So Ji-sub's 'Kim Bu-jang' Takes Top Spot in Premiere Following 'Mercy for None' Action Style
So Ji-sub's new SBS drama 'Kim Bu-jang' hits #1 in viewership ratings upon its premiere, bringing intense action reminiscent of his Netflix series 'Mercy for None'.
The new SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Kim Bu-jang' (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), starring So Ji-sub, achieved the #1 viewership rating starting from its first broadcast on the 26th. 'Kim Bu-jang' is the first mini-series from SBS to reach the top spot in viewership ratings from its very first episode.
'Kim Bu-jang' is an action drama about an ordinary father who becomes the most dangerous man in the world to find his only daughter. So Ji-sub plays the role of Kim Bu-jang, a father living while hiding his true identity and raising his daughter alone.
While living as an ordinary head of a household raising his daughter Kim Min-ji (Seo Su-min), Kim Bu-jang sets out to find her after she disappears following a school violence incident involving her. While not reaching the same level of brutality shown in last year's Netflix series 'Mercy for None', he delivers equally high-intensity action.
Choi Dae-hoon, playing Kim Bu-jang's longtime friend Seong Han-su, and Yoon Kyung-ho, playing Park Jin-cheol, added more excitement to the drama. Kim Bu-jang has maintained his friendship by meeting once a year with Seong Han-su, a Taekwondo studio director, and Park Jin-cheol, a volunteer member of the Marine Veterans Association. Choi Dae-hoon and Yoon Kyung-ho are expected to serve as another pillar of the 'Dad Universe'.
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode of 'Kim Bu-jang' recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 9.5%. In the metropolitan area, it reached 9.8%, soaring to a peak of 11.3%. It recorded the highest viewership rating among weekly mini-series, including its time slot.
Furthermore, it recorded an average 2049 viewership rating of 3.9% and a peak of 4.3%, taking first place among all programs broadcast on Friday and all programs broadcast throughout the week.
So Ji-sub returns to SBS after 13 years since 'The Master's Sun' in 2013. 'The Master's Sun' recorded a peak viewership rating of 21.8%.
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