SBS is leaning further into multi-season dramas, with follow-ups to several of its recent hits now under active consideration.
“I’m still a little stunned,” Studio S CEO Hong Sung Chang said with a laugh after SBS drama Agent Kim Reactivated wrapped with a nationwide rating of 23%, according to Nielsen Korea.
Studio S has delivered a string of double-digit hits in the first half of the year, including Agent Kim Reactivated, My Royal Nemesis at 11.8% and Phantom Lawyer at 10%.
Rather than offering an elaborate breakdown of the company’s winning formula, Hong took a more measured view of Agent Kim Reactivated‘s success. The word he pointed to was “fun.”
He said the drama did more than simply entertain, suggesting that its ability to deliver relatable moments and enjoyment in an accessible way helped viewers connect with it week after week.
“Maybe viewers who came away feeling a little happier wanted to meet Agent Kim again every week,” he said.
The Korean TV landscape changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, as streaming services including Netflix and Disney Plus grew rapidly while the traditional television drama and film markets contracted.
While networks facing financial pressure cut back on expensive drama productions, SBS took a different approach. In April 2020, it rebranded its wholly owned drama production subsidiary The Story Works as Studio S, creating an organization that oversees everything from development and casting to directing, production, marketing and additional revenue streams.
The strategy has since produced a long list of hits. The Penthouse, which Studio S helped develop, reached a peak rating of 28.8% in 2020, while its second season climbed to 29.2%. Taxi Driver debuted in 2021 with a 16% rating and has since grown into a three-season franchise, with Season 2 reaching 21%.
Other notable successes include One Dollar Lawyer and The First Responders in 2022, Taxi Driver 2 in 2023, Good Partner and The Fiery Priest 2 in 2024, and last year’s Buried Hearts and Love Scout.
Studio S has also played a major role in establishing the multi-season format on Korean broadcast television. Following The Penthouse, The Fiery Priest, Taxi Driver and The First Responders, it is set to release new seasons of Good Partner and Flex X Cop this year.
The company is also actively considering follow-up seasons for Agent Kim Reactivated, My Royal Nemesis and Phantom Lawyer, all of which posted double-digit ratings during the first half of 2026.
>> So Ji Sub’s North Korea Mission Scene in ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ Was Fully Made With AI
In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
Source (1)
