'Manager Kim' Phenomenon Ends Today (25th) .. So Ji-sub Expected at SBS Drama Awards [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Manager Kim' concludes its run. Amidst astonishing box office success, actor So Ji-sub's name is already being mentioned as a top contender for the year-end Yeon Gi-dae-sang (수상) awards.

SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' (script by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), which ends with its final episode on the 25th, is an 'Apuverse revenge action' drama about the world's most ordinary father becoming the world's most dangerous man to reclaim his only daughter. Actors So Ji-sub, Choi Tae-hoon, Yoon Kyung-ho, Joo Sang-wook, Kim Sung-gyu, and Seo Su-min deliver outstanding performances.

According to ratings survey company Nielsen Korea, 'Manager Kim' launched with a 9.5% viewership rate among national households in its first episode, surged to 15.7% within just two episodes, and recorded a peak viewership of 23.1% in its eighth episode, setting a new series record. Its global performance is also notable. According to Netflix's official site Tudum's global TOP10 released on the 22nd, 'Manager Kim' has ranked first for three consecutive weeks in the non-English TV show category.

At the center of the 'Manager Kim' phenomenon stands So Ji-sub. Having shone in action genres through films like 'Movie Is Movie' (2008) and 'Office Worker' (2012), as well as MBC's drama 'Terius Behind Me' (2018) and Netflix series 'The Square' (2025), he instantly captivated viewers with his poignant expressions and intense, powerful action performances in 'Manager Kim'.

Furthermore, So Ji-sub embodied Manager Kim's emotions—driven by paternal love and family affection—in every gesture. This lends credibility to the action sequences in 'Manager Kim'. It is not merely about delivering satisfying hits or catharsis; rather, viewers can sense a multitude of indescribable emotions from Manager Kim, who swings his fists for someone he cherishes and loves more than his own life.

With this momentum, 'Manager Kim' has surpassed all records set by SBS's representative hit dramas such as 'Hot Blooded Priest', 'Model Taxi', and 'Good Partner', securing the second-highest viewership rating among SBS's Friday-Saturday dramas in history. The number one spot is held by 'The Penthouse2', which recorded a peak viewership of 29.2%.

Many viewers are highlighting So Ji-sub, the driving force behind 'Manager Kim's' success, as a strong contender for this year's SBS Drama Awards scheduled to be held at the end of 2026. Previously, So Ji-sub has won awards at the SBS Drama Awards including the Top Star Award and Best Actor in a Special Project Drama (2009), Best Actor in a Special Project Drama (2012), and Best Actor in a Mini-series (2013). After returning to SBS for the first time in 13 years since his 2013 drama 'The Sun's Lady', interest is focused on whether he can become an award-winning actor through this series.

Additionally, with only one episode remaining until 'Manager Kim' concludes, attention is turning to whether it will surpass 'The Penthouse2's' record and claim the number one spot, and whether a second season will materialize as many hope.

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*This content was translated by AI.