Misaeng teases realistic portrayal of salaryman’s life
by girlfriday
I’m really looking forward to Misaeng (Incomplete Life), the next project from PD Kim Won-seok (Monstar, Sungkyunkwan Scandal) and writer Jung Yoon-jung (Monstar, Arang and the Magistrate) headed to tvN next month. It’s the highly-anticipated drama adaptation of a hit webtoon that has a mania following in Korea for its realistic and relatable portrayal of office life.
It’s considered almost a textbook for how to survive the workplace, highlighting the everyday woes of corporate underlings. I’m expecting something like a dramatic version of The Office, with a focus on the minutiae that fills the average workday, and the most universal problems faced by young professionals.
The drama stars Im Shi-wan (Triangle) as a failed baduk player with nothing but a high-school equivalency exam to note on his resume. He gets hired as an intern at a large general trading company, which is where he’ll slowly begin to engage with the rest of the world, after living an isolated life. His boss is played by Lee Sung-min (Miss Korea), described as a warm man and a workaholic who maintains good relationships both up and down the corporate ladder, like the consummate middle-manager.
Kang So-ra (Doctor Stranger) plays a fellow intern who starts at the company with Im Shi-wan, and Kang Haneul (Heirs) plays an ambitious but nebbishy co-worker who gets in his own way with his anxious nature. He looks like a totally different person — I saw the stills and literally went, Who’s that guy?
The latest stills are from overseas shoots in Jordan for the prequel section of the drama (perhaps we’ll get to see a little of the hero’s life before he becomes an office drone), and the rest are from the office set. The teaser is spot-on: It’s a montage of the work week from Monday to Friday, set in one elevator with the same core cast, looking more and more harried by mid-week. Then by Friday they’re like crazed, eager rabbits just counting down the seconds for the clock to signal freedom. Could there be a better 15-second summation of office life?
Misaeng follows Plus Nine Boys on Fridays and Saturdays beginning in October.
Via TV Report
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Tags: Im Shi-wan, Kang Haneul, Kang So-ra, Lee Sung-min, Misaeng
Interview with Kim Yoo-jung
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1 elvira
September 22, 2014 at 4:17 AM
Watching this for Shi Wan <3
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2 .....
September 22, 2014 at 4:17 AM
Im Shi wan is just trash at acting. Dramabeans should be ashamed of hyping him up like that.
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pigsnout
September 22, 2014 at 4:50 AM
Troll alert! Do not engage!
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soprection
September 22, 2014 at 6:25 AM
We need these for the entire internet.
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tebz10
September 22, 2014 at 7:13 AM
LOL! If there was a like button, I'd like this 10x!
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mira
September 22, 2014 at 8:41 AM
While I am not fond of using such harsh language on anyone, I would say I am not a big fan of Im Shi Wan either... Not sure why he is so liked, but then again any sort of art form (music, acting,painting,writing) are always subjective
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museofmanymasks
September 22, 2014 at 9:09 AM
Same here haven't really seen him...wait I just looked him up. I remember being mildly impressed with him in the Equator Man and Anticipate Love, but apparently not memorable for me. He looks a bit stiff--too posed in the stills in my opinion. Anyway yea not up on all the hype but the casting could've been much worse.
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mira
September 22, 2014 at 12:14 PM
Also I like Kang Haneul's acting wayyyy better than Im Shi Wans. I wish to see him in lead roles :)
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xzf
September 22, 2014 at 8:05 PM
I thought Im Shi Wan did very well in the movie The Attorney.
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DaehanMingukManse
September 22, 2014 at 9:56 AM
I dont think he's that bad.
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Adal
September 23, 2014 at 8:23 AM
Objectively speaking, he isn't bad at all. He's a decent actor with room to improve with each project and can hold his own with other cast members.
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astromantic
September 22, 2014 at 11:32 AM
LOL
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3 Heartoppaya
September 22, 2014 at 4:21 AM
Kang Haneul in glasses.... MEGA HOTTT!!! *sizzles and falls dead*
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...
September 22, 2014 at 5:00 AM
I'll watch this for him. He is the perfect Clark Kent in his Daily Planet elevator. I mean... Office. ^^
Let's hope the rest of the drama will keep me engaged as well.
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whatsthescenario
September 22, 2014 at 7:12 AM
When will be be lead in a drama???????
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BellaMafia
September 22, 2014 at 10:54 AM
well.. he finally graduated from high school, now he is at work environment, ... I guess.. pretty soon!
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4 Leggs
September 22, 2014 at 4:28 AM
Omg, I had to do a triple take! Im Si Wan?!
