Incomplete Life (2014)

So far, I have seen three Korean dramas that have blown me away. "Descendants of the Sun," "Stranger," and now "Misaeng." "Misaeng" is about four interns, hoping to secure jobs in the Korean trading company, One International. Those unfamiliar with how Koreans do business may easily find themselves intrigued and sometimes disgusted with the Korean working environment.

Still mostly a male dominated work environment, you will see that it is still a difficult and challenging place for women to break into. Being verbally abused, and even occasionally sexually harassed, despite the company guidelines forbidding it, women take on the challenge of having to "put up with it" while trying to climb the corporate ladder.

A group of interns are working at One International with the hope of securing a permanent position through a contract offer. Of course, the four interns that the series focuses on, all come from different backgrounds and have differing personality traits. What makes them interesting is that they are all complex characters, causing the viewer to find certain things endearing about each one as well as things you may be turned off by. Sounds like real life, right? And that is just one of the charms that makes this series work so well.

First, we have Geu-Rae, a highly introverted young man, who doesn't have much of an educational background. His resume is full of small, part-time jobs that cause his fellow interns to contemptuously wonder how he got the internship in the first place. Especially contemptuous is fellow intern, Baek-Gi. Unknown to most of his co-workers and even his supervisors, Geu-Rae is a champion in the classic game of bad-uk (Go). Somehow, he is able to utilize bad-uk strategies to help him solve problems. He is also able to take criticisms without taking them personally. He knows he's there due to connections, and not because of any ability that he has. Geu-Rae, therefore, knows that he has to prove himself by working even harder than any of the other interns.

Next is Young-yi, portrayed by the beautifully capable So-ra Kang as the only female intern. She is dedicated, and she already has much knowledge about the trading business. She is also able to speak several languages fluently. However, she has to take the abuse from her male colleagues, forcing her to do nothing more than retrieve coffee, get their shoes cleaned, and so forth. Somehow, she is able to do these things long enough to prove to them, that she's highly capable and only wants to serve and support her team. I cannot imagine how it must be for a Korean woman trying to succeed in such an environment where she is derided and taking constant abuse. To make matters worse, her own father tells her that he regrets that she wasn't born a boy.

Baek-Gi is the ambitious intern who is a bit prim and proper. He's a bit arrogant, and feels that certain jobs are beneath him. It takes him a while to understand why there is a learning curve in place and also to learn how to be humble and supportive. When Geu-rae, at one point, appears to be getting more recognition than him, Baek-Gi doesn't take it well as his resentment builds toward Geu-rae...until he finally learns the truth about Geu-rae's past. Baek-Gi starts off as a very unlikable character, but he quickly grows on you.

Seok Ryul is the wild, passionate, and somewhat lazy intern, who'd rather spend his time gawking at girls than working. However, his strength lies in his knowledge of the working factory man; the blue collar workers who "slave away," often in unfavorable conditions and with outdated equipment, in the company factories. He's also a bit resistant to authority, especially if he feels that he's being taken advantage of. However, he loves his fellow interns, and his friendship with all of them is important to him.

The power of this series is in the relationships between, not only the interns, but also with their co-workers. These are people who spend more time with each other than with their own families. Comradery is important to them , and they often work late hours or go out for drinks together after work.

The heart and soul of this series, rests with Mr. Sang-shik Oh (stellar performance by Sung-min Lee, who all but steals the series!), who is Geu-rae's boss of Sales Team Three. At first, Mr. Oh is reluctant and even a bit hesitant to help Geu-rae learn the job due to his lack of qualifications and experience. However, upon seeing Geu-rae's willingness to learn the job as well as his determination, Mr. Oh relents. More than that, he takes Geu-rae under his wing, and we quickly find that the two characters have a love and a respect for each other that is quite touching and heart-warming. Geu-rae, who has been alone much of his life, finds a "father-figure" in Mr. Oh.

We see our cast of characters dealing with one obstacle after another, as they struggle in the workplace; a place that is sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile, and always competitive. The stories are first-rate as well as the actors who bring these fascinating characters to light. You'll laugh, you'll cheer, and you'll occasionally even find yourself choking back tears.

