SBS's drama 'Kim Manager' has created a sensation, achieving an impressive viewership rating of 23%. At the center of this success is actor So Ji-sub, who plays the role of 'Kim Manager,' a former special agent turned employee at a small savings bank, adapted from a popular Naver webtoon.
"Honestly, it feels like I'm being pranked in a surprise camera situation. I'm overwhelmed by the immense love and support, and I wonder if this is really happening. Of course, I would love to see a Season 2, but things don’t always go as planned. I've heard positive thoughts about it, but I’m still uncertain," So said.
So Ji-sub does not take credit for the high ratings, emphasizing that 'Kim Manager' is not solely his achievement. He highlighted the contributions of all the cast and crew, particularly praising fellow actors Yoon Kyung-ho and Choi Dae-hoon for their significant roles in the show's success.
"I can't say it's just because of me. I don't think 'Kim Manager' is a project where I have a large share. It wasn't just me; everyone contributed. I believe that without Yoon Kyung-ho and Choi Dae-hoon, we wouldn't have achieved this level of success," he stated.
On set, the three actors frequently exchanged ideas about their scenes. Given that the character of Kim Manager does not express emotions overtly, they focused on how to fill in the gaps.
"There wasn't much I could do with my character. So, when the three of us gathered, we discussed how to fill in those gaps. We talked about how to make the scenes more vibrant, sharing ideas continuously. We made sure to convey the essential lines while also working to fill in the emotional spaces. Both of them are excellent actors and brought a wealth of ideas to the table," he explained.
As a former special agent, action preparation was also crucial. Although So Ji-sub has a long history in action genres, he adjusted his physical appearance for this role, considering that Kim Manager is a father and an older character.
"I dislike feeling stiff, so I keep exercising regularly. Therefore, I don't feel a significant physical burden when performing action scenes. However, the aftereffects can be tough, especially around the time of filming. This time, since Kim Manager is a father and an older character, I aimed for a more grounded appearance rather than a model-like physique, so I didn't diet as much as before," he said.
'Kim Manager' also features scenes created with AI technology. So Ji-sub acknowledged that AI is becoming increasingly integral to the industry but noted that it still cannot replicate the sensory experiences that come from human interaction.
"I believe we need to embrace AI. It’s hard to exclude it, and there are clear pros and cons. In the past, we relied on CGI for large-scale or risky scenes, but now there's a trend toward using AI. However, there are still limitations. The invisible elements, like the scent of sweat or the nuances of human movement, are not yet fully captured. Additionally, the impact on job opportunities is significant. Still, I think our drama's use of AI was a bold and positive attempt," he remarked.
In this project, So Ji-sub portrays a father to a high school daughter named Min-ji. While he has played father roles before, the dynamic with actress Seo Soo-min brought a fresh experience.
"I've played a father before, including in 'Be With You,' and I've worked with children in other projects, so it wasn't awkward. However, this time, having a high school daughter made me curious about how that would translate on screen. After nearly 30 years in the industry, it’s challenging to show something new, but I thought it would be refreshing for both me and the audience. Soo-min helped a lot; since I don't have a daughter, she treated me like a real dad on set, which helped ease any initial awkwardness," he shared.
The action in 'Kim Manager' is not just for spectacle; it is rooted in emotion. So Ji-sub, who has extensive experience in action roles, emphasized the importance of emotional buildup before the action unfolds.
"I've done a fair amount of action. While there are necessary action scenes in dramas, I prefer those that are brief and serve a purpose. The truly essential action should emerge from the emotions that precede it. This drama features action that is driven by emotion, which I believe resonated with viewers, making it more satisfying to watch. I don't enjoy action for action's sake," he stated.
So Ji-sub has been recognized for fostering a positive atmosphere on set. With his extensive experience, he understands that a production is not the work of a single individual.
"When I go on set, I often find that I'm the oldest. After many years, I've learned that a project isn't created by one person alone. No matter how talented someone is, a good production requires the collaboration of both staff and actors. I hope the set is a place where everyone enjoys working together. When I first met the director, I mentioned that while there would be challenges, I hoped the staff would feel excited to work on this project," he said.
His sentiments were also reflected in the gifts he presented to the staff. So Ji-sub expressed a desire to leave positive memories for those who worked alongside him.
"Since I became a lead actor, I've consistently given gifts. It’s not just about my performance; I want those who worked with me to have good memories. I may take on various projects, but I want them to remember this one fondly, thinking, 'That was a great experience,'" he explained.
His ongoing motivation to continue acting stems from a desire to connect with audiences through his performances. So Ji-sub expressed a wish to showcase his acting style and gain recognition for it.
"I think what’s hard to find is interesting. I haven’t done as many projects as I could, but I want to keep going. My acting style isn’t about extreme emotional fluctuations or grand expressions. I still want to persuade people with my acting style. I think I have a desire for recognition, saying, 'This is my acting, so please acknowledge it.' I want to continue performing with minimal dialogue and through my expressions," he said.
So Ji-sub does not have a strong desire for personal awards. Instead, he prefers that 'Kim Manager' be recognized as a whole. However, he is open to awards that he can share with his fellow actors.
"I’m grateful, but I don’t have a strong desire for awards. I hope this project does well enough to avoid any losses and allows me to choose my next project easily. Especially with 'Kim Manager,' so many people contributed significantly, so I would prefer the project to receive recognition rather than just me. However, I do have a desire for something like the Best Couple Award, which I would love to share with my friends," he said.
Regarding the possibility of a Season 2, So Ji-sub cautiously left the door open. He noted that the original webtoon has a broad universe, but creating a new storyline that captures the essence of the first season's theme of a father losing his daughter would be challenging.
"It hasn't been long since the drama ended... Haha. The original webtoon has a wide universe, so there are many potential storylines. However, the first season had a significant theme of a father losing his daughter. If there were to be a Season 2, creating a new central theme would not be easy. We can't have Min-ji getting kidnapped again. It won't be simple, but I think we might find a way to make it work," he concluded.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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