Actor Joo Sang Wook has reflected on the unexpected success of Agent Kim Reactivated, saying the drama's record-breaking ratings were far beyond what the cast had imagined.
According to Nielsen Korea, the SBS action drama concluded with a nationwide rating of 23.0% and a peak rating of 27.1%, making it one of the biggest television hits of 2026. Joo Sang Wook admitted that the overwhelming response surprised everyone involved.
"We were hoping the ratings would at least reach double digits, but we never imagined it would receive this much love," he shared. "When it passed double digits after only two episodes, everyone was wondering, 'What's happening?' I'm just thankful to have been part of a drama like this."
In the series, Joo Sang Wook played the main antagonist, earning attention for portraying one of the most memorable villain roles of his career. He said he believes casting someone without a typical villain image helped make the character feel fresh to viewers.
The actor also revealed the hard work that went into preparing for an early sauna scene. He shared that he followed a strict diet, exercised regularly, avoided alcohol for three months, and reduced his weight from 78 kg to 71 kg before filming.
"I even drank water at gatherings instead of alcohol," he recalled with a laugh. "My friends said it wasn't like me, but all the hard work was worth it."
Joo Sang Wook added that filming the scene was physically demanding because it took place in a cold bath for several hours, with breaks spent warming up in a hot bath between takes.
Looking ahead, the actor expressed optimism about the future of Agent Kim Reactivated. While noting that no official announcement has been made, he said he believes a second season could be possible because the original webtoon still has more stories to tell.
He also joked that if the drama returns, it might be fun for his character to make a cameo instead of returning as the main villain, adding a lighthearted touch to his comments about the series' future.
