What did I just see? So Ji-seop as 'Chief Kim' faces a shocking 'repatriation to North Korea' ending..21.9% viewership [Official]

*This content was translated by AI.

So Ji-seop's 'Chief Kim' sent shockwaves through the living room with a shocking 'repatriation to North Korea' ending.

The seventh episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Chief Kim' (script by Nam Dae-jung / directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), which aired on the night of the 17th, recorded a peak viewership of 25.5%, 22.6% in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 21.9% nationwide (based on Nielsen Korea). Not only did it secure first place in its time slot for seven consecutive episodes, but it also firmly held the top spot for mini-series viewership in 2026. Additionally, it achieved a peak viewership of 8.5% among the 2049 demographic, continuing its box office run by capturing both high ratings and public buzz.

In that day's broadcast, Chief Kim (played by So Ji-seop), along with Sung Han-soo (played by Choi Dae-hoon) and Park Jin-cheol (played by Yoon Kyung-ho), was shown protecting his daughter Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min). Following this, he personally tracked down the mastermind behind all events, Ju Kang-chan (played by Joo Sang-wook), and exacted punishment. Afterward, Chief Kim shared a heartbreaking farewell with Min-ji before surrendering himself, ultimately facing a life-or-death crisis as he was handed over to North Korea, pushing the tension to its peak.

Earlier, Chief Kim had warned, "I did whatever you told me to do. It was just to survive!" and vowed to fight back with the resolve to annihilate his unit if they broke their promises again. Landhopper (played by Won Hyun-jun), who deemed Chief Kim himself a threat, argued that he must be eliminated, but Cheonsan Battalion Commander Choi Beom-ho decided on his discharge, stating that Chief Kim had sacrificed enough for South Korea.

Back in the present, Chief Kim held An Bo (Vice Minister) (played by Im Cheol-hyeong) hostage and disarmed the Special Mission Bureau agents. Finally facing Min-ji, he reassured her, "Dad's here now, so don't worry. I'm sorry I'm late, Min-ji." Sung Han-soo and Park Jin-cheol stood guard with loaded weapons on all sides, while Park Jin-cheol installed an explosive device to completely block the agents' approach. After a tense standoff, the three managed to escape, but they were blocked by Jeong Sang-a (played by Son Na-eun). Chief Kim told her, "Don't worry. The promise will be kept," and ordered her to bring the Cheonsan Battalion commander.

Their successful escape and emotional father-daughter reunion lasted only briefly before a new crisis erupted when Nam Sil-jang (played by Lee Dong-ha) and bodyguards sent by Ju Kang-chan forced Chief Kim's group into a large container truck. As tear gas was deployed, Chief Kim reassured the terrified Min-ji, "Just fall asleep. I'm right here beside you, so don't worry." However, neither Chief Kim nor Sung Han-soo lost consciousness from the gas, and soon Park Jin-cheol, who regained his senses, joined them. The three immediately launched a counterattack.

While Park Jin-cheol rushed into the container upon seeing Min-ji and engaged in an intense physical showdown with Nam Sil-jang, Chief Kim, who was eliminating bodyguards alongside Sung Han-soo, spotted the container carrying the sleeping Min-ji beginning to move. He immediately sprinted toward the vehicle. At the moment Park Jin-cheol, wielding a knife, overpowered Nam Sil-jang with overwhelming strength and threw him out of the container, saying, "You're as good as dead now," Chief Kim leaped onto the moving container, took control of the driver's seat, rescued Min-ji, and then headed toward Ju Kang-chan's villa alongside Sung Han-soo and Park Jin-cheol.

Chief Kim told Sung Han-soo and Park Jin-cheol, "Parents need to settle this," leaving Min-ji in their care before facing Ju Kang-chan alone. When Chief Kim asked, "Aren't you ashamed as a father?" Ju Kang-chan retorted, "I simply did what I had to do," offering the sophistry that he was no different from Chief Kim. He even suggested that Chief Kim work under him and further provoked him by saying, "It's a crime for parents to be incompetent." Watching Ju Kang-chan refuse to admit his wrongdoing until the end, Chief Kim declared, "I've been wondering what to do with you all this way. Now I'm certain. For Min-ji's sake, I will eliminate you." Chief Kim delivered a powerful punch to Ju Kang-chan's face, exacting punishment. Helpless and collapsed, Ju Kang-chan fled outside the villa.

Just as Chief Kim was about to deliver the final blow to Ju Kang-chan, Min-ji intervened and stopped him. In the end, Chief Kim withdrew his fist and demanded an apology from Ju Kang-chan directed at Min-ji. Kneeling before Min-ji, Ju Kang-chan begged for forgiveness using the exact same words he had once used when Chief Kim had asked for his pardon in the faculty office years ago. Min-ji, along with Hye-rin, conveyed a message to turn themselves in and then turned away with Chief Kim.

Finally returning home, the two found a modest birthday table set up as soldiers and Special Mission Bureau agents surrounded their house. Chief Kim opened up about his rough past and the time he had promised to live only as a father since Min-ji was born. Min-ji comforted him, saying, "It's okay. I can wait bravely." The two repeatedly wiped away tears before what might have been their last birthday table together. In the end, Chief Kim stepped outside the house and surrendered himself. Later, Sung Han-soo and Park Jin-cheol were also arrested by the Special Mission Bureau.

However, the case entered another phase. Ju Kang-chan mobilized his lawyers and political connections to cover up the incident, while the surviving Park Kang-seong (played by Kim Sung-kyu) and Gold-Tooth (played by Jo Bok-rae) reappeared, signaling a new crisis. Jeong Sang-a received a one-rank demotion, and Laundromat Owner Im (played by Park Jin-woo) lost his laundromat. Sung Han-soo and Park Jin-cheol were each imprisoned in solitary confinement at the Special Mission Bureau, while Chief Kim was locked alone in the Cheonsan Battalion detention cell.

Intense discussions continued within the Cheonsan Battalion regarding Chief Kim's punishment. That night, unidentified men entered Chief Kim's detention cell, injected a blue liquid into his neck, and when he regained consciousness, he found himself in an unfamiliar interrogation room.

The moment the propaganda slogans on the walls and the photo of the North Korean Supreme Commander revealed that this was North Korea, the interrogator told Chief Kim, who was strapped to an electric chair, "Welcome back home, 66," sending him into shock. With a shocking ending in which Chief Kim, who had given everything for South Korea and protected his daughter, was ultimately handed over to North Korea, all eyes are on what will become of the 'Dad Universe,' now scattered apart from Chief Kim.

Episode 8 of 'Chief Kim' will air at 9:50 p.m. on the 18th.

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*This content was translated by AI.