SBS drama Agent Kim Reactivated ended its run on a high note, becoming one of the biggest Korean drama hits of the year while also sparking discussion over its finale.
According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode recorded a nationwide rating of 23.0% and a peak rating of 27.1%, making it the highest-rated miniseries of 2026. The drama also ranked No. 1 in its time slot for all 10 episodes after steadily growing from its 9.5% premiere.
Without revealing major spoilers, the finale concluded the story with a satisfying resolution while also leaving room for viewers to wonder about a possible second season.
Although many praised the drama's fast-paced storytelling, action, emotional family themes, and strong performances, some viewers expressed disappointment with the amount of product placement featured during the final part of the episode.
Online discussions pointed to a series of sponsored products, including caffeine candy, vehicles, a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant, and an eyewear brand, that appeared throughout the closing minutes. Some viewers felt the frequent product placements interrupted the emotional flow of the finale.
Comments shared online included "The last 20 minutes felt like a product placement festival," "It felt like I watched 30 minutes of ads," and "The ending was good, but the advertisements broke the immersion."
Others took a more understanding view, noting that product placement is a common part of network television production. Some viewers commented that while the advertisements were noticeable, they were still satisfied with the overall ending and enjoyed the drama from beginning to end.
The discussion has also led some fans to suggest that, if Agent Kim Reactivated returns for a second season, an OTT platform could allow the series to maintain its storytelling with fewer interruptions from product placements.
Despite the mixed reactions to the finale's advertising, Agent Kim Reactivated finished its run as one of the year's biggest television successes, with its record-breaking ratings and strong viewer response keeping interest high for a possible continuation.
