Doctor X hits 15.1% viewership as Gye Su-jeong performs successful craniotomy

The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Doctor X' reached a 15.1% nationwide rating on the 16th, marking its third consecutive record-breaking episode. The third episode featured Gye Su-jeong successfully performing a craniotomy to save Yeo Jeong-sun after the hospital cleaning service worker collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage.

The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Doctor X' reached a nationwide viewership rating of 15.1% for its third episode, marking its third consecutive record-breaking rating for the series. The episode, which aired on the 16th, saw the character Gye Su-jeong successfully perform a craniotomy to save Yeo Jeong-sun, a hospital cleaning service worker who collapsed due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

Third Consecutive Record High... 15.1% Nationwide Rating

According to Nielsen Korea, the third episode of 'Doctor X' recorded a 15.1% nationwide rating. The series has surpassed the 15% mark in just three episodes, setting new personal bests each time. The nationwide ratings for the episodes were 11.4% for the first episode, 14.9% for the second, and 15.1% for the third.

The episode simultaneously addressed Gye Su-jeong's surgery and the accountability issues facing the medical staff at Guseodae Hospital. The medical team had previously suspected that the surgical methods used by Su-jeong were similar to those of an unidentified surgeon known as 'Doctor X.' Concerns were raised that if Su-jeong used the same methods, similar issues could arise, as a patient who underwent a previous surgery died two months later, leaving only the name 'Doctor X' in the medical records instead of the operating surgeon's name. Bu Seung-gwon told Su-jeong, "We have to leave someone behind to take responsibility if things go wrong," before assigning her to the emergency room, which lacks sufficient medical personnel outside of surgery.

The 2049 viewership rating was reported to have averaged 4.7%.

Surgery Begins After Hospital Cleaning Staff Collapses

The broadcast also revisited the circumstances surrounding the death of paramedic Seo Jin-yeong as the one-year anniversary of the death approached. Emergency medicine professor Kim Seong-jin recalled how the patient missed the window for proper treatment because there was no doctor available to perform a craniotomy at the hospital at that time, expressing guilt over Seo Jin-yeong's death. Jang Hui-suk pointed out the shortage of doctors capable of performing craniotomies at Guseodae Hospital, stating, "A hospital that only cares about money will surely have accidents." It was noted that there are insufficient specialists capable of performing craniotomies because the procedure carries high risks and low profitability.

Shortly thereafter, Yeo Jeong-sun, a hospital cleaning service worker, collapsed with symptoms of a cerebral hemorrhage. At the time, the doctors capable of performing a craniotomy were away from their posts. Do Yun-sik argued that the patient should be moved to another hospital, but Lee Seon-ae, the manager of the management team, demanded in-hospital treatment, arguing that if a hospital employee is transferred to an external hospital, the credibility of Guseodae Hospital could decline. While opinions clashed over whether to transfer the patient or treat them in-hospital, Park Tae-gyeong announced that Su-jeong had already begun the surgery. It was explained that Su-jeong had previously detected abnormal signs in Yeo Jeong-sun's condition and had been waiting in the emergency room since dawn to prepare for an emergency.

Craniotomy Completed After Verification of Specialist Credentials

Upon hearing that Su-jeong had entered a craniotomy, the doctors rushed to the observation room. Believing Su-jeong lacked neurosurgery specialist credentials, they protested and demanded the surgery be stopped. However, Jang Hui-suk arrived with documents proving Su-jeong's neurosurgery specialist qualifications. Following the presentation of the documents, Su-jeong continued and completed the craniotomy with precise skill. The broadcast reported that the surgery was successful and Yeo Jeong-sun survived.

Bu Seung-gwon, who watched the surgery, told Su-jeong, "It is perfect. It has been a long time since I've seen a surgery like this." Jang Hui-suk argued that based on the success of the surgery, Su-jeong deserved higher compensation. A subsequent meeting saw continued conflict regarding medical responsibility. When neurosurgery professors said, "Doctors are human too," Su-jeong countered, "Are only you human? Are patients not human?" She continued, "Are you not trying to be doctors? Are you just being human? Then when will you act as doctors?"

Apology Regarding Seo Jin-yeong's Death... Su-jeong's Contract Deferred

The hospital's response to the death of Seo Jin-yeong was also revealed. Instead of the scheduled inauguration ceremony, Bu Seung-gwon held a press conference. He acknowledged that Seo Jin-yeong's death was an event that revealed poor working environments and structural problems in the medical field, and apologized to the bereaved family, the public, and hospital staff for the hospital's betrayal of trust. The broadcast revisited how the window for treatment was missed due to the lack of a doctor capable of performing a craniotomy during Seo Jin-yeong's death. Bu Seung-gwon's press conference was depicted as a scene where the hospital officially takes responsibility for past incidents.

The truth behind a post on an anonymous bulletin board accusing the hospital of issues was also revealed. While Kim Seong-jin claimed to be the author, the actual writer was Bae Heung-gon. It was also revealed that Do Yun-sik helped in the process of the post being published. Meanwhile, Jang Hui-suk presented Bu Seung-gwon with a new contract, citing Su-jeong's proven surgical skills. However, Bu Seung-gwon brought in a new surgeon, Na Dae-il, and Su-jeong's contract was deferred. The fourth episode of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Doctor X' will air on the 17th at 9:50 PM.

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