SBS drama ‘Doctor X’ faces legal complaint over filming props

The SBS drama ‘Doctor X: Era of the White Mafia’ is facing legal scrutiny following a civil complaint regarding a temporary bus stop sign used during filming. A petitioner filed a report via the e-People portal requesting an investigation into whether the installation violated the Road Act, specifically questioning if proper permits for road occupation or facility placement were obtained.

The disputed scene, aired in the sixth episode, depicts a bus stopping at a ‘National 5·18 Cemetery Stop’ in front of the Minju Gate. However, the actual bus stop is located approximately 350 meters away, making the prop a fictional, mobile facility. The Buk-gu District Office in Gwangju noted that no separate application for road occupation was filed by the production team. Under the Road Act, placing objects on a road without permission can result in a fine of up to 3 million won.

This legal issue follows a separate controversy involving the show’s depiction of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. While some viewers praised the drama for highlighting the trauma of victims of state violence, others criticized the inclusion of political themes in a medical drama. A National Assembly petition calling for the suspension of the broadcast has already surpassed the 100-person threshold required for official review.