(I don't rewatch dramas. I will rewatch this drama.)
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The hardships of employees - both those with outstanding specifications and without.
Almost dropped this because of the first few minutes but BOY AM I GRATEFUL THAT I DIDN'T.
Roller coaster ride of emotions~
Did not like how grumpy Mr Oh always seem haha
As for rewatching, I gave it quite a low score because I rarely rewatch series but if it's your thing then why not. :)
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This review may contain spoilers
finally watched misaeng after 11 years
i started misaeng 11 years after its release, mostly because i got curious about kang haneul and yim siwan after their recognition in squid game. i didn’t expect it to hit me this hard. it’s the kind of drama that feels timeless, like it could come out today and still feel just as relevant.the pacing is perfect. every episode takes its time, letting you sit with the characters and their struggles. i feel like this isn’t the type of drama you binge. it’s better enjoyed slowly, letting every moment sit with you. the office politics were harsh but it shows how exhausting and sometimes unfair that environment can be. every move feels heavy, but what really stood out to me were the family moments. those scenes that remind you these characters are more than just workers. those parts added so much warmth and balance to the stressful environment of the office.
watching oh sang-shik gradually open up to jang geu-rae was one of my favourite parts. their relationship grew so beautifully. from distance to genuine warmth and trust, it made me cry more than once. sales team three as a whole felt so alive and memorable. every character was written with such care that i couldn’t help but grow attached to them. their bond was natural and every scene with them felt like cheering on my own little family.
the characters are so lively and well written that none of them felt wasted. everyone had their own struggles and little victories, and that made the whole story feel grounded in reality. i’m glad i watched it now, because i don’t think it’s the kind of story you just forget once you’ve seen it. i would honestly do anything to experience misaeng for the first time again.
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SENSATIONAL SHOW and ACTING
For almost two years, I passed by this series, annoyed that it was in my presence so much. Finally, I looked at a couple of reviews on this website, and decided, OK, “I’ll watch!” I was interested, then became mesmerized, as the series progressed. That which was comedic was hilarious; that which was drama—the basic show—was sensational! I recognized Kang So-ra (Revolutionary Love, The Beauty Inside); Kim Dae-Myung (Hospital Playlist); Im Si-Wan (Run On, Summer Strike), and Kang Ha-neul (When the Camellia Blooms). All were great, simply fabulous! Someone I had not seen and was spellbound by his acting, was Lee Sung-min! SENSATIONAL! Sung-min was/is so dynamic, I looked for other works of his and am watching. Misaeng is rewatch worthy—although long. There was only one, 10-15 minutes (maybe) that was puzzling, in the last episode. Never quite connected for me. I’m still wondering, WHY?! Could have used that time to tie up loose ends of relationships. Still, in its entirety, this show is/was a 10!Was this review helpful to you?
Fall in love with complexity of real life and the comfort of conversations and relationships
I feel like this show is a bit predictable but a bit original, so a bit of both.First, I like an underdog fighting its way through the corporate world. I like each intern’s little journey to develop themselves. I like little moments of humour they sprinkle throughout the show. I like how they show all the real struggles of life which makes this show really comforting to watch. I like how they relate real life to playing badeuk which makes the show intriguing and interesting.
But at the same time, I feel like each cliffhanger or some of the episode arcs seem a bit predictable but I still like watching them.
Sometimes others might think it’s too slow, but I think every scene is placed there to create the feelings.
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WE ALL HAVE A INCOMPLETE LIFE
Misaeng is a type of K-drama you will love if you are into business or have any knowledge about it...Its main focus is on the business aspects and it delivers on that...even if you are not into business you will still appreciate the characters and the message the show is trying to deliver.The Story of the main character is that he wants to find his place in life...He wants to prove himself to others and find his meaning in life...The story constantly shows how poorly he is treated by others
He always tries his best but fails many times
All the characters have their own story and motivations...we see them grow and develop into better workers and people...and their stories do not make the main plot messy but it elevates it into a different level
The drama is not on the nose with its message and characters, you are shown how they feel just by their emotions...It shows how great the acting was
The main criticism the show can get is the main character is more of a silent type and may seem boring to some, but if you can understand him and relate to him you will find his character to be well written, but that’s up to personal preference
The drama is very much business focused and it may confuse you at some parts because of the heavy business knowledge this show drops on you
But it is a good watch if you like dramas like Reply 1988 and Hospital Playlist
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It is amazing!
This drama is amazing! One of my favorite k-dramas and I highly recommend it to everyone. Everything is perfect about each character. I know that first episodes are not appealing and it is all about the working life, but after you understand each character story, their personal struggles and pain, you just can't stop watching this. It is a masterpiece! And I love the entire OST!Was this review helpful to you?
Wow. Just wow. This is easily one of the best kdramas I have ever seen in my life. Half of me wants to go back in time to when this drama first came out and kick myself for looking at the plot with disinterest, because I am embarrassed to admit that at that time, I was one of those people who only watched romance dramas. However, the other half of me is so glad I watched this drama right now, as if the universe knew this is the time when I needed it; when I'm in a place so familiar to Geurae and the other newbies: struggling in a vast corporate world where I'm desperate to find my own footing.
