K-Drama 'Chief Kim' Premiere Hits 9.5% Rating

SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Chief Kim' achieved a viewership rating of 9.5% in its first broadcast, marking the highest premiere for a mini-series in 2026. This figure represents 9.5% nationwide and 9.8% in the Seoul metropolitan area, with a peak viewership of 11.3%, securing the top spot in its time slot and for weekly mini-series. The 2049 viewership rating also averaged 3.9% and peaked at 4.93%, ranking first among all programs on Friday and all weekly programs.

The drama depicts the process of Chief Kim (played by So Ji-sub), who lived as an ordinary accounting team manager at a savings bank, revealing his hidden past following the disappearance of his daughter, Kim Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min). The tension escalates as he is humiliated in front of the perpetrators after failing to protect his daughter from school violence, and ultimately, his daughter disappears.

Towards the end of the episode, while tracking his daughter's whereabouts, Chief Kim gets into a physical altercation, and his body, covered in gunshot and stab wounds, is revealed, disclosing his identity as the legendary special agent 'Codename 66' with a record of 17 covert operations in the past, delivering a powerful ending.

From the first episode, actor So Ji-sub showcased a broad acting spectrum, freely transitioning between the emotional lines of an ordinary father, weak in front of his daughter, and a legendary special agent who awakens when his daughter disappears. Returning to SBS after 13 years since 'Master's Sun,' So Ji-sub announced a successful comeback with his deepened acting skills and impactful action sequences.

'Chief Kim' tells the story of the most ordinary father in the world becoming the most dangerous man to get his only daughter back, and it is garnering anticipation as a drama that combines thrilling action with relatable realism. The script was written by Nam Dae-jung, writer of the movie '30 Days,' and the directing was handled by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun, directors of the drama 'Voice 2.'