Misaeng: Incomplete Life

• The writing is great, directing inspired, bold and not afraid to try different things, the pacing is for the most part great and there is really very little to criticize. The cast is a real gem, including both rookies and veterans, all breathing life into the characters as if they were born to play them. From the important bits to small details, this series is just one brilliant piece of Korean television.

• As you'll have gathered, Misaeng is about office life. You might think there's nothing thrilling about that, and you'd be wrong. Yes, Misaeng is about office life, but it does it in such a manner! There's a rhythm, a storytelling, an atmosphere that completely hooks you. There are situations, moments, and characters that genuinely touch and shake you to your core.

• The series became a social phenomenon in South Korea, much like Mad Men in the US. It depicts office life with accuracy, blending literal realism and subtle humor (which gracefully recedes over time), never missing an emotional beat to create an astonishing television marvel where white-collar office workers become true heroes.

• In Geu-rae, I saw my own past self—afraid of being left behind, clueless about teamwork, too embarrassed to ask questions that seemed foolish but were genuine mysteries to me. I too endured rolling eyes and rebukes, desperately wanting to prove I could do it, reflecting every day on what I did wrong and needed to fix. It broke my heart to watch. Yet now that I've passed that stage, am I still working as hard as I used to?

• "Never forget that I am my mother's pride." So many moments struck a chord. It's a show that inspires you to put real, genuine effort into life. From the managing director and deputy general managers to the section chiefs, assistant managers, and staff, every character is vivid and alive—at times blurring the line between TV and reality. We are all still incomplete lives (misaeng). To all the Jang Geu-raes of this world, let's keep fighting together!

1 / 5