So Ji-sub's smash hit K-drama finished its explosive 10-episode run on SBS and Netflix, leaving millions of viewers with plenty to unpack. If you just watched the final credits roll and felt a bit dizzy from all the double-crosses, you aren't alone. Let's break down what actually happened in the grand finale and where the story goes next.
The Staged Death and the Great Escape
The biggest emotional gut-punch of the finale involves Kim Do-hyeon's supposed demise. Intelligence agencies from both sides realize that as long as codename 66 is breathing, targeters will never stop hunting him.
The authorities stage a fake execution, reporting that a man in his forties was shot and killed. This trick fools both the general public and North Korean officials. Min-ji visits a memorial columbarium, thinking she has lost her father forever. It's a heavy, tear-jerking moment that hits hard.
Soon after, Do-hyeon steps out from the shadows. He removes his glasses, pulls her into a hug, and reveals the truth. Both father and daughter receive brand new identities—Min-ji starts fresh as Ji-min—and they finally walk away to live a quiet life.
What Happened to the Villains
Ju Gang-chan thought he held all the cards by kidnapping the children of Han-su and Jin-cheol. He forced the fathers into a brutal cell fight to test their loyalty.
That beatdown was entirely staged. The trio turned the tables, wrecked the structural cage, and left Gang-chan dangling from a rooftop. Ju Hak Construction collapsed under a mountain of leaked corruption scandals. Gang-chan didn't even make it to a proper trial, getting ambushed in broad daylight by Golden Teeth, a character he had previously betrayed.
Meanwhile, North Korean traitor Ri Eung-ryeong tried to flee to Macau disguised as a patient. Do-hyeon tracked him down, tossed on a doctor's coat, and delivered him straight back to Park Kang-sung to face his old superiors.
Setting Up Season Two
The final moments shift gears entirely, teasing a much larger web. Do-hyeon visits the underground organization Baekho Manpower and meets its eccentric leader, Lee Do-gyu.
This specific scene mirrors the opening chapters of the original webtoon, Manager Kim. While SBS hasn't officially stamped a second season yet, the finale leaves the door wide open. With ratings peaking at a massive 23.1%, bringing back the deadliest dad in television is an easy choice for the network.
Grab your coffee and prepare for a long wait, because Do-hyeon's retirement is bound to be short-lived.
