So Ji-sub led SBS action-drama Agent Kim Reactivated peaks 23% nationwide rating for its series finale.
SBS K-Drama Agent Kim Reactivated Wraps Up With 23% Ratings Peak
Star actor So Ji-sub delivered the network's second-highest Friday-Saturday rating on record.
Highlights
- The series achieved a 23% nationwide household rating, marking one of the fastest ratings trajectories for a South Korean drama.
- Production company Studio S used AI to generate flashback sequences and complicated action scenes, lessening the production overhead.
- Studio S confirmed that a second season is under consideration after the finale teased a potential multi-season continuity.
South Korean network SBS concluded its action-drama Agent Kim Reactivated with a 23% nationwide household rating, recording the fastest viewership growth for a terrestrial broadcast in about five years. The finale episode of the series was marked as the second-highest-rated Friday-Saturday drama in SBS history, trailing only the 29.2% peak set by The Penthouse.
Nielsen Korea data tracks a rapid commercial ramp for the show. Reportedly, Agent Kim Reactivated debuted at a 9.5% rating, reached 15.7% by its second episode, and ultimately crossed 22.3% by episode six. The performance showcases a notable departure from the ongoing viewership decline in the typical TV sector. The So Ji-sub-led project was adapted from Naver’s webtoon Manager Kim, whose narrative centers around a father-daughter rescue plot.
AI-Driven Production Anchors Agent Kim Reactivated K-Drama
Apart from the ratings success, industry stakeholders watched the project closely as it also served as a test case for technological integration into domestic television production. As confirmed by Studio S, it incorporated artificial intelligence tools to create about three minutes of past-timeline flashback sequences.
The production team, headed by director Yi Seung-young and screenwriter Nam Dae-joong, also utilized AI capabilities to render resource-intensive action scenes. Such sequences include vehicle chases, building explosions, and underwater salvage operations. Reportedly, the studio noted that using AI technologies improved the overall operational efficiency of the project while enabling the crew to maintain high-budget visual standards within standard broadcast timelines.
Agent Kim Reactivated to Release Season 2 Soon?
As noted by The Korea Times, the series ended its run as of now, and it resolved primary narrative arcs while keeping character trajectories open. Coupled with the fan demand for the series, Studio S executives confirmed that development of a second season is actively under evaluation. For the global audience, the series is available on Netflix to stream.
Author
Diya Mukherjee is a Content Writer at Outlook Respawn with a postgraduate background in media. She has a passion for writing content and is enthusiastic about exploring cultures, literature, global affairs, and pop culture.
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