Korean action dramas are making a massive comeback in 2026, and one title that is already dominating online conversations is Manager Kim. Starring legendary actor So Ji Sub, this upcoming SBS drama promises intense action, emotional family moments, dark secrets, and a gripping revenge storyline that could easily become the next global K-drama obsession.

Based on the hit Naver webtoon of the same name, Manager Kim combines the emotional depth of a father-daughter story with brutal action and spy-thriller energy. The drama follows an ordinary office worker whose hidden past as a deadly special operative resurfaces after his daughter mysteriously disappears.

Fans of dark thrillers like Moving, Vincenzo, Taxi Driver, and Bloodhounds are already counting down the days until its release. The combination of a powerful cast, a successful source webtoon, and cinematic action sequences has turned Manager Kim into one of the most talked-about upcoming Korean dramas of the year.

Quick Drama Facts

• Drama Title: Manager Kim
• Korean Title: 김부장
• Genre: Action, Thriller, Mystery, Noir
• Episodes: 10
• Release Date: June 26, 2026
• Airing Days: Friday & Saturday
• Network: SBS
• Streaming Platform: Netflix (expected in select regions)
• Director: Lee Seung Young, Lee So Eun
• Writer: Nam Dae Jung
• Based On: Naver Webtoon “Manager Kim”
• Main Star: So Ji Sub

Manager Kim: Plot Summary

At first glance, Manager Kim looks like a completely normal middle-aged office employee living a quiet life. He works at a small bank, takes care of his daughter, and appears to be just another hardworking father trying to survive daily life. But behind his calm personality hides a terrifying secret.

Before becoming an ordinary salaryman, Kim was once a highly dangerous black-ops operative involved in deadly secret missions. He erased his violent past to protect his daughter and start a peaceful life away from danger. Everything changes overnight when his beloved daughter suddenly disappears.

With no one else able to help him, Kim is forced to awaken the monster he buried years ago. As he searches for the truth behind her disappearance, he enters a brutal world filled with criminals, conspiracies, corruption, and deadly enemies from his past. The drama is expected to deliver emotional father-daughter moments while also showcasing intense hand-to-hand combat, suspenseful chases, and high-stakes revenge.

Cast and Characters

So Ji Sub as Manager Kim: So Ji Sub plays the lead role of Manager Kim, a quiet single father hiding a dangerous past. On the outside, he looks like an ordinary office worker, but in reality he is a former elite secret operative feared by many. This role is expected to showcase both So Ji Sub’s emotional acting and his legendary action-drama charisma. Fans are especially excited because the actor is returning to a darker and more intense role after several years.

Choi Dae Hoon as Sung Han Soo: Choi Dae Hoon plays Sung Han Soo, a former taekwondo champion who also hides a secret past connected to dangerous operations. He now runs a small martial arts studio while trying to live peacefully with his family. The character is expected to bring both humor and emotional depth to the drama while also delivering explosive action scenes.

Yoon Kyung Ho as Park Jin Chul: Yoon Kyung Ho portrays Park Jin Chul, another retired operative who once dominated battlefields but now values his peaceful family life more than anything.His character is expected to become one of the emotional pillars of the story while also participating in major combat scenes.

Why Manager Kim Is Getting So Much Attention

• The Webtoon Has a Massive Fanbase
  The original Manager Kim webtoon became incredibly popular for its brutal action scenes and emotional storytelling. Since it exists in the same universe as popular titles like Lookism, fans are extremely excited to see the live-action adaptation.
• So Ji Sub’s Return to Action
  So Ji Sub is famous for his charismatic action roles, and many viewers believe Manager Kim could become one of his career-defining performances.
• Dark Noir Vibes
  The teaser descriptions already suggest a gritty noir atmosphere filled with revenge, crime, hidden identities, and emotional trauma.
• Father-Daughter Emotional Storyline
  Beyond the action, the emotional core of the drama is a father trying to save his daughter at any cost. That emotional angle is one reason many fans think the series could become deeply addictive.

What Makes Manager Kim Different From Other Action K-Dramas?

Unlike many action dramas that focus only on revenge or crime, Manager Kim combines emotional family themes with spy-thriller storytelling.

The Drama Explore:

• Family sacrifice
• Hidden identities
• Redemption
• Loyalty
• Fatherhood
• Survival
• Revenge

Manager Kim already looks like one of the biggest Korean action dramas of 2026. With a powerful cast led by So Ji Sub, an incredibly popular webtoon source, and a story packed with action and emotion, the drama has all the ingredients needed for a massive hit. If you love dark thrillers, emotional revenge stories, undercover agents, and high-quality action scenes, this drama absolutely deserves a spot on your watchlist. The countdown for Manager Kim has officially begun, and K-drama fans around the world are more than ready.