The Dream Life of Mr. Kim

An Underrated Dramedy

This is a shout out to the makers and cast of this drama series. The current rating of 7.5 on MDL is , in my opinion, too low. Set in present-day South Korea, this story is a poignant depiction of issues faced by societies that are rooted in traditional Asian values yet experiencing the inevitable cultural effects of globalisation that come with economic development and technological advancement.

Themes such as young versus old, modern versus traditional, gender roles, Eastern versus Western values are explored within a central family and in each of the family members' lives outside of it. All this may sound serious, but the screenwriter skillfully drizzles the dialogue with humour and gives the viewer the hope that love and resilience can conquer all.

Special mention must be made of the actor, Ryu Seung Ryong, who is so good at playing the protagonist, Kim Nak Su. His physical comedy is stellar and adds hilarity to an unbending and stern character.

If you love social dramas, this one might be just the one for you. A heads up: This series might start with a slow pace, but it gains momentum from Episode 2.

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A beautiful story that shows how our dream life has always been before our eyes

Meet Kim Nak Su, a middle-aged salesman with an experience of 25 years. On the surface, Nak Su appears to have the perfect life: a good job, a loving family, an apartment in Seoul. But Nak Su isn't satisfied. He chases bigger achievements. In his pursuit of his dream life, Nak Su makes many questionable choices in order to achieve his dream life. And thus, he embarks on a hectic journey to self-growth.

The Dream Life of Mr Kim is one of the biggest surprises this year. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did and yet here I am gushing over it. I love this type of stories about older people who rediscover themselves and undergo a big development. I understand why they might not appeal to the masses but they can be so beautiful if done well. And The Dream Life of Mr Kim passed this test.

From the get-go, the series makes it plainly clear that Nak Su is not a likeable character. He is arrogant, overconfident, strict, dismissive, he displays conservative ideas. In short, he's the type of character you will not love so easily. Taking into account the fact he's such a controversial person, it makes sense why viewers might not feel connected to him or even choose to give up on this drama. But me, personally, I felt a pull towards this character particularly because he seemed so unlikeable.

Nak Su was a very realistic character. He is the embodiment of many men around his age, not only in South Korea, but in other countries in general. He believed he was faultless, that no matter what his decision was always right and everyone who thought otherwise couldn't be more wrong. He took many things for granted and instead of improving, he insisted on following his old methods. His views reflected his upbringing and the patriarchal nature of South Korean society and he undermined his wife's skills while trying to pressure his son into following a career he didn't like.

Underneath his facade, Kim Nak Su hid many insecurities. He strived to be better and he constantly compared his lifestyle to others. A colleague has an expensive suitcase? He will purchase the next best brand. An "inferior" employee owns an expensive car? Nak Su would need to step up his game. His life was a constant game of comparisons, not only on a professional level but a personal too.

I will not lie, there were times when I got annoyed by Nak Su's attitude. His know-it-all attitude and his refusal to take accountability of his actions puzzled me a lot. How could someone be so ignorant of their actions and their behavior? His inability to communicate properly with his colleagues almost gave me second-hand embarrassment and some of his choices were so infuriating, to the point I wanted to scream at him through my screen.

And yet, even after all that, Nak Su still managed to win my heart, in the most peculiar way. Although I strongly disagreed with his initial attitude, I secretly rooted for him to finally find his dream life. Watching him getting beaten down after every bad decision, made me both satisfied and yet so sad. He needed to fall from grace in order to develop and realise what he had lost but at the same time, my heart bled for him.

Nak Su might had been unlikeable but he wasn't heartless. Clueless yes. Selfish too. But he wasn't incapable of caring for others and their feelings. We saw that with Tae Hwan and the factory workers and as the story progressed, he allowed himself to be more open about his concern and affection. In his own way, Nak Su did everything for his family's case. He didn't express it but he cared for their well-being and he wanted to be the provider of it. So once he started losing his footing, he began to think that his life didn't have a purpose.

