Latest news with #Misaeng:IncompleteLife
Tatler Asia
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
5 K-dramas that aged well (and 5 that didn't)
Way ahead of its time, Coffee Prince tackled gender identity and same-sex attraction (with a bit of 2000s K-drama chaos, of course). Gong Yoo plays a wealthy café owner who falls for his new hire, unaware she's a woman pretending to be a man to land the job. The story navigates his confusion and heartbreak with surprising tenderness. Modern viewer bonus: Gong Yoo's emotional vulnerability, Yoon Eun-hye's charisma and a soundtrack that holds up beautifully. There's also the coffee shop aesthetic that every indie café tries to copy. A nostalgic ode to family, friendship and the analogue days of dial-up and cassette mixtapes. Set in a small Seoul neighbourhood, this slice-of-life gem focuses on the messy, mundane and heart-melting parts of growing up. The parents are as beloved as the teens, and that's no small feat. Honestly, the ensemble cast's chemistry is pure gold (always high value, no matter what decade). Plus, you'll cry over things like a dad buying a new fridge. Bleak, beautiful and brimming with empathy. IU plays a debt-ridden temp worker and Lee Sun-kyun a weary engineer—two wounded souls who slowly find solace in each other, without a hint of romance. My Mister is a masterclass in quiet storytelling and moral nuance. There's no flashy romance (which deviates from your usual K-drama formula), just a devastatingly honest portrayal of adult loneliness and resilience. 4. 'Misaeng: Incomplete Life' (2014) Speaking of K-dramas that aged well, Misaeng: Incomplete Life is the most accurate depiction of South Korean office life ever committed to screen. Im Si-wan plays a former baduk player navigating corporate hell with wide-eyed realism. It's not flashy, but it's honest—and in an era of hustle fatigue, that's what hits hardest. Plus, watching people survive toxic bosses with dignity never gets old. 5. 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' (2020) It's a fairytale for adults that tackles mental health, trauma and the healing power of chosen family. Visually stunning, emotionally layered and anchored by standout performances, it's the rare modern K-drama that feels both poetic and precise . It's Okay to Not Be Okay puts a lot of emphasis on fashion, but that gothic styling and children's book metaphors will never go out of style. See more: Dressed to dominate: 6 ways K-drama heroines used fashion to showcase their power K-dramas that didn't age so well 1. 'Boys Over Flowers' (2009) It will always be a classic, but it's definitely not one of those K-dramas that aged well. Boys Over Flowers may be an iconic entry point for many K-drama fans, but it's also a masterclass in toxic masculinity. In 2025, it's hard to watch a heroine endure so much verbal abuse and casual humiliation and still call it romance. The male lead's behaviour borders on toxic, and the show's cartoonish treatment of class issues feels jarring now. We love a good makeover montage, but Boys Over Flowers is best left in your high school diary. In short, Lee Min-ho's Jun-pyo bullies the poor female lead into loving him, as the rich-kid fantasy glosses over violence, entitlement and too many perms. This is somehow both boring and problematic. Our heroine is ditzy, desperate and consistently demeaned by a genius male lead with the emotional range of a damp sock. The romantic message? Endure humiliation long enough, and he might marry you. The modern viewer cringe? It's the K-drama equivalent of 'he pulls your pigtails because he likes you'. 3. 'Secret Garden' (2010) There's body swap hilarity, but also a chaebol CEO (Hyun Bin) who stalks, gaslights and belittles a stuntwoman (Ha Ji-won) in the name of 'love'. It tries to be quirky, but lands in murky emotional territory. Hyun Bin's sparkly tracksuit became iconic, and the chemistry between the leads was magnetic. But the show's gender politics? Less so. Watching it again, the controlling male lead trope feels less romantic and more red flag. The whole premise hinges on problematic power dynamics, and while the fantasy setup is charming, its treatment of gender roles can be eyebrow-raising in retrospect. You'll also realise that the infamous sit-up scene is more awkward than endearing today. Also read: 8 unforgettable body swap K-dramas 4. 'You're Beautiful' (2009) A nun joins a boy band disguised as her twin brother. Hijinks ensue, but the gender jokes and campy slapstick don't quite hold up under modern scrutiny. You're Beautiful is still fun in a 'watch with wine and friends' way, but it's very much a product of its time. Every time you cringe, remember, it was 2009. Once the crown jewel of early Hallyu, Full House was every K-drama fan's gateway drug: slapstick comedy, enemies-to-lovers trope and a gorgeous house filled with absurd contract-marriage tension. Han Ji-eun (Song Hye-kyo) is a plucky aspiring writer who ends up living with superstar Lee Young-jae (Rain) after being tricked out of her house. Cue forced cohabitation, endless bickering and emotional tension. While undeniably nostalgic, Full Hous e now plays like a relic of a different era. Similar to Boys Over Flowers , it's not one of those K-dramas that aged well. Emotional manipulation served as romance, and women were treated more like plot devices than protagonists. The fashion is pure time capsule (low-rise jeans and cropped shrugs), and the storyline leans on tropes that today feel a touch regressive.
Korea Herald
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Webtoon-based series to binge-watch this weekend
In South Korea, there's an unspoken formula that virtually ensures a TV show's success — webtoon adaptation. Webtoon-based series are seen as a surefire way to captivate audiences, with their out-of-the-box concepts, quirky characters and built-in fan base from the original webtoon. These adaptations often lead to series that resonate deeply with viewers and quickly capture global attention. Here are some celebrated webtoon adaptations that have made viewers cry and laugh, offering a weekend binge-worthy experience. 'Light Shop' on Disney+ Adapted from a work by Kang Full, one of Korea's most celebrated cartoonists, the gripping fantasy-horror series "Light Shop" delves into the mysteries behind a light shop that attracts a peculiar group of people. This eight-part series brims with moments that are both perplexing and terrifying, leading up to a shocking ending that will leave viewers teary-eyed. Starring the Hallyu sensation Ju Ji-hoon, known for his roles in Netflix's "Kingdom" and "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call," alongside Park Bo-young and Seol-hyun, the series promises to take its audience on an emotional rollercoaster of horrifying and heartwarming moments. 'Misaeng: Incomplete Life' on Netflix A poignant exploration of young Koreans navigating the realities of the corporate world, "Misaeng: Incomplete Life" offers an evocative narrative of their complex transitions into adulthood. Adapted from veteran cartoonist Yoon Tae-ho's webtoon of the same name, the series follows Geu-rae, played by Im Si-wan, who abandons his dreams of becoming a professional Go player to join the corporate grind. This critically acclaimed TV series, which bagged three Baeksang Arts Awards — including best TV director, best actor, and best new actor — has been praised for its authentic portrayal of office life. The "Misaeng" soundtrack also features unforgettable songs, such as Yi Sung-yol's "Fly" and Bol4's reimagining of "Milestone," enriching the heart-rending viewing experience. 'Divorce Attorney Shin' on Tving, Netflix Starring Cho Seung-woo as pianist-turned-lawyer Sung-han, "Divorce Attorney Shin" explores the human stories within the complex world of divorce. Adapted from a popular Kakao Webtoon, the drama veers away from the typical legal thriller and instead leans into a deeply emotional narrative. Rather than focusing on sensationalising divorce, the series unfolds with a quiet yet powerful emotional resonance, examining the human condition with compassion and understanding. The series strikes a delicate balance, offering warmth and introspection that will leave you reflecting long after the credits roll.
