The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' has announced the birth of a monster hit, creating a sensation both domestically and internationally within just its first week of broadcast. By sweeping viewership ratings, buzz, and global performance, it is shaking up the content market landscape in the second half of 2026.

'Manager Kim' (written by Nam Dae-joong, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), which premiered on June 26, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 15.7%, 15.9% in the metropolitan area, and a peak rating of 18.1% (based on Nielsen Korea) by its second episode.

Surpassing the 15% viewership threshold in just two episodes is a first in approximately five years, since the syndrome-level hit 'The Penthouse 3' in 2021. It is an unprecedented, high-speed milestone across all miniseries on all channels.

In particular, the 2049 target viewership rating, a key indicator for advertisers, is also explosive. 'Manager Kim' recorded an average of 5.8% and a peak of 7.17% in the 2049 demographic, ranking overwhelmingly first among all programs across all channels and genres aired that week. This performance, which surpassed the 5% mark in 2049 ratings for the first time in about two years since tvN's 'Queen of Tears' and SBS's 'Good Partner', proves that 'Manager Kim' has perfectly targeted not only the middle-aged demographic but also the trendy tastes of the younger generation.

The domestic sensation immediately led to a global phenomenon. According to FlixPatrol, 'Manager Kim' ranked 3rd on the Netflix global chart after only two episodes. It has entered the Top 10 in 90 countries worldwide and topped the charts in eight major Asian countries, including South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and New Caledonia. It seems the revenge story of South Korean middle-aged men is transcending borders and stimulating global catharsis.

Behind this syndrome lies the fresh genre pleasure of the "Dad Universe." The struggle of Manager Kim (played by So Ji-sub), a K-breadwinner who awakens his dormant instincts as a special operative to protect his daughter, exquisitely combines heavy paternal love with cinematic action scales. Critics also note that the chemistry of the "Dad Universe," joined by Choi Dae-hoon and Yoon Kyung-ho, along with the overwhelming madness of villain Joo Sang-wook, fills the balance of the drama without a single gap.

Lee Gwang-soon, the CP of 'Manager Kim', confessed, "I was very worried about how the weight of the character 'Manager Kim' and his struggle to protect his family would resonate with the younger generation." However, he expressed his gratitude, saying, "It seems that 2049 viewers deeply empathized with the meaning of 'Dad' regardless of generation and the thrilling counterattack they unfold."

He added, "The true catharsis of the 'Manager Kim' team's 'Dad Universe' is just beginning, so please look forward to the upcoming developments," raising expectations for the future narrative.

Sweeping viewership ratings, buzz, and global performance to sit on an unrivaled throne, the third episode of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' will air on July 3 (Friday) at 9:50 PM.

Reported by Kang Seon-ae

(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kang Seon-ae)