And even then, after losing almost everything, he insisted on clinging to the idea of proving everyone wrong. He was desperate to showcase his value and prove his worth as a salesman and a capable man who's the head of his family. He couldn't stand the idea of the company thriving despite his absence. He couldn't allow his wife to earn more than him. He couldn't accept reality in general. And that was his major flaw - and the beginning towards his self-discovery.

I could talk for hours about Nak Su's growth. At first, I was worried about how the writers would depict it because the first four episodes barely had any progress. But as the story went on, Nak Su started changing. Little by little, his old personality began to crumble and he allowed himself to be more vulnerable and open. His shattered life allowed him to open his eyes and reconnect not only with his loved ones but himself to.

As someone who studies psychology, I especially enjoyed and appreciated how the drama handled Nak Su's treatment of his mental health. His scenes with his therapist felt like a breath of fresh air and his initial reluctance in treatment was so realistic and consistent with his character. More kdramas need to address the topic of mental health and I'm glad to see that The Dream Life of Mr Kim did not overlook it.

As expected from a drama like this, The Dream Life of Mr Kim hit me right in the feelings. It caused me a plethora of emotions. Sadness, anger, confusion, cheerfulness, happiness. Just like real life, the drama makes you undergo many different emotional experiences, both positives and negatives. Above all, the drama included some heavy scenes that put tears in my eyes, like the one where Nak Su confessed to his brother how their parents' comparison shaped him up as a person or where he cried after giving up his job.

Of course a big part of my fondness towards Nak Su must be attributed to Ryu Seung Ryong's performance. This man does not disappoint with his roles. It's not easy to play an unlikeable character and make your audience root for him simultaneously but Ryu Seung Ryong did. He never failed to reveal Nak Su's real emotions, even his microexpressions like a twitch on his face or his furrowed eyebrows could convey so much. His acting really shined during the emotional moments and this is when he truly made me sympathize with Nak Su's struggles, as if they were my own. I am not exaggerating when I'm saying that he deserves to receive many nominations and awards for such a compelling performance.

Aside from Nak Su's personal growth and re-birth, The Dream Life of Mr Kim offered some other interesting topics in the story. For starters, it was amusing to see how workplace environments can be and observe the politics behind them. Through Nak Su's employees, we see what it feels like to have a demanding yet incompetent boss and through the background activities, it's revealed that corporations will often turn to shady activities if its profitable for them, without regarding their employees and how they'll be affected.

I was beyond surprised to learn that what the drama depicted is very accurate for South Korea: Korean companies will fire you, without actually firing you. That's the case in The Dream Life of Mr Kim, too. Nak Su doesn't get fired. Instead, he is shipped off as the team leader for Asan Factory Safety Management. It was so interesting to have more insight about companies in Korea and how they treat employees and once again, I couldn't help but still feel sorry for Nak Su (even though it was understandable for him to lose his position).

Another interesting aspect of the story was the development of Nak Su's wife, Ha Jin and their son, Su Gyeom. I was heavily rooting for both Ha Jin and Su Gyeom, especially Ha Jin. Her determination to become a real estate manager and resume her studies made me admire her a lot. I was happy to see that the writers didn't settle with making her a mere background character whose purpose would be to uplift Nak Su's development. She was a person of her own, with her own dreams and feelings and that was very refreshing to see.

I loved how she cared for Nak Su and yet still called him out for his behavior and decisions. Nak Su needed more people to knock some sense into him and hearing this from his own wife had a great impact on him. Similar to how she wasn't afraid to talk some sense into her husband, Ha Jin was not willing to let others step on her. She defended herself and refused to go down without putting a battle, which made her even more exciting to see.

As for Su Gyeom, I found his arc to be realistic and relatable. He was a young adult who wanted to earn his independence and pursue his own career path. It was quickly proven that this wouldn't be an easy road to cross and yet, with the help of his family, he didn't give up. I admit that at first I was bored during his scenes and I found his story to be the least engaging but as the episodes went by, I warmed up to him and I quietly supported his developing career.

