The Best Korean Drama Jobs and Careers

Have you ever wanted to live like your favorite Korean drama heroes and heroines? Well, I'm about to let you in on the secret: you have to get the right job! In Kdrama land certain jobs will land you closer to crush and enemy than any others. Let's review your options. (I will mention plot points from the dramas below, but none of them will ruin the overall experience of the show for anyone who hasn't watched these dramas yet, so I won't call them spoilers. I consider them safe.)

1. The food/milk delivery person

This worked remarkably well for Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) in Coffe Prince. While she was delivering food, she sneaked a peek at a naked Choi Han Kyul (Gong Yoo). Also, when she had her stint as a milk delivery girl, she captured the heart of Han Kyul's cousin Han Sung (Lee Sun Kyun). Eun Chan actually had many jobs including: barista at Han Kyul's coffe shop, taekwondo instructor, and she also sewed eyes on dolls. Let this be a lesson ladies, the more odd jobs you work, the closer you are to finding your soulmate!

other examples: Can You Hear My Heart?, Shining Inheritance



2. The Executive (For the guys)

For Men this is a given. This job generally requires very little actual work from you since you will spend most of your time obsessing over a woman that everyone knows is not a good match for you. Most likely you will obtain this job through nepotism because you are a chaebol son or grandson of the owner of a gigantic corporation. Even if you gain this job through your own intellect and capability, though, you're bound to meet a cute woman (or two, yay love triangles!) who will fall for you. Sadly, one of the two lovely ladies who fall for you will probably be a psychopath who will try to eliminate the other girl, who is the one you actually love. Look no further than Stairway to Heaven. In this Korean drama classic Cha Song Joo (Kwon Sang Woo) is a chaebol who loves Han Jung Seo (Choi Ji Woo), but that love is cut short when her evil step sister Han Yoo Ri (Kim Tae Hee) purposely hits her with a car. So, the job has its hazards, but it's your best bet.

other examples: (there are so many, but here are a few) Secret Garden, Ice Adonis, Boys Over Flowers

The Executive (For the ladies)

As with the men, you will probably  gain your high-level position through family connections, but climbing up the executive ladder is possible for the most ambitious of you. Because you are a strong, powerful woman, you will most certainly meet those men who think of you as a cold bitch, hell, you may even actually be a cold bitch, but, like Seo Eun Gi (Moon Chae Won) in Innocent Man, you will meet a guy who sees the warm heart below your hard exterior. Even if you have to lose your memory because of a nearly fatal car accident and then become an imbecile for a few months, it will all be worth it in the end to have your very own Kang Ma Ru (Song Joong Ki), right?

other examples: Birth of the Rich, Empire of Gold

3.  The idol

Aspiring to have fame and fortune is common in just about every country these days, but in Kdrama land (I'm not referring to South Korea, but specifically to the magical world of Korean dramas) obtaining idol-status is easier than one may think. Whether you're a man, woman, or child, all you need to make it big are the looks, the talent, and a bucketful of desire. If you're like Ji Seung Yeon in KPop: The Ultimate Audition, you will even go as far as pretending to be a guy to achieve your dream of stardom. Beware, though, because once you pretend to be a guy, you will fall in love with one and that can make the whole situation very sticky.

other examples: Heartstrings, You're Beautiful, Dream High

4. The (wannabe) fashion designer

The aspiring fashion designer is often a hard working person, so expect long hours. Also, your work will probably be stolen because it's so fabulous and some lazy beyotch will try to pass it off as her own. This scenario just happened for Eun Jung Soo (Choi Jung Won) in the currently airing Kdrama Her Legend. The most important thing to remember about this career is that you will probably be in close contact with an executive type, like the ones mentioned above, so keep on your toes because they will most likely play a pivotal role in your success.

other examples: The Vineyard Man, Cheongdam-dong Alice, Baby Faced Beauty

5. The bar hostess

This job is only used as a last resort. When a girl is really down on her luck, but is cute enough, she can work as a hostess at a bar or nightclub to make some extra cash. I would suggest trying other odd jobs like working at a convenience store first, but if that's not an option then this will just have to do. One thing to note here, though, is that working at a hole-in-the-wall bar with creepy business men hanging all over you will most certainly get the attention of the guy that you don't do like. See Lee Soo Jung (Ha Ji Won) in Something Happened in Bali. Jung Jae Min (Zo In Sung) just became even more obsessed with her after he found out she was working at a club that her brother sold her to.

other examples: Shining Inheritance, Heartless City (this one is a double-ding because she was a cop AND a hostess)

So, I'm sure you have figured it out by now, but this list is meant to be sarcastic and also point out the gender inequality issues that run rampant in most Korean dramas. Our beloved Kdramas are purely a source of entertainment and not reality. To my ladies out there, shoot for the sky and don't decide your future based on any man.