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5 D's handphone
September 22, 2014 at 4:30 AM
Sighhh.. i got a bunch of new co workers this week, some quite young but none of them look like Kang Haneul
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6 DeNile
September 22, 2014 at 4:37 AM
Oh gosh, that teaser is one of the most hilarious things I have seen this year. I could not stop watching it. Feel like exclaiming that's me counting down the hours till I leave work...lol
I look forward to watching it
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im_eve
September 22, 2014 at 7:44 AM
seriously, i have a 'gripping' job interview tomorrow, that grips my innards the whole day...but THAT TRAILER just made me so happy. needed this! thank u!!! :D
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haruka
September 22, 2014 at 8:30 AM
Tell me about. It was as if I'm looking at myself finished the work of the week in exaggerated amusingly way.
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7 UntilWhenever
September 22, 2014 at 4:56 AM
wow, anticipating!
We will finally see characters in a K-drama work like normal people do.
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8 pigsnout
September 22, 2014 at 5:03 AM
Looking forward to this one!
and can Kang Haneul please get prescription glasses in real life, he looks too good with them here!
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9 Newbie
September 22, 2014 at 5:18 AM
I'll watch it for the eye candy, but mostly for Lee Sung Min. His scruffy gangster in Miss Korea found himself a place deep down in my heart for good.
The teaser is really funny. Looking forward to this show.
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annie
September 22, 2014 at 7:31 AM
Lee Sung-min is always amazing. It boggles the mind how he can be so good in such vastly different roles, and leave such a lasting impression. Awesome ahjussi for sure <3
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anotheraddict
September 22, 2014 at 8:23 AM
You took the words right out of my fingertips. (I've noticed that your comments often echo my own thoughts.)
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annie
September 22, 2014 at 10:21 PM
Aw, thank you! What a compliment :)
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museofmanymasks
September 22, 2014 at 9:13 AM
Same here, I'm watching entirely for Lee Sung Min (this cast's eye-candy isn't really to my taste). Loved him in King 2 Hearts and though I didn't finish Miss Korea, loved him instantly there too. Teaser is hilarious, I hope that dose of humor is consistent in the show.
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iamdeb
September 22, 2014 at 10:55 AM
He was my favorite character in King 2 Hearts and I cried when he died. I was stunned in the next role I saw him in and almost didn't recognize him because he was completely different in every way. Awesome, underrated actor.
I'm watching this for him and the fact that I will be able to relate almost to a T with the synopsis in the near future. I think alot of people around the world will relate too. Also, this is TVN so I have high standards and high hopes! Can't wait!
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pogo
September 22, 2014 at 11:51 AM
I know it was necessary for the plot, but when it happened I cried too. K2H was so good at getting you seriously attached to supporting characters...
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pogo
September 22, 2014 at 11:52 AM
I loved him so much in Miss Korea! But I did take a while to place him as Lee Seung Gi's hyung from K2H, he was so different.
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10 HeartFelt(ed)
September 22, 2014 at 5:51 AM
I liked Kang Sora in Sunny and think is talented but i hated her character in both Dream High 2 and Doctor Stranger. I'm sure poor writing is more to blame than her, but i still can't help but groan when i see her.
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megumi
September 24, 2014 at 10:35 PM
Yeah Kang Sora is a hit or a miss acting wise, she was so awesome in 'Sunny' and got a lot of critical acclaim for that role but since then she haven't been able to match that success.
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11 soprection
September 22, 2014 at 6:29 AM
Yay, this is happening! I'm really looking forward to this. I really hope it goes off well.
Filming in Jordan seems kind of random - maybe it's to explain how the baduk thing stopped working out for him. I wish I had a coworker who looked like Kang Haneul (even if he's over anxious). I think Kang Sora also looks quite different. She looks so ordinary (intentionally, I'm sure) and she seems to have lost her cute cheeks. Either way, this is a cast I feel good about.
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pogo
September 22, 2014 at 11:50 AM
She looks younger here, like her actual age instead of the late 20s she was passing for in DS (which I would dearly love to erase from her filmography even though I can't fault her acting)
All 3 of the main leads had such messy dramas for their last projects, I am itching for Misaeng to erase the memories of those. And I really hope it's good!
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12 cheekbones
September 22, 2014 at 7:12 AM
Lol at the teaser. We do get excited when it comes to Friday. So true. :D
Btw, fighting, Im Siwan !
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13 jhu
September 22, 2014 at 7:26 AM
What a great trailer. Props to TVN for having trailers for their shows in so many different flavours of greatness.
I have a feeling watching this is going to be rewarding. Plus it's got Lee So-min in a meaty role. Looking forward to it.
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jhu
September 22, 2014 at 7:27 AM
I mean Lee Sung-min.
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14 annie
September 22, 2014 at 7:29 AM
I;m really looking forward to this. The synopsis didn't interest me at first, but that episode 0 you guys posted last time go me completely hooked. Im Siwan's acting has improved a lot. I loved the melancholy yet hopeful tone too.
And just such a great cast!
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15 misch
September 22, 2014 at 7:50 AM
Kang.Ha.Nuel <3
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16 CaroleMcDonnell
September 22, 2014 at 7:57 AM
looks fun! thanks!
