that Kim Ji-won is the perfect fit for this role. The hospital drama setting may be familiar, but her magnetic presence makes everything feel fresh and exciting. I actually got chills at the end of Episode 2! The episode brings together a tense medical case and hospital politics before ending with a suspenseful mystery surrounding Gye Su-jeong's past.
I was left wondering whether her absolute confidence comes from her extraordinary surgical skills or from something painful in her past. A dark, thought-provoking voiceover raises that very question, making me even more curious about her character. That ending makes Doctor X: Mafia in White feel like much more than a typical hospital procedural. There's a deeper mystery here, and I can't wait to find out what it means.
I was hooked after just two episodes, and I can't wait for Episode 3! The performances are excellent, the operating room scenes are intense enough to make my heart race, and the whole drama has a fresh, unapologetic attitude. I'm already excited to see where this goes. If you love action-packed medical thrillers with a stylish, dark edge and a tough female lead who refuses to back down, Doctor X: Mafia in White deserves a spot on your watchlist.
✦ Watch This If You Loved
I highly recommend Doctor X: Mafia in White, if you enjoy medical noir dramas with a fearless lead who puts corrupt hospital leaders in their place.
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Drama Info
TitleDoctor X: Mafia in White (2026)
Total Episodes12 (Ongoing)
Review
1 & 2 Episodes
1 & 2 Episodes
CountrySouth Korea
Genre Thriller · Mystery, · Medical
Release DateOct 9th to Nov 14th · 2026
StreamNetflix
Netflix
Main Cast
Kim Ji Won
Gye Su-jeong
MAB Score (For Episodes 1 & 2)8.9/10Overall Rating
8.9/10
Overall Rating
Story
Acting