Nak Su and Su Gyeom's relationship was complex and yet so beautiful. Both father and son deeply cared about each other. The problem was due to Nak Su's pride and his devotion towards his job, they drifted apart and this, Su Gyeom developed a disliking towards his father's ideas. It was only after Nak Su hitting the rock bottom that they began understanding each other better. Watching them bond and rekindle their relationship made my heart melt. Nak Su supported Su Gyeom and Su Gyeom supported Nak Su in return and their actions could speak louder than words.

The directing and cinematography highlighted the emotional impact and the characters' stories. The camera work and editing were very effective during the dialogues, they added so much tension and accompanied by the delightful yet intense piano notes in the background, they made me bite my nails in distress. Another example of the drama's excellent cinematography were the scenes of Nak Su having a panic attack. The way it was filmed made it feel like I was the one experiencing it. As someone who has experienced panic attacks before, their portrayal in the drama was realistic and grounded. They weren't overused to the point they lost their impact but they were equally effective and set up the ground for Nak Su's anxiety spiral.

If I could voice some minor complaints, they would be about some story points. As I mentioned above, Su Gyeom's arc took a while to make me invested. I got kinda bored with his interactions between Han Na and this whole "will-they-won't-they" situation between them was kinda annoying. Additionally, although I still believe that the writers handled Nak Su's development very well, the writing could have been a little bit tighter in some areas, particularly the first four or five episodes. Had the series been a little longer (say 14 episodes), Nak Su's growth could have been presented in an even more compelling way.

But even these minor flaws didn't ruin my overall impression. Although the first episodes had given me a lukewarm feeling, The Dream Life of Mr Kim actually got better as the story progressed. It's a drama with messages that can resonate with many people, no matter how old they are. Just like Nak Su, many of us are constantly trying to climb the ranks of society, while trying to build "the perfect life". But while trying to survive in a society that wants us to move forward and then stop once we'll reach a limit, we forget one important thing: we forget to LIVE. Life is not about luxurious, superficial things. It's not about owning a big apartment at the capital of your city. It's not about pleasing your higher-ups just to receive a promotion. It's not about buying expensive goods just to feel superior. It's about the memories we build with our loved ones and the small things that bring us joy.

Finding a purpose in this world is difficult. And if we have gotten used to a routine that provided us with some sort of stability and security, losing it might make us crumble. That doesn't mean we should give up. Every ending can lead to a new beginning. Sometimes, instead of clinging to our pride and unreachable dreams, it's okay to settle back and just accept reality.

Spending all our lives chasing after promotions, becoming our companies' erant boy and neglecting the people close to us will become exhausting and soul draining. Maybe all we need to do is sit back, take a break and reflect on everything. And maybe, if we open our eyes, we might realise that what we've looking for has always been right in front of us.

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Very realistic portrayal of real life and "patriarchy" in personal and corporate world

After watching all 12 episodes, imo this is a masterpiece drama written by someone who lived this. See the info on that below.
It is a drama from real life - a patriarchal family: dad - a rotten spoiled insecure, total dick, a rat in the corporate rat race; a doormat mom who knowingly spoils the dad; and a college-age son who has to cow down too and then carries that into his own love and business life where ppl are abusive to him and he clings to them ....

and the dad is the same abusive dude at home and work .... and eventually messed up so much that he lost his job and did even more - a lot more!!!!! - doodoo woodoo .... and .... everyone has to grow or else.

Dig your own grave then sink or swim drama.... . This sentence is well explained in review by Oppa_ https://kisskh.at/profile/oppa_/review/504894

This drama is a very old, cheesy, and seemingly simple story, BUT with excellent acting and a tight script, and great filming, it is really a riveting story, imo.

The issues:
- will the wife ACT on her full knowing that she created a spoiled brat out of her husband and gave up her dreams...
- will the son ACT on his own heart and opportunities or cave in to his dad...
- how will the dad take failing at work, being fired, being betrayed, living his whole life for that darn company and giving up his own dreams for it, to feed his family and "look good"

This is a story that will send any teenager, housewife, a sole breadwinner, a middle age worker, or laid off worker, into frenzy, it really pushes buttons...

