SBS Hits a Home Run with New Second-Half Lineup: 'Agent Kim Reactivated,' 'High Valley, Top Hero,' and 'Match To Marry: With Parents 2' Dominate Ratings

SBS has proven its overwhelming content power by achieving back-to-back successes with a new lineup of dramas and variety shows at the start of the second half of the year. From the new Friday-Saturday drama Agent Kim Reactivated to the Tuesday variety show High Valley, Top Hero and the Thursday variety show Match To Marry: With Parents 2, the network has begun an unstoppable winning streak, dominating both television viewership ratings and OTT rankings in their first week of broadcast.

▲ Agent Kim Reactivated Surpasses 15% Ratings in Just Two Episodes... A Historic Milestone Across All Channels in 5 Years

The leader of this fierce sensation is the new Friday-Saturday drama Agent Kim Reactivated (written by Nam Dae-joong, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), starring So Jisub. After premiering on June 26 with a 9.8% viewership rating in the Seoul metropolitan area, the drama achieved an impressive 15.9% in the metropolitan area and a peak rating of 18.1% by its second episode. Surpassing the 15% mark in just two episodes is a first in the history of dramas across all channels since The Penthouse: War in life in 2021.

The show also proved its popularity by immediately taking the No. 1 spot on the daily Netflix rankings. Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, the series is an action drama depicting the desperate paternal love of a legendary former special agent who is a K-head of household. Critics say it has successfully opened the prologue to the "Dad Universe," combining So Jisub's overwhelming screen presence—helpless in front of his daughter but explosive in the face of crisis—with the relatable, comedic performances of Choi Dae-hoon and Yoon Kyungho.

▲ 'Pollution-Free Healing' Amid a Flood of Dopamine-Driven Shows... LIM YOUNGWOONG's 'High Valley, Top Hero' Resonates

Tuesday nights have been taken over by the pollution-free life of singer LIM YOUNGWOONG. High Valley, Top Hero, which unveiled its first episode on June 23, provided perfect relaxation for viewers fatigued by stimulating, dopamine-driven variety shows, rising to No. 1 among all Tuesday variety programs. It recorded a household viewership rating of 5% with a peak of 6.5% per minute, and also soared to as high as No. 4 on Netflix.

The chaotic chemistry between LIM YOUNGWOONG, who left civilization for the mountains, and his friends—actor Hyun Bong-sik, comedian Heo Kyung-hwan, and singer ZO ZAZZ—brought fresh laughter. In particular, LIM YOUNGWOONG's honest confession at the end of the broadcast, where he calmly shared his musical concerns by saying, "I don't think I am a singer with hit songs," deeply resonated with viewers and heightened anticipation for the next episode.

▲ Hotter and More Direct Romance: Thursday Variety Powerhouse 'Match To Marry: With Parents 2'

Match To Marry: With Parents 2, which heats up Thursday nights, also took the No. 1 spot on Netflix in the variety category with a fiery start that surpassed the popularity of its first season. From the very first episode, the cast's bold, straightforward flirting and explosive tension signaled the beginning of an intense group-living romance.

This season, in particular, the clear values of the participants drew attention. Veteran MC Kim Yo-han offered sharp advice, saying, "You must clarify your religion before getting to know each other. Otherwise, it is difficult to sustain a relationship." When a female participant's mother correctly guessed that a male participant was a Christian just by hearing his name, Kim Yo-han wittily remarked, "She must have recognized it because his name is Ye-chan (Praise Jesus). Since my name is Yo-han (John), I would be a free pass," turning the studio into a sea of laughter.

The broadcasting industry is paying close attention to how far the SBS golden lineup, which has captured both home television ratings and global OTT platforms, will shake up the media market.

Reported by Kang Sun-ae | Produced by SBS Entertainment News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.