The hit SBS Friday-Saturday drama Doctor X is rapidly closing in on the milestone 20% viewership mark.
According to Nielsen Korea on the 18th, the 4th episode of ‘Doctor X’ broadcasted on the 17th recorded a peak viewership of 20.8%, breaking its own highest rating record yet. The nationwide rating stood at 18.5%, while the metropolitan area recorded 18.4%.
This achievement cements its position as an overwhelming number one across the same time slot, Saturday miniseries, and overall weekly miniseries categories. The drama continues to break its own records not only in nationwide ratings but also in the key 2049 demographic, capturing a peak of 6.56% and an average of 5.9% to claim absolute dominance among Saturday programs.
Intense Rivalry and Dark Secrets Uncovered
In the latest broadcast, Guseo University Hospital’s genius surgeon Gae Su-jung (played by Kim Ji-won) found herself on high alert against Na Dae-il (played by Jang Sung-jo), a newly appointed surgeon showing obsessive interest in her. The episode heightened immersion as Su-jung unmasked the dark and sinister true nature hidden beneath Dae-il’s perfect facade.
Jang Hee-sook (played by Lee Jung-eun) remained deeply suspicious of Dae-il, who relegated Su-jung to the surgery-free emergency room. Although Dae-il maintained a gentle and amiable image that won over others, Hee-sook openly expressed her aversion from their very first meeting, stating that he smelled foul. Meanwhile, Dae-il exhibited unusual interest in Su-jung, attempting to win her favor with snacks through intern Park Tae-kyung (played by Kim Woo-seok), only to be met with a cold shoulder.
A Dramatic Turning Point in the Operating Room
Tension escalated surrounding the gallbladder surgery of patient Kwon Choong-hyun (played by Oh Jung-taek). While Choong-hyun insisted on being operated on by his benefactor Dae-il, Su-jung argued that the patient could not wait a week and suspected hidden liver abnormalities on the CT scan requiring an open surgery. Dae-il, however, insisted on a laparoscopic approach and subtly provoked Su-jung with cryptic remarks.
As the situation dramatically shifted when Choong-hyun collapsed days before the scheduled surgery, Su-jung ultimately performed the operation herself while other doctors were tied up in emergency trauma cases and Dae-il attended a VIP dinner. Upon discovering a mysterious ‘D.N’ initial carved into the patient’s liverβleft by Dae-il during a past surgeryβSu-jung faced a shocking revelation, raising ultimate anticipation for her next moves.
