TV Asahi, one of Japan’s leading commercial television networks, has recently announced that its hit medical drama Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon will be adapted into a Korean remake.
Since its premiere in 2012, Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon has become one of Japan’s most acclaimed and successful drama series, drawing millions of viewers. More than a decade after its debut, production has officially begun on the franchise’s first overseas remake, marking the series’ initial step into international adaptation.
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The Korean remake, titled Doctor-X: The Age of the White Mafia, will be produced by Korea’s leading production companies Studio Dragon, Studio S, and HighZium Studio, and is slated to air as a Friday-Saturday drama on Korea’s terrestrial broadcaster SBS in 2026.
Since its debut, Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon has expanded into seven television seasons and a feature film released last year. The original story follows Michiko Daimon, a genius freelance surgeon with extraordinary skill, who saves patients while staying true to her own beliefs, never bowing to hospital hierarchies or institutional power. Her iconic line, “I never fail,” resonated deeply with audiences.
Across all seasons, the series achieved an average rating of 11.6% among individuals and 20.4% among households (Kanto region, Video Research data). It has also received numerous awards.
The Korean version will reimagine the story as a socially conscious medical noir drama set in the world of medicine. Actress Kim Ji-won, known for her starring role in the hit drama Queen of Tears, will play the protagonist Gye Su-jeong, the Korean counterpart to Michiko Daimon.
TV Asahi’s Executive Producer, Satoko Uchiyama, commented:
“Doctor-X has been loved by audiences around the world since the beginning of the series. Personally, I’ve always hoped to see Doctor-X localized in various countries. Over the years, I’ve discussed remake possibilities with producers in Korea and North America, and I’m thrilled that this project has come to life with such an outstanding cast and crew. I truly believe that there is a ‘Doctor-X’ in every part of the world.
As both the producer of the original series and a fan of Doctor-X, I’m very much looking forward to this new adaptation.”
