Throwback to one of the shows that made my heart ached and cry. I was not attracted to this series when it first aired, I felt like way back before I wasn't ready watching a series about having a job because way back before I didn't have something I would call work or job. It became one of my weakest points cause I felt I didn't have something to offer.
Misaeng which means Incomplete Life. It tells the story of the harsh reality of an intern in the workplace. The story mainly focuses on Jang GeuReu who became an intern because of his connection and the people who are with him during his two-year stay at the company called One International.
Let's meet the characters.
Im Si Wan as Jang Geu Rae.
As soon as the first episode started the mood of the story has a subtle blue in hue, sad atmosphere, and loneliness that it was so painful to watch. It started with Jang Geu Rei portrayed by I'm Si Wan, he's the new intern who didn't have any background in a corporate job and was accepted because of connections. Due to this, he was poorly treated by the other interns who are ahead of him, 10-days before, and had a good resume on their sleeves. Him having to graduate with only GED (Korean Highschool Graduation Equivalency Examination) at the same time with connection didn't have his first good weeks at the company.
The series slow-paced feels, gloomy rhythm, and sad color tones, I have felt like I had a first-hand experience of how Jang Geu Rei was, from the moment he stepped inside the office, to being left out and being bullied that it's so painful to watch him suffer from everything during his first few days at work. I wanted to take him out of the computer and hug him. "Don't worry my friend everything shall pass"
The drama had laid details per detail on how he was feeling, how his struggles were, and what I didn't expect with his character is that it felt like he always had few words to say. His emotions were always left unsaid but his emotions, from the blinks of his eyes, to the way he walks, to the twitch of his mouth everything is created in detail that after almost an hour of the episode that just how we would know that his working hours have ended.
What's amazing in this series is that it felt real. Everything that was happening at his office felt like we are also going through the same moments as him. From the people to failures and to small and big victories, everything felt like it wasn't written for the audience to feel, but this story is the audience. This is how life is. That in this situation, you are never alone, we feel the same way they feel. This is the reality.
Our main lead Jan Geu Reu played by I'm Siwan wanted to be a professional Baduk player but had to give up on it due to his family status. His name Geu Reu is like OKAY in Korean, so whenever he hears Gereu he couldn't help but answer.
He started as someone who felt helpless with everything he had to go through during his intern days but did everything in his best to prove himself that he could do it, he is willing to learn, and as he said to Mr. Oh he has the Quality and Quantity of being someone at work which Mr. didn't buy at first. But as we get to know him through the series, no matter what happened whether he fails or not, he was never withered. He never gave up and was still positive in everything, even if he knows he was lacking.
He was like the heart of his team. When he said he was the company, the company's president even complimented him and had liked him.
Lee Sung Min as Mr. Oh. From the first moment he was introduced, he seems to be grumpy and always had this thing like why was Jang Geu Rae sent in his team. He wanted someone more qualified than him. But actually, he is idealistic, a man with principles, and has a kind heart.
From his scruffy hair, slow and fast walks, to the way he talks and his eyebags, you would already get that vibe like everything is on his shoulder, that he's barely getting through (he's a father, a team leader, a subordinate, a friend and of course a husband all in one) But Mr. Oh always show you how to strive, be determined, and always do your more than 100 percent best in everything.
Kim Dae Myung as Kim Dong Shik. What's not to love about his character! From being a supporting secondary character (Mr. Oh's sidekick), he was also one of my favorite characters in the show. With his enthusiasm, kindness, calmness, and loyal subordinate and friend, I couldn't help but love his character! He showed his rawest feelings as a subordinate and a really good friend. He may just seem like an ahjussi with very bad perm hair but he is more than that.
Kang Sora as Ahn Young Yi. I thought she and Geu Rae had some sort of a love line hahaha... There was this moment when Geu Rae saw her for the first time and everything went slow-motion. Ahn Young Gi started as the character whose so brilliant, so much talent, eloquence, and professionalism. That pretty unnie who I want to be when I grow up feeling.
But as we get into deep into her character, it gave us the other side of Young Yi whose vulnerability is showed with her awkwardness in a competitive world where men rule. Despite some few backstories about her, you get curious with why why why.
Kang Han Neul as Baek Yi. He somehow reminds me of someone I knew :) His character is like the KNOW-IT-ALL person. Like he always felt the need that his better than Geu Rae. There was this one line where Kang Sora told him the elevator that isn't he too selfish for thinking the way he thinks.
His arc progress showed his growth as a person. From taking things smoothly, by understanding the basics, by being calm and understanding, despite him being impatient shows us that each and every one of us had different personalities at the same time different in the way we view things. Kang Han Neul really made Baek Yi the person you wouldn't like at first but once you get to know him you'll understand where he's coming from.
