So Jisub stars in "Manager Kim," which has broken the records of every drama broadcast this year and surpassed 20%. Interest inside and outside the broadcasting industry is focused on how high the ratings will climb.
■ breaking the 20% barrier, SBS's shortest-ever record for a Friday-Saturday drama that shook the broadcasting world
SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Manager Kim" has unleashed an unprecedented hit storm in living rooms and is rewriting K-drama success history. The fourth episode of "Manager Kim," broadcast on the 4th, recorded a peak rating of 25.1%, a metropolitan area average of 22.7%, and a nationwide rating of 21.6%, once again breaking its own record at a terrifying speed and firmly holding the overwhelming No. 1 throne. This draws attention as the first "20% breakthrough miniseries" to be born in about two years.
In particular, the speed of reaching the 20% rating mark in just four episodes is the shortest ever, surpassing the rising trajectories of SBS's previous mega hits such as "The Fiery Priest," "Stove League," and "The Penthouse 2," and based on four episodes it is the highest rating among SBS Friday-Saturday dramas in history. It has claimed not only ratings but also topicality and global OTT rankings, perfectly proving the "Manager Kim syndrome" that shook living rooms in numbers.
■ 2049 ratings set a new record in two years… dominance of topicality charts and a "generation-wide unification" hit
The hit power of SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Manager Kim" was proven across ratings and topicality indicators regardless of generation or gender. The 2049 rating, a key metric for advertisers and a measure of a show's real topicality and trends, also rose to an average of 7.6% and a peak of 8.81%, setting a new record for all-channel programs across terrestrial and cable in two years.
According to ratings research firm Nielsen Korea (based on episode 4), "Manager Kim" has drawn viewers of all ages and genders to their living room TVs, from young people to middle-aged and older viewers, without leaning toward a specific target. In particular, the share of men in their 30s rose almost sixfold compared with the first episode, and the share of men in their 20s exceeded 50%, bringing in "male viewers who didn't watch TV." In addition, it completely captivated the 30s-50s female viewership core of drama success (peak share 46%) and the trend-leading female viewers in their 20s (peak share 44%). Without leaning toward a specific target, it completed a hit model of "generation-wide unification" that completely broke down gender and generational barriers.
Moreover, in the first week of July's TV-OTT drama and cast topicality categories, SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Manager Kim" and "So Jisub" ranked first side by side. With both the work and the actor reaching the top, they secured the uncontested "Manager Kim syndrome."
■ following "My Royal Nemesis," "Manager Kim" delivers back-to-back mega hits! Hong Seong-chang, CEO of Studio S, talks about the secret to the hits!
With this, SBS followed the mega hit "My Royal Nemesis" with the consecutive huge success of "Manager Kim," once again cementing the formula "the currently most popular dramas are all on SBS." Both works not only ranked first in domestic ratings but also reached the top of Netflix's global charts, achieving the feat of being recognized for quality beyond Korea and into the global market.
In response to these consecutive home runs, Hong Seong-chang, CEO of Studio S, the SBS drama production company, analyzed the secret of the hits, saying, "The formula that if content is fun, viewers still gather in front of the TV has been proven," and added, "I think the power of a story that straightforwardly shows how far an ordinary person can become strong to protect someone precious resonates universally across all generations and, furthermore, audiences around the world, generating enthusiastic responses."
■ the SBS and So Jisub combination is right! season 2 expectations are already rising
As the drama rose to phenomenon status in just four episodes, trust in actor So Jisub and the work also reached its peak.
At the "SBS drama media day: next episode" held on June 1, So Jisub expressed deep affection and conviction for the work, saying, "I really want to do season 2," which heated the atmosphere at the event. Viewers also sent strong support with comments such as "the can't-miss combination of SBS and So Jisub!", "I already look forward to season 2," and "the birth of an irreplaceable, unique IP." Attention is focused on what unprecedented historic record the 10-episode "Manager Kim," which has conquered living rooms in just four episodes, will write over the remaining six episodes.
"Manager Kim" is a total of 10 episodes, which is very short compared with ordinary dramas. There is talk that the 10 episodes this time are insufficient to contain the entire webtoon story.
SBS showed excitement, saying, "season 2 expectations are already rising," but regarding season 2 they also said, "A 'Manager Kim' season 2 is not being officially discussed," and "Perhaps because viewers love it so much, such talk is coming up," showing a cautious response for now.<
[Photo] provided by "Manager Kim"
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