Actor So Ji-sub’s SBS Friday–Saturday drama Agent Kim Reactivated has already surged past 15% viewership after just two episodes, drawing massive attention.
According to ratings agency Nielsen Korea on the 28th, episode 2 hit a nationwide rating of 15.7%, ranking No. 1 among weekly miniseries. It’s the first time in five years—since 2021’s The Penthouse: War in Life 3—that a show has broken the 15% mark by only its second episode.
Agent Kim Reactivated is based on a webtoon of the same name and follows an ordinary dad who risks everything, transforming himself to rescue his daughter. So Ji-sub plays Section Chief Kim, a former covert operative once deployed on special missions who now works at a small savings bank—and he’s delivering a powerhouse performance.
In episode 2, Kim unleashes his hidden “rogue middle-aged” instincts to find his missing daughter, Kim Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min), shocking viewers and cranking up the tension. The drama flashes back to his legendary days as an agent who infiltrated a North Korean special residence, unpacking the threats closing in on him and his family through gripping, high-stakes scenes.
With the chilling line, "I died here with you," the episode cross-cuts through adrenaline-fueled moments as Kim mounts a perilous operation to save his family. Along the way, the full picture behind what happened to his daughter comes to light, stunning audiences.
Clinging to hope that his daughter may still be alive, Kim digs into the truth his own way, delivering edge-of-your-seat drama. The appearance of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau and the reveal of Joo Kang-chan’s (played by Joo Sang-wook) dark past further amp up anticipation for what’s next.
After the broadcast, netizens reacted, saying, "It’ll easily top 20%," "This looks ripe for multiple seasons," and "It’s the most thrilling drama I’ve seen lately."
Meanwhile, Agent Kim Reactivated airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m.