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17 azkiya
September 22, 2014 at 8:04 AM
I'm such a goner for office-life drama when it can pull off well, really hope this one to meet my expectation. I expect a good one would be balancing all the politics, corporate underlings, high-spirited young professionals struggling to achieve meaningful career while maintaining the ideal world they've been visioning from college, coz facing the 'real world' that is contradictory to your ideal one can hurt so much but it makes for a feel-good drama.
on a side, but very important, note: Kang Ha Neul looks so fine that I even really want him to be working at my office so I don't need to count the clock down miserably on Fridays,haha..
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zepthee
September 23, 2014 at 10:23 PM
Mhuahahaha..agree! If he were in my office,i would not be sleepy to death. Finally we see kang ha neul in tux. I still anticipate him as main lead,but yeah..may be not now. And i always love lee sung min in miss korea.
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18 parny
September 22, 2014 at 8:06 AM
Looks interesting. Something to look forward to....
? ajusshi love to Kim Sung Min! ???
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parny
September 22, 2014 at 8:08 AM
My bad! Lee Sung Min I mean.....had a brain fart moment....lol
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19 August
September 22, 2014 at 8:35 AM
Thanks for the update. Likewise, I'm really looking forward to this drama. Excited to see Lee Sung-Min, Kang Haneul, and Kang So-Ra on-screen again in another drama.
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20 Cocoboo
September 22, 2014 at 9:42 AM
Dang, I didn't realize Kang Haneul was in this drama.
Feels like I haven't watched an office-type drama... The other cast members don't really draw me in, but I might give this a shot.
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21 fab
September 22, 2014 at 10:20 AM
Oooooh I just realized this is a drama- great!
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22 Miky
September 22, 2014 at 11:42 AM
The stills from Jordan gives the vibe that the story is like a blockbuster type for real and he is in a conspiracy running for his life
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23 Iya
September 22, 2014 at 12:52 PM
I didn't even know kang haneul was a part of the elevator
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24 emily
September 22, 2014 at 1:57 PM
looking forward to this! though intrigued as to why Jordan.
also: actual office wear! in a korean drama! love it.
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25 leedahey
September 22, 2014 at 4:31 PM
why are all these interesting dramas on cable? the recent dramas on the big three networks have been boring, especially on KBS.
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26 coffeenlucia
September 22, 2014 at 4:50 PM
Everything about the teasers, stills, and cast I LOVE. UGH START ALREADY, SHOW.
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27 Mandy
September 22, 2014 at 5:39 PM
Omg, Kang Haneul does look different. I wouldn't have noticed him if I weren't looking for him in all those pictures. But I like how they styled all three leads; they look professional and extremely realistic.
I love everyone here, but I'm a little iffy on the premise itself. I mean, office life can be extremely boring, so just wondering how they'll make it engaging as a drama. But since the original webtoon has a mania following, I'm definitely tuning to find out!
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28 momosa
September 22, 2014 at 6:28 PM
Oh! I miss Monstar. Time to rewatch ..
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August
September 22, 2014 at 7:57 PM
I miss it too. Just the other day I watched duet clips from Monstar. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO1V4cO0Oc4&list=RDjO1V4cO0Oc4#t=0
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29 jwspazz
September 22, 2014 at 7:52 PM
please cameo-ing Yong Junhyung ! jeball...
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30 amber
September 23, 2014 at 12:55 AM
I'm watching this for my love for ahjussi Lee Sung Min and my crush for Kang Sora. I'm sure Lee Sung Min will be a mentor/father figure for both of the leads.
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31 dramapotatoe
September 23, 2014 at 1:31 AM
There's Kang Sora, I'm in.
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32 noanao
September 23, 2014 at 8:36 AM
BEST.TEASER.EVER!!! Can DB make a category for best/silly/totally nonsense teaser award for Beanie Award? No?
I had to do double tke when I saw KHN's still coz he looked familiar just I can't put my finger on who he really is. His stiff face in the teaser was the best.
Can't wait for this to start!
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33 Nessie
September 23, 2014 at 2:43 PM
Whoa nearly missed Kang Ha Neul! He looks totes different, in a good way haha
I'm glad Kang Sora looks alot like her age here, and looking gorgeous as usual. Doctor Strange is a memory I never wanna relive. Yea like some of the others say I think she's lost quite a bit of weight? Though her chubby cheeks were cute before.
I've never watched a office drama before, so I might give it a try.
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34 ujsid
September 23, 2014 at 5:17 PM
Man this looks fun! gotta check this out!
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35 dreamchaser92
October 1, 2014 at 1:33 AM
I liked Kang Soras acting in The Good Doctor, so I will probably watch this drama and end up loving the whole cast too. Seems like a fresh concept in kdrama land and I am loving the teasers out there!
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36 dreamchaser92
October 1, 2014 at 1:35 AM
Oh, I meant Doctor Stranger and not Good Doctor, my mind is not completely awake xD
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