The Surprising Reason Fans Are Eager For K-Drama “Agent Kim Reactivated” To Triumph
So Ji Sub’s new drama Agent Kim Reactivated is crushing it in ratings — and fans are streaming like crazy.
SBS’s Friday-Saturday series hit 15.7% nationwide viewership for its second episode, with Seoul area ratings at 15.9%. The real-time rating peaked at 18.1%. This makes it SBS’s highest-rated show of 2026, only two episodes in. No series has crossed 15% so fast since The Penthouse 3 in 2021.
The 2049 target rating also dominated at an average of 5.8%, peaking at 7.17%. That’s #1 across all Saturday shows and all genres airing during the week.
But the hype isn’t just from drama fans. Film buffs are cheering hard. So Ji Sub has a longtime rep for quietly supporting Korean indie cinema. He has invested in and imported international films like The Substance, Sirat, and The Voice of Hind Rajab — many with little commercial promise.
On Korean forums, cinephiles are praising his off-screen passion for meaningful film. Some fans joked that watching Agent Kim Reactivated is their way of “repaying” him for all his film work.
A past interview from May 2024 highlights his dedication despite losses:
“Honestly, it is hard. The losses are really big, and I end up in the red. I didn’t know I would be doing this for so long. Part of it is also because I feel like I’m giving back what I’ve received. Even if I continue to take losses, I still want to keep doing it.”
— So Ji Sub, via @uahan2/X
‘악마와의 토크쇼’, ‘존 오브 인터레스트’ 공동제공(투자수입) 소지섭 과거 인터뷰
“솔직히 힘들긴 하다. 손실이 되게 크고, 마이너스가 난다. 이렇게 오래하게 될 줄은 몰랐다. 그동안 받은 걸 돌려드린다는 마음도 있다. 앞으로도 손해가 나더라도 하고 싶은 마음이 있다”
— 우아한 (@uahan2) May 16, 2024
Fans admit they’ve even streamed his music videos to support him while waiting for a big moment like this:
- “I’m happy So Ji Sub is doing well. I don’t have to watch his music videos anymore.”
- “His show is going to take off and he’ll use that to bring in more good films.”
- “Is So Ji Sub’s new K-Drama actually a good watch? I’ve been leaving it on out of loyalty as his movie business fan LOL.”
- “Should I stream the re-runs?”
- “As a movie fan, I already liked So Ji Sub, so I’m happy he hit it big this time.”
More reactions:
- “I wanted to repay So Ji Sub’s kindness, but now that he’s doing well, all I can do is cry…”
- “I hope he always walks only on a flower path.”
- “Oh, I’m so ready. You already know So Ji Sub is probably going to import even more non-profitable films that only a few movie theater fans like.”
- “Please make a lot of money.”
- “So Ji Sub has imported a lot of lesser-known foreign films, so out of loyalty, I will always watch So Ji Sub’s dramas.”
The drama itself is getting big praise too. Viewers call it a mix of action, mystery, and family drama — with So Ji Sub’s first SBS role in 13 years fueling interest.
- “I love you, Great Ji Sub. Please make lots of money, live a long life, and may peace be with your family.”
- “He is simply light.”
- “On top of that, his taste is amazing. If I hear that So Ji Sub imported something, I trust it and watch it.”
- “So Ji Sub really has a good eye for films… Honestly, he must know they won’t make money, but he imports them purely out of love for film. I’m grateful…”
- “I was going to watch it to repay him, but the K-Drama itself is freaking good.”
Will you watch? Check out the official Agent Kim Reactivated trailer below:
Source: Sports Seoul, theqoo