From 2022’s breakout hit Business Proposal to the classic What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Korean office dramas have supplied decisive proof that love can be found in the unlikeliest places—such as the swanky corner cabin. And while stiff-lipped HR policies would have you believe that workplace romances are doomed to fail, it can be hard not to hold out hope once you get a good look at the eye candy CEOs striding through the boardrooms of K-dramaland. As offices around the world start cautiously stepping into the new normal, here are 5 Korean office dramas that will motivate you to swap the couch for the cubicle:
Business Proposal (2022)
Looking to catch the eye of the dashing business scion (played by Ahn HyoSeop) appointed as the new CEO? Just bide your time until your best friend needs you to go on a blind date with him in her stead and scare him off an arranged marriage proposal. Chances are your job will be on the line once he discovers the deception, but all’s fair in love and war—and slippers used as projectile missives.
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018)
The comparisons with Business Proposal are inevitable—standard chaebol hairstyle, perfectionist streak, narcissistic complex: check, check and check—but for the everyday K-drama enthusiast, this just means more content to watch. In this 2018 blockbuster, a resignation letter will inadvertently play cupid for a vice president (played by Park SeoJoon) as he realises that he needs his capable secretary (played by Park MinYoung) to stay by his side not just in the office, but for life as well.
Her Private Life (2019)
Watching Park MinYoung trade in her pencil skirts for an envy-inducing array of pantsuits is reason alone to watch this rom-com, but the arrival of Kim JaeWook as her hard-as-nails boss—Coffee Prince fans, make some noise—serves as an interesting addition. Especially since he knows that underneath the stiffly starched blazers of this art gallery curator beats the heart of a K-pop fanatic.
Romance Is A Bonus Book (2019)
Fans of Younger will have no trouble recognising the central premise: A single mother (played by Lee NaYoung) is in need of a second chance in the publishing industry, and with the help of a chief editor (played by Lee JongSuk) harbouring a decades-long unrequited crush, she will embark on a fairytale romance, not unlike the ones printed at Gyeoroo Publishing House.
My Shy Boss (2017)
Crossing paths with your genius boss (played by Yeon WooJin) can be a little tricky when his debilitating social anxiety has him isolating from the world in his penthouse office. But a recruitment drive will bring him face-to-face with every introvert’s worst nightmare: a cheery extrovert (played by Park HyeSu) with little regard for personal boundaries.
Also read:
All the Korean dramas you need to binge watch on Netflix right now
Why K-dramas trump Hollywood romcoms hands down
12 feel-good Korean dramas to watch on Netflix and Rakuten Viki
