'Manager Kim,' So Ji-sub already booked for 'Acting Awards'.. Ratings approaching 20% [Official]

*This content was translated by AI.

So Ji-sub of "Manager Kim" has set his sights on breaking the 20th% ratings barrier and has already secured a spot for the Grand Prize at this year's SBS Drama Awards.

The third episode of SBS's Saturday-Sunday drama "Manager Kim" (script by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), which aired on the night of the 3rd, recorded a Seoul metropolitan area average rating of 19.6%, a national average of 18.8%, and a peak instantaneous rating of 23% based on Nielsen Korea data. Once again shattering its own record, it swept the living rooms. With explosive momentum surpassing a 19.6% viewership rate in the Seoul metropolitan area in just three episodes, "Manager Kim" not only topped all mini-series aired across all channels in 2026 but also surpassed every program broadcast across all channels and genres throughout the week, claiming an overwhelming number one position.

It also achieved a peak rating of 7.5% among viewers aged 20-49, perfectly proving its popularity. With a terrifying upward trend that breaks its own record ratings every episode, "Manager Kim" is on the verge of breaking the 20th% barrier. By establishing an unrivaled dominant position in box office performance, it once again proved itself to be the top hit drama of 2026.

In this third episode, Manager Kim (played by So Ji-sub) continues his increasingly bold pursuit to find his missing daughter Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min), while joining forces with his friends Sung Han-soo (played by Choi Dae-hoon) and Park Jin-cheol (played by Yoon Kyung-ho) in a life-or-death alliance. The episode also depicted a dizzying first encounter with North Korean special forces operative Park Kang-seong (played by Kim Sung-kyu).

Additionally, the daily lives of Manager Kim and his daughter Min-ji were revealed, delivering a touching emotional impact. While Min-ji desired the latest smartphone, Manager Kim pretended to be indifferent but secretly gifted her a new smartphone and a heart-shaped keychain. Upon discovering this, Min-ji opened the door and shyly confessed, "I love you, Dad." The ordinary yet warm memories of father and daughter further intensified Manager Kim's desperate feelings as he searches for his daughter in the present.

Following his arrest at the police station, Manager Kim confirmed a call from Min-ji on her confiscated smartphone, subdued the detective squad chief, and escaped the station. Clinging to the hope that Min-ji might still be alive, Manager Kim resumed his pursuit to find his daughter. At the same time, Park Kang-seong, an operative from a special forces unit deployed behind enemy lines, began moving, heightening the tension. Meanwhile, the Special Mission Bureau led by Kang Guk-cheol (played by Won Hyun-jun) mobilized all its agents to secure Manager Kim before North Korea could, launching the largest chase in history.

After escaping from the police station, Manager Kim sought out his friend Sung Han-soo and asked for help at a "bunker." Upon learning that Min-ji had been kidnapped, Sung Han-soo immediately joined Manager Kim and overwhelmed the Special Mission Bureau agents with overwhelming action. Meanwhile, Park Jin-cheol, who had escaped from the detention cell, engaged in a bloody battle with Park Kang-seong at Manager Kim's home but failed to capture him. He then informed Manager Kim that North Korean operatives had arrived, foreshadowing another crisis.

Manager Kim moved along with Sung Han-soo following Min-ji's smartphone signal. After subduing the organization members through their cooperation, they obtained the smartphone. However, through Min-ji's phone, Manager Kim learned too late about her lonely and difficult times, eventually shedding tears while deeply regretting, "Why didn't I realize this sooner?"

However, a "crisis ending" unfolded at the end of the broadcast, sending tension soaring for the next episode. As Sung Han-soo comforted Manager Kim, who was in pain and weeping, saying, "Let's find Min-ji first. Only then can you apologize," Park Kang-seong pointed a gun at Manager Kim's head, declaring, "Found it... fake 66."

Meanwhile, the broadcast revealed a shocking twist: Jung Sang-a (played by Son Na-eun), who was thought to be merely Manager Kim's bank colleague, and the laundry shop owner (played by Park Jin-woo), believed to be a neighbor, were actually undercover agents monitoring Manager Kim.

Additionally, an epilogue depicted the unusual first meeting between Manager Kim and Park Jin-cheol as the "bosses" of the upper and lower neighborhoods, sparking curiosity.

The fourth episode of "Manager Kim" will air on the night of the 4th at 9:50 PM.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.