The Korean action drama Manager Kim reaches its dramatic conclusion on Saturday, July 25, 2026, with an extended Episode 10 finale airing on SBS at 9:45 p.m. KST before streaming on Netflix. The finale resolves high-stakes kidnappings, political standoffs, and the ultimate fate of Manager Kim.
The Rescue Mission and the EMP Standpoint
The path to the finale was forged in the high-tension events of Episode 9, which Macobserver reported placed Manager Kim and his allies in the middle of a dangerous extraction operation. Kim attempted to rescue Ri Eung-ryeong from North Korean agents as Han-su, Jin-cheol, and Sang-a helped him enter a heavily guarded hotel. That operation quickly collapsed when communications were cut and the building lost power, leaving Kim and Ri surrounded by armed agents near the loading area.
The crisis deepened when Ju Gang-chan’s assistant kidnapped the children of Han-su and Jin-cheol, forcing both fathers into an agonizing choice. 매일경제 noted that the series faced its biggest crisis yet as viewers tuned in, following a nationwide rating of 21.5% for the episode that aired on the 24th. That figure marked the sixth straight episode to top 20% in the ratings, even as the narrative converged on a lethal showdown.
Confrontations and the Deal with Park Gangseong
As Chosunbiz detailed in its coverage of the finale, Manager Kim survived the initial hotel standoff with the help of Jung Sanga. Following the chaos, Kim met with Park Gangseong to address the truth behind Park Younggwang’s death.
Persuaded by that reasoning, Park Gangseong holstered his weapon, setting up a later alliance that allowed Manager Kim to arrange safe passage and asylum in Macau for Ri Eung-ryeong.
Hostages, Columbariums, and Collapsing Corruption
When Manager Kim arrived at the isolated meeting place where Joo Gangchan held the children hostage, the tension boiled over. Joo demanded that Seong Hansu and Park Jinchul kill Manager Kim to save their kids, prompting the desperate fathers to strike Kim in a burst of rage. True to his tactical background, Kim whispered instructions on how to free the children from their cage before disabling Joo.
While previews had teased a grim columbarium scene hinting at the deaths of Manager Kim and his daughter Min-ji, the finale revealed a different reality. The North officially declared code ’66’ dead, and Juhak Construction collapsed completely as its extensive corruption was brought to light. Joo Gangchan met a violent end on a rooftop, and his associate Joo Hyeri was arrested in Cambodia.
A New Beginning and the ‘Dad Universe’ Legacy
With the dust settled, Min-ji became Kim Jimin, ready to start anew in a different place. Manager Kim received a new operational manual, stepped out with support from the Special Missions Bureau, and finally revealed his real name to Mr. Im, the laundromat owner who had gifted him his suit.
For fans looking to extend their viewing experience beyond the SBS broadcast, the wider landscape of Korean espionage dramas—including series such as Iris and Man to Man—offers a similar blend of high-stakes action and deeply personal family drama.
