SBS drama 'Agent Kim Reactivated' turns heads with fully AI-generated action sequences

An AI-generated image from "Agent Kim Reactivated," the SBS Friday-Saturday drama series [Morpheus Studio]

SBS drama series "Agent Kim Reactivated," which has drawn record viewership since its premiere, is generating fresh buzz for its bold use of AI technology.

According to industry sources, an approximately three-minute sequence depicting the backstory of the protagonist Kim Bu-jang — a former special agent played by So Ji-sub — was produced entirely with AI. The show is the first K-drama in history to complete a continuous sequence of that length using AI, rather than relying on brief individual cuts.

The AI-generated footage covers a sequence in which the protagonist, a recruited North Korean operative, is sent on a covert mission across the border. The sequence was split across the first two episodes.

It includes a building explosion, a vehicle chase through snow-covered roads and a tunnel, a car rollover, an underwater scene in which a vehicle crashes through a guardrail and sinks into a river, and the subsequent recovery of the submerged car. Gunfight scenes and high-intensity action between characters are also part of the sequence.

Morpheus Studio produced the AI footage using AICRON, an AI platform conceived and built entirely by Korean visual effects specialists using domestic expertise.

The AI production workflow for "Agent Kim Reactivated" [Morpheus Studio]

The scenes produced with AI are precisely the kind that would have demanded significant budgets if shot conventionally — covering set construction, outdoor location fees, practical special effects such as explosions, and VFX work. The production team decided to go fully AI on these scenes, which they considered essential to establishing the character of Kim Bu-jang.

Hong Seong-chang, chief executive of Studio S, said at the "SBS Drama Media Day: Next Episode" event held in June that the show "cut production costs by more than 60 percent by producing lengthy scenes with AI," and went on to say that "as these efforts accumulate, they will become a source of competitive strength for dramas."

Ryu Jae-hwan, vice president of Morpheus Studio and the executive overseeing the AI production on "Agent Kim Reactivated," said the key achievement was "not simply replacing a few seconds of VFX cuts with AI, but using AI to complete entire sequences that were essential to the integrity of the story."

He added that "'Agent Kim Reactivated' was able to achieve high-quality AI footage because the production team had a clear vision from the outset for how they wanted to use AI," and said the project "properly demonstrates that AI can be a new creative tool and an outstanding partner for creators who have strong concepts and stories."

balme@heraldcorp.com