Hit Drama 'Chief Kim' Surpasses 20% Viewership, Tops Netflix Charts

The SBS Friday-Saturday drama "Chief Kim," starring So Ji-sub, is rapidly climbing the ratings charts, surpassing 20% viewership in just its fourth episode. This success positions it as a new hit, drawing comparisons to the Liam Neeson-led film "Taken" for its compelling paternal love narrative and satisfying revenge plot.

The series, adapted from a webtoon of the same name, premiered on June 26. It centers on Kim Bu-jang, an ordinary bank accountant who is revealed to be a former special agent with formidable skills. His life, dedicated to raising his daughter Min-ji after his wife's passing, is thrown into chaos when she is kidnapped. This event forces him to unleash his hidden capabilities to rescue her.

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It seems that the drama's protagonist, who does not endure despite suffering losses in reality, resolves the viewers' frustration.

"Chief Kim" achieved a nationwide average viewership rating of 21.6% for its fourth episode on July 4, according to Nielsen Korea. SBS highlighted that this is the first time a mini-series has broken the 20% mark in approximately two years and that "Chief Kim" is outpacing other successful SBS dramas like "The Fiery Priest," "Stove League," and "The Penthouse 2" in terms of rapid viewership growth.

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However, reality cannot be like a drama, so even if it is satisfying for now, the thirst may increase later.

Internationally, the drama is also performing strongly. It topped Netflix's non-English TV shows chart, according to FlixPatrol data on July 8. The series secured the number one spot in 11 countries, including South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Bolivia, and Peru. This global reach echoes the success of Netflix's "Black Belt," another South Korean series that resonated widely.

Analysts suggest the drama's appeal lies in its "cider"-like retribution – a term for satisfying, uncompromised vengeance – which resonates with viewers frustrated by real-life injustices. The narrative effectively balances the emotional core of a father's desperate search for his daughter with thrilling action sequences. The plot incorporates elements familiar to Korean audiences, such as class disparity, with the main villain being the daughter of a wealthy construction CEO, and the protagonist's background as a defector from North Korea adds an intriguing layer.

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It combines elements that domestic viewers would find interesting, such as paternal love, class disparity, North-South relations, and the 'hidden strongman' trope, and resolves them without complexity.

Actor So Ji-sub's involvement is also cited as a key factor in the drama's success. His relatively infrequent appearances in dramas and films maintain a sense of freshness, and his consistent portrayal of similar characters in past works like the Netflix series "Glitch" and the film "Confession of Murder" creates a "lock-in effect" for his established fanbase.

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But it's not complicated. Episodes appear intermittently in the process of saving his daughter, so the plot is simple and clear.