This 19+ K-Drama Breaks Records as Most-Watched Korean Series Globally on Disney+

Disney+’s first Korean original medical thriller Hyper Knife has become a breakout hit across Asia, recording the highest viewership among all Korean content released on the platform in 2025 across global and APAC regions.

The series tells the gripping story of a twisted, love-hate relationship between Deok-hee, a genius neurosurgeon played by Sol Kyung-gu, and Se-ok, his former protégé-turned-illegal “shadow doctor,” portrayed by Park Eun-bin.

Park Eun-bin’s bold transformation into a morally ambiguous figure, paired with Sol Kyung-gu’s layered performance, has received wide acclaim. The show is further elevated by a sharp script from newcomer writer Kim Sun-hee and precise direction from Kim Jung-hyun, who brought harmony to the project’s tone, visual style, music, and pacing.

🎬 Top 3 Most Talked-About Scenes from Hyper Knife

To celebrate the drama’s success, the production team highlighted three of the show’s most powerful scenes. The first is from the premiere episode, where Se-ok kills a nurse named Mi-ran, who had attempted to blackmail her over her unlicensed status. Without hesitation, Se-ok strangles her inside an abandoned temple. Park Eun-bin’s portrayal of restrained fury—captured through the slight tremble of her lips and the tension in her gaze—left a lasting impression, introducing the character with chilling intensity.

The second scene shows Se-ok and Deok-hee meeting again after six years. Once bonded by mutual trust and respect, their relationship was shattered when Deok-hee revoked Se-ok’s medical license. Now suffering from a serious health condition, Deok-hee asks Se-ok to perform brain surgery on him. She refuses coldly and even crushes his painkillers underfoot, a moment that visually symbolizes the tangled resentment and betrayal between them.

The third memorable moment takes place during a surgery aboard a ship, where Se-ok and Deok-hee are forced to operate together. Despite their lingering hostility, Deok-hee tells Se-ok that the days they worked together were the most exciting and fulfilling time of his life. After the procedure, Se-ok quietly echoes the sentiment, saying that her time with him at the hospital was the happiest she had ever been. The exchange, filled with mutual vulnerability and complex emotion, marked a rare moment of reconciliation and left a deep impression on viewers.

Even after its finale, Hyper Knife continues to enjoy a binge-watching boom. Viewers have praised its emotionally intense storyline, standout acting, and psychological tension. Many noted that Park Eun-bin has found her new career-defining role following Extraordinary Attorney Woo, while others commented on the emotional toll of her character’s journey, especially the repeated moments of physical and emotional confrontation. Some described the drama as one of the few mature-rated Korean dramas worth fully watching, with a level of depth and character conflict that draws viewers in episode after episode.

Hyper Knife is more than just a medical drama. It’s a sharply executed psychological thriller that explores themes of genius, betrayal, and redemption. As the once-promising Se-ok comes face-to-face with the mentor who destroyed her career, the story unravels with layers of emotional complexity, anchored by powerful performances and gripping direction.

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