So Ji-sub, who set out to find his daughter, stars in 'Manager Kim,' which surpassed 15.7% viewership in just two episodes [Comprehensive]

*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 after 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.

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

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.

The broadcast revealed Manager Kim's hidden past as a legendary operative who carried out a life-risking mission. He infiltrated a North Korean special agency, kidnapped a hardline deputy director of the South Korean affairs bureau, 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, Yoo-jin, gave birth to Min-ji, he left behind the dying wish, "Live as Min-ji's father," before passing away. Manager Kim then threatened to shoot himself to demand his discharge, sealed away his entire past, and lived solely for his daughter.

Subsequently, 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 fainted. Believing Min-ji was dead, Sung Min-ho asked Oh Min-cheol (played by Yoo Hee-je) to dispose of her body. Upon hearing that Min-ji is the daughter of Ju Kang-chan (played by Ju Sang-wook), Geum-i-gal (played by Jo Bok-rae), who had thought Min-ji was dead, placed her body in a trunk and smiled with satisfaction.

Manager Kim retrieved the 007th-style bag 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 in despair. Meanwhile, Min-ji, who had been lying motionless in the trunk with the gang, signaled her survival by slightly moving her hand.

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, police who checked his identity using his fingerprints were shocked by the notation "Top Secret." At the same time, Manager Kim received a call on his confiscated phone saved as "Our Daughter." Having lost all hope, Manager Kim subdued the detectives, snatched the phone, and raised the tension by asking 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 Korean espionage headquarters moved to eliminate him. Chief Director Lee Eung-ryung infiltrated his younger brother, Gang Seong (played by Kim Sung-kyu), a special forces soldier, into South Korea, initiating another threat.

As such, 'Manager Kim' garnered strong reactions from the start, drawing attention through So Ji-sub's intense action as he desperately strives 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.