K-content brings office stories back with fantasy and comedy

Recent Korean series and films are returning to office settings, using fantasy, generational reversal and comedy instead of older workplace hardship narratives, according to The Korea Times.

The trend shows how Korean entertainment is reframing a familiar setting as a place to explore financial freedom, cross-generational relationships and everyday stress through lighter or more imaginative premises.

The Korea Times reported that a new wave of Korean content is revisiting the workplace through less traditional lenses, including a lottery fantasy, a Korean adaptation of a Hollywood film and a returning office sitcom.

Tving’s original series “Even Lottery Winners Go to Work,” released Sept. 10, follows Gong Eun-tae, an office worker played by Lee Jun-hyuk. The character wins 1.3 billion won, or about $910,000, but keeps showing up at work, according to The Korea Times.

The Korean adaptation of “The Intern,” released Sept. 16, shifts the 2015 Hollywood film’s premise into Korean workplace culture. Han So-hee plays Sun-woo, a young CEO leading a fashion brand, while Choi Min-sik plays Ki-ho, a silver intern with 37 years of experience.

Coupang Play’s “Office Workers” Season 3 takes a sitcom approach, centering on employees at DY Planning. The season includes guest appearances by Park Sung-woong, Park Myung-soo and Jung Joon-ha, The Korea Times reported.

The Korea Times said the article was originally published by Hankook Ilbo, its sister publication, then translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

The Korea Times reported that the original article came from Hankook Ilbo and was translated with a generative AI system before editing by The Korea Times.