In the currently airing SBS drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" (written by Nam Dae-jung, directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun), Choi delivers a compelling performance as Seong Han-su, a character who is the complete package—possessing brilliant intelligence, an imposing physique, and elite martial arts skills. Known for his chameleon-like transformations across various works, Choi has successfully reimagined the typical middle-aged man we see in our daily lives as the coolest guy around, earning explosive support from viewers.
Choi Dae-hoon's true value lies in his versatile acting that transcends genres and his exceptional chemistry with his co-stars. In "Agent Kim Reactivated", he injects vitality into the narrative, balancing potentially dark and heavy moments with his signature witty delivery, while also leaving audiences in awe with high-level action sequences, including a 1440-degree spinning kick. Most notably, the perfect chemistry among the trio of So Jisub, Yoon Kyungho, and Choi is cited as the primary driver of the show's syndrome-level popularity. The fourth episode of "Agent Kim Reactivated" recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 21.6% (based on Nielsen Korea), breaking the record for the highest-rated drama of the year.
The massive success of "Agent Kim Reactivated" in the domestic market is also reflected in global charts. According to Netflix's official engagement site, Tudum, on July 8, "Agent Kim Reactivated" surpassed 10.5 million views worldwide, proudly taking the number one spot on the Netflix Global Top 10 list for non-English TV shows. It also entered the Top 10 in 79 countries simultaneously, proving its appeal to audiences far beyond Asia.
Last year, Choi won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for his role as Bu Sang-gil in the hit Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines", where he popularized the catchphrase "Hak-ssi." He then attempted a unique transformation in "The WONDERfools", playing Son Gyeong-hun, a character with sticky superpowers. His performance was particularly impressive in a scene where he nonchalantly pretended to be hypnotized to hide his identity among a group of brainwashed cult followers; his natural comedic acting in this "zombie-like" state went viral on short-form platforms both domestically and internationally, making the character a fan favorite.
Now, with his action-packed performance in "Agent Kim Reactivated", Choi Dae-hoon is receiving widespread acclaim for his limitless acting spectrum.
Having established himself as an irreplaceable pillar of K-content by building unique characters that range from deeply humanistic roles to charismatic action leads, Choi Dae-hoon continues his unstoppable streak. The drama "Agent Kim Reactivated", which is breaking viewership records with every episode, airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 PM on SBS.
[Photo= Ace Factory]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)