The Dream Life of Mr. Kim: Casting and Filming Locations

The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, also known by its Korean title Seoul Jagae Daekieob Danineun Kim Bujang Yiyaki, premiered on JTBC on October 25, 2025, and quickly captured audiences with its heartfelt portrayal of middle-aged crisis and self-discovery. This twelve-episode drama tells the story of a seasoned corporate manager who loses everything he values and embarks on a transformative journey to rediscover his true identity. Available globally through Netflix, the series airs every Saturday and Sunday at 22:40 KST, offering viewers an emotional rollercoaster that balances tears and laughter.

Based on a popular webcomic by Song Hee-Gu and Kim Byeong-Gwan, the drama brings together an exceptional cast and crew to deliver a story that resonates with anyone who has questioned their life’s direction. The production showcases Seoul’s diverse landscapes, from high-end shopping districts to university campuses, creating an authentic backdrop for this deeply human narrative.

Cast of The Dream Life of Mr. Kim

Ryu Seung-Ryong as Kim Nak-Su

Leading the cast is acclaimed actor Ryu Seung-Ryong, who portrays Kim Nak-Su, a department manager with twenty-five years of corporate experience. Ryu’s extensive filmography includes internationally recognized works such as Kingdom, Moving, and Chicken Nugget on Netflix, as well as the critically acclaimed film The Good Bad Mother. His ability to convey both strength and vulnerability makes him perfectly suited to portray a man grappling with the sudden collapse of his carefully constructed life.

Kim Nak-Su is characterized as an exceptional salesman who has never failed a promotion since joining his company. He seemingly has it all—a prestigious position, a comfortable home in Seoul, and a loving family. However, when circumstances force him to confront who he really is beyond his job title, Ryu’s nuanced performance captures the character’s journey from complacency to self-awareness with remarkable depth.

Myung Se-Bin as Park Ha-Jin

Veteran actress Myung Se-Bin takes on the role of Park Ha-Jin, bringing her considerable experience from dramas like Doctor Cha and Avengers Social Club. Her character represents the family dynamics that ground the story, providing both support and complexity to Kim Nak-Su’s journey. Myung’s previous work demonstrates her skill at portraying strong, multifaceted women navigating family relationships and personal challenges.

Cha Kang-Yoon as Kim Su-Gyeom

Relative newcomer Cha Kang-Yoon plays Kim Su-Gyeom, bringing fresh energy to the production despite beginning his acting career only in 2024. His previous appearances in The Art of Negotiation and Head Over Heels showcase his promising talent. The character of Kim Su-Gyeom adds generational perspective to the narrative, likely representing the younger generation’s different values and aspirations.

Behind the Camera of The Dream Life of Mr. Kim Award-Winning Direction

Director Jo Hyun-Tak’s Vision

The drama is helmed by director Jo Hyun-Tak, best known for directing the record-breaking series SKY Castle, which became the second-highest-rated Korean cable drama in history. His other notable works include The Atypical Family (2024), Snowdrop (2021-2022), and Secret Healer (2016). Jo’s directing style expertly balances social commentary with emotional storytelling, making him ideally suited to explore themes of corporate culture, family dynamics, and personal identity in The Dream Life of Mr. Kim.

In 2019, Jo received the Best Director award at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards for his work on SKY Castle, cementing his reputation as one of Korea’s premier television directors. His ability to extract powerful performances from actors while maintaining narrative tension has become his signature approach, evident throughout this latest production.

Writing Team Excellence

The screenplay is crafted by Kim Hong-Ki and Yoon Hye-Seong, who adapted the original webcomic material for television. Their work focuses on creating authentic dialogue and situations that reflect the real pressures faced by middle-aged professionals in modern Korea. The writing team successfully translates the visual storytelling of the webcomic format into compelling episodic television that maintains viewer engagement across twelve episodes.

Iconic Filming Locations in Seoul

The Shops at Centerfield (더 샵스 앳 센터필드)

Located at 231 Teheran-ro in Gangnam-gu, The Shops at Centerfield serves as a key filming location representing the upscale corporate world that Kim Nak-Su inhabits. This modern commercial complex in Seoul’s prestigious Gangnam district provides the perfect backdrop for scenes depicting the protagonist’s professional life. The sleek architecture and luxurious retail environment visually contrast with the more humble settings explored later in the narrative, emphasizing the material success that Kim Nak-Su risks losing.