To the people who might have found it slow, I would like to argue that's why it was so unbelievably touching. It focused on growth and actual development of characters rather than a fast moving, wacky plot; and much like real life growth is slow and progress feels almost dragging. It was so rooted in reality it almost felt painful to watch, but thats what made the high moments feel even more euphoric. It was so mirrored in reality, with some days being endlessly painful or uneventful, but then turn around and become chaotic and surprising. The plot wasn't unexpected like a gripping action movie or a suspenseful thriller, but its unexpectedness was based on its similarity to life's ups and downs, how it lands us in unfamiliar places.
Honestly, I want to keep going but I'll praise it endlessly. The actors were beyond amazing. I don't remember the last time I've seen an ensemble cast where everyone carried their own weight, everyone shone during their own time, everyone matured and grew in a way that even characters I hated, I ended up adoring. I don't even understand how it happened, but that's what happens when there is CHARACTER GROWTH and actual delicate CHARACTERIZATION instead of merely focusing on creating a unique plot. The direction was incredible; so many times the shots were taken in ways that the viewers almost had trouble grasping what the characters were thinking, so much like real life where we struggle to connect with others and understand their point of view.
Despite not knowing much about Baduk, I loved the analogies and I can only fathom how much more impactful it must be for native Korean speakers to watch this, especially Korean Baduk players. I can understand why this was such a hit, why it is still a cultural phenomenon in Korea. It truly connected with me on a level I didn't even expect. I listen to the OST's like they are the soundtrack of my life, everything was almost flawless and fit together in this show like a perfect puzzle. Now I only hope, with inspiration from Chief Oh, to keep enduring in my "misaeng" (incomplete) life and to someday win, and achieve my own "wansaeng" (complete) life.
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This review may contain spoilers
What a surprise that was!
The cast is INSANE!The writing was amazing - it felt so real and so felt that no doubt writing from personal experience and deep understanding of the dynamic of big companies, mixed with inside knowledge of the essence of the work of brokerage! Wow!
I walked in these young people shoes, and recognised so much of the challenges and emotions they went through!
It’s not a rom com, it’s fast pace and I guess, if this is not something you understand or had experience might be a bit detached, but for me was 10!
There only a handful of 10s in my 400+ drama list and this is one of them!
The poster is the worst thing about this drama 😂😂😂
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I felt it was telling my story about when I started my first job as a graduate. I found myself wishing I had mentors or managers like Oh Sang Shik, or a better grasp of office politics. I wished I had known earlier in life how everyone had personal motivations for everything they did. I felt so calm watching this drama about the daily interactions of the colleagues, and the coffee breaks conversations.
The acting was excellent, the story was as realistic as it could get for me. I enjoyed this journey.
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Worth a watch :o)
This is an extremely belated post/ review because I watched this several years back. I just want to keep a record of what I have watched (as much as possible).From what I remember, this drama is quite exciting. The acting by the leads is excellent. A slice-of-life in the office kind of drama whereby people work hard to keep their jobs/ climb the corporate ladder. I remember feeling similar feelings as the characters as they struggled and tried their utmost.
This is a believable/ realistic drama with an excellent cast of actors and actresses who can act. They delivered. They brought the feels. I recommend this drama even though it is an old one. If you have not watched it and you like office type of dramas, give this a go. :)
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A slice of Korean workplace culture
This drama is not so much about the story, but about the characters. It carefully depicts the everyday experiences of office workers in a trading corporation. The story centres on Jang Gu Rae, a former Baduk player who enters the cutthroat world of office work without a college degree or traditional qualifications.The story explores the struggles of ordinary working life such as the pressures of working in a large corporation with long hours, hierarchical systems and job insecurity. Jang Gu Rae experiences the painful loss of his personal dream to be a professional Baduk player in the challenging face of reality. The show also depicts the tedium and anxiety of being a contract worker or intern. Themes of alienation and isolation are explored as the characters are forced to conform to the system rather than express their individuality. The hierarchical system, power and office politics play a very central role in this drama where seniority often outweighs merit - This is portrayed mostly by Mr. Oh who constantly struggles between survival and idealism.
Jang Gu Rae's story is one of incremental growth and perseverance; he earns his status as a respected team member not through brilliance but by genuine effort and humility.
The show's portrayal of teamwork and human connection is one of its strongest points. The growth of the relationship between the four interns is heart-warming.
Ultimately Misaeng suggests that life is not about fulfilling a single big dream, but about finding dignity and meaning in the unfinished, the imperfect, the incomplete life.
I enjoyed this drama very much at the beginning up to the point where the interns are chosen, then it slowed down considerably and seemed to lose direction, it picks up here and there with moments of profound meaning interspersed within the story. The lead actor's (Jang Gu Rae) acting is not the best. The character interactions are the best thing about this drama, it is rewatchable but I'm not likely to rewatch it.
Music was evocative, I love the opening theme music.
7.5 out of 10
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