Kim Ji Won’s Doctor X hit 17.7 percent last Saturday and wraps this week, Between Steps ends on a ratings high, and Good Partner 2 is on deck. Here’s the K-drama news.
Doctor X is heading into its final week, and it’s leaving as one of the biggest K-dramas of the fall.
The SBS medical drama starring Kim Ji Won drew 17.7 percent nationwide on Saturday, Nov. 7, according to Nielsen Korea figures reported by Soompi. That made it the most-watched show of the week in Korea. Its last two episodes air Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, Korea time.
Meanwhile, a quieter romance just hit its own all-time high right before its finale, and a couple of big new dramas are lining up behind them. Here’s a quick catch-up.
How high have Doctor X ratings gone?
Doctor X, also called Doctor X: Mafia in White, opened on Oct. 9 at 11.4 percent. Soompi reported that was the highest premiere of any miniseries in 2026.
It only climbed from there. Episode 6 hit 19.5 percent on Oct. 24, the show’s peak so far. Soompi noted that tied The Penthouse 3 for the fifth-highest rating ever for an SBS Friday and Saturday drama.
Episode 9 drew 15.3 percent on Nov. 6, then episode 10 bounced back to 17.7 percent the next night. With the finale this weekend, fans are watching to see if it finally crosses 20 percent.
It’s a very good show, and I do recommend it. Keep in mind that as a medical drama that involves surgery, they show what are meant to be human organs and “surgeries”.
What time is the Doctor X finale in the U.S.?
Doctor X airs Fridays and Saturdays at 9:50 p.m. in Korea. Korea is 14 hours ahead of the East Coast right now, so that’s 7:50 a.m. ET on the same day. The final episode airs Saturday, Nov. 14, at 9:50 p.m. Korea time, which is 7:50 a.m. ET that Saturday.
The show streams on Netflix, according to its Wikipedia listing and Netflix’s own trailer. Check the app for U.S. timing.
Who is in Doctor X?
Kim Ji Won leads the show as Gye Soo Jung, a surgeon. Lee Jung Eun, Son Hyun Joo, Kim Woo Seok and Lee Jin Hee round out the cast. If Kim Ji Won looks familiar, she played the lead in Queen of Tears, one of Netflix’s biggest K-dramas.
Did Between Steps end on a high?
It sure looks that way. Between Steps is a small romance on ENA, a cable channel, so its numbers are way lower than Doctor X. But it’s been rising all month.
Episode 11 hit 2.9 percent, its best rating yet and its fourth straight episode on the way up, Soompi reported. The final episode aired Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 10 p.m. in Korea, which was 8 a.m. ET that morning. Its finale rating should come out Wednesday morning in Korea, or Tuesday evening in the U.S.
Choo Young Woo plays Park Min Jae, a former swimmer who lost his right leg to an illness. Kim So Hyun plays Im Yoo Jin, a graduate student. Photos released ahead of the finale show the two looking shocked at a hospital, so bring tissues.
The show carries extra weight for fans. It was directed by the late Ahn Pan Seok, who made Something in the Rain, One Spring Night and The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, according to Soompi.
We couldn’t confirm where Between Steps streams in the U.S. A report from the Philippines’ Daily Tribune said it’s on Disney+ there.
What other K-dramas are doing well right now?
In the same report, tvN’s Love in Disguise held at 5.5 percent as it moved into the back half of its run, Soompi said.
Saturday’s other numbers, per Soompi:
100 Days of Deception on tvN hit 7.4 percent, its best Saturday yet.
Love on the Menu on KBS2 drew 14.7 percent.
The Perfect Lie on MBC reached a new high of 2.4 percent.
What new K-dramas are coming in November?
Two big ones are coming up fast.
Good Partner 2 brings back Jang Nara as a sharp divorce lawyer, with Kim Hye Yoon, Park Hae Jin and P.O joining in. It premieres Friday, Nov. 20, at 9:50 p.m. Korea time, which is 7:50 a.m. ET, according to Soompi. That’s the same time slot Doctor X is leaving behind.
Nine to Six stars Park Min Young, Yook Sungjae, Go Soo and Joo Hyun Young. It’s a 12-episode workplace drama that premieres Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 9 p.m. Korea time, or 7 a.m. ET. What’s on Netflix reported it’ll stream on Netflix in Korea and on Prime Video in other countries, but Amazon hasn’t confirmed that yet.
So if Doctor X leaves a hole in your weekend, the new shows won’t keep you waiting long.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Soompi, ratings, air times and cast details
Nielsen Korea, ratings figures
Daily Tribune, Between Steps streaming in the Philippines
What’s on Netflix, Nine to Six streaming plans
Netflix, Doctor X trailer
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.