''Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' () is a 2014 South Korean television series based on the

webtoon Webtoons (), are a type of digital comic that originated in South Korea usually meant to be read on smartphones. While webtoons were mostly unknown outside of Korea during their inception, there has been a surge in popularity internationally ...

series of the same title by

Yoon Tae-ho Yoon may refer to: * Yoon (Korean name), the ninth most common Korean family name *Yoon, stage name of Shim Ja-yoon, member of K-Pop group STAYC * Yōon, a feature of the Japanese language * Prabda Yoon (born 1973), a Thai novelist See also *Yun ( ...

. It aired on

tvN TVN may refer to: * TVN (Australian TV channel), a former horse racing channel * Televisión Nacional de Chile, a public broadcaster * TVN (Indonesia), a former television station; predecessor of Rajawali Televisi * TVN (Norway), or TVNorge, a comm ...

from October 17 to December 20, 2014, on Fridays and Saturdays at 20:30 ( KST) for 20 episodes. The title translates to Go terminology meaning "an incomplete life" (literally "not yet" (미) "birth" (생), meaning "not yet alive"). ''Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' was the first

Korean drama Korean dramas (; RR: ''Han-guk deurama''), more popularly known as K-dramas, are television series in the Korean language, made in South Korea. They are popular worldwide, especially in Asia, partially due to the spread of Korean popular cultu ...

to film on location in

Jordan Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...

, where actors

Im Si-wan Yim Si-wan (; born on December 1, 1988), known mononymously as Siwan, is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of the South Korean boyband ZE:A and its sub-group ZE:A Five. As an actor, he is best known for starring in the film ''The ...

and Lee Sung-min shot the series's prologue in

Amman Amman (; ar, عَمَّان, ' ; Ammonite language, Ammonite: 𐤓𐤁𐤕 𐤏𐤌𐤍 ''Rabat ʻAmān'') is the capital and largest city of Jordan, and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. With a population of 4,061,150 a ...

Petra Petra ( ar, ٱلْبَتْرَاء, Al-Batrāʾ; grc, Πέτρα, "Rock", Nabataean Aramaic, Nabataean: ), originally known to its inhabitants as Raqmu or Raqēmō, is an historic and archaeological city in southern Jordan. It is adjacent to t ...

, and

Wadi Rum Wadi Rum ( ar, وادي رم ''Wādī Ramm'', also ''Wādī al-Ramm''), known also as the Valley of the Moon ( ar, وادي القمر ''Wādī al-Qamar''), is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan, about to the east ...

. Yim reprised his role as the protagonist, which he played in an earlier

film adaptation A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dial ...

, ''Incomplete Life: Prequel'' (2013). The series became a cultural phenomenon and recorded high viewership ratings for a cable network program in Korea. tvN is known for its record breaking dramas.

Synopsis

Since he was a child, the board game baduk has been everything to Jang Geu-rae. But when he fails at achieving his dream of becoming a professional baduk player, Geu-rae must leave his isolated existence and enter the real world armed with nothing but a GED high school equivalency diploma on his resume. Through an acquaintance's recommendation, he gets hired as an

intern An internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period of time. Once confined to medical graduates, internship is used practice for a wide range of placements in businesses, non-profit organizations and gover ...

at One International, a large trading company. There, Geu-rae meets his boss, manager Oh Sang-shik, who's a workaholic and has a warm personality; fellow intern Ahn Young-yi, who attracts her colleagues' ire because of her impressive educational credentials and by being extremely competent at any task; and Jang Baek-gi, a geeky co-worker whose anxious nature masks his inner ambition. Geu-rae learns to navigate and adapt to corporate culture, with baduk as his guide.

Cast

Main

as Jang Geu-rae **

Kim Ye-jun Kim Ye-jun ( ko, 김예준; born April 28, 2007), is a South Korean child actor. He is known for his roles in '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'', ''Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo'', '' Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People'', '' Secret Mother'' and ''Art ...

as young Jang Geu-rae :He formerly aspired to be a professional baduk player, to which he had devoted his life since childhood, but, unable to achieve this goal, he joins One International, although he has no formal skills or training. He joins Sales Team 3 as two-year contract employee at One International. * Lee Sung-min as Oh Sang-shik *

Kang So-ra Kang So-ra (born February 18, 1990) is a South Korean actress. Career Kang made her acting debut in the 2009 thriller movie ''4th Period Mystery'', but rose to fame when she starred in the 2011 blockbuster '' Sunny'', a coming-of-age film abo ...

as Ahn Young-yi. She joins Resource Team as permanent employee at One International. *

Kang Ha-neul Kang Ha-neul (born Kim Ha-neul on February 21, 1990) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in television dramas ''The Heirs'' (2013), '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)'', '' Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo'' (2016), '' When t ...

as Jang Baek-gi. He joins Steel Team as permanent employee at One International. *

Byun Yo-han Byun Yo-han (born April 29, 1986) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the television dramas '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' (2014), ''Six Flying Dragons'' (2015–2016), and '' Mr. Sunshine'' (2018). He has also appeared in ...

as Han Seok-yool. He joins Textile Team as permanent employee at One International.

