'Manager Kim' ended on a high note as this year's top-rated show.
SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' recorded a peak viewership rating of 27.1% and concluded its epic run amid a nationwide craze. Here, we examine the significance left by 'Manager Kim,' which captured ratings, topicality and global success.
The final episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim,' broadcast on the 25th, recorded 23.4% in the Seoul metropolitan area, 23.0% nationwide and an instant peak of 27.1% according to Nielsen Korea. With this, 'Manager Kim' not only ranked first across all channels in the same time slot for 10 consecutive episodes, but also renewed its own highest instantaneous viewership, capping off an overwhelming hit phenomenon. The final episode's 2049 rating also proved strong support across generations, averaging 7.4% and peaking at 8.42%.
In particular, 'Manager Kim' recorded a cumulative TV audience of 25,638,593 viewers and a cumulative reach of 52.56% across broadcasts and replays from episode 1 through the final episode. That figure exceeds half of Korea's total population, underscoring how strongly the 'Manager Kim syndrome' swept living rooms nationwide. (Based on Nielsen Korea nationwide cumulative reach aggregation)
◆ 'Manager Kim' left behind 1. more than half of Korea watched it! a parade of record ratings… the 'Manager Kim syndrome' that shook the 2026 drama scene
'Manager Kim' started with a nationwide rating of 9.5% in the first episode and surged past 20% in just three episodes, making new history as the first drama in two years to exceed 20%. From there, the unstoppable hit streak continued, breaking its own records each week and repeatedly setting the highest ratings for a 2026 miniseries.
In the final episode, it renewed its own record with an instant peak rating of 27.1%. Along with this, it surpassed the records of previous SBS Friday-Saturday dramas such as 'Stove League', 'Taxi Driver 2' and 'The Fiery Priest', achieving the second-highest rating in SBS Friday-Saturday drama history. Above all, the cumulative TV audience who watched both original broadcasts and replays from episode 1 through the final episode reached 25,638,593, and the cumulative reach was 52.56%. More than half of Korea's total population watched 'Manager Kim,' proving explosive cross-generational popularity and nationwide box office enthusiasm.
Support from viewers across all generations was strong. 'Manager Kim' not only maintained first place across all channels in the same time slot throughout its run but also achieved a series-high 2049 rating of 9.42% for the entire work, capturing younger viewers as well. The fact that a work that put ordinary middle-aged fathers at its center dominated both ratings and topicality, generating empathy that crossed generations, gives it even more special meaning.
Its global box office performance beyond Korea was also remarkable. 'Manager Kim' held the No. 1 spot globally in Netflix's non-English TV shows category for three consecutive weeks, proving its worldwide popularity. It also ranked first for three consecutive weeks in TV-OTT drama topicality and dominated top ranks in cast topicality, sweeping ratings, global popularity and buzz to firmly establish itself as 2026's biggest hit.
◆ 'Manager Kim' left behind 2. from the thrill of action to everyday comedy! the "dad universe" completed by the director and actors
At the center of 'Manager Kim's' hot success was the distinctive "dad universe" crafted by So Jisub, Choi Dae-hoon and Yoon Kyung-ho. So Jisub weightily portrayed Manager Kim's duality, shifting between a legendary special agent and a father who is clumsy in front of his daughter. With restrained looks and explosive action he displayed overwhelming presence, and he completed another defining role by delicately depicting the tender paternal love for his daughter and the process of becoming a father belatedly.
Choi Dae-hoon portrayed Taekwondo master Seong Han-su, showcasing flashy kicking skills and delivering sly humor and deep humanity at once. Appearing lighthearted but willing to throw his body unconditionally for friends and family, Seong Han-su's unexpected charm was completed through Choi's characteristically flexible acting. Yoon Kyung-ho energized the show with life-rooted acting that provoked laughter simply by appearing as Park Jin-chul, a braggart and former marine. The three actors freely moved between life-risking fights, witty back-and-forth banter and fathers who throw themselves for their families, creating an unprecedented middle-aged action-hero combination.
The power of the direction that vividly realized all these memorable scenes also shone. Dynamic camera work, fast-paced editing and action direction that maximized impact completed cinematic visuals each episode. At the same time, delicate close-ups that did not miss the characters' emotions and warm color tones conveyed the family love and friendship hidden beneath rough action more deeply. From the desperate fight among the three dads in an abandoned building to the reunion at the columbarium and the finale moving to a new house, each scene persuasively captured a different emotional temperature, completing 'Manager Kim's' unique narrative.
◆ 'Manager Kim' left behind 3. the strongest name in the world, "dad"… the power of family delivered by ordinary middle-aged heroes
'Manager Kim' told the stories of legendary agents with dazzling abilities while placing family at both its starting point and destination. The reason Manager Kim risked his life against countless enemies was not some grand justice or honor but solely to hold his daughter in his arms again. Seong Han-su and Park Jin-chul also plunged into dangerous operations not only to protect their own children but a friend's daughter, and the three embraced each other's families as their own, forging intense solidarity that went beyond blood ties.
In this way, 'Manager Kim' balanced the fathers' desperation to protect their families with fiery action and cheerful comedy. The process in which Manager Kim, who did not even know how to express love to his daughter, promises over a long journey to learn what Min-ji likes, delivered deep empathy beyond a simple rescue story as a father's coming-of-age tale. Min-ji also accepted her imperfect father as he was, and the once unfamiliar father-daughter pair finally became a real family, leaving a powerful resonance.
Also, 'Manager Kim' did not depict strong fathers only as superhuman heroes. It placed scenes of ordinary middle-aged life where men are powerless before their wives and wounded by a single word from their children. But the moment they protect their families and become stronger than anyone else reminded viewers of the greatness of fathers hidden within ordinariness.
As Min-ji's final narration put it, "All the world's dads are probably ordinary people," 'Manager Kim' portrayed the devotion and love of fathers who could be anywhere in the world in the most thrilling yet warm way. The journey of the three fathers who risked their lives to protect their families offered not only the thrill of action but laughter, tears and deep empathy, writing a new chapter in the history of "dad dramas" that will be remembered for a long time.
Studio S CEO Hong Seong-chang expressed gratitude, saying, "We are sincerely grateful for the moving result made possible by the viewers' passionate love for the work. Thanks to the overwhelming performances of actors including So Jisub, Choi Dae-hoon and Yoon Kyung-ho, the empathy conveyed by deep paternal love and the refreshing action catharsis that perfectly blended, the show was able to receive much love. We will continue to repay audiences with high-quality, well-made content."
Meanwhile, CEO Hong Seong-chang answered positively to OSEN about season 2, raising expectations.
'Manager Kim' drew early disappointment from viewers over its short 10-episode run and many hoped for a season 2. Lead actor So Jisub attended the 'SBS drama: next episode' media day on the 1st of last month and, when asked whether he preferred a "season format" or an "acting award," said, "I am not greedy for awards. It would be much better to return with a good work and be loved and then go to a season format," adding, "If an award comes, I will accept it."
The production company also said, "Thanks to the great love and support you have shown, we are positively discussing production of 'Manager Kim' season 2." It added, "However, since season 1 has just concluded, detailed schedules are still undecided, so we ask for your understanding, and we will share information promptly once confirmed."
[Photo] SBS 'Manager Kim' broadcast capture
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