Kapanlagi.com - The glittering life in the capital often seems captivating from afar, as if offering dreams and limitless opportunities. However, behind that lies a reality full of pressure that demands extra struggle, from financial burdens to the feeling of loneliness that often creeps in unnoticed.
It's not just about survival; the harsh competition in the job market also poses a significant challenge for many who migrate to big cities. Professional demands, long working hours, and the pressure to continually improve make life in the capital feel exhausting yet full of trials.
Moreover, the younger generation is also faced with the dilemma of pursuing dreams while confronting realities that do not always align with expectations. The stories compiled by KapanLagi feel so close to everyday life, making Korean dramas about the struggles of life in the capital a true reflection that resonates with many people.
1. MISAENG: INCOMPLETE LIFE (2014)

work environment/mydramalist.com
MISAENG: INCOMPLETE LIFE (2014) vividly depicts the bitter reality of the corporate world in Seoul, making it one of the most iconic dramas about struggle in the capital. The drama centers on Jang Geu Rae, played by Im Si Wan, a young man who failed to become a professional Go player and must adapt to office life as an intern at a large trading company, One International.
Geu Rae, who only has a high school diploma and minimal work experience, faces discrimination and fierce competition from other interns with better educational backgrounds. Geu Rae's struggles in the capital are not limited to adapting to a foreign work environment, but also include the pressure to prove himself amidst the low expectations of his superiors and colleagues.
He has to learn everything from scratch, from business ethics to how to interact with clients, while constantly facing office intrigue and brutal internal politics. This drama highlights how Geu Rae, with his sincerity and perseverance, gradually gains recognition, despite the path he takes being filled with obstacles and personal sacrifices amidst the harsh competition in Seoul.
2. BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE (2017)

waiting for the bus/mydramalist.com
BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE (2017) offers a lighter yet realistic perspective on the challenges of life in Seoul, particularly regarding housing issues and relationships. The drama tells the story of Yoon Ji Ho, played by Jung So Min, an aspiring but financially struggling scriptwriter who must face the harsh reality of high rent in the capital.
She ultimately finds a unique solution by becoming a tenant in the home of Nam Se Hee, played by Lee Min Ki, an eccentric and highly logical IT designer who needs the rent money to pay off his mortgage. Ji Ho's struggles in the capital are not only about finding decent housing but also about finding her footing in an unstable career and facing societal pressure to marry at a certain age.
Through the contract marriage for housing that they agree upon, this drama explores how two individuals, both struggling in Seoul, try to navigate societal expectations, financial pressures, and the search for meaning in their lives. Their story reflects the reality of many young people in the capital who must adapt in unconventional ways to survive and pursue happiness.
3. FIGHT FOR MY WAY (2017)

sit together/mydramalist.com
FIGHT FOR MY WAY (2017) is an inspiring drama about a group of friends who struggle to pursue their dreams amidst the harsh realities of life in Seoul, even though they are considered "less" by society. The drama centers around Ko Dong Man, played by Park Seo Joon, a former taekwondo athlete who now works as a pest control worker, and Choi Ae Ra, played by Kim Ji Won, a department store employee who aspires to become a news anchor.
Both of them, along with their friends, Kim Joo Man (Ahn Jae Hong) and Baek Seol Hee (Song Ha Yoon), face various obstacles in achieving their goals in the competitive capital. Their struggles in the capital include repeated rejections, odd jobs, and the pressure to give up their dreams for financial stability.
Dong Man must confront self-doubt and past trauma to return to the ring, while Ae Ra is constantly rejected from broadcasting auditions due to a lack of the desired "specifications." This drama realistically depicts how they support each other, face failures, and find the strength to keep fighting, proving that dreams know no age or background amidst the glitz of Seoul.
4. MY MISTER (2018)

public transport/mydramalist.com
MY MISTER (2018) is a heartwarming drama that depicts a bleak and lonely life in the capital, focusing on the struggles of its main character in facing the heavy burdens of life. The drama tells the story of Lee Ji An, played by IU, a young woman living in extreme poverty, burdened by debt, and caring for her sick grandmother amidst the harshness of Seoul.
She works part-time to survive and becomes involved in a scheme to bring down Park Dong Hoon, portrayed by Lee Sun Kyun, a middle-aged engineer who is also facing complex personal and professional issues. Ji An's struggles in the capital reflect the dark side of urban life, where poverty, violence, and loneliness are inseparable parts of her daily existence. She must fight for every meal, every bill, and every passing day, without any clear hope.
Her interactions with Dong Hoon, initially based on hidden motives, gradually develop into a deep bond, where both find comfort and strength in each other to face the hardships of life in Seoul. The drama highlights how, amidst despair, there is still room for empathy and human connection that can provide a glimmer of hope.
5. ROMANCE IS A BONUS BOOK (2019)

