Kdramas Like Agent Kim Reactivated: There are action thrillers where you stick around for the exciting action scenes, and there are a few shows where you stay tuned for the characters involved in them. 김부장 happens to be one of those shows where the viewers cannot resist but tune in to watch just because of the unique character relationships. While the viewers would initially expect an ex-spy getting rid of some criminal elements, the show eventually takes them by storm through the father-daughter relationship, funny dialogues, and the odd but amazing friendship of three men in their middle ages.
Led by So Ji-sub, who plays the famous Mr Kim, also popularly known as Codename 66, this show succeeds due to the brilliant performances of Choi Dae-hoon as the reliable Seong Han-su and Yoon Kyung-ho as the always amusing Park Jin-cheol. From their sarcastic banter, saving Min-ji, or battling hordes of enemy soldiers using only their bare hands and battle-hardened skills, the chemistry between the three soon becomes the core of the show. Adding to this is Seo Su-min as Min-ji, the girl whose abduction triggers all of this, and the drama delivers both emotional stakes and exhilarating action.
In case the ending has made you yearn for more of these ajusshi wearing glasses and working together to save the day, relax. As much as no TV show can completely copy their style, there are many other Korean dramas that have managed to achieve the same combination of experience, emotion, loyalty, and high-octane action. The following are five K-dramas similar to Agent Kim Reactivated worth adding to your list after the finale.
Action Kdramas Like Agent Kim Reactivated
Mercy for None
There is one show that truly captures what it means to fall into the allure of a wise man who is trying to reclaim a violent world that he has been desperately trying to run away from, and that show is Mercy for None. This noir-thriller is headlined by So Ji-sub as Nam Gi-jun, which revolves around a man who was once a gangster but decided to abandon his gang years ago after going through a lot to gain freedom. But when Gi-jun’s brother of Gi-jun gets killed under mysterious circumstances, Gi-jun finds himself forced to return to the dangerous world of the underground in Seoul.
Anybody who appreciated the commitment of Kim to save Min-ji would instantly resonate with the character of Gi-jun and his obsession with seeking justice. Both these characters have tried their best to move away from violence and lead normal lives but find their past haunting them. Similar to Kim, Gi-jun is not looking for anything spectacular—he just doesn’t want to leave his loved ones behind. The realism, emotionally troubled characters, and mature storytelling make “Mercy for None” one of the most spiritual companions of the story of Kim, Han-su, and Jin-cheol.
Moving
The story of Moving, which is inspired by the popular webtoon by Kang Full, brings an unexpected element of emotionality into the world of superheroes. With a great cast, starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, Lee Jung-ha, Go Youn-jung, and Kim Do-hoon, this Disney+ series tells the tale of parents who have superpowers and, for many years, have been hiding behind the mask of being ordinary parents of kids who have inherited those powers from them.
Just like in Kim Do-hyeon’s case, the parents in Moving do not fight because they enjoy being violent; they fight because saving their kids is the most important thing to them. The show combines spectacular fights with warm familial interactions, and the ex-agents of the show slowly gather in order to deal with a common threat. Seeing professional fighters getting out of retirement, basing themselves on many years of mutual trust, and risking everything for their dear ones brings the same pleasure that made the scene of reunion between Kim, Han-su, and Jin-cheol so impressive.
Defendant
Defendant offers some of the best acting by Ji Sung, who stars as genius lawyer Park Jung-woo, whose entire world collapses as he finds himself on death row without any memories of how he ended up there. Facing charges of killing his wife and child, Jung-woo struggles to recover his fragmented memories and brings down the influential forces behind his false accusations. With Uhm Ki-joon giving an excellent performance as the menacing Cha Min-ho and Kwon Yuri offering steady assistance, the movie leaves the audience intrigued till the end.
Even if Defendant uses legal drama rather than espionage, it embodies the same desperation that drives Kim’s mission. The two characters are common fathers according to their daughters but very determined men when their families are in danger. All hardships just make them even more determined, regardless of whether they face criminal threats or corrupted people who use the legal system to their advantage. Just like Kim does not give up on finding Min-ji, no matter how difficult it is, Park Jung-woo never stops believing.
A Shop for Killers
A Shop for Killers, based on the novel written by Kang Ji-young, features Lee Dong-wook playing the enigmatic character Jeong Jin-man, and Kim Hye-jun playing the role of his niece Jeong Ji-an. Following the unexpected death of her uncle, Jin-man, Ji-an learns that the unassuming uncle had operated a shopping mall that supplied all the weapons needed by the world’s deadliest killers. However, before she could come to terms with the information, a group of professional assassins attacked her home, making her put into use the survival techniques that she was taught by Jin-man.
Similarly, Jin-man is also a legendary agent who gave up a life of violence with the sole intention of ensuring the safety of the person he loved more than anything in the world. After retirement, the ghosts of his past seem to come back haunting him, leading him into a war of survival that revolves around protecting his loved ones at all costs.
For fans who have enjoyed watching the adventures of Kim with his loyal partners and witnessing the extraordinary talent of the man, Jin-man’s well-laid plans of safe places, weapons, and skilled fighters might sound quite familiar. In both these shows, veterans with a past of danger can never escape from entering a fight when it comes to protecting their families. And Bones is the A Shop for Killers season 2, which is right now ongoing.
The K2
The K2 stars Ji Chang-wook, Song Yoon-ah, Im Yoon-ah, and Jo Sung-ha. Kim Je-ha is an ex-soldier and used to be part of Blackstone – a private military organisation. Having been betrayed in one of the missions that he undertook in another country, Je-ha decided to leave his life of being a mercenary and avoid anything to do with combat. But destiny had something else planned for him when he was offered to act as a guard for the Choi family and protect Go Anna, the daughter of a presidential hopeful.
Similar to Mr Kim, Kim Je-ha is also an experienced fighter who dreams of leaving his dark past behind. However, for both of them, the mission to protect the innocent takes precedence over their need to have a peaceful life. In addition to the above, there is a similarity in terms of exhilarating fights, secret missions, and powerful villains who conceal themselves under their wealth and political connections. Therefore, if you loved following how Kim Do-hyeon embraced his dark side and fought impossible odds in the previous drama, The K2 will provide you with a similar experience.
Let us know if you guys also have some other options for Kdramas similar to Agent Kim Reactivated as well in the comments below!
