Hyper-realistic workplace comedies enjoy enduring popularity

Scenes from Coupang Play's "The White Collars" / Courtesy of Coupang Play

As the clock strikes six, workers of DY Planning, a marketing agency, get ready to leave work in high spirits. Then, CEO Shin Dong-yup enters the office with actor and client Kang Ha-neul, who wants to have a meeting at this exact time.

The employees' expressions turn cold. CEO Shin plays it cool, saying, "Those with prior engagements can go," but he adds, "Those who will save the company with me, let's stay and work." With forced smiles, the employees head to the meeting room, their lips smiling but not their eyes.

This is a scene from the recently concluded Coupang Play comedy, "The White Collars," which gained huge popularity by delivering stories of life at a fictional small- and medium-sized enterprise in Korea.

Based on a format where celebrity guest stars seek image consulting at the show's marketing company, the six-part comedy tackles aspects of office life such as the subtle battles over leaving work on time, company dinner culture, salary negotiations and corporate welfare.

Examples include a subordinate who makes bold statements taking advantage of so-called "yaja time," a Korean term for when junior employees are told to speak freely to their supervisors, only to be reprimanded; colleagues agreeing on demands for improved company benefits but unwilling to risk putting them forward to management; and junior employees watching the clock and trying to gauge when they can leave the office if their supervisors work late.

"MZ Office," office comedy sketch from "Saturday Night Live (SNL) Korea" / Captured from YouTube

Since its premiere in February, this spinoff of the "MZ Office" sketches from "Saturday Night Live (SNL) Korea" has brought hyper-realistic office comedies to the mainstream, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next season.

Immediately after its release, the show ranked number one among popular titles on Coupang Play, and the final episode, released on March 29, saw viewership rise eightfold compared to the first episode. Related content, including trailers and highlights, has surpassed 52 million views.

Workplace comedies have long resonated with Korean audiences thanks to their relatable portrayal of office life. "The White Collars" follows in the footsteps of MBC's "Infinite Challenge" segment "Infinite Company," Watcha's faux documentary sitcom "Damn Good Company" and "MZ Office" from "SNL Korea."

Channeling the same comedic spirit as "The White Collars," "Infinite Company" captivated audiences with its sharply drawn, relatable characters. At its core, the dynamic between the imperious department head, played by Yoo Jae-suk and his perpetually put-upon assistant manager formed a bedrock of humor, amplified by the spontaneous brilliance of veteran comedians.

Poster for Watcha's faux documentary sitcom "Damn Good Company" / Courtesy of Watcha

"MZ Office" from "SNL Korea" ignited conversations through its incisive satire of the workplace ethos of the "MZ Generation," a term encompassing Millennials and Gen Z in Korea.

Meanwhile, "Damn Good Company" carved its own niche on YouTube and Watcha, resonating with viewers through its often poignant depiction of the small business experience, with its popularity evidenced by its impressive five-season run.

"It popped up in the list — even though it's an older show — and watching it felt like I was secretly peeking through someone else's office CCTV ... How can the acting be this natural? The script's details are seriously amazing. There's this weird sense of relatability that leaves me with this bittersweet feeling," a viewer wrote after watching "Damn Good Company."

"The White Collars" also saw viewers leave comments like, "Dude, this is so real!" and "It's hilarious 'cause it's so true, but that also makes it kinda sad, you know?"

Why office comedies work so well

Experts attribute the enduring popularity of workplace comedies to their hyper-realistic yet comedic exaggeration of situations that real office workers experience, which viewers can relate to.

Culture critic Bok Gil noted the inherent discomfort within workplaces provides ideal conditions for comedy to thrive.

"The weariness of the daily commute, awkward conversations with colleagues, the tension and anxiety arising from workplace hierarchy — the reason so many people seek out office worker stories is likely because they find solace in sharing these worries and realizing they're universal experiences. For this reason, the workplace in creative works becomes an effective backdrop for eliciting widespread empathy," said the critic.

She believes these comedy shows have renewed the grammar of Korean-style office sitcoms by portraying conflicts between characters and shedding light on the chronic problems within Korean workplace culture.

Another culture critic, Kim Hern-sik, pointed out that the narratives of recent comedy shows have evolved, showing multifaceted aspects of each character.

"We used to see a lot of content zeroing in on negative aspects of the younger generation. But nowadays, things are different. We're getting these really well-rounded stories about bosses, the people who work for them, and those poor middle managers caught in the crossfire. This way of showing things from everyone's point of view is really hitting home with audiences," he said.