Drama name: Chief Kim/ Good Manager
Country: South Korea
Year: Jan- Mar 2017
I stumbled across the making of this drama on the KBS channel. I thought it looked okay so I searched for "Good Manager" on the online drama websites but found none. Later on, my brother recommended this show (Yes, my bro watches kdrama too because his wife does :P) I searched further and found out that the show is called Chief Kim. Aigoo!
So, what's this drama about?
Kim Seong Ryong is an accountant working for a mobster boss in city of Gunsan. He's like the town's hero because he is so good at balancing the books without ever being caught. ;D Yes, he helps businesses to evade tax, earn more money and pockets money for himself while on the job!
Chief Kim's goal is to save enough money to emigrate to Denmark. However, the mobster's right hand man started to make trouble by saying that Chief Kim was more powerful than the mob boss himself. This made the mobster boss not happy and he decided to get rid of Chief Kim.
Meanwhile, Chief Kim senses that something is not right anymore and opportunity came knocking when a big corporate conglomerate in Seoul named TQ Group was hiring a new business operations chief. Chief Kim secretly applies for the job without the mobster boss's knowledge.
The time came to get rid of Chief Kim. Chief Kim was smart enough to save the books for evidence against the mobster boss. The mobster boss captures Chief Kim's assistant in exchange for the books. There was a showdown but Chief Kim survives the incident and gains approval from the mobster boss to leave Gunsan to work at TQ Group.
The rest of the story goes on at TQ Group where Chief Kim thinks he could pocket money big time but in the end finds himself right in the middle of a huge company crisis with a cover-up for attempted murder, money syphoning and power struggle.
Overall thoughts?
It's an entertaining drama. A lot of humour amidst the seriousness of corporate greed and struggles of ordinary working people. The cast chemistry is very electric and you'll find yourself endearing to each character individually. There are a lot of references to k-pop songs and other k-dramas too!
Best parts of the drama?
The ending for each episode is done in a manga style! You'll be looking forward to each one!
Like I've mentioned earlier, you'll be laughing a lot with the references to k-pop songs and k-dramas. I absolutely love the mobster gang singing to BTS's Fireeee! Too funny!
Chief Kim and Seo Yul's bromance... From enemies to friends... I love how Chief Kim teases Seo Yul!
And who can forget this scene from Goblin!! Chief Kim and Seo Yul's bodyguard coming to rescue!
Sang Tae and Gwang Sook's romance... You are my destiny song!! Too sweet and funny!
Food fight scene between the two departments, Accounting and Business Operations. I did look up the meaning of Pirarucu!
Morpheus and Neo.... Chief Kim's bodyguards for the day after he was nearly killed...
Special mention for the lawyers from Go and Goo! The guy is too cool with the dramatic entrance all the time!
Fashion
Chief Kim and Director Seo Yul has some nice suits in this show but the one which stole it all was Park Myung Seok, the chairman's son. He really has some snazzy outfits! And he rocked in all of them!
Conclusion
Chief Kim went to TQ Group with the intention to embezzle enough money to leave for Denmark but he ended up saving the whole company from the greedy Chairman Park Hyun Do. In the process Chief Kim had turned from a semi-bad guy to a good guy. Director Seo Yul, a power crazy ex-prosecutor also became good in the end by joining forces with Chief Kim to take down Chairman Park.
It's a happy ending, Chief Kim gets an offer from the mobster in Gunsan to help run another night club nearby Seoul. So he's back to old self again!
I really enjoyed this drama, first time the second lead actually gets the female. :D Not much of romance in this drama which is a good breather! And having worked in a finance department before I can understand and relate to most of the background story. Although I must note that certain parts are a bit unbelievable, for example usually in real life when someone like Chief Kim tries to whistle blow he would be terminated without a trace. But of course this is k-drama, so there isn't any real violence involved.
I do hope they don't make a part two or something. I would prefer to leave it there with Chief Kim being the accidental hero enjoying his carefree life!
Hi. Hope you and your family are safe.
ReplyDeleteI was searching for the plot to get a hint of what's coming (yes, I like spoilers) and came across your blog. I agree to your points that you have mentioned and find it truly entertaining. It's a bit late to comment on a 2017 post, but then wth why not.
Do recommend some good Kdramas to watch if you can.
Keep up with the posts! Fighting!
Haha, thanks Maddy. Glad you enjoyed this. Hope you and your family are staying safe too. Have been pretty down because of the pandemic and have been behind in writing some reviews. Have not been watching any recent dramas as well, just some older ones. Thanks again for stopping by.
Delete