The So Ji-sub Effect! ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ Smashes 15% Ratings in Just Two Episodes

The unmatched star power of actor So Ji-sub has taken the television industry by storm, with his brand-new action series pulling in historic, monumental viewership numbers. According to official data released by Nielsen Korea, the second episode of the new SBS Friday-Saturday drama Agent Kim Reactivated which aired on June 27, 2026 scored a massive 15.7% nationwide rating and 15.9% in the metropolitan area, with real-time peak numbers hitting a jaw-dropping 18.1%.

This explosive performance easily grabbed the No. 1 spot in its time slot and completely outpaced every other mini-series airing this week. On top of setting a new record for the highest-rated SBS drama of 2026, it marks the fastest a television series across all networks has cleared the 15% milestone since the massive phenomenon Penthouse 3 back in 2021, ending a five-year drought for network television.

From Webtoon to Live-Action Blockbuster

Based on the incredibly popular webtoon of the same name, Agent Kim Reactivated tells the thrilling story of Kim 부장 (Manager Kim, played by So Ji-sub), a seemingly ordinary family man who hiding a dark past as a lethal former secret special forces operative. When his beloved daughter suddenly vanishes without a trace, he reactivates his deadly skills and launches a merciless, high-octane rescue mission against dangerous criminal underworld networks.

A 13-Hour Silent Promise Put into Action

Driven by the incredible viewer response, actor Yoon Kyung-ho who co-stars as the powerful character Park Jin-chul took to his personal social media accounts on June 28 to share his deep gratitude and address a fun rating promise he made before the show’s premiere:

“Agent Kim Reactivated has recorded a truly miraculous 15% viewership rating in just its second episode. I am deeply thankful for the overwhelming love from our audience. While trying to think of how to properly say thank you, I suddenly remembered the ratings vow I made during our press conference on June 25. I had confidently promised that if our ratings cleared the 13% mark, I would undergo 13 hours of complete silent meditation.”

Yoon Kyung-ho laughingly shared that his co-stars Choi Dae-hoon and Son Na-eun had readily agreed to join him in the challenge if they hit the target. “I am so incredibly thankful for my amazing co-stars. It’s because of this great teamwork that our show is receiving so much love,” he wrote.

He then shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes interaction with their leading man, So Ji-sub: “When we brought up the silent promise, Ji-sub hyung just shrugged it off casually, joking that he naturally stays completely quiet for at least 13 hours every single day anyway.”

The actor admitted that he never expected to fulfill the promise so quickly: “I knew exactly how incredibly high of a wall a 13% rating is in modern television, so it was a number I didn’t dare to easily dream of. When the premiere episode brought in an amazing 9.5%, I literally couldn’t trust my own eyes. In my heart, I want to start my 13-hour silent vow right this second, but I am currently on a rare family vacation, so it’s a bit difficult. As soon as I return to my routine, I will definitely take on the challenge for everyone waiting!”

Anchored by So Ji-sub’s flawless action choreography and an addictive, fast-paced storyline, Agent Kim Reactivated has safely established itself as the definitive must-watch television event of the summer.