K-drama Surges on Netflix, Comparisons to ‘Taken’ Sparked as Webtoon Controversy Resurfaces
“Agent Kim Reactivated” is taking Netflix by storm, quickly rising to the top 3 on the global non-English TV chart. This K-drama stars So Ji-sub as Manager Kim, a regular guy who transforms into a deadly fighter to save his missing daughter. It’s been compared to Liam Neeson’s “Taken” for its thrilling father-rescue storyline, but it’s actually based solely on the popular Naver webtoon “Manager Kim.”
After the success of “My Royal Nemesis,” which wrapped up in June, “Agent Kim Reactivated” has big shoes to fill. And it’s doing just that—not only is it breaking records on SBS with a 21.6% viewership rating, but it also claimed the No. 3 spot on Netflix’s global top 10 list for non-English TV just three days after its premiere.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. The show’s success has brought renewed scrutiny to its source material. Allegations of far-right imagery in the works of The Grim Entertainment, the studio behind the original webtoon, have resurfaced. Critics are pointing to imagery in the series “Lookism” that they say references the death of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. This controversy is casting a shadow over the otherwise stellar performance of “Agent Kim Reactivated.”
So if you’re looking for a thrilling new series to binge-watch, “Agent Kim Reactivated” might just be the ticket. Just be aware of the controversy surrounding its source studio as you enjoy the action-packed drama.
