According to Chosun on July 27th, a heartwarming story about actor So Ji Sub has been circulating in the South Korean entertainment industry. Following the success of the drama "The Secret Service ," he gifted one gram of gold to each member of the film crew as a token of gratitude.
So Ji Sub scores points with his practical actions.
The film crew had nearly 300 people, meaning So Ji Sub spent almost 100 million won (approximately 1.8 billion VND) to prepare this gold. According to market prices at the time of purchase, each gift was worth more than 300,000 won. Notably, this wasn't a gift from a sponsor or collaborating brand, but entirely paid for by So Ji Sub himself.
So Ji Sub continues to make his mark not only through his acting career but also through his genuine treatment of those who work with him behind the camera.
Image: Screenshot from the movie Agent Kim Reactivated
On the gold box, So Ji Sub wrote: "I have experienced immense emotions and happiness working alongside everyone on this project. Thank you to everyone who has silently dedicated themselves to making Manager Kim shine. Sincerely, Manager Kim - So Ji Sub."
The information quickly attracted the attention of the online community. Many viewers commented that this was a gift that was both practical and much more meaningful than gifts that were merely symbolic.
According to South Korean media, So Ji Sub's reason for giving away the gold was quite simple.He hoped that the cast and crew members could sell the gold if they ever faced financial difficulties.
This isn't the first time the actor has done something like this. After filming for the drama Mercy for None wrapped up, So Ji Sub gifted gold to all the actors and staff on the set. At the time, he briefly shared: "Life isn't easy these days, so if you need it, sell it to use."
So Ji Sub's simple yet heartfelt statement received much praise for showing his care for those who worked alongside him on the film. Instead of expensive gifts that were merely for display or souvenirs, the actor chose gold, an asset with stable value and easily convertible into cash when needed.
The reboot of the drama "Agent Kim" also marks So Ji Sub's return to SBS after 13 years.
In the film, he plays Kim, a seemingly ordinary bank employee who is actually a legendary secret agent. The contrasting personalities of the characters, along with the meticulously crafted action scenes, helped the film receive much positive feedback after its broadcast.
After debuting with a 9.5% viewership rating, Agent Kim quickly garnered attention thanks to positive word-of-mouth and surpassed the 20% mark in its fourth episode. The drama held the number one spot in its time slot for 10 consecutive episodes. Its fast-paced plot, strong acting, focus on family emotions, and pursuit of justice received widespread praise from viewers.