10 Things to Know About Kim Ji-won, Our New Favorite Doctor in ‘Doctor X: Mafia in White’

Medical dramas have long been a favorite among K-drama fans, captivating audiences with their gripping storylines and high-stakes medical cases. Recently, one series from the genre has been making waves on Netflix since its release.

Titled Doctor X: Mafia in White, the series follows Gye Su-jeong, a skilled surgeon determined to prove her worth in a medical system plagued by corruption and bureaucracy.

Known as the “mad dog of the operating room,” she takes on seemingly impossible cases while exposing the dark side of the prestigious Guseo University Hospital.

Bringing the fierce Doctor X to life is actress Kim Ji-won, whose performance adds to the series’ appeal. As she captures viewers’ attention in her latest role, let’s get to know Kim Ji-won and discover more about the actress beyond her character in Doctor X: Mafia in White.

Born on October 19, 1992, Kim Ji-won is set to celebrate her 34th birthday this year. She was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, specifically in the Geumcheon District, and is the younger of two daughters.

Although the actress has shared in an interview that she keeps her personal life separate from her career, Kim Ji-won still gives fans occasional glimpses of her life off-camera and updates them on her upcoming projects through her Instagram account, @geewonii.

In an interview with Marie Claire Korea, Kim Ji-won revealed that her interest in acting began when she was just an elementary student, when she participated in school plays.

During middle school, she played the piano at church and participated in Christmas performances.

In an article by Woman Donga, Kim Ji-won revealed that she spent nearly a year in Chicago, Illinois, during her middle school years, living with her maternal relatives who resided in the United States.

However, the actress clarified that her time abroad did not significantly influence her English-speaking skills. She explained that her English lines in The Heirs were the result of repeatedly practicing them until she got them right.

Kim Ji-won’s entertainment career began in 2007 when she was scouted on the street and subsequently signed with Lion Media.

According to Marie Claire Korea, the actress underwent three years of training in singing, dancing, and acting under the agency. While still a trainee, she also worked as a keyboardist and backing vocalist for singer Younha the following year and appeared in the music video for her song “Gossip Boy.”

Although Kim Ji-won was initially set to debut as a singer under the stage name JessicaK, she eventually decided to pursue acting instead, as reported by Sports Chosun.

Kim Ji-won began gaining recognition in 2010 through her appearances in commercials, earning the nicknames “Lollipop Girl” and “Oran C Girl.”

She made her acting debut in 2011 and later pursued formal training in the craft at Dongguk University, where she studied in the Department of Theatre and earned a degree in acting.

After signing with an agency in 2007 and initially preparing to debut as a singer, Kim Ji-won began appearing in commercials in 2010 before officially launching her acting career the following year.

She made her acting debut in the 2011 romance omnibus film Romantic Heaven before gaining wider attention for her role in the sitcom High Kick: Revenge of the Short Legged.

In the series, she portrayed Ha Sun’s cousin, Kim Ji-won, a kindhearted and academically gifted young woman who is sensitive to others’ feelings. Despite losing both parents and living with narcolepsy, her character remains determined to pursue what makes her happy, including her affection for Kye-Sang.

Kim Ji-won began gaining recognition for her portrayals of the second female lead, starting with her role as Seol Han-na in the hit sports romance series To the Beautiful You. She played a wealthy gymnast and childhood friend of the male lead.

She later took on another second female lead role in the hit drama The Heirs, portraying Yoo Rachel, the wealthy, chic, and haughty heiress of clothing company RS International. As the male lead’s fiancée, Rachel earned the nickname “Paris Hilton of Jeguk High School” for her privileged background and sophisticated demeanor.

The series garnered over one billion views on Youku, further boosting Kim’s recognition. Her performance also earned her the New Star Award at the 2013 SBS Drama Awards.

Following her appearance in the 2016 hit military romance drama Descendants of the Sun, where she played an army surgeon, Kim Ji-won landed her first leading role in a major series with Fight for My Way.

She portrayed the iconic Choi Ae-ra, a department store information desk employee who dreams of becoming an announcer, opposite Park Seo-joon. The series resonated with audiences for its portrayal of young adults navigating career struggles and personal challenges, eventually recording a peak rating of 13.8%.

One of the drama’s memorable moments was Ae-ra’s aegyo scene, which gained traction on social media and inspired a dubbing challenge among fans.

Kim Ji-won’s path to becoming a CF Queen began even before her official debut, when she earned the nickname “Lollipop Girl” after appearing in LG Electronics’ Cyon Lollipop 2 commercial alongside BIGBANG.

Following the success of Descendants of the Sun in 2016, Kim was dubbed the “CF Queen” by media outlets after reportedly securing endorsement deals with more than 10 brands, according to Sports Donga.

Over the years, she has also served as an ambassador for several prominent brands, including Bvlgari, Mediheal, LG, Stonehenge, and Duvetica.

Beyond her acting career, Kim Ji-won has consistently participated in philanthropic initiatives and advocacy campaigns.

Kim Ji-won has supported various charitable causes throughout her career, beginning with UNICEF Korea’s “We Action” child protection campaign in 2016. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated ₩20 million to support healthcare workers and patients in Daegu and contributed her voice to an MBC Radio initiative for those affected by the crisis.

Her philanthropic efforts continued through volunteering for Big Issue magazine in 2022 and participating in W Korea’s “Love Your W” breast cancer awareness campaign in 2024. In March 2025, she donated ₩50 million to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association to assist victims of South Korea’s wildfires.

Lead photos from @geewonii