| The Dream Life of Mr. Kim | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Also known as | The Story Of Manager Kim |
| Hangul | 서울 자가에 대기업 다니는 김 부장 이야기 |
| Lit. | The Story of Manager Kim, Who Lives in Seoul and Works for a Large Corporation |
| RR | Seoul jagae daegieop danineun Gim bujang iyagi |
| MR | Sŏul chagaë taegiŏp taninŭn Kim pujang iyagi |
| Genre | |
| Based on | The Story of Manager Kim, Who Lives in Seoul and Works at a Large Corporation [1][2]by Song Hee-gu |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Cho Hyun-tak |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jung Jae-hyung[3] |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60–70 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | JTBC |
| Release | October 25 (2025-10-25) – November 30, 2025 (2025-11-30) |
The Dream Life of Mr. Kim (Korean: 서울 자가에 대기업 다니는 김 부장 이야기) is a 2025 South Korean television series starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Myung Se-bin, and Cha Kang-yoon. Based on the novel of the same title by Song Hee-gu,[1][2] it aired on JTBC from October 25, to November 30, 2025, every Saturday at 22:40 (KST) and Sunday at 22:30 (KST).[4] It also streams globally on Netflix.[5]
Synopsis
The drama follows Director Kim, who begins work at a large company in Seoul, navigating both corporate politics and personal challenges.
Cast
Main
- Ryu Seung-ryong as Kim Nak-soo[4]
- A veteran sales manager who built his life on success now faces the slow collapse of everything he has earned.
- Myung Se-bin as Park Ha-jin[6]
- Nak-soo's devoted wife who always lived in his shadow now decides to build her own future.
- Cha Kang-yoon as Kim Soo-gyeom[6]
- Nak-soo's son who rejects his father's path, chasing freedom in a startup.
Supporting
People at ACT
- Yoo Seung-mok as Baek Jeong-tae[7]
- An executive who rose through office politics, outwardly loyal to Nak-soo but driven enough to betray him for his own ambition.
- Lee Shin-ki as Do Jin-woo[7]
- A sharp manager who rose quickly and quietly aligns with power to secure his place at the top.
- Lee Seo-hwan as Heo Tae-hwan[7]
- A kind but slow-working longtime employee, stuck as a perpetual mid-level manager.
- Shin Dong-won as Song Ik-hyeon[7]
- A dependable worker who sometimes acts as Nak-soo's right-hand man.
- Jeong Sun-won as Jeong Seong-gu[7]
- A mid-level employee who dislikes Nak-soo's old-fashioned behavior, but finds himself mirroring him.
- Ha Seo-yoon as Kwon Song-hee[7]
- A young employee who questions authority and corporate nonsense.
People at Soo-gyeom's startup
- Lee Jin-yi as Lee Han-na[7]
- Soo-gyeom's first love in middle school.
- Kim Su-gyeom as Lee Jeong-hwan[7]
- A charismatic startup founder who hides ruthless ambition behind charm.
Park Ha-jin's family
- Lee Se-hee as Park Ha-young[7]
- Ha-jin's younger sister.
- Lee Kang-wook as Han Sang-cheol[7]
- Ha-young's husband and successful fintech CEO.
People around Kim Nak-soo
- Ko Chang-seok as Kim Chang-soo[7]
- Nak-soo's older brother and humble auto shop owner.
- Park Soo-young as Nom-Peong-ah[7]
- Nak-soo's childhood friend who knows him better than anyone else.
