Doctor X Ratings Reach 19.5 Percent on SBS

On October 24, the medical drama Doctor X wrapped up the first half of its run on SBS with a nationwide average rating of 19.5 percent, according to Nielsen Korea data cited by Soompi. The broadcast made the series the most-watched show of any kind for the week and tied it with The Penthouse 3 for the fifth-highest ratings of any SBS Friday-Saturday drama in network history.

Streaming Dominance Across International Markets

While pulling in massive domestic television numbers, the series has also captured global audiences. According to Netflix Top 10 figures compiled on Tudum and reported by Maeil Economy, Doctor X logged 7.1 million views from the 12th through the 18th, ranking No. 1 among non-English shows for the second consecutive week. The drama went straight to the top of the charts within three days of its October 9 release, securing the number one position in seven countries including South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia, while entering the Top 10 in 48 countries.

Gye Su-Jung Performs High-Risk Surgery in Record-Breaking Episode

The record-breaking sixth episode, which achieved a peak rating of 21.3 percent as reported by Sportschosun, centered on Gye Su-jung taking on a high-risk surgery for Oh Sang-beom, a patient who lived with the trauma of a penetrating head wound for 46 years. Jang Hee-sook subdued Na using professional wrestling techniques in the emergency room, allowing Gye to return to formal surgery under a secured contract.

Meanwhile, Papo de Dorama noted that Episode 6 expanded the ongoing mystery of Gye Su-jung’s past by officially introducing Baraka, a boy who tracked down the surgeon because his younger sister Neema had a bullet lodged in her head. Baraka told Su-jung that an injured doctor named Baba sent him to find her, leaving viewers with lingering questions about Su-jung’s life before she arrived at Guseo University Medical Center.

Other Networks Report Weekend Drama Ratings

Other networks carved out distinct audiences during the same weekend programming blocks. JTBC’s new drama Final Table premiered with an average nationwide rating of 1.9 percent, according to Soompi. TvN’s 100 Days of Deception held its ground as the most-watched cable show on Saturday with a 6.5 percent rating for its fifth episode. KBS 2TV’s A Love Other Than Yours scored 1.8 percent, Channel A’s Dive into You recorded 0.2 percent, and KBS 2TV’s Love on the Menu captured first place in its time slot with 15.2 percent.

Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.

More on this story: Doctor X Hits Record Ratings Amid Medical Inaccuracy Backlash