Actor Ryu Seung-ryong portrays Mr. Kim, a company supervisor who faces a collection of crises, resembling demotion and early retirement, in JTBC’s “The Dream Lifetime of Mr. Kim.” Courtesy of JTBC
Anchored by the highly effective efficiency of actor Ryu Seung-ryong, the recently-ended drama “The Dream Lifetime of Mr. Kim” left a profound message of consolation and self-reflection for the middle-aged in Korea.
The JTBC drama, which ended its 12-episode run on Sunday, adopted a stereotypical middle-aged company supervisor Kim Nak-su’s (Ryu) difficult journey of dropping every part and discovering his true self hidden beneath company success, placing a deep chord with viewers.
The drama follows Kim’s fall from grace. Beforehand pleased with his standing as a company supervisor and a Seoul house owner, he plunges right into a collection of crises, together with demotion, early retirement and monetary fraud.
A turning level happens when Kim begins to look inward and advises his colleague Do Jin-woo (Lee Shin-ki), who fails govt promotion, with honest recommendation. “Be trustworthy with your self. It would make it easier to dwell a greater life.”
After dropping every part he valued, Kim lastly faces what he actually desires to guard: his household together with himself, somewhat than the success he chased.
Actors Ryu Seung-ryong, left, and Yoo Seung-mok in a scene from the JTBC drama “The Dream Lifetime of Mr. Kim” / Courtesy of JTBC
The drama’s immense recognition, stemming from an unique net novel that garnered over 10 million views, lies within the stark realism felt by many middle-aged males.
Although the drama began with a low viewership ranking of two.9 %, it witnessed a rising recognition. The ultimate episode recorded 7.6 %, based on knowledge from Nielsen Korea.
All through its run, social media was flooded with reactions, as many viewers described the drama as painfully real looking because of its correct portrayal of job insecurity.
Within the remaining episode, Kim rejects a senior govt place supplied by Baek Jeong-tae (Yoo Seung-mok), a senior director of his former firm, and chooses to launch a automobile wash enterprise as an alternative.
By the tip, Kim reveals new confidence, now not worrying about job titles or small satisfaction. He strongly encourages his spouse (Myung Se-bin) as she considers beginning an actual property company, and offers heartfelt recommendation to his son about pursuing work he genuinely loves.
Actor Ryu Seung-ryong in a scene from JTBC’s “The Dream Lifetime of Mr. Kim” / Courtesy of JTBC
The collection confronted minor criticism for counting on the considerably predictable storyline of a profitable individual dropping every part solely to seek out the true that means of life.
Moreover, Kim’s demotion to the protection administration function brought on controversy, as some viewers expressed it was an pointless storyline solely included to make his fall look extra dramatic.
However, the emotional power of the drama clearly got here from Ryu’s efficiency. He introduced a profoundly human character, simply shifting between comedy in varied conditions and moments of deep unhappiness. His talent in displaying the heavy weight of his age and the difficult emotions of a middle-aged father resembling disgrace, anger and eventually, hope made him the agency heart of your complete present.
