So Ji-sub as 'Department Head Kim' Tops Netflix Non-English Shows for Third Week..Spectacle Continues with Two Episodes Remaining

*This content was translated by AI.

'Department Head Kim,' with only two episodes left until the finale, is seeing its box office momentum grow even hotter.

The eighth episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Department Head Kim,' which aired on the 18th, shattered its own record viewership ratings, achieving 23.6% in the Seoul metropolitan area, 23.1% nationwide, and a peak instantaneous rating of 26.2%, according to Nielsen Korea. In addition to securing first place among all channels in the same time slot, it also recorded an average 2049 demographic rating of 7.6%, with a peak of 8.59%.

Interest in 'Department Head Kim' continues on the global stage as well. According to the global TOP10 rankings released by Netflix's official site Tudum on the 22nd, 'Department Head Kim' claimed first place for three consecutive weeks in the non-English TV show category. It topped the charts in 19 countries including South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Qatar, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Bolivia, and Peru, while also appearing in the TOP10 of a total of 73 countries, sustaining its global phenomenon status.

Domestic buzz shows no sign of cooling even as the series approaches its conclusion. 'Department Head Kim' secured first place for three consecutive weeks in the TV drama buzz index for the third week of July released by Good Data Corporation's FUNdex, maintaining its position at the center of public attention until just before the finale. It also topped the news and video categories, while key actors including So Ji-sub, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Joo Sang-wook all ranked in the TOP10 for actor buzz, proving the show's popularity.

So Ji-sub also claimed first place in the July 2026 actor brand reputation big data analysis released by the Korea Corporate Reputation Institute, demonstrating his powerful influence as the central axis leading 'Department Head Kim.' Beyond simple viewership success, 'Department Head Kim' continues to show steady growth across 2049 demographic ratings, domestic buzz, actor brand influence, and global OTT performance. Expectations are growing for what conclusion and records the series will achieve in its remaining two episodes.

In the previous broadcast, Department Head Kim (So Ji-sub) dove into his final mission to start a new life with his daughter Min-ji (Seo Su-min), only to find himself in an ironic situation where he had to protect his longtime nemesis Lee Jae-yong, delivering heart-stopping tension.

Believing there was a traitor within the Special Mission Bureau, Department Head Kim fled to Park Jin-cheol's (Yoon Kyung-ho) hiding place to find a way out, but ultimately found himself surrounded by the Special Mission Bureau while Min-ji was taken hostage, putting everything at risk of collapse. This left audiences wondering what final move Department Head Kim would make to protect his daughter, raising suspense to its peak.

The production team stated, "This is the final phase where the accumulated choices, relationships, and conflicts of all characters built up over time will collide all at once," adding, "Expect unexpected twists, even more intense action, and a storyline that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end." They also urged viewers to "stay tuned to see what conclusion Department Head Kim's final mission with 'Dad Universe' will reach."

Episode 9 of 'Department Head Kim' will air at 9:50 PM on the 24th. Special episodes titled 'Department Head Kim Special' are scheduled to air on the 31st and August 1st.

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*This content was translated by AI.