So Ji-sub, searching for his daughter, sets a new record for 'Manager Kim' with a peak viewership of 18.1%

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor So Ji-sub transformed into a father through the drama 'Manager Kim,' setting a new viewership record just two episodes into its broadcast.

The second episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' (script by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young, Lee So-eun, produced by Studio S, Fantagio), which aired on the 27th, recorded 15.7% nationwide, 15.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area, and a peak instantaneous rating of 18.1% based on Nielsen Korea data. Following explosive buzz from its premiere, the drama quickly surged past the 15th% viewership mark, achieving rapid box-office success.

The 2049 viewership also averaged 5.8%, peaking at 7.17%, ranking first among all programs aired on Saturday and among all channels and genres broadcast throughout the week. By dominating viewership, buzz, and the 2049 target demographic, 'Manager Kim' signaled the start of the 'Manager Kim syndrome.' Notably, 'Manager Kim' achieved the historic feat of breaking the 15th% viewership mark within just two episodes, the first time since 'The Penthouse 3' in 2021.

In the second episode of 'Manager Kim,' Manager Kim (played by So Ji-sub), who shed his ordinary family man persona to search for his missing daughter Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min), reveals his hidden 'lawless middle-aged man' instincts. The episode also features a shocking twist: Min-ji, presumed dead, is still alive.

That broadcast revealed Manager Kim's hidden past as a legendary operative who carried out a life-risking mission. Manager Kim infiltrated a North Korean special agency, kidnapped the deputy director of the hardline South Korea faction, and drove a car off a bridge over the Imjin River while North and South Korean forces faced off on the bridge. After his wife Yu-jin gave birth to Min-ji, he left a dying wish: "Live as Min-ji's father." He then begged to be discharged from service, sealed away his entire past, and lived solely for his daughter.

Next, the full details of the incident involving Min-ji were revealed. Ju Hye-ri (played by Yu Ji-an) and Sung Min-ho (played by Hwang Seong-bin) and their gang, who lured Min-ji using Nam-hoon's (played by Kael) mobile phone, threatened Min-ji to kneel in an empty lot of a demolished building. When Min-ji refused to yield, Ju Hye-ri struck her with a brick. Min-ji collapsed, bleeding and fainting. Believing Min-ji was dead, Sung Min-ho asked Oh Min-cheol (played by Yoo Hee-je) to dispose of her body. Upon learning that Min-ji was the daughter of Ju Kang-chan (played by Ju Sang-wook), the toothy man (played by Jo Bok-rae) smiled triumphantly as he placed what he thought was Min-ji's corpse into a trunk.

Manager Kim retrieved the 007th briefcase he had hidden at home and headed to Oh Min-cheol's hideout, which he had learned about from Sung Min-ho. Upon confirming a text message stating, "We disposed of that girl's body," he broke down in tears, overwhelmed with despair. Meanwhile, Min-ji, lying motionless in the trunk with the gang, subtly moved her hand, signaling her survival.

Believing Min-ji had died, Manager Kim seemed to resign himself to fate and was taken to the police station. Even during interrogation, he maintained his right to remain silent. However, when police checked his identity using his fingerprints, they were shocked by the notation "Top Secret." At the same time, Manager Kim received a call on his confiscated mobile phone saved as "Our Daughter." Having lost all hope, Manager Kim subdued the detectives, snatched the phone, and raised the tension as he asked in a trembling voice, "Hello? Is this Min-ji?"

After confirming Manager Kim's survival through a video of him assaulting someone at a rib restaurant, North Korea's South Korea Espionage Bureau moved to eliminate him. Chief Director Lee Eung-ryung deployed Kang Seong (played by Kim Sung-kyu), his younger brother from the past and a top-class soldier, to infiltrate South Korea, initiating yet another threat.

As such, 'Manager Kim' garnered strong reactions from the start, drawing attention through So Ji-sub's intense action as he desperately fought to protect and find his daughter.

Meanwhile, the third episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' will air on July 3.

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*This content was translated by AI.