SBS has released a new making-of video for the action drama “Agent Kim Reactivated,” giving viewers a closer look at So Ji-sub preparing for his intense fight scenes. The video shows the actor rehearsing action sequences with co-star Hwang Seong Bin, proving why the drama has become one of the most talked-about Korean series of 2026.
The behind-the-scenes footage captures the two actors working through punch combinations and body movements to make sure every scene looks smooth and real. So Ji-sub pays close attention to every detail, from using props correctly to getting the timing just right for each action beat.
What stands out in the video is how So Ji-sub looks after his co-star. As soon as the scene ends, he quickly shields Hwang Seong Bin from the rain. Hwang Seong Bin jokes, “If it’s for a project, I don’t feel cold in the slightest.” So Ji-sub replies, “You shouldn’t lie”. This small moment shows the friendly environment on set, even during tough outdoor shoots.
So Ji-sub handles complex action moves that turn everyday objects into weapons. He keeps working on the rhythm and impact of each move to make fight scenes feel real without relying too much on computer effects.
“Agent Kim Reactivated” Becomes a Hit With Viewers
“Agent Kim Reactivated” has quickly become one of the biggest dramas of the summer. The show pulled in a peak viewership rating of 18.1% after just two episodes. The first episode scored a nationwide rating of about 9.5%, which jumped to 15.7% after only one episode. This makes it the first SBS drama in 2026 to cross the 15% mark. It is also the fastest SBS drama to reach this number in five years, since “The Penthouse 3” in 2021.
So Ji-sub topped the list for most buzzworthy TV and OTT drama cast member, while the series claimed the number one spot for TV drama buzz. The show is also drawing big audiences on Netflix worldwide.
The Story Behind the Action
The drama is based on a popular webtoon called “Manager Kim”. It tells the story of Manager Kim, played by So Ji-sub, who seems like an ordinary dad working at a small savings bank. But he has a hidden past as an elite special agent known as “Codename 66” who once made it onto North Korea’s blacklist. He left that life behind to honor his late wife’s wish for him to just be a father.
When his high school daughter Min-ji, played by Seo Su-min, goes missing, he has no choice but to bring back his fighting skills to find her. The show has been called the “Korean version of Taken” because of its father-rescuing-daughter story.
Director Yi Seung-young explained the difference between the two projects. “‘Taken’ is a real-time tracking thriller about a father finding his daughter, whereas our project is a 10-hour story,” he said. “While we fully retain the strengths of ‘Taken,’ we also have vibrant supporting characters that ‘Taken’ doesn’t have. Even when Manager Kim isn’t on screen, the show remains highly entertaining”.
Cast Brings Different Fighting Styles
The show brings together a strong cast. Choi Dae-hoon plays Seong Han-su, Kim’s longtime friend and a taekwondo gold medalist. Yoon Kyung-ho stars as Park Jin-cheol, a passionate member of the Marine Corps Veterans Association. Together, they offer different action styles.
Choi Dae-hoon, who is doing real action scenes for the first time, shared his approach. “Because taekwondo heavily utilizes footwork, I paid close attention to the form. I felt lacking, but I tried my absolute best. I also looked up a lot of videos of experts”.
Yoon Kyung-ho added, “If Manager Kim’s action is cold and Seong Han-su’s is flamboyant, mine is exhilarating. It has a ‘rock spirit’ underlying it, which offers a peculiar sense of catharsis. Viewers will be able to enjoy a wide variety of action styles from the three of us”.
So Ji-sub Returns to Action After 13 Years
“Agent Kim Reactivated” marks So Ji-sub‘s return to SBS after 13 years. He described the broadcasting station as his “home”. The actor, known for his work in “Oh My Venus” and “Mercy for None,” said he really wanted to do an action drama again.
“Manager Kim’s narrative, alongside his desperate mindset while tracking down his daughter, felt like a compelling challenge,” So Ji-sub shared during a press conference. He noted that the action in this show is different from his previous work. “The difficulty was advanced,” he said. “Unlike other dramas where the action feels like a moth drawn to a flame, the combat in ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ is born out of a desperate, raw struggle to survive with his daughter”.
In episode 3, which aired on July 3, So Ji-sub and Choi Dae-hoon teamed up for explosive double-pistol action. The two characters, who once shared life-or-death experiences, launch a full-scale counterattack. Stills from the episode show So Ji-sub in a sharp black suit showing intensity, while Choi Dae-hoon wears a taekwondo uniform. The “double-pistol action” of the two men standing back-to-back with weapons drawn looks like something from a movie.
The production team shared what to expect. “In episode 3 of Agent Kim Reactivated, as Agent Kim and Seong Han-su reunite as a team, the ‘Dad Universe’ action will accelerate. The fast-paced plot, exhilarating action, and the bromance synergy between the two actors will provide viewers with a thrilling catharsis”.
Both actors gave their all on set, performing intense action sequences without holding back. So Ji-sub shows the desperation of a father, while Choi Dae-hoon brings the loyalty of a friend willing to put his body on the line.
The production team also praised So Ji-sub for his work in an earlier scene where his character retrieves a mysterious “007 briefcase”. Wearing a black suit and gloves, Manager Kim arrives in a deserted alley and quickly takes down a group of people with precise strikes. “In this scene, So Ji-sub portrayed the desperation of a father who is determined to find his daughter through cold charisma and explosive action,” said the drama’s production team.
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Where to Watch “Agent Kim Reactivated”
New episodes of “Agent Kim Reactivated” air every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. KST on SBS TV in South Korea. Viewers outside South Korea can watch the same days on Netflix. The first four episodes are already streaming on the platform.
The show is adapted from the webtoon “Manager Kim” by writer Toy and illustrator Jeong Jong-taek. It was written by Nam Dae-joong and directed by Yi Seung-young and Lee So-eun.
The cast includes So Ji-sub as Agent Kim, Choi Dae-hoon as Sung Han-su, Yoon Kyung-ho as Park Jin-cheol, Joo Sang-uk as Ju Gang-chan, Son Na-eun as Jung Sang-a, Seo Su-min as Kim Min-ji, and Yu Ji-ahn as Ju Hye-ri.
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