Byun Yohan as Yook Seol. My favorite character in Misaeng. I love Gue Rae but Yoo Seol stole it! hahahaa... It's the first time I have watched him in a drama. He was introduced to someone you wouldn't like to be working with in the future. It felt like he's so into himself and only see him as he could do anything and he's so good at it.
But he's the biggest turnover in the series. He's one of the characters that whenever you see him you just couldn't help but be amused and laugh at him. His blabbering and funny gestures are really funny (for me). He also likes the glue and bridge between interns. He made you feel like one of his friends too, his presence is really seen. There's this one scene where he was in a gloomy state and you would totally feel it. Just like what Geu Rae had thought in an elevator scene, he felt he lost his friend York Seol.
Work-related issues from the series.
Misaeng showed the truest form of what is happening in the workplace. Maybe there's so much more to that but Misaeng gave us the reality at work. Some issues were tackled in the series.
1. Gender Discrimination.
-Specifically towards women. I couldn't forget this one scene where they said that women who get pregnant are the culprit at the workplace. They even advised Young Yi to be single and not to get married, because it would be a hassle to the men in the place. I just felt bad like why does it have to be that women are always the one who goes on the bad side. Not good enough worker, the wrongdoer in everyone's eyes, whether it would be on her in-laws, in her husband's eyes, as a mother, it feels like you are always not good enough. Basically, it's also shown in how society treats women, despite struggling double in everything we do it's just doesn't fit well because you are a woman.
2. It may not just be business but then again it's all about business.
One International is a trading company so everything seems like a business. Meeting potential clients and finding the best business to deal with. But sometimes it also gets personal. There's this one episode when Mr. Oh was so excited to meet his old-time pal in high school and he wants to have business with him but apparently, that person has been holding some grudge in the past.
It may seem petty at first but there are some things in life as they say couldn't be easy to let go of. Especially when it's coming from childhood.
At the end of the day, it can also be caring. There's this one episode when Mr. Oh faints due to overfatigue. Everyone on their floor crazily called and search where Mr. Oh went. It's very heartwarming because despite what Business it may be, the significance of family at work is shown.
It may just be business or just work-related, everything is just personal.
3. Contractualzation
I find this new, I don't know but I was shocked when Geu Rae's table has a "Contractual Employee" post. It felt like it was literally showed that he has an expiry date. Here in the Philippines, we also try to fight with contractualization, we call it here ENDO (end of contract). My heart ached so much on this. You start enjoying being at work, earning for your family, and then because of your contract, it's either you would get absorbed by the company or not. I felt the pain Geu Rae had when his contract is almost over. This may raise the ethical issue with the unjust treatment of workers, until now it's they are still implementing amends on our labor code here in the Philippines. I just don't know how it is in South Korea.
Learnings.
1. Understanding the difference between working alone versus working with others.
This has been taught in school from solo projects to team projects, but I guess when you are in the real world it may not be easy as it seems.
2. Every day is always a new day for a new battle.
It may be commuting on your way to work and on your way home. Working on time pressure and deadlines, whatever happens on that day, we should always move forward and if things didn't go on the way we plan we should never get discouraged and always do your best.
3. The importance of the work we do.
There's this one scene where Baek Yi tells his frustration to Manager Kang. That he was disappointed in himself and then Manager Kang gave an insight into the importance of what they do. That not all work should always be in the spotlight. That every single work we do is not less significant or less important, because every little thing we do adds up to make a big whole company :)
4. Finding Meaning to our work
Here goes the question why are working? Finding that spice as the older people say when your working is what is important. Does this make you happy? Does this make you happy? But as they also say work is also working progress. You can have a love and hate relationship with it but at the end of the day what you like is important. Find something that keeps you going.
5. Friendships
One of the warmest thing in the whole series is building friendships with your colleagues. That undeniable bond that even if you don't have some deep talks, each friend's "presence" felt significant.
6. We are our parent's Pride and Joy
No matter how small our accomplishments are, and even if things didn't turn out the way we want it to be, our parents are supporting us all the way. I really cried my heart out when Geu Rae overheard his mother on how proud she is with everything he does. That she knew he was hurting all those years but she kept mum about it and support him.
7. Our World is like a huge Baduk
We all have our principles, our own ways, that in this huge Baduk board we are in, we are the representation of our lives. Every move we take is like the black and pieces of the board.
Misaeng had shown up in a moment where it brings back memories of when I first started working in our company. That excitement at the same time fears if I can make it through or not. There's one instance in the series where Jang Geu Rae stares at One International Building and the emotion he felt was the same emotion I felt that moment. I was really happy.
There may be a lot of things that I have resonated with Geu Rae but at the end of the day, it's about doing the best you can every day. As if getting excited with something foolish today. Just like Geu Rae, I started late at work but it didn't stop me to always look forward no matter what.
I'm so late in watching the drama but this gave me a lot of tears on the side. I was ignoring the series for so long and here I am being close with every character ahhahahaa...
"Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Just do it!" Thank you Misaeng! <3 <3
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