My Mister (2018)

What is My Mister?

My Mister is a 2018 South Korean television series starring Lee Sun-kyun and Lee Ji-eun (IU). The series was directed by Kim Won-seok, written by Park Hae-young, and produced by Chorokbaem Media. It aired on tvN from March 21 to May 17, 2018, broadcasting on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:30 KST. The Korean drama consists of 16 episodes and is known by its Korean title 나의 아저씨 (Naui ajeossi).

The narrative follows Lee Ji-an, a young woman burdened by debt and hardship as she struggles to support her ailing grandmother while working a temporary job. She crosses paths with Park Dong-hoon, a man carrying deep personal wounds and grappling with betrayal, workplace mistreatment, and the heavy responsibility of his family. Park Dong-hoon serves as a Department Head at a structural engineering firm, wherein he faces challenges despite being the most successful among his three brothers.

Lee Ji-an, in her early twenties, works constantly to pay off her parents' debts while caring for herself and her disabled grandmother. The series depicts how the three brothers and Ji-an navigate their personal struggles and harsh realities of life. As they move through their respective hardships, Ji-an and Dong-hoon form a bond that offers solace, understanding, and the possibility of healing.

The series received critical acclaim, notably winning Best Drama at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. Production commenced with the first script reading taking place on December 18, 2017, in Sangamdong, Seoul, South Korea. The series occupied tvN's Wednesday and Thursday 21:30 time slot previously held by "Mother" and was followed by "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim" on June 6, 2018.

My Mister cast and characters

Park Dong-hoon (Lee Sun-kyun)

Lee Sun-kyun portrays Park Dong-hoon, a man in his 40s who serves as a structural engineer at Saman E&C. Born on June 18, 1973, the character is 45 years old and represents the second oldest of three brothers. Dong-hoon maintains a safety-first approach to life and exhibits a quiet, stoic demeanor, though he demonstrates unwavering dedication to people he cares about. His professional role involves working as a Department Head, where he faces scrutiny and manipulation from colleagues despite being the most successful among his siblings. The character is married to Kang Yoon-hee, a lawyer who engages in an affair with Do Joon-young, Dong-hoon's boss. The couple has one son named Park Ji-seok.

Lee Ji-an (IU)

Lee Ji-eun, known professionally as IU, takes on the role of Lee Ji-an, a 21-year-old woman working as a dispatch employee at Saman E&C. Born on November 4, 1998, the character endures significant hardships while drowning in debt and caring for her deaf grandmother. During her middle school years, Ji-an received a two-year jail sentence for murdering a loan shark in self-defense while protecting her grandmother. She secures a temporary position at the same company where Park Dong-hoon works.

The three brothers

The Park family consists of three brothers with distinct struggles. Park Ho-san portrays Park Sang-hoon, the eldest brother who lost his job and experienced two failed business ventures, forcing him to live with his mother after being ousted from his own home. Song Sae-byeok plays Park Ki-hoon, the youngest brother who gained recognition as a genius director for an independent film at age twenty but spent the subsequent two decades unable to launch his directing career successfully.

Supporting characters

Go Doo-shim appears as Byun Yo-soon, the loving mother of the three sons. Jang Ki-yong portrays Lee Kwang-il, a loan shark who torments Ji-an and whose father was killed by her in self-defense. Additional cast members include Kim Young-min as Do Joon-young and Ahn Seung-gyun as Song Ki-bum, Ji-an's best friend obsessed with computer games.

What is My Mister about?

The narrative centers on an intricate web of personal struggles, workplace betrayal, and an unconventional relationship that develops between two individuals from vastly different circumstances. Lee Ji-an supports her deaf grandmother while drowning in massive debts left by her mother, working as a temporary employee at a structural engineering company. Her financial distress attracts harassment from loan shark Gwang-il, who physically assaults her when she cannot meet payment demands. The traumatic history between them stems from Ji-an's childhood, when she killed Gwang-il's father in self-defense to protect her grandmother, an act ruled necessary by the court.

