What happened with 'Doctor X'?

Kim Ji-won, who stars as surgeon Gye Su-jeong in SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Doctor X: Mafia in White', has drawn criticism from some online users over the show's handling of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. According to Xports News, the backlash appeared on her social media accounts after episode 6 aired on October 24.

Why did episode 6 spark debate?

The episode followed Oh Sang-beom, who was shot in the head in Gwangju in 1980. Late in the episode, a fictional former president, Ji Du-seok, appeared, a character many viewers saw as a reference to Chun Doo-hwan. Some viewers questioned whether a medical drama should address a historical tragedy, and a petition on the National Assembly's public petition website calls for the show to stop airing.

How did Kim Ji-won respond?

Kim Ji-won did not address the criticism directly in the reports. She held her solo fan meeting 'WONDERLAND' on October 24 and 25 as planned, performing a cover of Girls' Generation's 'Hoot' and several fan challenges.

Are the reactions divided?

Yes. Some users argued that an actor should not be attacked personally for a drama's content, while others said public figures should avoid expressing political views.

For international fans

The May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement is a pivotal event in modern Korean history, when citizens protested against military rule in 1980. Viewers unfamiliar with it may find the storyline's references to real political figures especially sensitive. 'Doctor X' is a long-running series in the 'Doctor X' franchise, and availability outside Korea varies by platform.