Ruminative and heart-wrenching, Misaeng pushes you to ponder on forgotten dreams, career regrets and what-now-crossroads.
Without supernatural intervention or genius fusion ideas, I landed on a pensive mood while watching the thought-provoking workplace drama Misaeng. The series gave me a whirlwind of emotions that no adulting self-help books has discussed so far.
- Main Cast: Im Si Wan | Lee Sung Min | Kang So Ra | Kang Ha Neul | Byun Yo Han | Kim Dae Myung
- Network & Episode Count: tvN | 16 Episodes
- Official Website: Misaeng tvN
- Streaming Site: Netflix
*Originally published on my blog in July 2015
Quick Review
- Plot Trajectory: Consistently engrossing with gratifying ending
- Plot Pace: Nicely-done
- Character Portrayal: Great main leads and supporting cast
- Writing: Full Marks on balanced execution of themes
- Watch on a binge or intervals?: Either choices apply
- Crowning Moments: A relatable memory fragment of a career person | A sentimental story brimming with life lessons
- Healing/Addictive Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- K-Dramas of Similar Vibe: Itaewon Class | Dr. Romantic | My Mister |
Misaeng Peak Points
A relatable memory fragment of a career person
Misaeng introduced Jang Geu Rae and the rest of One International newbies to me. They underwent a top conglomerate scrutiny of what they can offer if given a chance to become an employee of a successful trading company.
I rooted for our underdog main lead, who had to stop playing professional baduk, because fate played against him. He was left no choice, but to squeeze in as many part time jobs as he can, to help out with his mother with the house finances. Through his mother’s connection, he landed an internship program with a big conglomerate company.
Without any famous university diploma and any language fluency, his keen mind, patience and humility contributed in proving his worth to the initial sales team who believed he wouldn’t also go far. But his perseverance secured him a two-year temporary contract employee.
Alongside his fellow newbies, who are assigned to their respective departments after passing the internship program, they embark to find their niche by combining their natural talents and efforts.
It was a real-career-life game of withstanding a vile immediate boss who takes the credit over the work you do or letting go of the cold treatment given by the team you work with. It also presents the harsh picture of wasting your skills in the company or proving your effort to an elite team who stoops down on career oriented women.
A sentimental story brimming with life lessons
While bravely showing the downside of a typical salary man, witnessing the hero of the story unfazed and persevering to work on opportunities regardless of the hurdles, is an encouragement for people who always have work-related inhibitions.
He is a reminder of what most all of us when we were all unsure of entering the professional world. It was also a nudge to leave a job you are unhappy about and go back to what you really wanted to do.
Misaeng provided an engaging experience for me because of its wonderful cast and their interaction. Though mostly shot in the office premise, the candid pantry small talks, the rooftop heartfelt confrontations, the cubicle power struggles were able to capture in detail and in pure emotions the many faces of employees struggling everyday to get their job done.
It was like stepping to a company’s door, sitting silently in a corner while you watch all of the employees get to their job. For the jobless and people who wish for a different job it would be a great encouraging watch.
It gives a brave nudge on how businesses should give fair treatment to aspiring regular employees following the results of the scorecards out of an honest hard work. And how a probationary employee who came from a reputable school should never be given an advantage he does not deserve.
Series Afterthoughts
It is hard these days to find an emotionally absorbing drama that follows the fundamentals of how storytelling emerges to inspire people.
We often have to discover stories to escape from problems, so sitting down upfront with a courageous TV presentation chronicling what’s true and real, what we hide to people relying on us, and what we don’t want to admit because of ego, has had me feel high-spirited to surmise that fulfilling personal goals need not happen in an instant. That timing coupled with passion is a potent combination to have in your pocket when achieving career goals.
Misaeng is definitely one of the best produced and written drama of all time with its simplicity and amazing depiction of the daily life of the working class. Without frills, it is an inspiring story to watch – either for all of us on board and those soon to be boarding onto the cruel corporate world.
Photos: tvN
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