The SBS drama "Manager Kim," starring actor So Ji-sub, is gaining immense popularity, having surpassed a 15% viewership rating after just two episodes.

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The SBS Friday-Saturday drama Director Kim, starring actor So Ji-sub, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 15.7% after just two episodes, marking the highest rating among SBS dramas this year. This success was largely driven by the active support of movie fans, who were moved by So Ji-subs long-standing efforts to introduce various art films to Korea through his distribution company, Chanran.The second episode of Manager Kim, which aired on the 27th, recorded a peak viewership rating of 18.1% and ranked first in overall Saturday viewership. This marks the first time in about five years—since 2021s Penthouse 3—that an SBS drama has surpassed the 15% mark after just two episodes.Based on the webtoon of the same name, Director Kim is an action drama in which the protagonist—an ordinary office worker and former secret agent—fights desperately to find his missing daughter. So Ji-sub is receiving praise from viewers for his intense performance, which includes hand-to-hand combat and car chases.Movie fans in online communities have encouraged others to watch the series as a way to thank So Ji-sub for introducing quality films like Substance and Zone of Interest to Korean audiences over the years. So Ji-sub has previously expressed his determination to continue his film import business—even if it results in losses—as a way to give back to his fans for the love theyve shown him.

The SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Director Kim," starring actor So Ji-sub, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 15.7% after just two episodes, marking the highest rating among SBS dramas this year. This success was largely driven by the active support of movie fans, who were moved by So Ji-sub’s long-standing efforts to introduce various art films to Korea through his distribution company, “Chanran.”

The second episode of “Manager Kim,” which aired on the 27th, recorded a peak viewership rating of 18.1% and ranked first in overall Saturday viewership. This marks the first time in about five years—since 2021’s “Penthouse 3”—that an SBS drama has surpassed the 15% mark after just two episodes.

Based on the webtoon of the same name, “Director Kim” is an action drama in which the protagonist—an ordinary office worker and former secret agent—fights desperately to find his missing daughter. So Ji-sub is receiving praise from viewers for his intense performance, which includes hand-to-hand combat and car chases.

Movie fans in online communities have encouraged others to watch the series as a way to thank So Ji-sub for introducing quality films like “Substance” and “Zone of Interest” to Korean audiences over the years. So Ji-sub has previously expressed his determination to continue his film import business—even if it results in losses—as a way to give back to his fans for the love they’ve shown him.

Manager Kim Hits Ratings Milestone

The SBS drama 'Manager Kim,' starring So Ji-sub, achieved a 15.7% nationwide viewership rating by its second episode, marking the highest rating for an SBS drama this year. This performance makes it the first SBS series to surpass the 15% threshold within two episodes since 2021.

Fan Support for So Ji-sub's Cinematic Contributions

The success of 'Manager Kim' is bolstered by film enthusiasts who rallied to support So Ji-sub in recognition of his long-term efforts to import and introduce international art films to Korea. Despite financial losses in his film investment ventures, So Ji-sub has maintained his commitment to the industry as a way to give back to his fans.