Incomplete Life

Incomplete Life, also known as Misaeng, is a captivating South Korean television drama series that was broadcasted on cable network tvN in 2014. Based on the historic webtoon series of the same name by the renowned Yoon Tae Ho, the drama offers an engaging, insightful, and deeply moving look into modern-day Korean corporate life. Developed meticulously through twenty episodes, Incomplete Life delves into the complex dynamics of the modern workplace, balancing high-stake corporate dramas with resonating and relatable real-life scenarios.

The story revolves around Jang Geu-Rae, played impressively by actor Im Siwan, a young man whose dreams of becoming a professional baduk player fail to materialize. Baduk, also known as Go, is a revered and highly strategic board game in East Asia, akin to chess in the Western world. This game becomes a central metaphor in the series, referencing the strategies, tactics, and patience needed in the corporate world. Geu-Rae is compelled to enter the corporate world without any notable qualifications except a high school equivalency exam on his resume and his life-long, minute understanding of the game of baduk.

His lack of corporate qualifications land him a lowly intern position at One International, a large trading company. Geu-Rae's life converges with other characters who come with their own unique stories, aspirations, and challenges, such as Assistant Manager Oh, an austere taskmaster with the wisdom of navigating workplace politics, and fellow interns Ahn Young-yi and Jang Baek-gi, who swiftly climb the corporate ladder with their respectable educational backgrounds and work capabilities. Each character’s journey provides a window into their struggles and triumphs, painting a detailed canvas of corporate life’s challenges, politics, camaraderie, underlying gender issues, and sometimes, stark isolation.

Beautifully melded, Incomplete Life’s narrative brings out the parallels between the game of Baduk and corporate life. Like the game, characters are seen strategizing their moves, considering opponents' tactics, and making significant sacrifices to inch towards victory - success in their professional life. The protagonist, Geu-Rae's personal and professional journey, navigates through this high-pressure and testing environment, crossing various trials and tribulations, is a regular underdog story. Misaeng vividly portrays the struggle of a novice learning the ropes, the pressures of office politics and hierarchies, the toll of long working hours, and how personal lives become entangled with professional ones.

The remarkable part of the show lies in its humbling, heartfelt, and often heart-wrenching depiction of everyday corporate life. Shot with plentiful close-ups and muted tones, the sober visuals contribute to a feeling of intimacy and grim reality. The realistic dialogue and situations posed in the drama have resonated with countless viewers, often giving them a sense of companionship knowing that they aren't alone in their daily struggles.

The versatile storyline is complemented by an excellent ensemble cast, adding depth and realism. Incomplete Life is immensely celebrated for its brilliant performances and notable casts like Lee Sung Min who plays the role of Manager Oh Sang Shik remarkably and Kang Sora, who embodies the strong, independent intern, Ahn Young Yi. Other actors such as Kang Ha-neul, Park Hae-Joon, Byun Yo-Han, Kim Dae-Myung, and Shin Eun-Jung add layers to this brilliantly scripted drama. Indeed, the intriguing blend of drama and reality in the heart of a corporate world provided a unique and engaging viewing experience for the audience, making it one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean cable television history.

Though it revolves around the intricate corporate world, the essence of the show is about the universal human experience of growing, changing, and constant battling against odds. Incomplete Life delicately extracts inspiration from everyday struggles faced by ordinary people, labors to make the mundane feel momentous, and manages to instill a sense of courage and hope in the face of adversity. A blend of thoughtful storytelling, heartrending dramatization, relatable characters, and an extraordinary balance of humor and seriousness makes Incomplete Life impossible to miss. The insights and life lessons embedded within the storyline are appreciated universally, making Incomplete Life an internationally well-received show and a significant milestone in Korean drama history.