It has been two full years since the sensational TV series Queen of Tears shattered viewership records, cementing its status as the highest-rated drama in tvN history with a staggering 24.9% peak rating. The blockbuster hit propelled its lead stars, Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun, into global mega-stardom. However, fast forward to 2026, and the on-screen power couple is charting wildly divergent career trajectories. While Kim Ji Won has made a triumphant return to the small screen with a record-setting premiere, Kim Soo Hyun remains caught in an indefinite waiting game for his next acting release.
Kim Ji Won’s Glorious Return: Dominating Ratings as a Fearless Surgeon in ‘Doctor X’
Breaking her two-year screen hiatus, Kim Ji Won officially made her highly anticipated comeback on October 9, 2026, starring in SBS’s new high-stakes drama Doctor X: The Era of the White-Shirted Mafia. Taking on the lead role of Gye Su Jeong, a brilliant and fiercely independent surgeon, Kim Ji Won transforms into a bold protagonist directly confronting corrupt power structures and medical cartels within the hospital system.
This marks the actress’s very first medical role since her debut, adding a refreshing, sharp edge to her storied filmography, which already includes massive hits like Fight for My Way, My Liberation Notes, and Queen of Tears. The public response was immediate and explosive:
- Episode 1 rocketed to a stunning 11.4% viewership rating.
- Doctor X officially set the highest premiere rating for any short-form TV series in 2026 as of its broadcast date.
Kim Ji Won’s seamless transition into complex, high-intensity roles proves that her star power and script selection remain absolute gold.
Kim Soo Hyun’s Career Bottleneck: The $45 Million ‘Knock-Off’ Freeze
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Kim Soo Hyun’s acting career has hit a protracted standstill since the conclusion of Queen of Tears. In 2025, the actor found himself entangled in intense public scrutiny and controversial allegations regarding his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. Although Kim Soo Hyun firmly denied the claims and initiated legal proceedings to clear his name, the fallout dealt a severe blow to his scheduled projects.
The most notable casualty of this scandal is Disney+’s major original series, Knock-Off. Boasting a massive production budget of approximately 60 billion won (around $45 million USD) and co-starring Jo Bo Ah and Yoo Jae Myung, the series follows an ordinary office worker whose life is upended by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, leading him to rise as a kingpin in the global counterfeit market.
Before the controversy erupted, Knock-Off had already completed the vast majority of filming and was nearing completion on its second season. However, release plans were abruptly suspended. Disney+ has continuously refrained from announcing a premiere date, leaving the multi-million-dollar masterpiece frozen in release limbo.
Overseas Reappearance and What Lies Ahead
Unable to greet audiences through new acting projects, Kim Soo Hyun has gradually resumed public appearances through international events and brand endorsements:
- He headlined a major promotional campaign for fashion brand BENCH in the Philippines.
- He greeted Indonesian fans at the RCTI event on August 23, 2026.
- On September 19, 2026, he made his South Korean return as an award presenter at The Fact Music Awards (TMA) in Busan.
Despite these active public appearances, the actor born in 1988 has yet to confirm or announce any new screen project. As Kim Ji Won soars with historic ratings in Doctor X, Kim Soo Hyun’s full acting comeback hinges entirely on whether Disney+ will finally greenlight the release of Knock-Off.
Source: compiled from various sources
