These K-dramas deliver drama and business savvy in equal measure.
Dreaming of breaking free from the daily grind and starting something on your own? But somehow, the fear of failure and the unknown is stopping you from pursuing your dream life. Perhaps all you need is a sneak peek into the full recipe of ambition mixed with a healthy dose of risk.
If you’re curious about the business world but crave something more engaging than biographies or documentaries on famous entrepreneurs, we’ve got just the thing. Our curated list of Korean dramas offers a unique window into the life of an entrepreneur. These shows explore the realities of building something from scratch, focusing on grit, challenges, setbacks and the small victories that define the entrepreneurial spirit.
Ready to dive in? Here are five K-dramas packed with insights for budding entrepreneurs—and yes, watch out for spoilers!
Start-Up (2020)
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Start-Up is a popular South Korean drama that aired from October 17 to December 6, 2020, on tvN, featuring a total of 16 episodes. The series dives into the competitive world of startups in South Korea’s high-tech industry, focusing on the dreams and ambitions of young entrepreneurs.
Set in the fictional Sandbox, akin to Silicon Valley, the series follows Seo Dal-mi (played by Bae Suzy), who dreams of becoming Korea’s Steve Jobs. She teams up with genius coder Nam Do-san (played by Nam Joo-hyuk), navigating the highs and lows of launching their startup, Samsan Tech.
The drama explores the complexities of entrepreneurship, such as funding challenges, team dynamics and the pressures of competition. For example, after a successful pitch on demo day, Do-san and Dal-mi sign a contract with investor Alex Kwon from 2STO without due diligence. The contract, they soon discover, allows 2STO to acquire Samsan Tech and disband the original team. This critical oversight illustrates real-world scenarios where entrepreneurs might rush agreements due to excitement or pressure, a mistake that can have severe consequences.
Overall, Start-Up not only entertains but also educates its audience on the intricacies of building a business from scratch. It beautifully portrays the resilience required to turn a vision into reality.
Itaewon Class (2020)
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Itaewon Class aired from January 31 to March 21, 2020, on JTBC, spanning 16 episodes. It quickly gained popularity and acclaim, even snagging the Best Drama Series award at the 25th Asian Television Awards.
The series narrates the tale of revenge, perseverance and the unyielding spirit of risk-taking. It revolves around Park Sae-ro-yi (played by Park Seo-joon), a young man whose life takes a dramatic turn after a confrontation at school leads to his expulsion and his father’s job loss at the powerful Jangga Group. After a tragic accident claims his father’s life, Sae-ro-yi seeks revenge against the Jang family. He emerges from three years in prison to open DanBam, a bar-restaurant in Itaewon, and is determined to build it into a successful franchise and topple Jangga Group.
This series portrays the entrepreneurial journey from its inception to success, with an emphasis on resilience and patience. Sae-ro-yi starts with limited resources and significant financial hurdles—a common struggle for many startup founders. He realizes the importance of assembling a reliable team and thus recruits diverse talents such as Jo Yi-seo, a marketing genius, and Kim To-ni, who bridges cultural gaps. This helps him navigate the complexities of running a business.
The emotional toll of entrepreneurship is also a central theme. Sae-ro-yi’s personal vendetta adds layers of complexity to his business pursuits, illustrating how personal motivations can both drive and complicate business decisions.
Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)
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Airing from October 17 to December 20, 2014, with 20 episodes, Misaeng: Incomplete Life is a critically acclaimed South Korean television drama based on the webtoon by Yoon Tae-ho. The series explores the complexities of corporate life, offering deep insights into business strategies, office politics and personal growth while reflecting broader societal issues within the South Korean corporate landscape.
The story centers on the experiences of Jang Geu-rae (played by Im Si-wan) and his colleagues, interns at One International, a large trading company. New to the corporate world, Geu-rae encounters numerous challenges, such as navigating office politics and striving for recognition among better-educated peers. The cutthroat nature of office relationships often leads to backstabbing and manipulation, which Geu-rae must carefully navigate to avoid becoming a target himself.
Although the plot is not specifically startup-centric, Misaeng deeply explores the complexities of a workspace. The series prompts viewers to question if they are truly satisfied with their current jobs—a common sentiment among employees in large companies. Do you find meaning in your job or are you just counting the minutes? The message, however, is clear—a person’s life is useless if corporate demands consume his identity.
Record of Youth (2020)
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Record of Youth aired from September 7 to October 27, 2020, and consists of 16 episodes. It follows the lives of three young individuals striving to achieve their dreams in the fashion and entertainment industries.
The drama focuses on Sa Hye-jun (played by Park Bo-gum), an aspiring model and actor on his journey to stardom. Alongside him is Ahn Jung-ha (played by Park So-dam), a budding makeup artist who dreams of making a name for herself in the beauty industry, and Won Hae-hyo, Hye-jun’s wealthy friend who also aspires to be an actor.
The drama captures the essence of entrepreneurship by showcasing the competitiveness within the entertainment business. As Sa Hye-jun strives to establish himself as an actor, he faces the challenge of building a personal brand in a saturated market. This is a struggle many young entrepreneurs face when differentiating themselves from established competitors. The drama also touches on societal expectations and pressures, mirroring the stereotypes young entrepreneurs often confront, where they may not be taken seriously due to their age.
The Producers (2015)
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The Producers, airing on KBS2 from May 15 to June 20, 2015, offers a unique blend of comedy and drama that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the world of television production. Set primarily in the KBS building in Yeouido, the story follows Baek Seung-chan (played by Kim Soo-hyun), a rookie producer, as he navigates the challenges of producing variety shows alongside seasoned producers. The narrative is enriched by the character Cindy (IU), a top K-pop idol, who develops feelings for Seung-chan and faces the challenges of managing personal relationships while under public scrutiny
Like entrepreneurs, TV producers and writers face daunting challenges that test their passion, endurance and leadership. As we watch the producers navigate budget constraints, manage high-pressure teams and chase viewer ratings, we see a reflection of the entrepreneurial hustle. The characters make significant personal sacrifices in pursuit of passion—such as Seung-chan leaving a stable job as a prosecutor for a career in broadcasting driven by love—illustrating the common entrepreneurial theme of prioritizing passion over security.
Conclusion
Becoming an entrepreneur doesn’t mean you can just wake up one day and start minting money. It takes a lot of dedication, patience and negotiation with the people around you—whether it’s your co-founder, partner, the management team, employee or just your family.
These five K-dramas bring you a package of behind-the-scenes insights into running a company or brand. The shows provide a realistic depiction of the difficulties involved in starting a business, what works, what doesn’t and how perseverance can make or break a goal.
Also read:
- Decoding K-Drama Celebrity: Unmasking the Bare Truth of Influencer Culture
- Top 5 Startups Capitalizing on the Hallyu Wave
- Itaewon Class: Lessons for New Entrepreneurs
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