So Ji-sub's gaze, Ok Taec-yeon's last words, and the codename 'Manager Kim'

Codename 66, a Tragic Fate Engraved in the Name

The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Manager Kim' is immersing viewers by completing a desperate narrative for its characters, going beyond a simple action piece. In episode 5, which airs on the 10th at 9:50 PM, the secret of 'Codename 66', the key to the drama, will finally be unveiled. This code, which has piqued viewers' curiosity, contains the answer to why Manager Kim (played by So Ji-sub) came to live under the name 66, and why he said he "only remembers the request of his one and only comrade."

The fragments of the past revealed in previous episodes are tragic. Manager Kim and Park Young-kwang (played by Ok Taec-yeon), who met at a North Korean agent training camp in their childhood, grew into legendary agents while enduring harsh training together. However, the situation changed abruptly when they fell into an unexpected trap during an operation. Park Young-kwang lost his life, leaving Manager Kim to survive alone and shoulder a tragic fate. Episode 5 directly deals with that final moment, which was the crossroads of destiny.

"You are Mr. Kim" The Last Words Left by Ok Taec-yeon

In episode 5, the scene depicts the two sitting side by side in the training camp barracks on the last night before the operation. Park Young-kwang stares off into the distance, lost in deep thought, while Manager Kim watches his comrade silently with a heavy gaze. Amidst a flow of trust and affectionate friendship that cannot be fully expressed in words, Park Young-kwang delivers the meaningful line, "You are Mr. Kim," to Manager Kim. This short sentence is both the sincerity he had kept buried in his heart and the decisive clue to unlocking the secret of Codename 66.

The production team stated that they put great effort into the acting chemistry between the two actors in this episode. So Ji-sub and Ok Taec-yeon worked hard to create high-quality scenes by meticulously coordinating their movements and sharing emotional lines even before filming. In particular, the acting of the two, who express the final moments of a comrade through only restrained gazes and delicate breathing, is expected to bring the immersion of the drama to its peak.

Surpassing 21.6% Viewership, the 'Manager Kim' Syndrome Shaking the Global Market

The momentum of 'Manager Kim' is fearsome. In the previous 4th episode, it recorded a national viewership rating of 21.6% (according to Nielsen Korea), breaking the record for the highest viewership among domestic dramas this year. The peak instantaneous viewership soared to 25.1%. Its success is not limited to the domestic market but is also making its presence felt in the global market. It has achieved No. 1 globally in the non-English TV show category on Netflix, entered the TOP 1 in 11 countries, and has appeared in the TOP 10 in a total of 79 countries, creating a worldwide syndrome.

The drama exerts powerful attraction just by its premise of depicting a father who becomes the most dangerous man to find his only daughter. Rather than youth action featuring flashy heroism, it moved the hearts of viewers by portraying the desperate struggle of a middle-aged man stemming from the urgency to live with his daughter. Despite the action difficulty being at a 'high' level, the heavy action imbued with the character's emotions creates a point of differentiation.

The Heavy Action of a 'Lawless Middle-Aged Man' Portrayed by So Ji-sub

Lead actor So Ji-sub has gained a new modifier, 'Lawless Middle-Aged Man,' through this work. Regarding the reason for appearing, he stated, "The feelings and situations of a father raising a daughter alone and searching for her when she disappears seemed like a great challenge." He did not simply aim for action that looks strong, but worked to melt the despair of a middle-aged man who must fight while carrying the wounds and deficiencies of losing his family into the action. He added, "When I was speaking lines or stopping during action, I acted while trying to somehow fill the spaces between those moments."

So Ji-sub's acting style aligns with what he showed in his previous work 'Plaza.' In 'Plaza,' which recorded a reverse climb on OTT viewership rankings at the time, he showcased real combat that maximized upper body strength within the setting of having a physical disability in one leg. His acting philosophy of conveying the depths of a character through actions and gazes rather than words continues intact in 'Manager Kim,' supporting the completeness of the work.

So Ji-sub and Ok Taec-yeon Meet as Comrades Who Crossed Life and Death

So Ji-sub took the role of Manager Kim, a father who chooses a dangerous path to find his daughter. Ok Taec-yeon played Park Young-kwang, a comrade who grew up with Manager Kim while enduring harsh training together at a North Korean agent training camp in their childhood.

The two portray a tragic relationship where Park Young-kwang loses his life after falling into a trap during an operation, leaving Manager Kim to survive alone. Park Young-kwang is a character who conveys his sincerity by leaving the words "You are Mr. Kim" to Manager Kim in his final moments before death.

From the Reverse Climb of 'Plaza' to the Power of 'Manager Kim' as an Action King

So Ji-sub's action prowess was already proven in his previous work 'Plaza.' 'Plaza,' which depicts a revenge story investigating the suspicious death of a younger brother, recorded an unusual reverse climb by reaching the top of OTT viewership rankings. At that time, he showcased real combat that maximized upper body strength despite the setting of having a physical disability in one leg.

This trend continues into 'Manager Kim.' In this work, So Ji-sub is once again revealing a heavy presence by portraying a father engaged in a desperate struggle to find his daughter.

So Ji-sub Reveals the Reason for Appearing and the Texture of the Action

Regarding the reason for choosing this work, So Ji-sub said, "I chose it because the feelings and situations of a father raising a daughter alone and searching for her when she disappears seemed like a great challenge."

Stating that the difficulty of the action was 'high,' he explained, "The action in 'Manager Kim' is very different in texture because it is desperate action to live with his daughter, to find his daughter, and to be with his daughter."

He added, "He is a character who acts through actions and gazes rather than words," and "I acted while trying to somehow fill the spaces between when I was speaking lines or stopping during action."

An Operation Leading to Tragedy, the Beginning of Codename 66

In previous broadcasts, Manager Kim and Park Young-kwang (played by Ok Taec-yeon) grew together while enduring harsh training at a North Korean agent training camp. However, during an operation, they fell into an unexpected trap, causing Park Young-kwang to lose his life and Manager Kim to face a tragic fate of surviving alone.

The line left by Manager Kim, "I only remember the request of my one and only comrade," naturally connects to the secret of Codename 66 that will be revealed in this 5th episode.