'Manager Kim,' Ji-jae-soop bursts into action the moment he puts on a black suit [Kim No-eul's Sunset Notes]

*This content was translated by AI.

• SBS Saturday-Sunday drama "Manager Kim" starring Ji-jae-soop creates another phenomenonOne year after his 2025 Netflix series "The Square," Ji-jae-soop delivers another powerful performance in the action genre.

As befits a legend of the action genre, actor Ji-jae-soop once again immerses "Manager Kim" in intense black-suit action.

In SBS's Saturday-Sunday drama "Manager Kim" (script by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), Ji-jae-soop plays the title role of a father who becomes the world's most dangerous man to rescue his only daughter. The series is described as an "Abyssal Universe Revenge Action" drama featuring ordinary fathers fighting for their children. Alongside Ji-jae-soop, actors Choi Dae-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Joo Sang-wook, Kim Sung-gyu, and Seo Su-min deliver outstanding performances.

"Manager Kim's" popularity continues to soar without pause. According to Netflix's official Tudum global TOP10 rankings on the 15th, "Manager Kim" held the number one spot in the non-English TV show category for two consecutive weeks. Additionally, it topped charts in 22 countries including South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Qatar, Thailand, Singapore, Bolivia, and Peru, while ranking within the top 10 globally across 72 countries.

The show's formidable viewership ratings also show no signs of decline. According to Nielsen Korea, "Manager Kim" launched with a national household rating of 9.5% in its first episode, then surged to 15.7% within just two episodes. The sixth episode aired on the 11th recorded 23.2% in the Seoul metropolitan area, 22.3% nationwide, and a peak instantaneous rating of 26.4%, setting another personal best for the series. This marks the second-highest viewership record ever for an SBS Saturday-Sunday drama.

In an era where even a single percentage point of viewership is precious, what charm has the public found in "Manager Kim"? At the heart of its success remains "So-gan-ji," Ji-jae-soop. Through films like "The Man from Nowhere" (2008), "The Face Reader" (2012), MBC drama "Terius Behind Me" (2018), and Netflix series "The Square" (2025), Ji-jae-soop has consistently demonstrated mastery in the black-agent and action genres. His top-tier acting brings full credibility to his character, Manager Kim. It is not merely physical movement or situational action; rather, it is the precise acting during each moment of action that heightens audience immersion.

Most significantly, Ji-jae-soop's performances carry not only visceral impact but also deep emotional poignancy—a key differentiator from other actors. In "The Face Reader," "The Square," and "Terius Behind Me," the characters he portrayed faced profound losses or endured terrifying loneliness. Consequently, even when Manager Kim throws punches or points guns and knives at opponents, Ji-jae-soop conveys a poignant, bittersweet expression that adds depth and dimensionality to the work.

The same holds true in "Manager Kim." Initially appearing as an ordinary office worker in a black suit and horn-rimmed glasses, Manager Kim undergoes an immediate transformation when darkness threatens his daughter Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min), whom he raised alone after his wife's death. The moment viewers learn that Manager Kim is actually South Korea's top black agent who carried out various special operations after defecting—revealed as he removes his glasses to rescue his daughter—delivers a thrilling catharsis to the audience. Though his attire and style remain unchanged, it is precisely when Manager Kim reveals his true self for the sake of his most precious daughter that "Manager Kim" truly shines.

Of course, the combination of Ji-jae-soop and black suits is not entirely novel, nor is the narrative itself groundbreaking. Thus, audiences naturally recall films like "The Man from Nowhere" or "Taken." However, the passionate performances by Ji-jae-soop, Choi Dae-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, and others infuse this familiar story with a unique appeal that keeps viewers returning. Coupled with Ji-jae-soop's action prowess—where simply donning a black suit guarantees box office success—"Manager Kim" has solidified its status as a phenomenon. In essence, Ji-jae-soop in a black suit represents an unchanging "winning formula." The theme of familial love also contributes significantly to the series' success, serving as proof that the depth of narrative driving the action matters far more than the visual spectacle of the action itself.

Once again, Ji-jae-soop dons the black suit. "Manager Kim" stands out for showcasing the wisdom and experience of an actor who understands that a single glance holds greater power than any technical skill or physical attribute.

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*This content was translated by AI.