Misaeng

I am completely captured by the competence of the writers, director, actors and producers that created this series of highly thought provoking and insightful themes of everyday working culture. Thank you for making me think and review, the complex strategies revealed in the stories and in the acting portrayed. An intelligent and unconventional K-drama that's terrific as it is polorizing.

I really didn't have any expectations and I thought it would be like the office, comedy or work place romance. I was totally wrong, I saw this show as learning experience, I think you can use it in any working place. But most importantly thing I like about this show was it reminded me that we all have our problems and stuff and sometimes that gets our way, to achieve our dreams. I can talk on this for hours haha I really hope that you give it a chance and thank you Netflix for suggesting it for me 🙏🏾

The opening sequence, shot in Jordan, suggests we are in for 20 episodes of action. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Office politics in a large Korean corporation. But don't switch this off.

As a westerner, much of what goes on is, well, 'foreign' to me. The hierarchy, the Korean sense of what is proper and who is to be respected, how to address your co-workers - most of these are very different in the society I was raised in. And the subtitles need some interpreting. But I couldn't stop watching.

It doesn't matter that some of the episodes revolve around arcane corporate issues. What does matter is how the leading characters handle the situations they are thrown into. And the writing doesn't let us off with the facile resolutions we have come to expect. It also avoids the easy 'office romance' - basically there aren't any, and the series is better for it.

I have to wonder if there is really so much shouting at work, and as much sexism today, or if alcohol consumption in the Korean business world is as shown here - but maybe this is an accurate portrayal, and livers don't last for long.

By the last few episodes I was devastated by what was happening to characters I had come to care deeply about.

There's almost a happy ending, which also explains the strange opening sequence in Jordan. But that's not really what this series is about.

Try it. Give in to it. And you'll surprise yourself by falling in love with the most unlikely people.

Amazing story, well rounded characters with great character developments, great ending.. great acts..

Definitely worth watching and meaningful...

Love this drama!

I've had my doubts when checking out the cast - it sure looked like an office romance to me, but man, I was wrong.

This is not romance nor is it a mere office soap. It's about people working in an office and the moments they share with each other. You got each office type you'd meet in real life portrayed as realistitc as possible for a drama series. You get to know each person's flaws even and yet you never end up fully hating on anyone. Every person has a believable storyline, motives, motivations.

On a sidenote, I'm an offive employee as well. Most of Misaeng is what my life is about - the work, the colleagues, the problems and epically funny moments, the bullying, the psychos, the coffee breaks... Wish I was as ambitious as Jang Gu-Rae, but mostly I enjoyed his naivety when facing problems and his loyalty towards Oh Sang-Shik and his colleagues.

My favourite characters would be Oh Sang-Shik, Kang Hae-Joon and Han Seok-Yool. I remember my first job as an intern and that first boss. The only boss so far I've ever actually looked up to (well, before that I'd worked at schools which was a completely different experience anyhow). Oh Sang-Shik reminded me of my boss, the only boss I've ever met that was absolutely loyal and who everyone was loyal to because of that. I've learnt alot from him and will always be grateful. Manager Kang, oh well, not gonna lie, I have a weakness for people like that and I loved his taste in women - I think this is the manager I'd definitely learn the most from. While on the other hand, Seok-Yool, that one co-worker you really need in an office, who has more empathy than anyone else, yet sometimes seems like a dork. He's that good soul that'll keep the group together no matter what.

I don't really want to go to work tomorrow, it's a heck load of work and people are sick these days, so it's more work for those who aren't on sick leave - but I feel motivated after finishing Misaeng.

10/10 would recommend because Misaeng has that spark - that charisma that so many k-dramas are missing.