So Ji-sub's 'Chief Kim' Is Korean 'Taken'

SBS drama is recording high buzz, surpassing 15% viewership ratings in just two episodes. Lead actor So Ji-sub ranked first in drama cast buzz for TV-OTT combined based on Good Data Corporation's FUNdex. , based on a webtoon of the same name, features So Ji-sub as Chief Kim, who hides his past and lives as an ordinary father. The drama is being praised as a Korean version of that combines paternal love and action. This drama recorded the highest first broadcast viewership rating among mini-series aired this year, and surpassing 15% viewership in just two episodes is a record not seen in about five years, since <The Penthouse 3> in 2021. The third episode of is scheduled to air on July 3rd at 9:50 PM.

SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama ‘Chief Kim’ is showing signs of a syndrome, grabbing the title of this year's biggest hit in just two episodes. The revenge drama's narrative, reminiscent of the movie ‘Taken’, and the hit formula of "refreshing development with no frustrating moments" are resonating with viewers. According to Nielsen Korea, ‘Chief Kim’ achieved an exceptional performance, recording 15.7% viewership in its second episode, up from its first broadcast rating of 9.5%. This figure surpasses other dramas that recorded the highest viewership ratings in the first half of the year, all within their first week.

‘Chief Kim’ is also receiving positive responses from global viewers. According to FlixPatrol, it ranked third in the global TV shows category within two days of its release and took first place in eight Asian countries, including Korea. It also entered the top 10 in North America, Europe, and South America, including the US, UK, and Brazil, proving the popularity of K-dramas.

‘Chief Kim’, based on the popular webtoon of the same name, is receiving acclaim for effectively realizing the original's unique rough and impactful action on screen. Viewers have shown positive reactions to the "refreshing action" that maintains high tension without being frustrating and explodes at the right moments.

There are analyses that the narrative structure of a father and an adult stepping up to save his daughter and the vulnerable is reminiscent of the movie ‘Taken’ starring Liam Neeson or the domestic film ‘The Man from Nowhere’. Cultural critic Jung Deok-hyun analyzed that this universally relatable revenge plot is a successful genre that can gain empathy from global viewers, and the emotional narrative that arises when protecting family and the vulnerable immerses the audience. He also added that the addition of Korean elements, such as the types of crimes depicted and the North Korean subject matter, adds freshness.