Special appearance
- Jung Eun-chae as Lee Joo-young[8]
Production
The series is directed by Cho Hyun-tak, known for Sky Castle (2018), Snowdrop (2021), The Atypical Family (2024), and written by Kim Hong-gi and Yoon Hye-sung. The series is produced by SLL, Drama House Studio, and VARO Entertainment.[9]
It is based on the novel of the same title by Song Hee-gu, which was published in 2021 by Seosamdok Publishing House.[1]
Viewership
The Dream Life of Mr. Kim : South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[10]
| Season | Episode number | Average | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |||
| 1 | 0.736 | 0.895 | 0.781 | 0.800 | 0.861 | 1.129 | 0.845 | 1.166 | 1.125 | 1.328 | 1.306 | 1.935 | 1.076 | |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Nielsen Korea)[10] | |||
| Nationwide | Seoul | ||
| 1 | October 25, 2025 | 2.894% (1st) | 3.068% (1st) |
| 2 | October 26, 2025 | 3.540% (1st) | 3.508% (1st) |
| 3 | November 1, 2025 | 3.159% (1st) | 3.380% (1st) |
| 4 | November 2, 2025 | 3.399% (1st) | 4.074% (1st) |
| 5 | November 8, 2025 | 3.564% (1st) | 3.907% (1st) |
| 6 | November 9, 2025 | 4.678% (1st) | 5.563% (1st) |
| 7 | November 15, 2025 | 3.411% (1st) | 4.082% (1st) |
| 8 | November 16, 2025 | 4.731% (1st) | 5.506% (1st) |
| 9 | November 22, 2025 | 4.559% (1st) | 5.462% (1st) |
| 10 | November 23, 2025 | 5.433% (1st) | 6.012% (1st) |
| 11 | November 29, 2025 | 5.591% (1st) | 5.694% (1st) |
| 12 | November 30, 2025 | 7.567% (1st) | 8.118% (1st) |
| Average | 4.377% | 4.865% | |
Accolades
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2026 | Grand Prize – Television | Ryu Seung-ryong | Won | [11][12] |
| Best Actor | Nominated | ||||
| Best Drama | The Dream Life of Mr. Kim | Nominated | |||
| Best Director | Cho Hyun-tak | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Yoo Seung-mok | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Myung Se-bin | Nominated |
References
- "서울 자가에 대기업 다니는 김 부장 이야기 (합본) - 송희구" [The Story of Manager Kim, Who Lives in Seoul and Works at a Large Corporation (Combined Edition) - Song Hee-gu]. Seosamdok Publishing House (in Korean). Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ""월 1000만원 낙원 없어, 직장 무시하면 안돼"…'김부장' 작가, MZ에 일침" ["There is no paradise with a monthly salary of 10 million won; don't look down on your job"… 'Manager Kim' writer delivers a sharp warning to the MZ generation]. AsiaE (in Korean). December 1, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- Ahn, Jin-yong (October 21, 2025). 정재형, 드라마 음악감독 나선다…류승룡 주연 ‘김부장 이야기’ OST 맡아 [Jung Jae-hyung to Direct Drama Music, Composing the OST for "Chief Kim's Story," Starring Ryu Seung-ryong]. munhwa (in Korean). Retrieved October 21, 2025 – via Naver.
- Hwang, Su-yeon (September 22, 2025). 대기업 부장 류승룡의 '생존 시리즈' 티저 포스터 (김 부장 이야기) [Teaser poster for the "Survival Series" starring Ryu Seung-ryong, a corporate executive (Manager Kim's Story).]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved September 22, 2025 – via Naver.
- Jacob, Robinson (September 19, 2024). "JTBC's Comedy K-Drama 'The Dream Life of Mr. Kim' Coming to Netflix in October 2025". What's on Netflix. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- Hong, Seon-hwa (April 3, 2025). '김 부장 이야기' 명세빈ㆍ차강윤, 류승룡 가족 합류 [Myung Se-bin and Cha Kang-yoon join Ryu Seung-ryong's family in "Chief Kim's Story."]. etoday news. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- 등장인물소개 – 서울 자가에 대기업 다니는 김 부장 이야기 [Character introduction – The Dream Life of Mr. Kim]. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- Kang, Seo-jung (October 13, 2025). 정은채, ♥김충재 이어 기쁜 소식 전했다…‘김부장 이야기’ 특별출연[공식] [Jung Eun-chae shares good news after ♥ Kim Chung-jae… Special appearance on "Chief Kim's Story" [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved October 13, 2025 – via Naver.
- Yoo, Ji-hye (May 27, 2025). "JTBC 금요드라마 신설...이동욱 '착한 사나이' 첫 타자" [JTBC's new Friday drama... Lee Dong-wook's first batter in 'Good Man']. JTBC News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 1, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- Nielsen Korea ratings:
- "Episode 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). October 25, 2025. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- "Episode 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). October 26, 2025. Archived from the original on October 26, 2025. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- "Episode 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 1, 2025. Archived from the original on November 1, 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
- "Episode 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 2, 2025. Archived from the original on November 2, 2025. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
- "Episode 5". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 8, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- "Episode 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 9, 2025. Archived from the original on November 10, 2025. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- "Episode 7". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- "Episode 8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 16, 2025. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
- "Episode 9". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 22, 2025. Archived from the original on November 22, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- "Episode 10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 23, 2025. Archived from the original on November 23, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
- "Episode 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 29, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
- "Episode 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). November 30, 2025. Archived from the original on November 30, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
- Lee, Da-gyeom (April 13, 2026). '제62회 백상예술대상' 후보 발표...'왕과 사는 남자' 7개 부문 노미네이트 ['62nd Baeksang Arts Awards' Nominees Announced...The King's Warden Nominated in 7 Categories]. Star Today (in Korean). Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- McCarthy, Thomas; Jin, Eun-soo; Kim, Ju-yeon; Shin, Han-nee (May 8, 2026). "Veteran actors Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Seung-ryong win Baeksang Grand Prizes — as it happened". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
External links
- Official website
(in Korean) - The Dream Life of Mr. Kim at IMDb
- The Dream Life of Mr. Kim at HanCinema