So Ji-sub's 'Manager Kim' maintains No. 1 spot in Netflix Non-English category
Starring So Ji-sub, 'Mr. Plankton' has ranked No. 1 globally in the Netflix Non-English TV series category for two consecutive weeks, entering the Top 10 in 72 countries.
So Ji-sub's Fatherly Action Sweeps 72 Countries Worldwide
The SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Mr. Kim,' starring actor So Ji-sub, has once again climbed to the top of the Netflix global charts. According to the global TOP 10 results for July 6 to 12 released by Netflix on the 15th, 'Mr. Kim' took first place for the second consecutive week in the non-English TV show category with 9.1 million views. After ranking first in 11 countries last week, it reached number one in a total of 22 countries this week, including Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Qatar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Peru, and Bolivia.
Based on a webtoon of the same name, the series depicts a revenge action story where a former special agent turned banker reveals his true identity to find his kidnapped daughter. So Ji-sub plays the role of 'Mr. Kim,' showcasing both powerful action and fatherly love. The domestic viewership ratings are also on a steep upward trend. Starting with a 9.5% rating for the first episode according to Nielsen Korea nationwide, the viewership surpassed 21.6% in just four episodes and hit a new peak of 22.3% in the sixth episode. This is the highest viewership rating for a mini-series this year and ranks as the second-highest viewership for an SBS Friday-Saturday drama, overtaking Kim Nam-gil's 'The Fiery Priest.'
Maintaining 2nd Place for 'True Education' and the Emergence of 'Apartment'
The strength of Korean content was not limited to 'Mr. Kim.' The Netflix series 'True Education,' starring Kim Mu-yeol, settled in second place in the non-English TV show category with 3.6 million views. As of its sixth week of release, the cumulative viewership for 'True Education' has reached 54.9 million. This figure is closely chasing the record of 'All of Us Are Dead' Season 1 (55.5 million), which holds the fourth place for cumulative viewership among Netflix Korean original series. 'True Education' is currently appearing in the Top 10 in 51 countries, continuing its chart run for six consecutive weeks.
New entries on the chart are also noteworthy. The dating reality show 'Single but Want to Date' Season 2 rose to 8th place in its first week of release, and the JTBC Friday-Saturday drama 'Apartment,' starring Ji Sung, shot straight to 10th place just two days after its release. 'Apartment' started with 1.4 million views and is currently leading in South Korea, surpassing 'Mr. Kim.' The Japanese Netflix original series 'Gas Human,' with director Yeon Sang-ho serving as executive producer and screenwriter, recorded 4th place. In the non-English film category, 'The Husbands,' starring Gong Myung and Jin Seon-kyu, held 10th place, while 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' remained in the Top 10 for the 56th consecutive week in the English film category.
Main Cast and Production Status
Kim Mu-yeol showcased his action acting in the Netflix series 'True Education.' Director Yeon Sang-ho worked as the executive producer and screenwriter for the Japanese Netflix original series 'Gas Human.' The drama 'Apartment,' starring Ji Sung, has recently completed its second broadcast.
