The SBS Friday-Saturday drama ″Chief Kim,″ starring So Ji-sub, is gaining high popularity both domestically and internationally. ″Chief Kim″ recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 21.6% after just four episodes, setting a new personal best. Following 9.5% for episode 1, 15.7% for episode 2, and 18.8% for episode 3, the ratings showed an upward trend for four consecutive episodes. This made it the first mini-series in about two years to surpass a 20% nationwide rating and set the fastest record for SBS Friday-Saturday dramas, surpassing previous hits such as ″The Fiery Priest,″ ″Stove League,″ and ″Penthouse 2.″

It also showed strong performance on global OTT platforms. According to Netflix’s official site Tudum’s data, from June 29 to July 5, ″Chief Kim″ ranked first in the non-English show category with 10.5 million views. After ranking third in the non-English show category just three days after its premiere, it reached the top spot in its second week. It ranked first in 11 countries including South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Bolivia, and Peru, and entered the top 10 in 79 countries.

The 2049 demographic rating also averaged 7.6%, peaking at 8.8%, marking the highest level across all channels in two years. It secured viewers across various age groups, creating a sensation in living rooms nationwide.

It also stood out in terms of buzz. In the first week of July (June 29–July 5), Good Data Corporation’s Fundex announced that ″Chief Kim″ ranked first in the integrated TV-OTT drama buzz category, and So Ji-sub ranked first in the integrated TV-OTT drama cast buzz category. It also ranked first in the TV drama buzz category.

The production team stated that the love from domestic viewers is leading to interest from global audiences, saying, ″We thank viewers who empathize with the work beyond countries and languages. We will do our best until the end to deliver fun and immersion beyond expectations in the remaining broadcasts.″