Japan Media Reports that Kim Ji Won’s New SBS Drama Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia is a Remake of the 2012 J-dorama Doctor X
So this news helps put Kim Ji Won and her likely next drama the SBS medical series Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia in more context and background. Japanese ent reported this week on her being offered the lead role and said that the drama is a remake of the J-dorama Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon starring Yonekura Ryoko. The dorama was a big hit and had multiple seasons and follows the rule challenging top female surgeon Michiko Daimon as she takes on surgeries with the highest risk to save lives. I’m happy for Kim Ji Won to get this great role but I always thought a K-drama remake would star a veteran actress like Kim Hye Soo who fits the vibe more. Regardless, go check out the dorama if you’re curious what the tone is like and some of the cool surgical stories.
Japan media reported it but not Korean media and not her agency yet so its not final. Genre is also darker here if so, it might be an adaptation and I’m sure Jiwon will give her own flavor. She blew up after playing Aera and Haein which sort of have the same vibe as this Dr character so don’t worry and relax.
Besides, most of the Japanese seem excited and the tweet
https://x.com/kdrm__r/status/1890306967979049025
blew up (although its just a normal day for her to have 20k likes in twitter Japan, Korean or Int) and they even said their opinion but because its Jiwon with good diction and charisma (didnt you all fell in love with CEO Hong Haein unless ya bitter), she’ll do just fine so stop the backhanded concerns lol
@koalatrash As a fan I love that we can’t ever predict what kind of role she’ll take next, Choi Aera and Hong Haein are like 180 degrees from each other but she has the range to do it all and I’m looking forward to Kim Jiwon’s first drama with her name first billed! Hope the script is good.
I’m excited too. I hope the plot is good. I love jiwon
It’s more likely to be an adaptation – but either way (adaptation or remake), it would’ve been proper for Korean media to report the link. If, however, it is totally separate and unrelated, I worry that there might be some copyright infringement there (similar name and idea/ setting if not storyline)
I love Doctor x with Yonekura Ryoko. She is what makes the character alive. I wonder how will Kim Ji Won portray this character if she does take it on.
I miss Yonekura Ryoko’s Doctor X and the rest of the cast. Especially the late Toshiyuki Nishida.
I agree with your point about the age of the lead. I just saw that the actress who plays this character in the original Jdrama is almost 50. KJW is a great actress bu the acting industry is already so sexist with precious few interesting roles for mature actresses so I would have liked to see them cast a Korean actress in her late 40s-50s for this role instead.
Using google isn’t hard. Japan actress was 36 yo during 1st season. She’s 50 NOW, in 2025.
Female lead was way closer to Kim Ji Won age than to Kim Hee Soo. So I don’t know why you and Koala talking like 50 yo actress would fit better.
Yeah, it’s good for 40s-50s actresses to play more lead roles. But not when you implying 32 yo actress with decent acting skills shouldn’t take interest role of the character close to her age because it would be “sexist” for you.
All I know is I will watch anything she’s in, she always performs up to par or more than. Love Ji Won!!!
Doctor X is by far the best drama I’ve ever watched. Ryoko Yonekura completely embodied her role with unbelievable skill and professionalism. I just can’t imagine anyone else playing her character as perfectly as she did. Just my opinion!