Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 3 hrs ago
SBS drama Doctor X faces backlash over its 5·18 storyline
SBS's Korean medical drama Doctor X is facing backlash over its 5·18 storyline after its sixth episode aired on October 24.
The episode follows a man wounded in Gwangju in 1980 who has lived with lasting trauma, and shows a fictional former president arriving at the same hospital.
Some viewers say the story adds political bias to a medical drama, while others have praised its portrayal of the pain of a 5·18 victim.
The People Power Party's media committee also argued that the drama should not turn the event into a political weapon, and questioned whether the fictional president echoes real leaders.
A petition asks for the drama to stop airing and calls for scrutiny of its production and action by the broadcasting regulator.
It reached the 100 supporters needed to be considered for public release, but its public status is still under review.
The dispute has also led to critical comments on lead actor Kim Ji-won's social media, alongside messages defending her.
SBS drama Doctor X faces criticism after its sixth episode used the May 18 Democratic Uprising as part of its storyline.
The episode, aired on October 24, followed a patient who had lived with injuries and trauma from the 1980 events in Gwangju.
Some viewers argued that the storyline and a fictional former president introduced political bias into a medical drama.
A National Assembly petition calling for the show to stop airing was posted, and its supporters reached the 100-person threshold for public review within a day.
The controversy also drew complaints to lead actor Kim Ji-won’s social media, while others defended her.
- Who
- SBS and the creators of Doctor X, as well as lead actor Kim Ji-won, are at the center of the controversy.
- What
- The drama faces criticism and a petition seeking to halt its broadcast after it used the May 18 Democratic Uprising in its story.
- When
- The disputed sixth episode aired on October 24, 2026; reports on the backlash and petition appeared on October 25 and 26.
- Where
- The drama aired in South Korea; complaints also appeared on Kim Ji-won’s social media and the National Assembly’s online petition board.
- Why
- Critics said the historical subject and fictional former president introduced political bias; supporters praised the portrayal of historical suffering.
Critics of Doctor X’s storyline
Supporters of the storyline
Use of May 18
Critics of Doctor X’s storyline
Critics said the uprising was inserted into a medical drama in a politically motivated way.
Supporters of the storyline
Supporters praised the drama for portraying the suffering of victims.
Fictional former president
Critics of Doctor X’s storyline
Critics suggested the character could combine names of real former presidents and impose an image on a political group.
Supporters of the storyline
Not stated
Doctor X aired its sixth episode, featuring a patient injured in Gwangju in 1980 and a fictional former president.
A National Assembly petition seeking to stop the drama’s broadcast appeared online.
It reached the 100 supporters required for consideration for public release.
The People Power Party Media Committee issued a statement criticizing the use of May 18 in the drama.
- Drama
- SBS’s Doctor X: The Era of the White Mafia
- Episode
- Sixth episode aired October 24, 2026
- Historical subject
- May 18 Democratic Uprising in Gwangju in 1980
- Patient
- Oh Sang-beom, played by Ha Seong-gwang
- Lead actor
- Kim Ji-won
- Petition threshold
- 100 supporters within a day
5 sources
What people are saying
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