Not a Chaebol Prince: Everyday Life of Office Workers in Korean Dramas
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Two recent Korean office dramas focus on ordinary company employees rather than wealthy heirs. JTBC’s “Seoul Homeowner and Big-Corp Manager Kim” (Kim Bu-jang Story) follows middle-aged manager Kim Nak-su as he loses his job and faces workplace politics, restructuring, and life changes; many scenes show familiar Seoul commuting landmarks (e.g., Teheran-ro, Banpo Bridge) and local hangouts like Euljiro4-ga alley food stalls. A hiking scene filmed at the easy 204m peak Aegibong (part of Bulamsan) highlights everyday local spots rather than grand locations. tvN’s “Typhoon Company” is set during the 1997 IMF crisis and features traditional markets (Dongmyo, Dongdaemun, etc.), Busan harbor areas (Songdo Beach, Songjeong port, Gamcheon fish market) and authentic seaside pojangmacha (street food stalls). The series also shoots in Bangkok — including the Chao Phraya River, Chinatown, Peninsula Hotel, and the Damnoen Saduak floating market — showing how Korean workplace stories connect to real urban and market places across Asia.
