[Dispatch=Reporter Yi Ajin] "It's a work that contains tension, joy, and catharsis all at once." (Kim Jiwon)

Actress Kim Jiwon has donned surgical scrubs. She has transformed into a genius doctor who strives solely to save patients. She does not back down regardless of her opponent. She is cold and uninhibited.

The stage is an operating room where life and death hang in the balance. The surgical process is layered with conflicts of interests and values surrounding the hospital. It creates taut tension.

Kim Jiwon draws intricate relationships with Lee Jeong-eun and Son Hyun-joo, among others. While revealing sharp surgical skills, she is set to delicately unfold changing emotions among tangled characters.

The production presentation for SBS-TV's new drama "Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia" was held on the 7th at SBS in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Director Lee Jeong-lim, Kim Jiwon, Lee Jeong-eun, Son Hyun-joo, and Kim Woo-seok attended.

"Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia" is a medical noir drama. It depicts the process of a talented surgeon with genius-level surgical skills standing against massive injustice.

Kim Jiwon plays freelance genius doctor 'Kye Su-jeong'. She is a character who pushes facts forward regardless of whether the other person is a professor or senior. After being dispatched to Guseo University Hospital, she controls the hospital solely through her abilities.

It is her return work approximately two years after "Queen of Tears." Trust in director Lee Jeong-lim was the reason for her decision to appear. Kim Jiwon added, "Being able to work together with senior actors Lee Jeong-eun and Son Hyun-joo was also a great merit."

She also made external changes. Matching the profession of a doctor, she toned down the styling and cut her hair short. She noted, "In my previous work, I showed a lot of glamorous styling. This time, I tried to show the most natural appearance possible."

She also went through thorough preparation for the surgical scenes. Kim Jiwon recalled, "I studied with specialist doctors. When I was practicing, I expected it would be complicated and difficult. When I actually went into filming, it was smooth thanks to the carefully prepared tools."

Lee Jeong-eun plays 'Jang Hee-sook', the director of a doctor dispatch agency. She is Kye Su-jeong's aunt with not a drop of blood in common. Yet she is a supporter who stands by his side more reliably than anyone.

She hinted at chemistry with Kim Jiwon. Lee Jeong-eun said, "I had been continuously looking for an opportunity to act with Kim Jiwon. There are moments in the latter half where the two characters' past history is revealed. I filmed it very satisfactorily," asking for anticipation.

Son Hyun-joo plays Guseo University Hospital Director Bu Seung-gwon. He is a character who pursues justice even within a corrupt organization. He regards the sense of mission inherent in the profession of doctor as more important than honor or money.

He also expressed satisfaction with the on-set atmosphere. He said, "This was my first project with Lee Jeong-eun and Kim Jiwon. I received a lot of stimulation and we naturally came together. The synchronization with director Lee Jeong-lim was also very good," he reminisced.

She also pointed out viewing points. Kim Jiwon emphasized that within the high-tension material of medical and noir, she incorporated unexpected joy and twist appeal.

She said, "There are many comedy points woven throughout," and explained, "I felt that the work as a whole had good control of pacing—building and releasing tension."

The ensemble acting of the cast is also worth watching. Son Hyun-joo said, "The lead actors blended into their characters themselves. In particular, Kim Jiwon acted Kye Su-jeong perfectly from the first shoot. Lee Jeong-eun shows acting befitting an elder," he praised highly.

He continued, "Beyond this, there are many appealing characters. Each character has different personalities and appearances. Such diversity brought vitality to the work," raising anticipation.

Finally, Kim Jiwon said, "Since there are so many beloved medical works, I wanted to leave one in my acting career as well. Most of all, I wanted to work with wonderful people. Of all the works I've done so far, this is the one where I've put in the most effort and shown the most ambition."

Lee Jeong-eun revealed her confidence in the work through a line in the script. "'Kye Su-jeong does not fail,' that's a line in the drama," she said, calling out, "Please have high expectations."

Meanwhile, "Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia" will air for the first time on the 9th.

<Photos=Photographer Yi Ho-jun>