Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama My Mister, which has become one of Netflix’s most emotionally powerful and critically acclaimed K-dramas, delivering a profound exploration of healing, human connection, and finding hope in life’s darkest moments.
My Mister premiered on tvN on March 21, 2018, and aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 21:30 (KST) until May 17, 2018, for a total of 16 episodes, with each episode running approximately 75-90 minutes. The series is available for streaming on Netflix and has gained international recognition for its deeply moving storytelling and exceptional performances from Lee Sun-kyun and IU.
This masterful drama explores themes of loneliness, healing, and unexpected human connections through beautifully crafted characters facing life’s harsh realities. Set in contemporary Seoul, the series takes an unflinching look at middle-aged struggles, poverty, and the weight of unfulfilled dreams while offering a message of hope and redemption.
In a world that is less than kind, a young woman and a middle-aged man develop a sense of kinship as they find warmth and comfort in one another. The story presents a unique intergenerational friendship that transcends conventional drama boundaries.
Two Souls Finding Solace
My Mister follows a man in his 40s who withstands the weight of life and a woman in her 20s who goes through different experiences, but also withstands the weight of her life, as the man and woman get together to help each other. The central narrative revolves around Park Dong-hoon, a middle-aged structural engineer whose marriage is falling apart, and Lee Ji-an, a young woman struggling with poverty and debt.
Park Dong Hun is a middle-aged engineer who is married to attorney Kang Yun Hui. However, his life is not that happy as he has two unemployed brothers and faces numerous personal and professional challenges. The series brilliantly portrays how two people from different generations, both carrying heavy emotional burdens, find unexpected comfort and strength in their unlikely connection.
Park Dong-hoon (Lee Sun-kyun) – The Weary Middle-Aged Man
It’s not easy, admitting to yourself that your life is not a happy one, but that’s exactly what Park Dong Hoon has been forced to do. A middle-aged engineer working at a company where he faces workplace politics and personal betrayals, Lee Sun-kyun delivers a career-defining performance as a man quietly enduring life’s disappointments.
Lee Sun-kyun’s portrayal of Dong-hoon is remarkably nuanced, capturing the essence of a man who has accepted his lot in life but finds new purpose through his connection with Ji-an. His performance conveys deep emotional pain without melodrama, showing how kindness and empathy can be acts of quiet heroism in a harsh world.
Lee Ji-an (IU) – The Resilient Young Woman
Lee Ji-eun (as Lee Ji-An) and Lee Sun-kyun (as Park Dong-hoon) were both so great and relatable. You truly feel for both of them, as people, and their trials and tragedies impact the viewer deeply. IU’s performance as Ji-an represents one of the finest acting achievements in Korean drama, transforming from her idol image to deliver a raw, emotionally devastating portrayal.
IU accepted the part of Lee Ji-an because she was interested in working with director Kim Won-seok and because the silent, tense role differed from the ch[aracters she had played before]. Her character is a young woman burdened by debt, family trauma, and a harsh life, yet she maintains a fierce will to survive. IU’s restrained performance perfectly captures Ji-an’s internal struggles and gradual healing process.
Finding Light in Darkness
The series reaches its emotional peak as both characters face their deepest traumas and must choose between continuing to endure their pain alone or accepting help from each other. The climactic episodes explore themes of forgiveness, healing, and the courage required to change one’s life circumstances.
The final episodes don’t offer fairy-tale resolutions but instead present realistic portrayals of how healing happens gradually through human connection and mutual support. The series masterfully shows that sometimes the greatest act of love is simply being present for another person’s pain.
The Weight of Family Bonds
The main cast was confirmed on November 13 with the addition of Oh Dal-su and Song Sae-byeok as Lee Sun-kyun’s character’s brothers, and Na Moon-hee as the mother of the three. The supporting cast creates a rich family dynamic that adds depth to Dong-hoon’s character and shows how economic struggles affect entire families.
The three brothers’ relationship provides both comic relief and emotional weight, showing how family members support each other through difficult times. Each supporting character contributes to the series’ exploration of working-class struggles and the importance of community support.
Success on Netflix
The drama received critical acclaim, winning Best Drama at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. On Netflix, My Mister has found a dedicated international audience who appreciate its mature storytelling and emotional authenticity. The series consistently ranks among the highest-rated K-dramas on IMDb with a 9.0 rating, and viewers praise its realistic portrayal of adult struggles and healing. A show that is hopeful, achingly beautiful, and bittersweet, and viscerally affecting in the absolute best way. The drama’s success stems from its universal themes of loneliness, healing, and human connection that transcend cultural boundaries.
If you love deeply emotional dramas that explore healing, human connection, and finding hope in life’s darkest moments, My Mister is the perfect series to experience on Netflix. This profound masterpiece will touch your soul and remind you of the healing power of genuine human kindness.
My Mister delivers one of the most emotionally profound and beautifully crafted explorations of healing and human connection in Korean drama history, proving that sometimes the most meaningful relationships come from the most unexpected places.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 16
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 9.0/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Drama, Slice of Life, Healing
Main Protagonists: Lee Sun-kyun (Park Dong-hoon), IU/Lee Ji-eun (Lee Ji-an)
Antagonist: Life circumstances and societal pressures (no traditional villain)