You'll quickly adhere yourself to characters that you love, and despise those that you don't. In the end, I think most people would love to have a boss like Mr. Oh who demonstrates wonderful integrity, despite the back-dealings, and money-grubbing traits of many of the greedy managers around him. He looks after all of the interns, and he has no problem "tripping" those who abuse them in very funny situations.

Misaeng shouldn't be missed or overlooked. This series has it all.

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The story doesn't sound like it would be that interesting. A look at office life, big whoop! But it's a small taste of the characters lives. It's like we've been given a peek into a couple years of their lives. The plot twist in this drama is definitely different than in any of the kdramas I've seen so far. "Plot twist?", you say. Yes there is a bit of a plot twist and it's pretty cool. One of the rubrics that I always use to determine if a drama is going to be good is "does it have a good ending?". The answer to that question my friends is yes. Things get wrapped up nicely and you are left feeling like you watched a complete story without the post drama hangover wondering where you made the wrong life choices and would you do it again. This drama isn't necessarily binge-able. Of course, you can watch it however you want but I found it frustrating and draggy to binge. (I personally don't know how to watch Korean and Chinese dramas without binge watching them.)

The acting and cast are some of the most SOLID I've watched as a whole so far. Lee Sung Min as Oh Sang Sik is the star. At first, I didn't know how to take him. Was he going to be a jerk and villian that I hate or a decent boss that you love? Lee Sung Min really gave this character so much depth and feeling. He's the it in this drama both the actor and the character. Im Si Wan was great as the nervous newbie trying to make it in a new world where you have to fake it until you make it. Siwan's acting isn't as strong as Lee Sung Min. But he's cute and he held his own for the most part. The rest of the new employees were so good. My favorite character of course is Han Suk Yool. How do you not love that dude.


The music really made this story exciting. It's not a soundtrack I'd put on my playlist. But without the music the story would have been very boring. The music really helped you feel the mood and that's the point of soundtracks.

Watch it!! You'll love it.

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Recommended to watch!

Smaken är som baken, delad :)

Recommended to watch this Office Drama for the characters with none/little romance.
Best described as Office version of My Liberation Notes (2022) mixed with Good Manager (2017) and Hospital Playlist (2020).

Its centered around main character and a group of people at work trying to survive the day, rough work environment, helping and supporting each other. I found the most enjoyable Han Suk Yool (Byun Yo Han) as support and Ahn Young Yi (Kang So Ra) who struggle with sexual harassments and hardships because she was a woman.

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A Profound Journey Through Corporate Realities

Misaeng: Incomplete Life is a Korean drama that left an indelible mark on me with its poignant storytelling and profound exploration of the corporate world. This meticulously crafted series immerses viewers into the tumultuous lives of office workers, shedding light on their struggles, aspirations, and personal growth. From the development of the narrative to the exceptional performances, Misaeng delivers an emotionally charged experience that captivates from start to finish.

The story unfolds around Jang Geu-rae, a former baduk player who finds himself thrust into the cutthroat corporate environment after his dreams are shattered. The drama delicately showcases Geu-rae's arduous journey as he navigates the complexities of office politics, unyielding hierarchies, and the constant pressure to prove his worth. Misaeng's strength lies in its ability to depict the human condition within a sterile and often unforgiving world, striking a chord with viewers who have experienced the challenges of professional life.

One of the drama's standout features is its ensemble cast, whose performances are nothing short of exceptional. Im Si-wan delivers a truly transformative portrayal of Jang Geu-rae, capturing his vulnerability, tenacity, and gradual self-discovery with remarkable depth. The chemistry among the cast members is palpable, creating a sense of authenticity that enhances the storytelling. Each character undergoes substantial development, unravelling their intricacies and internal conflicts, making them relatable and multi-dimensional.

Misaeng's production values are commendable, focusing on the minute details of office life to create a believable and immersive setting. The visual effects, while not particularly flashy, effectively convey the mundane nature of the corporate world, reinforcing the narrative's realism. The series' subdued color palette and understated cinematography contribute to the overall atmosphere, lending a sense of seriousness and introspection to the storytelling.

The drama's original soundtrack is a harmonious blend of melancholic melodies and introspective ballads that heighten the emotional impact of each scene. The music complements the narrative's pace and serves as a window into the characters' innermost thoughts and feelings. Whether it's the haunting piano tunes or the soulful vocals, the OST enriches the viewing experience, further immersing viewers into the characters' emotional turmoil.

