So Ji-sub’s Agent Kim Reactivated storms back to Netflix No. 1

No. 1 on Netflix Non-English Chart... Reaching the Top in 11 Countries

SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Agent Kim Reactivated,' starring So Ji-sub, is demonstrating a powerful presence in the global OTT market. According to the global TOP 10 rankings for the period from the 29th of last month to the 5th of this month released by Netflix on the 8th, 'Agent Kim Reactivated' climbed to 1st place in the non-English TV series category with 10.5 million views. This performance places it 2nd among all series, including English-language content.

The performance by country is also remarkable. It took the top spot in a total of 11 countries, including Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Peru, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan, and appeared on the TOP 10 charts in 79 countries worldwide. After debuting at 3rd place in the non-English show category just three days after its first release on June 26, 'Agent Kim Reactivated' reclaimed the top position within two weeks of its release.

'Teach You a Lesson,' starring Kim Mu-yeol, which previously held the 1st place spot, slipped to 2nd with 4,700,000 views, but proved its steady popularity by remaining in the TOP 10 for five consecutive weeks. Alongside this, 'Notes from the Last Row' starring Choi Min-sik and Choi Hyun-wook rose to 5th, and 'Human Vapor,' with director Yeon Sang Ho participating as executive producer, rose to 7th, supporting the strong performance of Korean series.

Surpassing 21.6% Viewership Rating, Captivating All Generations

The momentum of 'Agent Kim Reactivated' is equally fierce in the domestic living rooms. According to Nielsen Korea, it surpassed a national daily viewership rating of 21.6% in just four episodes, recording the highest figure among dramas aired this year. This record stands shoulder-to-shoulder with SBS's all-time hits such as 'The Fiery Priest,' 'Stove League,' and 'Penthouse 2."

The distribution of the viewership is also broad. The viewership share among men in their 30s rose nearly sixfold compared to the first episode, and the share among men in their 20s exceeded 50%. The female viewership also saw high engagement, recording a peak of 46% among the 3059 generation and 44% among the 20s generation, making it a choice for viewers regardless of gender or age.

Based on a webtoon of the same name, this work tells the story of a former special agent living as 'Agent Kim' while hiding his identity to find his missing daughter. So Ji-sub transforms from an ordinary father wearing a floral apron into a character who reveals his true identity for his daughter, completing an action narrative based on his solid physical condition.

Return to SBS After 13 Years, Proving Presence as a Traditional Action Actor

This success serves as an opportunity to once again confirm the power of So Ji-sub, who returned to SBS after 13 years since 'The Master's Sun' in 2013. He proved his unrivaled buzz by taking 1st place for two consecutive weeks, following the 4th week of June, in the integrated drama and TV/OTT topicality category.

Having debuted in 1998 with 'Three Guys and Three Girls,' So Ji-sub rose to the ranks of top stars with consecutive hits such as 'Something Happened in Bali' and 'I'm Sorry, I Love You.' Since then, through 'Cain and Abel,' 'Ghost,' and 'The Master's Sun,' he even clinched a Grand Prize trophy for 'My Secret, Terrius' in 2018. His recent trajectory through 'Alienoid,' 'Confession,' and 'Mercy for None' is being evaluated as having once again entered his prime as a traditional action actor through 'Agent Kim Reactivated.'