Kim Ji-won Faces Instagram Backlash Over 'Doctor X: Mafia in White' Episode

Actress Kim Ji-won is facing a wave of criticism on her personal Instagram account after her SBS drama "Doctor X: Mafia in White" featured a storyline involving the May 18 Democratic Uprising. The storyline has divided viewers. Some are now worried the criticism has gone too far.

The controversy started with the show's sixth episode, which aired on Oct. 24. It told the story of Oh Sang-beom (played by Ha Sung-kwang), a man who was shot in the head during the May 18 Democratic Uprising, a key pro-democracy movement in South Korean history. He has lived for more than 40 years with a bullet still lodged in his head. In the episode, he undergoes surgery performed by Gye Su-jeong (Kim Ji-won).

In the drama, the bullet is described as evidence that martial law troops fired on people from helicopters at the time. The episode also introduced Ji Du-seok, a fictional character reminiscent of former President Chun Doo-hwan. Together, these details place the historical event at the center of the story.

After the episode aired, some viewers criticized the decision to address the uprising. They argued that a medical drama should not take on such a politically sensitive subject. One viewer went as far as filing a petition through the National Assembly's public petition system, titled "Petition on Suspending the Broadcast of SBS Drama Doctor X: Mafia in White." The petitioner called for a review of the production process and demanded for the show to be taken off the air.

Other viewers, however, praised the episode for shining a light on the pain of the uprising's victims.

The debate soon spilled onto Kim Ji-won's Instagram, where critical comments began appearing in large numbers into her comment section. "I'm going to boycott her work from now on," one wrote. "Disappointing," another added.

Fans have also stepped in to defend the actress, supporters and critics now share the same space. Her comment section remains open, with no limits in place.

The backlash has not hurt the ratings. The sixth episode of "Doctor X: Mafia in White" scored 19.5% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea's household figures. That is the show's highest rating so far. At its peak moment, the episode reached 21.3%.

For now, the drama sits in an unusual spot. More people are watching than ever, while its lead actress takes much of the heat for a story choice that was not hers alone.