I think it is a masterfully done piece from start to end. The plot, the acting, the filming is all great. The issues were masterfully presented and the drama ends with a realistic healing.

Seems like in real life too :) I knew from the start that the drama was written by someone who lived this, and wanted to know who wrote it - Mr. Kim, Ms. Kim, the kiddo, or even Old or Young Nasty Boss when they got fired next LOL - and I found out!

The drama is based on a daily blog of a real-life office manager who then published a book, webtoon and then this drama. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-11-17/entertainment/television/Author-draws-on-former-corporate-life-for-hit-Netflix-drama-The-Dream-Life-of-Mr-Kim/2456038


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Written after ep 3:

I dislike Mr. Kim, obviously, he is a real jerk, someone who is 100% unaccountable, selfish and insecure - a SELFISH SNOWFLAKE, a rat in the corporate maze, a person totally oblivious to others. He does try to win in that rat race, but he cannot - bc he is just a rat without any brains. He is a weak person without vision, goals, or life in general. And - who is there in it with him, egging him on deeper into that doodoo - is HIS WIFE.

I also dislike Mr. Kim's wife. She is a doormat, pushower and an ENABLER. She is the abused party and yet does nothing about it... and willingly continues.

At the start of ep 3, she clearly explains she *knows* she created this monster dad/husband/ Mr Kim bc she spoiled her husband
- and yet she is unwilling to do anything about it and STILL WILLINGLY CATERS TO HIM, and fully aware that she is spineless enabler, she keeps destroying herself to cater to him, she even quit her dream and her real estate exam.

MR. KIM's WIFE IS NOT NICE. SHE IS A MONSTER TOO. She is dumb and weak and allows Mr. Kim and everyone to just trample over her. AND THUS THE BAD SITUATION KEEPS HAPPENING.

Bc she is unwilling to stand up to her husband in an honest and gentle way, providing REAL support, not just mockery of his insecurities, bc she is unwilling and unable to keep an honest communication with her husband, bc she is unwilling to disciss any issues, bc she "feels pity for him" and thus lets him do whatver he wants, BC SHE IS A WEAK AND MURKY TOXIC PERSON, she has created a monster, a weak and murky toxic ENTITLED MR KIM IN CHARGE OF NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE, who is impacting so many peoiple in most negative ways.

Mr. Kim is a jerk obviously bc he is riding the patriarchy and using all his privileges, using his status as breadwinner and "man" and manager to dole it over his wife and kid and subordinates, he is an abusive patriarchal jerk. He kisses up and kicks down....

And the wife is responsible for never ever questioning him and thus promoting and encouraging him to continue to be abusive more and more.

So THE WIFE IS BEHIND ALL THIS. SHE ALLOWED MR KIM TO GET OUT OF LINE. SHE keeps throwing herself, their son AND Mr Kim under the bus, and indirectly, throwing under the bus everything and anything that Mr. Kim gets in touch with, e.g. all ACT employees and customers and public and youtube readers etc the entire country

MR KIM'S WIFE IS THE KEY TO SOLVING THIS SITUATION - AS LONG AS WIVES LIKE THAT EXIST, MR. KIMS WILL EXIST

****THE ROOT CAUSE IS PATRIARCHY. **** MR. KIM, HIS WIFE AND SON ARE STUCK IN IT.
AND THE WIFE AND THE SON ARE THE KEY SINCE THEY ARE THE ABUSED PARTIES AND SHOULD START THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SYSTEM THAT ENSLAVES THEM.
MR KIM IS ALSO A SLAVE IN THIS BUT HE IS A SLAVE WITH PRIVILEGES SO HE DOESNT SEE IT AND HAS NO REASON TO BREAK IT DOWN... UNTIL THE SYSTEM BREAKS HIM DOWN TOO :) but then it is too late

THE WIFE IS A FULL 10000% SUPPORTER OF PATRIARCHY. She adores her husband as if he were some kind of God or a very small child who needs being catered to. That is not love, that is sheer toxicity.

