From 'Hak-ssi' to 'Manager Kim': Choi Dae-hoon, the 'Box Office Cheat Key' of K-Dramas

Actor Choi Dae-hoon is on an unstoppable rise. Having achieved massive success with every project he has appeared in recently, he is now taking the global market by storm with the SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Manager Kim."

In the currently airing SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Manager Kim" (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), Choi plays the role of Seong Han-soo, a well-rounded character equipped with sharp intelligence, overwhelming physical prowess, and flashy martial arts skills. Having showcased chameleon-like transformations in various works, he has garnered explosive support from viewers by reinventing the ordinary middle-aged man we often see around us into the "coolest middle-aged man."

Choi's true value lies in his perfect acting ability that transcends genres and his exceptional chemistry with his co-stars. In "Manager Kim," he adds vitality to the plot—which could easily become dark and heavy—with his signature witty performance, while also drawing admiration for executing high-level, intense action sequences, including a 1440-degree spinning kick. Above all, the perfect chemistry of the "middle-aged trio" formed with So Ji-sub and Yoon Kyung-ho is considered the primary driver of the show's syndrome-level popularity. The fourth episode of "Manager Kim," which aired recently, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 21.6% (based on Nielsen Korea), breaking the record for the highest-rated drama of the year.

The box office power of "Manager Kim," which has shaken the domestic television scene, has also been proven on global charts. According to Tudum, Netflix's official engagement website, on July 8, "Manager Kim" surpassed 10.5 million views worldwide, proudly taking the No. 1 spot on the Netflix Global Top 10 list for non-English TV shows. It also entered the Top 10 in 79 countries simultaneously, proving its appeal to viewers not only in Asia but across the globe.

Following his win for Best Supporting Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards for his role as Bu Sang-gil in last year's Netflix hit "When Life Gives You Tangerines," where he popularized the catchphrase "Hak-ssi," he attempted a unique transformation in "Wonderfuls" as Son Kyung-hoon, a character with sticky superpowers. In particular, his scene where he nonchalantly pretends to be hypnotized among a group of brainwashed cult followers, acting like a zombie to hide his identity, was a highlight. Choi's natural comedic acting dominated short-form platforms both domestically and internationally, leading to his emergence as a popular character.

Combined with the action acting he is currently showcasing in "Manager Kim," Choi is receiving rave reviews for his limitless acting spectrum.

From deep humanism to charismatic action, Choi Dae-hoon has established himself as an irreplaceable pillar of K-content by building unique characters. With his relentless momentum, the drama "Manager Kim," which is breaking viewership records with every episode, airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM on SBS.

(Photo courtesy of Ace Factory)

Reported by Kang Sun-ae

(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Sun-ae)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.