Supporting

One International Sales Teams

=Team 3 (to which Geu-rae is assigned)

= * Kim Dae-myung as Kim Dong-shik *

Park Hae-joon Park Hae-joon (born Park Sang-woo on June 14, 1976) is a South Korean actor. Park first drew attention as a supporting actor in the television series' ''Doctor Stranger'' and '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' both released in 2014, which led to him ...

as Chun Kwan-woong *

Kim Hee-won Kim Hee-won (born January 10, 1971) is a South Korean actor. Since 2007, he has played supporting roles in films and television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which ...

as Park Jong-shik * Seo Yoon-ah as Lee Eun-ji (ep. 14) * Kim Won-Hae as Park Young-ho (ep. 20)

=Team 1

= *

Shin Eun-jung Shin Eun-jung (born January 3, 1974) is a South Korean actress. She has played supporting roles in television dramas such as '' The Legend'' (2007), '' East of Eden'' (2008) and ''Faith Faith, derived from Latin ''fides'' and Old French ''fe ...

as Sun Ji-young * Kim Sang-won as Mr. Um * Shin Dong-hoon as Cha Soo-jin

=Team 2

= * Ryu Tae-ho as Go Dong-ho * Park Jin-soo as Assistant Manager Hwang * Kim Ga-young as Jang Mi-ra

Others

Yoon Jong-hoon Yoon Jong-hoon (born February 15, 1984) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Film Television series Web series Television show Music video Theater Awards and nominations References External links

* * * * 1984 bi ...

as Lee Sang-hyun * Yeo Eui-joo as Jang Ki-seok * Kim Jong-soo as Kim Boo-ryun *

as Sun Ji-young * Kim Kyung-ryong as Lee Shin-tae * Nam Kyung-eup as CEO of One International *

Lee Geung-young Lee Geung-young (born December 12, 1960) is a South Korean actor. He graduated from the Department of Drama in Seoul. He debuted in 1977 and after completing his mandatory military service, he debuted in 1982 as the 10th public relations actor fo ...

as Choi Young-hoo * Son Jong-hak as Ma Bok-ryul *

Jung Hee-tae Jung Hee-tae (Korean: 정희태, Jeonghuitae, born 5 July 1974) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his roles in '' My Mind's Flower Rain'' (2016), ''My Father Is Strange'' (2017) and 2018 drama series '' Radio Romance''. He has appeared ...

as Jung Hee-seok * -- as Cha Jung-ho *

Jang Hyuk-jin Jang Hyuk-jin (Korean: 장혁진, born Jang Seok-hyeon on 16 August 1971) is a South Korean actor. He graduated from Seoul Institute of the Arts – Department of Theater. He is better known for '' Dr. Romantic'' (2016), ''Suspicious Partner'' ...

as Moon Sang-pil * Choi Gwi-hwa as Park Yong-gu * Shin Jae-hoon as Yoo Hyung-ki *

Jeon Seok-ho Jeon Seok-ho (born May 2, 1984) is a South Korean actor. He is known for his role in ''Kingdom'' as the incompetent magistrate. He starred in TV series such as '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' (2014), ''The Good Wife ''The Good Wife'' is an Ame ...

as Ha Sung-joon *

Oh Min-suk Oh Min-suk (born April 22, 1980) is a South Korean actor. He was known by his ex-stage name Han Ki-joo. Filmography Film Television series Web series Television shows Music videos Awards and nominations Notes Reference ...

as Kang Hae-joon *

Tae In-ho Tae In-ho (born Park Sang-yeon; May 2, 1980) is a South Korean actor. He starred in television series such as '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' (2014) and '' Descendants of the Sun'' (2016). Filmography Films Television series Web series ...

as Song Jeon-shik * Park Jin-seo as Shin Da-in *

Hwang Seok-jeong Hwang Seok-jeong (born February 2, 1971) is a South Korean actress. She has mostly played supporting roles in films and television series, notably '' Secret Love'' (2013), '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' (2014) and ''She Was Pretty ''She Was P ...

as Kim Sun-joo *

Jo Hyun-sik Jo Hyun-sik (born March 13, 1983) is a South Korean actor. Filmography Television series Film Musical Theater References External links *Jo Hyun-sikat Daum (web portal), Daum Jo Hyun-sik
at Naver, Naver Movies {{DEFAULTSORT:Jo ...

as Kim Seok-ho * Kim Jung-hak as Lee Seok-joong * Kwak In-joon as Audit team leader * Han Kap-soo as One International Jordan branch manager * Choi Jae-woong as One International Jordan branch employee * Sung Byung-sook as Geu-rae's mother * Nam Myung-ryul as Geu-rae's baduk teacher *