The patriarchy trained Ms. Kim to think that way and the patriarchy trained Mr. Kim to feel so entitled.

AND IT IS THE FAULT OF MR AND MS KIM TO NEVER EVER QUESTION IT AND TO NEVER EVER ASK WHY THEIR MARRIAGE AND THEIR LIFE IS SO TRASHY UNHAPPY MEANINGLESS WHY IS MR KIM SO ABUSIVE AND SO CRUDE UNKIND, always putting his wife and kid down, always putting his employees down, always making other ppl feel miserable - bc he does not care how other ppl feel. BC HIS WIFE LETS HIM DO THIS.

and it is interesting how that will ruin her son too - that girl is clearly a bait and that Jealousy company is clearly somehow going to abuse Mr Kim's son, who is gullible and keeps failing for that girl and doing whatever she says. Those kids will somehow use Mr Kim's son as a scapegoat for something illegal they do, or as a guinea pig for something, but in any case, at the end he will be thrown to the curb and VERY HURT

And is funny how we find MR. Kim annoying but realy who makes Mr. Kim is HIS WIFE and ppl think she is "nice"

No, she is a monster bigger than him. He has no idea what he is doing. He is just misusing his privileged status. She KNOWS what she is doing and is unwilling to stop. She KNOWS she CREATES ENABLES AND SUPPORTS THE SPOILED CARELESS CRUEL SELFISH INSECURE MONSTER MR KIM

Writen after ep 4:
In this episode, the abusive situation starts to crack. The wife starts to bite back, Mr. Kim is forced to face his dream privileged world crumble down, and Mr. Kim's son starts to stand up to abuse at his Jealousy company too.

Well - keep on going :)

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Since this is Netflix and is run by the West, most likely these crucial social issues will be exposed and then ... left at a standstill :) and even left with a hopeless message. .... From what I understand, Mr. Kim will be a little car repairman and happy with it.

In other words, the drama could leave at a dead end, making the "good people" be small and insignificant, and the existing patriarchy and corporate version of it going at full speed as before. Kinda hopeless :)

Let us see if this drama can provide a little bit more insight :)

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Written after ep 12:
the last scenes of Mr and Ms Kim walking and finally having a lovey dovey relationship and talking honestly, lovingly, with consideration, discussing what they want and can do, ... that is the WIN of Kim family.

Their kiddo turned all right too. He was saved by HaNa's dad, who pulled HaNa away, finally. The kiddo has bad taste in women and kept clinging to a snake. I hope he grows up and lets go of her for real :)

and last but not least: Jae Pil from A Hundred Memories showed up, to confirm - the actor looks good when he smiles, and cannot act....

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A masterpiece about salaryman

This drama is not simply a narrative of a man’s downfall, but a story of self reconstruction. It is painfully realistic in some parts for its accurate portrayal of job insecurity and office politics in a large corp and personal struggles, but it also well mixed with some sense of humor and heartfeel moments so overall the show was not so hard to watch. The ending was great, Mr Kim was forced to meet himself and ultimately found inner peace by putting down pride/ self esteem. Many people may go through the same journey like him as getting older. Even I'm younger i can resonate some situations of Mr Kim and people surrounding him. The storytelling and Ryu seung ryong's performance as the center of the show were excellent.

One of the best Kdramas in 2025, solid 9.5/10.

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Great storytelling, Perfect Cast, Superb Acting

Even before watching I knew this would be good. I was only familiar with Ryu Seung Ryong from Moving, Jung Eun Chae, and some of the other actors. But they all played their roles flawlessly. The family dynamic was so real, even the sister who Lee Se Hee really knocked out the park with her playing a way different character than she usually does.

This is one of those that will stay with you and when I just saw that it is the same director as Atypical Family I could totally sense the similar vibe. It was very soulful. Up there with Misaeng this is easily top 10 for me.

