‘The Dream Life of Mr. Kim’ (2025) Netflix Series Review - Honest, Simple, Impactful

Watching episode one of this series actually felt like sitting in on a boardroom meeting that slowly morphs into something much deeper — and weirdly liberating. The series follows Kim Nak-su (played with steady commitment by Ryu Seung-ryong), who has spent his adult life climbing the corporate ladder at a large company in Seoul, living in a comfortable home, satisfying the expectations of family and work. At the start of episode one, we’re introduced to his world: the morning grind, the familiar rhythms of status and routine, the version of “success” he’s come to accept. Then something shifts, and the ground under his feet begins to rumble.

Right off the bat, the writing sets up Nak-su as a man who has everything a middle manager might want: the house, the prestige, the respect of peers. It’s established that he’s worked tirelessly for the company and his family. That opening gives the show some solid dramatic weight: we know this isn’t some fly-by-night workplace comedy, but a story about definition, purpose, and what happens when the foundation threatens to collapse. The first episode wastes no time in making us uneasy. When unexpected things occur — budget cuts, hidden evaluations, the sense that Nak-su’s value is slipping at the very place he once thought was safe — the episode captures that flicker of panic, the moment when a system you trusted begins to betray you. It’s specific enough in its depiction of Korean corporate life: the politics, the favored juniors, the relentless expectation to keep grinding. That attention to detail is a strong suit for the show.

The direction (by Jo Hyun-tak) gives the space a lived-in feel: Nak-su’s house, his office, the commuting scenes all feel slightly claustrophobic — which works, because part of the theme is how trapped he may already be without realizing it. You don’t need flashy editing or over-the-top visuals; instead, the camera lingers on Nak-su’s face, on the lines of weariness, on the silent resignation before a meeting, and that’s one of the more impressive things in this episode. It treats its protagonist with respect; he isn’t a caricature, he’s someone quietly buckling. Ryu Seung-ryong anchors that gracefully – his performance is measured but full of suggestion: you sense the man inside is asking questions even while the outward smile remains intact.

On the positive side, I loved the way supporting characters bled into the story. Nak-su’s interactions with his wife Park Ha-jin (Myung Se-bin) show the friction that emerges when a partner is supposed to cheerlead but also carry doubts. I won’t spoil the specifics, but the domestic scenes are just as telling as the office scenes: when Nak-su comes home and there’s a gap rather than full comfort, you feel the story is going to be about more than “work sucks.” His colleague Kim Soo-gyeom (Cha Kang-yoon) is also introduced in a way that doesn’t scream “evil junior” but hints at generational friction. These relationships feel textured, which is a big plus in a genre that can slip into obviousness.

Another strength: the pacing. Episode one doesn’t rush to a tidy resolution; it lets the discomfort linger. There’s a moment when Nak-su realizes his homeownership and corporate title are no longer shields; the show allows him to taste that anxiety without immediately spitting out an easy solution. That patience is refreshing and makes me believe that the series intends to evolve thoughtfully rather than just hit plot beats. Also, the cinematography in the domestic setting – the lighting, the framing of Nak-su’s solitary moments – subtly conveys isolation. It’s a quiet sophistication for a show that could easily have gone loud.

Now, onto the flaws – yes, I found a few. First: the tone teeters on being too safe in episode one. While I appreciate the grounded approach, at times I felt the show held back from committing to something truly daring. The corporate crisis feels familiar – we’ve seen the “trusted workhorse gets kicked out” trope several times. The show is going to have to dig deeper to differentiate itself, because episode one hints at promise but doesn’t fully deliver on surprise. The setup is solid, but the emotional stakes don’t quite feel new yet. It’s well done, but not yet sharp.

Second: some of the narrative transitions felt a little awkward. There’s a moment mid-episode when Nak-su shifts from confident manager to shaken man, and the script tries to balance internal reflection with external events. That balance sometimes feels slightly off: we get his thoughts, but the external world doesn’t always reflect them in a way that makes his inner change feel urgent. In other words, we see him troubled, but the cause doesn’t always hit us in full force. As a result, a few scenes drift rather than snap. I expect that will tighten later, but right now it’s a small weakness.

Third: the series hints at a broader exploration (meaning, life beyond work), but in episode one, it still leans heavily on the corporate/home duality. That’s fine for a pilot, but I caught myself wondering when the show will introduce something more expansive: travel, friendships, hobbies, passions outside the grind. Episode one gives us the start of that ride, but the world beyond Nak-su’s apartment and office hasn’t yet materialized in full richness. If the series stays too confined to those two domains, it risks feeling claustrophobic not by design but by limitation.

Despite those issues, the episode ends on a note that makes you want to continue. There’s a scene where Nak-su silently watches someone else take credit for work he did, and his face doesn’t betray much initially — but then something flickers, and you sense he realizes this is the moment of choice. That kind of subtlety is what elevates the show. It’s not yelling “mid-life crisis!” at you, but rather whispering “what happens when the rug is pulled out?” and letting you feel the tremors. For fans of workplace dramas who want character-driven stories, this is one to watch.

In short, the pilot of The Dream Life of Mr. Kim delivers a careful, mature entry into the life of a man whose definition of success is about to change. It has strong performances, especially from Ryu Seung-ryong, and good direction and cinematography that quietly support the story rather than overshadow it. It also doesn’t cling to gimmicks, which is refreshing. On the flip side, the episode is somewhat safe and familiar in its structure, the emotional pivot doesn’t fully land yet, and the world around the protagonist is waiting to open up more. But the foundation is firm, the characters engaging, and I’m intrigued to see where it goes. If subsequent episodes build on this setup with more risk, more emotional layering, and broader horizons, then we might be watching something genuinely smart and resonant.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times