Lee Si-won Lee See-won (; born August 29, 1987) is a South Korean actress. Personal life Lee attended a wedding ceremony with her non-celebrity boyfriend, who is an alumnus of Seoul National University and had a wedding at the end of June 2021. Filmog ...

as Ha Jung-yeon * -- as Senior colleague Kim *

Oh Yoon-hong Oh Yoon-hong is a South Korean actress and model. She is best known for her roles in dramas such as '' Who Are You: School 2015'', ''Solomon's Perjury'' and ''The Scholar Who Walks the Night ''The Scholar Who Walks the Night'' () is a 2015 So ...

as Oh Sang-shik's wife * Lee Seung-joon as Shin Woo-hyun

Cameo appearances

Cho Hun-hyun Cho Hunhyun ( ko, 조훈현; born 10 March 1953) is a South Korean professional Go player and politician. Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Cho reached professional level in Korea in 1962. Since then, Cho has amassed 150 profe ...

( cameo) * Yoo Chang-hyuk (cameo) *

Oh Jung-se Oh Jung-se (born February 26, 1977) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the television series ''Missing 9'' (2017), ''When the Camellia Blooms'' (2019), ''Hot Stove League'' (2019), and ''It's Okay to Not Be Okay'' (2020) ...

as Husband of Chungsol's CEO (cameo, ep. 20) *

Yoo Jae-myung Yoo Jae-myung (; born June 3, 1973) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in the series ''Reply 1988'' (2015), ''Stranger'' (2017), ''Life'' (2018), '' Itaewon Class'' (2020) and '' Voice of Silence'' (2020). He won Best Suppor ...

as Factory worker (ep. 16)

Ratings

In this table, represent the lowest ratings and represent the highest ratings. *

Awards and nominations

Source material

With his

, author

drew an

analogy Analogy (from Greek ''analogia'', "proportion", from ''ana-'' "upon, according to" lso "against", "anew"+ ''logos'' "ratio" lso "word, speech, reckoning" is a cognitive process of transferring information or meaning from a particular subject ( ...

between life in modern society and the game of baduk, a

chess Chess is a board game for two players, called White and Black, each controlling an army of chess pieces in their color, with the objective to checkmate the opponent's king. It is sometimes called international chess or Western chess to disti ...

-like

strategy Strategy (from Greek στρατηγία ''stratēgia'', "art of troop leader; office of general, command, generalship") is a general plan to achieve one or more long-term or overall goals under conditions of uncertainty. In the sense of the "art ...

board game Board games are tabletop games that typically use . These pieces are moved or placed on a pre-marked board (playing surface) and often include elements of table, card, role-playing, and miniatures games as well. Many board games feature a comp ...

. He also wrote vivid descriptions of the everyday life and struggles of Korean corporate culture as his flawed characters deal with the fierce competition for survival, interpersonal work relationships and

office politics Workplace politics is the process and behavior that in human interactions involves power and authority. It is also a tool to assess the operational capacity and to balance diverse views of interested parties. It is also known as office politics and ...

. ''Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' gained immense popularity among Korean white-collar workers in their twenties and thirties largely because its realism resonated with their experiences. It drew 1 billion

hit Hit means to strike someone or something. Hit or HIT may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Fictional entities * Hit, a fictional character from '' Dragon Ball Super'' * Homicide International Trust, or HIT, a fictional organization ...

s when it was published on online portal Daum from September 2012 to October 2013, and the nine-volume paperback version sold 900,000 copies. It is now considered a must-read comic in the country.

Remake

* Between July 17 and September 18, 2016, ''Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' will have a Japanese drama remake titled ''HOPE〜期待ゼロの新入社員〜''. * In June 2018, it was announced that ''Misaeng: Incomplete Life'' will have a Chinese drama remake titled ''Ordinary Glory''; starring

Bai Jingting Bai Jingting (, born October 15, 1993) is a Chinese actor. He made his acting debut in the web series ''Back in Time'' (2014). He has since earned recognition for his roles in the television series ''The Whirlwind Girl'' (2016) and '' Rush to ...

Mark Chao Mark Chao (, born 25 September 1984) is a Taiwanese Canadians, Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model. He made his television debut in the television series ''Black & White (TV series), Black & White'' (2009), for which he won the Golden Bell Award fo ...

and

Qiao Xin Qiao Xin (, born 23 November 1993), also known as Bridgette Qiao, is a Chinese actress who graduated from the Central Academy of Drama. Qiao is recognized for her role as Guan Ju'er in ''Ode to Joy'' (2016) and ''Ode to Joy 2'' (2017). Career In ...

References

External links

* * *
''Misaeng'' webtoon
on Daum {{Korea Drama Awards Best Drama 2014 South Korean television series debuts 2014 South Korean television series endings TVN (South Korean TV channel) television dramas Television shows based on South Korean webtoons South Korean comedy-drama television series South Korean workplace television series