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So Ji-sub Reveals He Felt Choked Up Reading the Script for the "Daddy's Here" Scene in "The Universe of Mr. Kim"

Published : Aug 3, 2026 8:48 AM


The Universe of Mr. Kim (Photo: Getty Images Korea)So Ji-sub shared his thoughts on the memorable "Daddy's here" scene.

SBS's "The Universe of Mr. Kim," which aired on the 31st, took a deeper look into the hidden stories and relationships of characters that could not all be contained in the main episodes.

During the broadcast, director Lee Seung-young, who helmed "Mr. Kim," talked about the birth of Mr. Kim and 66, saying, "His life continued because of 66's final request. I think he might have started calling himself 66 out of a desire to live out the life that 66 could not finish in a meaningful way."

Meanwhile, So Ji-sub, who played Mr. Kim, and Yoon Kyung-ho, who played Park Jin-chul, drew attention by keeping the outcome of the showdown between Mr. Kim and Park Jin-chul under wraps, stating, "It cannot be revealed. Because each has their own pride, it is a secret."

In addition, PD Lee Seung-young explained the meaning of Min-ji to Mr. Kim, saying, "Since he now has a precious existence to protect, it holds tremendous significance that allows him to live a completely different life. Min-ji became the catalyst that led Mr. Kim, who had lived a rough and fierce life, to live a normal life."

Seo Su-min, who played Kim Min-ji, caused viewers to nod in agreement by saying, "Wouldn't Min-ji be a source of glory to her dad? She seems to be an indispensable existence in his life and the reason for his living." Furthermore, Choi Dae-hoon, who played Sung Han-soo, drew attention by adding that Mr. Kim became warmer thanks to Min-ji.

Seo Su-min described her character Kim Min-ji as a confident and strong child. In response, Yoon Kyung-ho remarked, "Min-ji made Mr. Kim who he is today."

After the school bullying incident involving Joo Hye-ri and Min-ji, Mr. Kim knelt before Joo Kang-chan. Regarding this, Mr. Kim said, "From the daughter's perspective, she might have felt disappointed, but from a father's perspective, it was probably the best he could do. The moment you take your daughter's side, things get more complicated. I think it was the ultimate choice for his daughter."

Min-ji, who fought back against Joo Hye-ri's harassment, explained the reason she stood her ground until the end, saying, "Min-ji's personality has clear standards. When actions didn't meet those standards, I think she wondered why she should cower here."

Finding blood pooled on the ground and Joo Hye-ri's hair tie at the construction site behind the school, Mr. Kim recalled that scene, saying, "Rather than thinking Min-ji had simply disappeared, I think I knew something had happened to her. Afterwards, it rained and thundered, feeling like a blackout."

Regarding Mr. Kim no longer hiding his identity, he said, "Something happened to Min-ji, and if I don't find her quickly, it's going to be a huge problem. At that moment, there was no point where a father could hold back; things just unfolded instinctively."

Afterwards, Mr. Kim found Min-ji in the freezer warehouse but lost her right before his eyes. Commenting on this scene, So Ji-sub picked it as a difficult scene to act out, saying, "Min-ji is right in front of him and he loses her again; if it were real, I feel like the strength would have completely drained from my legs."

Min-ji escaped Geum-i-ppal (Gold Tooth) in the freezer warehouse, but ended up meeting Joo Kang-chan and being dragged to his villa. Describing the one-on-one scene with Joo Kang-chan, Seo Su-min said, "I think Min-ji inherited her dad's blood, so she's a child with pretty good instincts. At first, she tried to hide it somehow and pretended not to remember, but eventually, it's a scene where she gets caught."

Regarding Min-ji finding out her father's true identity, Seo Su-min said, "After complaining about why he was such a tiny, insignificant office worker and then finding out he was a spy, wouldn't she have been proud of a father who lived that kind of life? I think she realized how much her dad must have struggled and came to understand him."

Sharing his emotions about "Min-ji, Daddy's here," one of the most iconic scenes of Mr. Kim, So Ji-sub said, "When I actually saw the script, I felt choked up reading that line. And when we were actually filming, seeing Min-ji standing right there made me feel quite emotional."

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Written by Hyo-jung Kim)