So Ji-sub Returns to SBS After 13 Years, Premiere Hits 11.3%

SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "Manager Kim" kicked off with a bang, recording No. 1 viewership ratings from its very first episode, thanks to So Ji-sub's powerful twist. The first episode, aired on the 26th, garnered 9.5% nationwide and 9.8% in the Seoul metropolitan area, with a peak of 11.3% according to Nielsen Korea, securing the top spot among mini-series both in its time slot and for the week. Notably, it achieved the highest premiere viewership rating for a mini-series in 2026, signaling a successful launch. The 2049 viewership rating also reached a high of 4.93%, ranking No. 1 among all programs on Friday and for the entire week's broadcast programming.

The drama tells the story of Manager Kim (So Ji-sub), an ordinary office worker and doting father, who reveals his hidden past after his daughter Min-ji (Seo Su-min) goes missing. He had endured a school bullying incident for his daughter's sake, but upon learning of her disappearance, he awakens as the legendary special agent "Codename 66," delivering a powerful ending.

The first episode began with Manager Kim enduring an assault late at night, quietly preparing breakfast for his daughter as a typical family man. However, the situation took a drastic turn when he learned that Min-ji, who had been suffering from school bullying, was lured to the back of the school after leaving home. Manager Kim discovered bloodstains and clues in an empty lot and, while interrogating the perpetrators, his shirt tore open, revealing a body covered in gunshot and stab wounds. His identity as the legendary special agent "Codename 66," with 17 documented infiltration missions, was then revealed. The final scene, with him taking off his glasses and shouting, "Where is my Min-ji?" left a strong impression.

So Ji-sub captivated viewers from the first episode, convincingly portraying the extreme emotional range of an ordinary family man and a cold-blooded special agent. Choi Dae-hoon and Yoon Kyung-ho injected vitality into the drama with their realistic friendship and comedic chemistry, while Joo Sang-wook and Son Na-eun also left short but impactful impressions.

Returning to SBS's prime time slot 13 years after "Master's Sun," So Ji-sub is poised to deliver another hit with this drama. Episode 2 of "Manager Kim" will air on the 27th at 9:50 PM.