Kim Ji-won and Lee Jung-eun Team Up in New Medical Noir ‘Doctor X’

Kim Ji-won is returning to television as a fearless genius surgeon — and Lee Jung-eun may be the unexpected partner she needs.

SBS's upcoming Friday-Saturday drama “Doctor X” has revealed new character stills ahead of its October premiere, offering a closer look at the unusual partnership at the center of the new medical noir.

Kim Ji-won Becomes Genius Surgeon Gye Soo-jung

Kim Ji-won stars as Gye Soo-jung, an exceptionally skilled surgeon who relies on her abilities rather than status or hospital politics.

Instead of following the traditional image of a hospital doctor, Gye Soo-jung enters a corruption-filled medical establishment as an outsider and confronts the system with uncompromising surgical skill.

The character has already drawn attention for her darker visual style, including a black leather coat that contrasts sharply with the familiar white coat associated with medical dramas.

Lee Jung-eun Reveals a Very Different Character

New stills released on September 3 introduce Lee Jung-eun as Jang Hee-sook, the head of a medical staffing agency.

On the surface, Hee-sook appears talkative, flashy and openly obsessed with money. Behind that personality, however, is a sharp businesswoman with an exceptional ability to read people and negotiate deals.

Her carefully calculated charm allows her to lower people's defenses while quietly controlling situations from behind the scenes.

An Unexpected Partnership

Jang Hee-sook's agency dispatches its star surgeon Gye Soo-jung to Guseo University Hospital.

That decision brings the two women together as they begin dealing with unexpected incidents inside a medical institution filled with entrenched power and corruption.

Their contrasting personalities could become one of the drama's biggest attractions: Soo-jung approaches problems with extraordinary surgical skill, while Hee-sook uses strategy, negotiation and social instincts.

Kim Ji-won's Major Drama Return

“Doctor X” also marks a highly anticipated television return for Kim Ji-won following the enormous popularity of “Queen of Tears.”

Rather than returning with another romance-centered character, Kim Ji-won is taking on a darker medical hero whose confidence comes from what she can accomplish in the operating room.

The production team has praised her transformation, highlighting the character's distinctive voice, gaze and behavior during filming.

A Medical Drama With a Noir Edge

“Doctor X” is based on the popular Japanese series “Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon.”

The Korean adaptation is being presented as a medical noir, combining hospital drama with a story about power, corruption and an outsider willing to challenge the establishment.

The cast also includes Son Hyun-joo and Kim Woo-seok, adding more veteran and rising talent to the ensemble.

When Does “Doctor X” Premiere?

“Doctor X” premieres October 9, 2026 on SBS.

With Kim Ji-won transforming into a charismatic surgical dark hero and Lee Jung-eun playing the clever deal-maker behind her, their unusual partnership is quickly becoming one of the biggest reasons to watch the upcoming drama.

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Sources: SBS and Doctor X production materials. September 3, 2026.