While Misaeng shines in many aspects, it does have a few shortcomings. The pacing, at times, can feel slow, especially in the initial episodes, as the story sets up the intricate web of relationships and conflicts. Some viewers may find this deliberate pacing a hurdle to overcome. Additionally, certain supporting characters, although integral to the plot, could have been further developed to maximize their impact.

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This drama really made it as my most favorite Kdrama. It was really nice and very well put. It is something you really would have seen or experienced in an everyday-office-thing. The competition and struggles of one individual. Even those common traits you would have actually experienced or observed with your colleagues are shown here.
While watching this drama, I was like, nodding and agreeing or sometimes reflecting that this kind of character represents either me or one of my colleagues. The good and the bad of an office environment is being reflected here. Even with the discrimination or bullying we usually experience, through educational attainment, seniority and or even gender differences.
I was at first hesitant to watch it. I was expecting that this would be a sad story with a lot of exaggeration and dragging part. But no, I was so wrong. I was actually entertained. Even if there is no romance here, which is most common in kdramas, it still made it interesting and will make you stick to it to watch out for the next episodes.
One thing I love about this drama is that the MC has really a strong spirit, and has a way in dealing with his situation, which is a technique he learned from GO.
As for the music, I actually didn't have noticed it. I mean i was actually engrossed with story that I can't remember which music is being used. But since I really really liked this drama, I may have to watch it again and now pay attention to it. Lol

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The one that every worker can relate to

If you want to see K-drama but are not a big fans of the usual romance, give Misaeng a try. Misaeng is about office politics, battle among the juniors and power struggle among those mid-career who are working hard to get to the top. The casts are a combination of good looking young actors and veteran actors.

I admit, I am close to dropping Misaeng. I can’t stand the frustration I feel in episode 1. This is not because the story is bad. It is the first episode, it’s got to be good. I hate it because of what happened with our protagonist, it angered me. But I push forward. This is only my second K-drama and recommended by a good friend that I trust.

I am glad that I completed Misaeng. I love it. I can relate to the story.

Another drama about one struggle in this injustice world. Nothing will change, the privilege will have a better chance in life. This is the reality. Misaeng showed that it is important to acknowledge your privilege to avoid projecting your own biases onto others. We can’t choose how we were born but we can choose how we live our life and move forward.

Shi Wan definitely can act. You don’t need grand gestures to show emotions. His character, Jang Geu Rae, is an amazing person. He knows what he wants. He knows with his background, the only thing to move is to endure hardships and be resilient. I got to see the character grow over time, such a pleasure to watch. Kang So Ra plays Ahn Young Yi beautifully. A strong and smart woman who understands that everywhere, women have to work harder to get noticed and acknowledged. She is not just a visual in Misaeng. In fact, every character is that good and plays an important role. I ended up browsing about Kang Ha Neul a lot! The chemistry among all of them is amazing. The story flows easily. The conflicts are realistic. Kudos for the production team.

If only Misaeng can cast another person to play Choi Young Ho. I mean, really? There must be other senior actor outhere rather than giving the role to him.

I want to end this by quoting Tomorrow by Han Hee Jung. This soundtrack song became one of my favourite songs because of its beautiful melody and heartbreaking lyrics. This is my own interpretation after reading the English translation: the traces of my past will face tomorrow’s hardship by making a promise to fly to the blue sky and reach my dreams.

Watch: August 2020

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The Art of War meets The Office

After hearing so many references to Misaeng in other Kdramas, I decided I'd better give it a go. The synopsis sounded so boring, but my watch list was getting slim anyhow so it's not like I had options. Boy was I surprised by how much I liked this drama! It's SO well done! Every single character is well written, consistent, and interesting. The acting of the male lead was a privilege to watch, little dude expressed the emotions of his character so well you could feel everything the character was supposed to be feeling.

I related a lot to some of the plot points, though the job market is different here in the US, it's definitely difficult without enough education (or education from the right schools), so I've gone through similar experiences and thought the emotions and ideas represented were rather consistent with my own experiences. The interactions between the characters, more than anything else, made this drama exceptional. From their facial expressions to their petty disputes, every single one of them did such a great job playing the roles they were given. I especially liked how random things they'd say would help the other person solve a tough problem, they all felt like they had such solid synergy.