Just another masterclass performance by Ryu Seung Ryong.

My only criticism is the son's romance storyline, its a little bit kdrama cliche. That knocked it down to a 9.5 for me. But the actor himself was really good and he has a very bright future.

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The obnoxious Nak-su will win you over!

I wasn't expecting much from this drama, I initially decided to watch because of Ryu Seung-ryong (he was brilliant in the kdrama "Moving") but ended up loving it! The main character Nak-su is arrogant, stubborn and pretty obnoxious 😅 but throughout the drama there are times were you feel sorry for him and can't help but root for him! Watching him transform into a completely different person by the end and discover happiness was truly heartwarming. I'm going to miss him! 😭😅

I also love how the drama touched on mental health aspects making it less of a taboo in Korea!

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A quiet masterpiece for anyone who’s ever had to rebuild themselves

The Ideal Life of Mr. Kim has been one of the most meaningful dramas I’ve watched in 2025. What struck me most is how profoundly it speaks without ever trying to be “profound.” There’s no loud messaging, no forced self-help narrative—just a quiet, deeply honest look at transformation, healing, and what it means to finally face yourself after years of being shaped (and sometimes damaged) by work, expectations, and corporate culture.

If you’re Gen X or an older millennial—or anyone who has ever been churned through that system, burned out, and had to put yourself back together—this drama will make you feel genuinely seen.

The lead’s physical and emotional evolution over time was exceptional. It’s rare to watch a performance that doesn’t just act transformation, but embodies it. The choices, the subtle changes, even the aging—they were done with such care that you feel the passage of time inside the character, not just around him.

The soundtrack deserves special mention. There were moments I simply sat there letting scenes breathe because the music elevated everything without being intrusive. Beautifully curated, beautifully placed.

And without spoiling anything: the final episode is one of the most quietly beautiful endings I’ve seen in recent years. Reflective, gentle, earned. I watched the whole series in two days and wished I could somehow watch it again for the first time.

I’m honestly grateful this drama was produced at all. It’s not a show aimed at the teen-bopper crowd, and that’s exactly why it feels so special. It speaks to viewers who have lived a little, fallen, repaired themselves, and kept going. For us, this feels like a gift.

Stunning drama—quietly unforgettable.

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Amazing performance by Ryu Seung!

I just finished this drama and I’m honestly shocked it’s not more popular. The ratings are way too low for how good this actually is.

I’ll be honest: at the start, I absolutely hated Mr. Kim. He’s incredibly annoying, obsessed with his own success, and the way he treats his family is hard to watch. But please, don't drop it because of him! As the story goes on, you start to see the corporate world through his eyes. It’s a brutal environment where life is just about survival and constantly watching your back. You actually start to feel sorry for him. Watching his journey toward realizing that "less is more" in life was one of the most rewarding character arcs I’ve seen in a long time. And that ending? Perfect.

Ryu Seung-bum delivers a powerhouse performance. He brings a raw, human quality to a character that could have easily remained a caricature. It is truly a shame that this drama remains under the radar and underrated in public ratings.
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​Just like Ryu’s previous work, Low Life—which is another absolute gem—this series deserves much more recognition. The ending is pitch-perfect, offering a poignant conclusion to a complex story. If you’re looking for a deep, character-driven narrative that rewards your patience, don’t let the low ratings fool you. This is top-tier drama.

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Real life situations make blah K drama

First the cast is good, everyone acted their part, had good emotional range and acted like an everyday person.

The ML (Mr. Kim) while you want to feel bad for him and root for him to achieve the success he strives for the story lines fizzle out. Outside the later episodes where his family helps he only cares about himself, what he does & its impact him being promoted. He doesn't show any feelings for his wife, son, fellow workers. Sure there are bits here & there where he does something 'good' but its not before its the last option.

The bulk of the main story lines and sub plots have little to no resolution. The series could've used another episode or two to wrap up things.

Overall its an enjoyable watch and the key messages are a nice reminder to note & care for those close to you.

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