Oh, this show was GOOD. I got that feeling I hardly ever get while watching dramas — wanting to keep watching, but also feeling sad as the episode numbers dwindled because I didn't want the show to end! I totally understand the hype for this show.

Above all, the standout factor of this drama comes from the characterization and the acting. Jang Geu Rae is pitiful yet determined and endlessly rootable, and Im Siwan pulled it off flawlessly. I thought I needed this show to eventually get over Run On, but instead, I am glad Run On is still airing because it means I get to see more Siwan after Misaeng. Whew. Similarly, thank goodness there's Hospital Playlist 2 so I can see more of our lovable Kim Dae Myung. And I'm excited to watch When the Camellia Blooms for more Kang Ha Neul. But above all, the standout actor was Lee Sung Min; the stubborn yet fiercely moral Mr. Oh. The Baeksang awards that Mr. Oh and Geu Rae achieved were 100% deserved.

I liked all the small moments of office culture and office life, as well as the contemplative hot takes on how we choose to live our lives. As an office worker, this show resonated in many ways. As someone in the west, I recognize I won't relate to everything — such as the strict hierarchy, the militant influences / punishment, the extent of corruption and bribery, the reward for good work being... more work. Even still, I saw shades of what must be the universal plight of office workers everywhere — the importance of social relationships in the office yet few "real" friends, several issues that women face in the workforce from family planning to discrimination, the friction between plant and office, the many late nights and stressful hours spent to only perform as one tiny cog in the machine, the sacrifices you have to make to live the good life (e.g. missing out on family time), the time and effort it takes to build trust and gain responsibility when you're starting out, and so much more. Beyond the office, we also got to see broader societal issues at play too: difficult families and socioeconomic circumstances, the pressure to date but establish your career at the same time, or having to save face among relatives (among others). I love the subtlety and finesse — plus the real laughter and tears that I shed along the way.

I think the standout moment for me was when Baek Ki eventually came to understand the term "privilege." We all get dealt different hands in the game of life. And I'm not going to lie, the Go and sauna scenes preceding this had me tearing up hard. I love how Geu Rae realized that family isn't necessarily by blood either, nor do these found families disappear when you cut ties. I also loved the hotel working weekend — it reminded me of my old case competition days, locked up in a hotel room all bleary eyed. It's an experience that bonds you, and was done in such a heartwarming and realistic way.

My only qualms preventing this show from being a perfect 10/10: a couple draggy episodes in the middle, too much yelling and stress (which felt unrealistic to me, but perhaps Korean office culture is really like that?), and the lack of logic to put so much time and effort into training a temp employee. But at the end of the day, there were unexpected twists, a whole lot of adventure, and amazing characters. We got to see people grow and face consequences (both good and bad) of their actions. I'm not sure I can describe the feeling this show gave me into coherent English words... perhaps this show is the one that finally got me to understand the meaning of the Korean term "han."