'Kim Bujang' Surpasses 21.6% Ratings in Just Four Episodes, Dominant

SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Kim Bujang' has crossed the 20 percent ratings mark only four episodes into its run, further cementing its position as one of this year's strongest breakout hits.

According to ratings research firm Nielsen Korea on July 5, episode four of 'Kim Bujang,' which aired the previous day, recorded 21.6 percent nationwide and ranked No. 1 across all channels in its time slot. In the Seoul metropolitan area, the episode drew 22.7 percent, while its peak real-time rating climbed as high as 25.1 percent, setting a new personal best for the drama once again.

The drama also proved its pull with younger and commercially important viewers. Its 2049 rating averaged 7.6 percent and reached a peak of 8.81 percent, showing that the series is generating both strong viewership and topical buzz.

By breaking 20 percent after only four broadcasts, 'Kim Bujang' became the first drama since 2024 to join the ranks of so-called '20 percent dramas.' Based on nationwide ratings, it also added a meaningful milestone to SBS's Friday-Saturday drama history by rising to third place all time, behind 'The Penthouse 2' at 29.2 percent and 'The Fiery Priest' at 22.0 percent.

In the episode, the tension centered on Kim Bujang, played by So Ji-sub, as he refused to stop his pursuit even after being shot, determined to save his kidnapped daughter Minji, played by Seo Su-min.

The broadcast also revealed more of Kim Bujang's past. As a child, he applied for operative training in order to fill his empty stomach. Alongside Park Young-kwang, played by Ok Taec-yeon and known by the code name '66,' he endured brutal training and grew into an elite operative. However, it was revealed that during a mission he fell into a trap, lost his comrades, and survived alone.

In the present-day storyline, Kim Bujang was wounded by a surprise attack from North Korean operative Park Kang-sung, played by Kim Sung-kyu, who is Park Young-kwang's younger brother. Instead of going to a hospital, Kim Bujang chose the path of searching for his daughter, underscoring the desperation of his paternal love.

During that process, Jung Sang-ah, played by Son Na-eun, and laundry owner Mr. Im, played by Park Jin-woo, were revealed to be undercover. Kim Bujang appealed to them, saying, "Please wait only until I find my daughter. Once I find my child, I will turn myself in."

Kim Bujang then joined forces with Sung Han-soo, played by Choi Dae-hoon, and Park Jin-cheol, played by Yoon Kyung-ho. Through a homeless person who had picked up Minji's mobile phone, they secured crucial leads: a white vehicle and a man named Kim Sang-man, played by Kim Dae-han. With those clues, the search continued.

But while tracking the case, the three men were thrown into another crisis when a vehicle exploded. To shake off the pursuit, Sung Han-soo pushed Ttanggangaji, played by Won Hyun-joon, down into the river and then threw himself into the water as well. Park Jin-cheol, meanwhile, created a dramatic turn by raising both hands and voluntarily surrendering to agents from the Special Mission Bureau.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Minji, who had believed Geum-i-ppal, played by Cho Bok-rae, was dead, had survived in the cold-storage warehouse. Yet she was placed in another dangerous situation when she came face to face with Geum-i-ppal again. At the same time, Kim Bujang arrived alone at Myeongpo Port despite his gunshot wound and set out to find his daughter. When Park Kang-sung also appeared there, the tension reached its peak.

Attention is now focused on whether Sung Han-soo is alive or dead, what will happen to Park Jin-cheol after his arrest by the Special Mission Bureau, and whether Kim Bujang will be able to rescue his daughter Minji safely.