I will say, my one disappointment with this drama (and it's something a whole lot of kdramas are guilty of) is that they start with one plot device and then drop it toward the end. In this case, it was the male lead's tendency to strategize and relate everything back to baduk. In the earlier and middle episodes everything the little dude did had some grand strategy behind it, sometimes he won, sometimes he lost, but it was all part of his strategy. Toward the end, though, they really drop that piece out entirely and suddenly nothing is defined and explained in terms of baduk anymore really. Like...I get that it was part of his growth to learn how his strategies result in sometimes devastatingly negative situations and that thinking about people as humans rather than opponents is the point of his progression...but I don't see any reason why he would pretty much completely drop his in-depth analysis of his endless strategies after getting burned a few times. In the beginning he was always trying to learn and improve his strategies, but toward the end he just let everything wash over him without much impact or growth. I didn't feel like that fit in with his character very well.

The ending is rather predictable because that particular company's office situation was not sustainable, which they mention frequently....but I still liked the ending. It got a bit obscure, but I liked the outcomes for the characters.

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what is 8.8 ? this drama absolutely underrated

I watched this drama in my first year of college before 4 years, the things were too hard for me and I felt so upset and nervous. Suddenly I remembered this drama for no reason (that's what I thought in the first) I started it with no expectations at all but from the first episode, I felt of belonged to every moment that the lead character lives! it's the first and the last drama I appreciate that much ever and helped me so much with every step I did.

The story-line maybe not acceptable by everyone but for me, it's a masterpiece. it's pretty deep with a lot of feeling and heart-warming moments and perfect lines that I can't forget ever. it looks like you're reading a book! A literary book full of wisdom and lessons and you keep re-reading this book again and again without getting boring or tired of it. 20 episodes of frustration, hope, tears, happiness, and improvement. Life has a lot of sections and this drama shows you every moment of these sections and makes you think about your life and your dreams.

For everyone who needs something to raise his spirit, this is a good choice for you. some people said, "it's good for who going to have a job" but believe me no matter if you're a student, worker, or without a job, this drama talking about our lives in general and that's what makes it indescribable and worthy.

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I'm not a very organized reviewer, but here goes nothing.

Misaeng was a really good drama. I'm impressed that they were able to keep 20 episodes of office-work interesting enough to keep me hooked. While I think Misaeng is a really good drama and a must watch, the reason I don't think it will suit everyone is for this exact reason: 90% of the drama happens inside of an office.
I appreciate many kind of dramas but I love "serious" dramas the most. If you're the type of person who highly prefers romantic dramas, I doubt you will like Misaeng.

In my personal opinion, the acting in this drama was its strong point. While everyone did an alright job, two actors blew me away: Lee Sung Min as the kind hearted and hardworking Oh Sang Shik, and Byun Yo Han, who's character Han Suk Yool who evolves from sleazy pervert to a reliable friend who looks out for everyone. If not for these two, I think the drama would be an 8/10 or worse. The lead actor, Im Shi Wan, has the whole story revolving around him but doesn't do anything with it. I don't have any experience with him from other dramas so I don't know if he is at fault or if it is just the role that made him look that way, but he besides being handsome he didn't do a whole lot to be memorable.

I want to finalize with a couple of key points that I want to point out:
-The character development in this drama is really good. Every main character evolves in a clear yet subtle way, which is somewhat atypical for a Korean drama.
-Some episodes don't end with a cliffhanger, which was actually really refreshing and nice. It was easy to lay the drama down but the next day you would still find yourself wanting to watch the next episode.
-There are many foreign languages being spoken by many different actors as they have buyers from all over the world. All of these were incredibly cringy, especially English and German sounded awful (Only Chinese sounded somewhat natural). I know this is a problem many k-dramas have, but I like to point this out as it is a pet peeve of mine.
-If you happen to love Kang Ha Neul (the last drama I watched was When The Camellia Blooms so he grabbed my attention) and want to watch this drama for him: He does a good job but his character is quite boring, don't expect too much from him.

tl;dr: I'd recommend this drama to everyone who thinks he would enjoy watching 20 hours of Korean office dynamics. If you want romance or action, this drama is not for you. If you like realistic Korean office politics and good character development you should 100% check Misaeng out.

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