[DISCLAIMER: MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!]
Web dramas are gaining popularity in recent years with its simple and lighthearted plot lines. It’s also a really good way to see fresh faces that we don’t usually find in the conventional hour-long Korean TV dramas.
The new web drama “Issue Makers” makes use of its exaggerated characters to create comedic relief. Still, it manages to tread a thin line between lightheartedness and exaggeration to avoid being overly shallow. Despite being a short drama, every character is given the spotlight to shine. Each has this little “crazy” side of them (we will get to that in a moment!) which contributes to most, if not all, of its comedic scenes in the drama.
The story focuses on a group of magazine editors in a startup company and the issues they face while earning a living. While still keeping things light and funny, it also touches on some serious, realistic issues that can be encountered within a corporate environment (such as sexual harassment or hellish work hours). These situations may not be handled in such a satisfying or hilarious way in real life, but I’m sure we really don’t need any more of those negative, unpleasant stuff in our lives.
…And we’re finally here!
Who are the characters?
Surprisingly, the actors and actresses are using their real names for their roles in the drama!
Park Eun-Hye
Park Eun-Hye is the head of the startup company. She’s a nice employer, but like many other employers in real life, she’s not really approachable. Her workers are required to walk on eggshells around her.
Her “crazy”: She has demonic demands, leading to her workers getting overworked. She’s also volatile, her mood changes really rapidly.
Dong Hyun-Bae
Psst! Taeyang’s brother!
As one of the employees holding a higher position in the company, Hyun-Bae doesn’t really do any work. Unless… instructing his colleagues to do work is actual work.
His “crazy”: He talks waaay too much which doesn’t help in any way.
Han Bo-Reum
Manager Han Bo-Reum likes getting into fights with her colleague, Kang Dae-Hyun.
Her “crazy”: The girl thinks she’s really a pretty girl and that people would flirt with her. Truth is, she’s not, she’s just really gorgeous.
Kang Dae-Hyun
The most competent and efficient employee in the company. Dae-Hyun is always finding the best solution to do things efficiently.
His “crazy”: He’s a walking encyclopedia. He has the entire law book (and many more bite-sized facts) stored in his head. With him, you don’t even need Google!
Bestie
Bestie is a hard worker. She’s considered to be the most “normal” person out of the “crazies” in the company–for now.
Her “crazy”: Using her native language, Thai, to her advantage. For instance, she pretends to be busy and speaks in her native language to avoid getting chosen to do extra work.
Lee Jong-Won
The company’s newbie! Just like any typical newbie, he’s always making silly mistakes and he screws up a lot. At least… he’s cute.
His “crazy”: Well, I think bringing a hammer to an interview says everything…
On a side note, I was curious if the famous Vietnamese celebrity Selena Phan that appears in the drama also uses her real name. And it’s true!
The web drama is only about 15 minutes long per episode. As short as it is, it would feel like eating a tasty snack while taking a short break from the stressful, yet mundane life. “Issue Makers” may not have enough impact to become the next huge “issue” in your life but it could definitely make a good stress-reliever.
Subscribe to KOCOWA and watch “Issue Makers” now!
