The Dream Life of Mr. Kim and Misaeng: Incomplete Life are similar in their exploration of the Korean salaryman’s struggle within a rigid and demanding corporate culture. Both center on quiet, ordinary office workers whose lives are defined by monotonous routines, social hierarchies, and a constant sense of pressure and inadequacy. While Misaeng portrays these realities through gritty realism and emotional authenticity, The Dream Life of Mr. Kim uses surreal, dreamlike sequences to express the same internal conflict and yearning for escape. Together, they offer a powerful critique of modern work life, showing how individuals fight to maintain dignity, identity, and hope within systems that often overlook their humanity.
