7 Japanese Dramas about Toxic Work Environment, Full of Conflict - Abusive Friendship

Kapanlagi.com - Japanese dramas often depict the harsh and profound realities of life, including relevant issues such as Japanese dramas about toxic work environments. In these dramas, viewers are presented with stories that reflect the pressures, conflicts, and negative dynamics that often occur in the workplace.

The main characters usually struggle against abusive superiors, unhealthy competition among colleagues, and excessive workloads. Through intense and emotional storylines, these dramas not only entertain but also invite viewers to reflect on the detrimental effects of a toxic work environment on mental health.

So, what are these dramas? Here is a list of Japanese dramas about toxic work environments that you shouldn't miss. Let's check them out, KLovers.

1. SUNAO NI NARENAKUTE (2010)

Drama Sunao ni Narenakute (credit: mydramalist.com)

Drama Jepang tentang lingkungan kerja toxic pertama ada drama berjudul SUNAO NI NARENAKUTE. Berkisah tentang Nakajima, yang mengagumi ayahnya fotografer perang, hanya bisa bekerja sebagai asisten majalah gravure. Di sisi lain ada sosok Mizuno, merupakan wanita yang berpfofesi sebagai guru sekolah dalam masa percobaan.

Mizuno saat ini sedang dihindari oleh pacarnya karena kehamilan yang ia alami. Kemudian ada sosok Ichihara, pria pekerja yang diperas oleh pemimpin redaksi majalahnya untuk melakukan tindakan seksual. Hingga, mereka semua bertemu melalui Twitter dan menjalin persahabatan, serta berusaha jujur pada diri mereka sendiri dan satu sama lain.

2. STRAWBERRY NIGHT (2012)

Drama Strawberry Night (credit: mydramalist.com)

Drama Jepang tentang lingkungan kerja toxic kedua ada drama berjudul STRAWBERRY NIGHT. Berkisah tentang Asisten Inspektur Himekawa Reiko yang naik pangkat menjadi kepala seksi perempuan di Bagian Pembunuhan Kesepuluh Divisi Investigasi Pertama Kepolisian Metropolitan.

Dia diawasi oleh Direktur Hashizume karena metode investigasi yang berani. Timnya terdiri dari Kikuta Kazuo, Ishikura Tatsumo, Hayama Noriyuki yang pendiam, dan pendatang baru Yuda Kohei. Mereka menyelidiki kasus sambil bersaing dengan Tim Kusaka dan Katsumata.

3. HANZAWA NAOKI (2013)

Drama Hanzawa Naoki (credit: mydramalist.com)

Continuing, in 2013 there was a Japanese drama about a toxic work environment titled HANZAWA NAOKI. This drama tells the story of an idealistic banker who finds himself trapped in a corruption and crime case in a large corporate bank. He forms an alliance with an unexpected ally to handle this case.

He also has to utilize his skills to confront powerful and influential enemies. With improvisation skills, he strives to stay one step ahead of his opponents who could potentially bring disaster upon him.

4. MONDAI NO ARU RESTAURANT (2015)

Drama Mondai no Aru Restaurant (credit: mydramalist.com)

Japanese drama about the next toxic work environment is the drama MONDAI NO ARU RESTAURANT. It tells the story of Tanaka Tamako, who is betrayed by her chef boyfriend and gets into trouble with the police due to a sexual harassment incident involving her friend Fujimura Satsuki. As a result, she has to resign from her job.

She opens a bistro that sells pot-au-feu on a rooftop alley in Jingumae, Tokyo. This story follows Tamako's struggle and the female friends as they establish a restaurant to change their lives. They face difficulties and find joy in working together. The women unite against men to survive and thrive.

5. OH! MY BOSS! KOI WA BESSATSU DE (2021)

Drama Oh! My Boss! Koi wa Bessatsu de (credit: mydramalist.com)

Kemudian ada drama OH! MY BOSS! KOI WA BESSATSU DE. Drama Jepang tentang lingkungan kerja toxic ini berkisah tentang Nami Suzuki, yang tumbuh di kota kecil pedesaan dan tidak memiliki impian khusus dan menjalani hidup dengan santai. Dia mengikuti Kenya ke Tokyo dan melamar pekerjaan di perusahaan penerbitan besar.

Meskipun ia harusnya ditempatkan untuk departemen manajemen pasokan, Nami malah ditempatkan di majalah mode dan bekerja dengan pemimpin redaksi Reiko Horai, yang dingin dan kritis. Awalnya ia tidak serius dengan pekerjaannya. Namun, Nami mulai mengubah sikapnya setelah melihat dedikasi Reiko terhadap pekerjaannya.

6. SUPER RICH (2021)

Drama Super Rich (credit: mydramalist.com)

In 2021, there is a Japanese drama about a toxic work environment titled SUPER RICH. It tells the story of Hyoga Mamoru, the CEO of Three Star Books, who was born into a wealthy family but has felt lonely since the death of his parents when he was a child. His friend, Ichinose Ryo, is the only person he can confide in.

They start a company together. Mamoru then becomes involved with Haruno Yu, a vocational school student from a less privileged family. To support Mamoru, Yu works part-time while studying and eventually applies for an internship at Three Star Books.

7. WARU: HATARAKU NO GA KAKKO WARUI NANTE DARE GA ITTA? (2022)

Drama Waru: Hataraku no ga Kakko Warui Nante Dare ga Itta? (credit: mydramalist.com)

Drama Super Rich (credit: mydramalist.com)

The next drama is WARU: HATARAKU NO GA KAKKO WARUI NANTE DARE GA ITTA?. This Japanese drama about a toxic work environment tells the story of Tanaka Maririn, a new graduate starting her career from the lowest position. Although she is not expected to last long at work, Maririn has an optimistic attitude, a sarcastic nature, and extraordinary courage. Maririn is determined to succeed and find the handsome man she saw, and nothing can stop her.

Those are some Japanese dramas about toxic work environments that you can watch. These dramas reveal the negative impact and invite viewers to reflect on the importance of well-being in the workplace.

(kpl/dhm)