Do violent dramas mirror society's mood? Experts offer divided views

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SBS' Friday-Saturday drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" is enjoying a remarkable rise in popularity.

Starring So Ji-sub, the series follows a devoted father who embarks on a relentless quest for revenge after his daughter goes missing.

On Saturday, the eighth episode recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 23.1 percent, setting a new series high.

It became the second highest-rated SBS Friday-Saturday drama of all time, behind only "The Penthouse 2" with 29.2 percent, surpassing its previous record of 22.3 percent set by episode 6.

Netflix original series "Teach You a Lesson" has also emerged as one of this summer's biggest hits.

According to Netflix, the drama ranked sixth among the most-watched titles worldwide on the platform during the first half of 2026.

The two dramas share one defining characteristic: neither shies away from graphic violence.

"Agent Kim Reactivated" features bloody revenge scenes in nearly every episode as the protagonist fights to rescue his daughter.

Graphic depictions of bodily mutilation — including scenes of scalping ...