Park Dong-hoon's professional life becomes entangled with corporate intrigue when his wife Yoon-hee conducts a secret affair with Do Joon-young, a senior executive at the construction company where Dong-hoon works. Yoon-hee expresses her desire to divorce Dong-hoon and marry the executive, though Joon-young uses the affair primarily to undermine Dong-hoon's professional standing. The plot intensifies when Dong-hoon receives 50 million won in gift certificates. Ji-an, observing this transaction, returns to the office late at night to steal the certificates in an attempt to settle her debts, though her plan fails.

Joon-young subsequently hires Ji-an to spy on Dong-hoon, compensating her substantially to install a wiretap on his phone. This surveillance allows Ji-an to monitor Dong-hoon's conversations at work, home, and during personal interactions. She offers to orchestrate Dong-hoon's departure from the company by creating a scandal in exchange for enough money to eliminate her debts. Despite this duplicity, an unintended consequence emerges as Ji-an develops respect and empathy for Dong-hoon through observing his integrity and kindness. Their shared experiences of misery and burden create an invisible connection, forming a bond that provides mutual solace and understanding.

My Mister review and reception

Critical acclaim and awards

The series faced initial controversy after the first episode aired, with accusations of glorifying dating violence due to a scene where loan shark Kwang-il assaults Ji-an. The Korea Communications Standards Commission received multiple complaints and initiated an investigation. The production team and cast defended the narrative choices, with IU addressing concerns directly about the conflictual relationship between the characters. Critics subsequently recognized the series as a survival thriller depicting the pursuit of happiness amid harsh circumstances.

The series received critical acclaim for its screenplay and direction, with the cast earning praise for performances viewers described as "life work" for all actors. At the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2019, the series won Best Drama and Best Screenplay. The series also secured the Grand Prize at the Seoul Awards. The script achieved commercial success in 2022, registering over 10,000 pre-orders and ranking fourth on Kyobo Book's best-sellers list, becoming the second best-selling drama script of the year.

Viewer response

Viewers described the series as a masterpiece across multiple platforms. International reception proved equally strong, with the series holding a rating of 9.4 on Douban as of May 23, 2024. Reviews emphasized the cinematography, emotional depth, and realistic portrayal of human struggles. The series generated sustained discussion, with viewers noting its lasting emotional impact and describing it as one of the greatest television shows across languages and genres.

Ratings and popularity

Broadcasting on tvN, a cable channel with smaller audiences than free-to-air networks, the series began with ratings of 3-4%. Episode 7 recorded an average viewership of 4.5% and a peak of 5.5%, ranking first among all pay TV and IPTV in Korea. The final episode achieved 7.352% nationwide audience share according to Nielsen, making it one of the highest-rated Korean cable television episodes at the time. The series maintained an average viewership of 5% and topped the Contents Power Index rankings six times during its nine-week run.

Why you should watch My Mister

Viewers consistently describe the viewing experience as emotionally transformative, citing the series' ability to address universal human struggles through authentic storytelling. The narrative explores themes of vulnerability, shame, and survival within modern Korean corporate culture, offering an unflinching examination of individuals discarded or threatened by large corporations. Author Paulo Coelho characterized the series as "a masterpiece" and "one of the best works I've seen recently," praising its portrayal of human psychology and "flawless description of the human condition".

The performances distinguish the series from conventional dramas. Lee Sun-kyun and IU deliver portrayals that convey profound emotional depth through minimal dialogue and subtle expressions. The writing features thought-provoking, existential dialogue that elevates character interactions beyond typical drama conventions. The cinematography employs lighting and color to emphasize thematic development, transitioning from dark, oppressive tones to brighter palettes as characters overcome struggles.

The series demands patience from viewers, operating as a slow-paced meditation on human connection rather than plot-driven entertainment. Despite lacking traditional romance between leads, the narrative presents genuine bonds formed through shared hardship. The original soundtrack enhances emotional resonance across scenes. The series addresses poverty, corporate exploitation, and societal shame with stark realism rarely depicted in mainstream entertainment.