read book/mydramalist.com
ROMANCE IS A BONUS BOOK (2019) raises issues of career disparity and the struggles of a single mother trying to re-enter the workforce in the Seoul publishing industry. The drama centers on Kang Dan Yi, played by Lee Na Young, a former successful copywriter who was forced to leave her career to take care of her family. After getting divorced and facing financial difficulties, Dan Yi attempts to return to work, but struggles to find a job due to her long career break and her age, amidst fierce competition in the capital.
Dan Yi's struggles in the capital reflect the challenges faced by many middle-aged women who want to return to work after a career break, especially in a highly competitive environment like Seoul. She has to hide her high educational background and accept an internship position with a low salary, just to get a chance.
This drama highlights how Dan Yi, with her perseverance and intelligence, gradually proves her worth in the publishing industry, while navigating her complex relationship with Cha Eun Ho (Lee Jong Suk), a famous writer and editor-in-chief whom she has known for a long time. The story shows that amidst all obstacles, the spirit to learn and grow never fades.
6. ITAEWON CLASS (2020)

read book/mydramalist.com
ITAEWON CLASS (2020) is an inspiring drama about the struggle to build a business from scratch in the dynamic area of Itaewon in Seoul, while facing social discrimination and fierce business competition. The drama tells the story of Park Sae Ro Yi, played by Park Seo Joon, a young man whose life is shattered after his father dies in an accident caused by the heir of the Jangga Group conglomerate.
After getting out of prison, Sae Ro Yi vows to seek revenge and decides to open a bar restaurant in Itaewon, with the goal of defeating the Jangga Group. Sae Ro Yi's struggle in the capital is not only about building a successful business but also about confronting prejudice and discrimination from society and his competitors. He recruits a team of marginalized individuals, including a transgender person and a former convict, all of whom are struggling to find their place in Seoul.
This drama highlights how Sae Ro Yi, with his steadfast principles and indomitable spirit, manages to turn his restaurant into a phenomenon, proving that courage and integrity can overcome power and injustice amidst the harsh competition of business in the capital.
7. START-UP (2020)

become ceo/mydramalist.com
START-UP (2020) is a drama that focuses on the tumultuous world of startups in Seoul, depicting financial struggles, failures, and the pressure to succeed at a young age. The drama centers on Seo Dal Mi, played by Bae Suzy, a young woman who aspires to be a CEO like Steve Jobs, despite not having a lavish educational background.
She meets Nam Do San, played by Nam Joo Hyuk, a brilliant but struggling founder of a technology startup who is fighting for investment and recognition amidst fierce competition in Korea's Silicon Valley, Sandbox.
Dal Mi and Do San's struggles in the capital reflect the bitter realities of the startup world, where brilliant ideas do not always guarantee success. They must face rejection from investors, product failures, and the pressure to continuously innovate in a highly competitive environment.
This drama highlights how they, along with their team, learn from each failure, rebuild their confidence, and find ways to realize their dreams in Seoul. START-UP (2020) shows that behind the glitz of the tech world, there is hard work, sacrifice, and an unyielding spirit of perseverance.
8. OUR UNWRITTEN SEOUL (2025)

sitting in front of people/mydramalist.com
In OUR UNWRITTEN SEOUL (2025), the story centers on the lives of a group of young people trying to find their place amidst the harsh rhythm of the capital, with the main character played by talented young actors and actresses who depict the reality of today's urban generation.
They are portrayed as office workers, freelancers, and job seekers who must face economic pressure, family expectations, and high social standards that seem to never give them a break.
Behind the seemingly ordinary routines, each character harbors a strong inner struggle, ranging from feelings of failure, losing direction, to the fear of being left behind by others in a fast-paced environment. OUR UNWRITTEN SEOUL (2025) showcases how they fight to survive amidst the high cost of living, tight job competition, and the pressure to always 'appear successful' in the capital.
9. FAQ
What Korean Dramas depict the struggle of life in the capital? Some Korean Dramas that depict the struggle of life in the capital include MISAENG: INCOMPLETE LIFE, BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE, FIGHT FOR MY WAY, MY MISTER, ROMANCE IS A BONUS BOOK, ITAEWON CLASS, START-UP, and OUR UNWRITTEN SEOUL.
Why are Korean Dramas about struggles in the capital so relatable to viewers? These Korean Dramas are relatable because they address financial issues, rejection, self-doubt, and real issues such as the high cost of living and fierce job competition that resonate with the lives of many people, especially the youth in urban areas.
Which Korean Drama is the most realistic in depicting the work environment in Seoul? MISAENG: INCOMPLETE LIFE (2014) is considered one of the most realistic dramas in portraying the harshness of the corporate world and the struggles of interns in Seoul, with all its intrigues and competition.
Are there any Korean Dramas that highlight the high cost of living and housing issues in Seoul? Yes, BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE (2017) specifically highlights the high rental costs and housing crisis in Seoul, where the main character even chooses a contract marriage to secure decent housing.
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Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.