The Filmscape Reverie

By: Maria Cieslarczyk

When I was little, I always dreamed of being a super cool spy sent on secret missions to save the world. Agent Kim Reactivated (2026) is about more than that though…it’s about saving your own family, even when it seems that the entire world is against you.

Netflix’s Agent Kim Reactivated (directed by Lee Seung-young and Lee So-eun) follows Mr. Kim, a quiet office worker (played by So Ji-sub) who holds a big secret: he’s actually a former special black-ops agent! This Korean drama is one full of action, suspense, and adventure, as Mr. Kim must reawaken his past skills and identity to save his one and only teenage daughter, Min-ji (played by Seo Su-min). With the help of his retired agent friends, Mr. Kim must battle gangsters, and North and South Korean agents to get his daughter back in one piece. It is adapted from a hit web-toon called Manager Kim. Honestly, it even reminds me of a Japanese anime I like called Sakamoto Days.

This K-drama is one that certainly has it all! I love the family dynamic, especially exploring the father-daughter relationship between Mr. Kim and Min-ji. It shows how hard he wants to bond with her, even reading books on how to connect with a high schooler while waking up early to cook Min-ji her favorite foods for breakfast. It also explores the theme of how far you would go for someone you love. Mr. Kim spares no second to venture on this perilous journey to find and rescue his daughter from the dark underworld of gangsters and political corruption that she was accidentally sucked into.

The theme of “don’t judge a book by its cover” is also one I rather enjoyed. People are not always what they seem, and this show makes sure we realize this. Min-ji is getting bullied by the most popular girl in her school, but people would never know this as she plays off as beautiful and rich. In actuality, she is violent and cruel, very much like her father…an extremely wealthy businessman who is also a secret gang lord. On the other hand, Mr. Kim’s two best friends appear goofy and out-of-touch with modernism, yet are hardcore fighters and loyal companions. Finally, Mr. Kim himself seems meek and shy but is actually a total badass.

Another main message that the show dives into is that the past can haunt us but we are not defined or trapped by it. The small things can make the biggest difference, particularly how you treat someone. Karma is REAL! People got GOT in this show and for very good reason due to how their behavior either harmed or helped other characters. The symbolism of how people can be shades of grey rather than simply black or white is strong. Mr. Kim for example has done many things in his past, some he’s not proud of, yet he still tries his best now to be a good person and help others. 

It can be difficult to do the right thing, but what matters the most is your willingness to try to anyways. Apart from the sentimental and action-packed sequences, this show also had me full-on laughing. There is a mixture of comedy within the action and drama, which is what many K-dramas execute so well, captivating diverse audiences. 

I’m actually still finishing up the last 2 episodes of this 10-episode series, however I would rate the show a 10/10. Agent Kim Reactivated is now available on Netflix, so go and watch it now!