[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “The role? Everyone says it’s definitely going to So Ji-sub. Haha.”

Actress Son Na-eun praised her chemistry with co-stars such as So Ji-sub, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Choi Dae-hoon during an interview held on the morning of the 29th at a café in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the finale of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama *Manager Kim*.
Son Na-eun said, “The chemistry, teamwork, and atmosphere on set were all fantastic,” and asked, “Didn’t it seem that way to you as well?” She added, “I’m so grateful for the support in creating an environment where I could enjoy acting.”
“Manager Kim,” which wrapped up on the 25th, is a revenge action drama about an ordinary father, Manager Kim (played by So Ji-sub), who becomes a dangerous man to fight and reclaim his only daughter. In the drama, Son Na-eun played the role of Jung Sang-ah, a special operations agent who hides her true identity as an assistant manager at the same company as Kim Bu-jang. Jung Sang-ah drove the plot forward by helping Kim Bu-jang, who threw himself into the mission solely to save his daughter Min-ji.

Son Na-eun said she developed a strong bond with her co-stars while filming *Director Kim*. This project marked her first foray into action acting. Although she had to endure cold weather and perform intense gunfight scenes, she emphasized that the set was such a positive experience that even the grueling shoot has become a cherished memory.
At the center of it all was So Ji-sub. Son Na-eun said, “Just having him there was reassuring. He really was just like Director Kim.” Son Na-eun, who received a great deal of help from So Ji-sub—a leading figure in action acting—shared, “He taught me how to aim a gun, how to make it look cooler, and even how to position the gun during close-up shots.”
After filming wrapped, So Ji-sub presented gold gifts to the entire production crew, including the actors. Son Na-eun remarked, “I never expected it to be gold,” adding, “I was so grateful to feel his thoughtfulness in taking care of not only the actors but also the staff.”
The much-talked-about elevator scene was also an ad-lib born from their perfect chemistry. It’s the scene where, following Park Jin-cheol (played by Yoon Kyung-ho) and Seong Han-su (played by Choi Dae-hoon), even Jung Sang-ah looks at the villain Joo Kang-chan (played by Joo Sang-wook) with disdain and lets out an exasperated “Ugh.”
Son Na-eun said, “Seeing my senior actors ad-lib, I actually really wanted to try it too,” adding, “When they asked, ‘Na-eun, do you want to try it too?’, I replied, ‘Should I give it a shot?’ Later, they told me I was staring at them with eyes full of curiosity.”

According to Netflix’s official site, Tudum, “Manager Kim” has captivated global fans by ranking No. 1 in the non-English TV show category for three consecutive weeks. According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings research firm, “Manager Kim” started with a nationwide household viewership rating of 9.5% for its first episode and reached a peak of 23.1% by its eighth episode. This marks the second-highest rating in the history of SBS Friday-Saturday dramas.
Yoon Kyung-ho (who plays Park Jin-cheol) made a ratings pledge to observe 13 hours of silence if the show exceeded 13%. Known as one of the entertainment industry’s most talkative figures, Yoon Kyung-ho had to fulfill his pledge after just two episodes. Son Na-eun recalled, “Since I’m not a talkative person, I thought I could manage 13 hours of silence, but I was worried about how my senior would handle it.”
Son Na-eun, who appeared alongside Yoon Kyung-ho on the radio show “Cultwo Show” at the time of his vow, shared, “My senior would use a ‘speak once’ card, but whenever he used it, he would talk at great length. I think he actually spoke more than I did,” drawing laughter.

Given that the drama achieved the highest ratings among SBS Friday-Saturday dramas released this year, anticipation for the year-end awards ceremonies is growing. Regarding this, Son Na-eun joked, “Maybe because I received so many awards when I was young, I’m not lucky when it comes to winning them now.” She added, “I don’t approach a project with the mindset of ‘I have to win an award,’ but I’d like this drama to win the Best Drama Award. It’s an award for everyone who worked so hard on it.”
She then smiled and said, “I think Senior So Ji-sub will win the Grand Prize. Everyone’s saying it’s a sure thing.” Son Na-eun also added, “The Best Couple Award—maybe me and Senior Park Jin-woo, the laundry shop owner? But I think Seniors Choi Dae-hoon and Yoon Kyung-ho will win it.”
She also shared her hopes for Season 2. “Nothing has been decided yet, but everyone is looking forward to it,” she said. “If I’m asked to return, I’ll gladly join the cast with gratitude.”
Son Na-eun, who took on a new genre and character through this project, revealed her passion for acting, saying, “I haven’t done romantic comedies, melodramas, or courtroom dramas yet. There’s still so much I haven’t done and so many challenges ahead.” Her next move—which she described as “feeling like a new chapter has begun”—is highly anticipated.