Gangnam’s Teheran-ro is known as Seoul’s Silicon Valley, home to numerous major corporations and technology companies. Filming at this location grounds the drama in Korea’s contemporary business culture, making Kim Nak-Su’s story feel immediately relevant to viewers familiar with corporate pressures.

SK View Sky City Phase 2 in Incheon (운서 SK뷰스카이시티2차)

Situated at 249 Huinbawi-ro in Jung-gu, Incheon, this residential complex likely serves as the filming location for Kim Nak-Su’s family home. The location choice is significant—owning property in a well-maintained apartment complex represents one of the key markers of middle-class success in Korean society. The Incheon setting also provides convenient access to Seoul while offering a more residential atmosphere than downtown locations.

The SK View Sky City development is known for its modern amenities and comfortable living spaces, perfectly representing the stable domestic life that Kim Nak-Su has built over his quarter-century career. When this stability is threatened, the familiar setting becomes laden with new emotional significance.

Seoul Women’s University (서울여자대학교)

This historic institution serves as the filming location for Yeonsu University in the drama, the college attended by Kim Su-Gyeom. Korean universities are frequently chosen as drama filming locations due to their beautiful campuses and architectural diversity. Seoul Women’s University offers a mix of traditional and modern buildings that provide visual interest while establishing the younger generation’s educational environment.

The choice to feature a university setting allows the drama to explore generational differences in values and career expectations. While Kim Nak-Su devoted himself entirely to corporate success, his son’s university experience may represent alternative paths to fulfillment and achievement. The campus scenes likely provide lighter moments contrasting with the heavier corporate environments.

Brugz Luxury Shop (브그즈트 명품샵)

This luxury boutique appears as a filming location for scenes involving high-end shopping, another marker of the affluent lifestyle that characters in the drama aspire to maintain. Korea’s luxury retail market has grown substantially in recent decades, and including such locations reflects the material aspirations that often define success in contemporary Korean society. These scenes may serve to illustrate the consumer culture pressures that trap characters in their corporate lives.

Euljiro Food Alley (을지로 먹자골목)

The historic Euljiro district provides a stark contrast to the polished corporate settings. Euljiro represents old Seoul, with its narrow streets, traditional businesses, and authentic local culture. Filming in this neighborhood likely occurs during pivotal moments when characters seek authentic connection and simpler pleasures away from corporate pretense.

Food alleys like those in Euljiro have become nostalgic symbols in Korean popular culture, representing community, tradition, and unpretentious enjoyment. These locations often feature in scenes where characters have honest conversations over affordable, delicious food—a sharp departure from expensive business dinners.

Seokyeong Saengsogeum-gui (석양 생소금구이)

This specific restaurant appears to be a filming location for important dining scenes. Korean dramas frequently use meal settings as opportunities for character development and plot advancement, as sharing food holds deep cultural significance. The choice of a salt-grilled meat restaurant suggests scenes of comfort food and possibly reconciliation or bonding between characters.

Thematic Resonance of Location Choices

The diverse filming locations in The Dream Life of Mr. Kim work together to create a visual representation of the protagonist’s journey. The progression from corporate towers and luxury shops to universities and traditional food alleys mirrors Kim Nak-Su’s movement from material success toward more fundamental questions about identity and happiness.

The drama explores how corporate titles and material possessions come to define self-worth, and what happens when those external markers are suddenly removed. By filming in recognizable Seoul locations that viewers can visit themselves, the production grounds this universal story in specific Korean cultural contexts while maintaining broad relatability.

Production Quality and Reception

The series has garnered praise for its realistic writing, brilliant cast performances, and nuanced character development. Director Jo Hyun-Tak’s signature style of balancing dark comedy with genuine emotion creates a viewing experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The production quality matches JTBC’s reputation for excellence, with careful attention to cinematography that showcases Seoul’s diverse neighborhoods.

The drama’s exploration of middle-aged crisis resonates particularly strongly with viewers who have experienced or witnessed similar struggles. Audiences appreciate how the writing allows them to understand and even sympathize with a flawed protagonist, watching his humanity emerge through crisis. This emotional complexity, combined with strong performances, has made The Dream Life of Mr. Kim a standout in JTBC’s 2025 lineup.

Global Availability and Viewing Information

Netflix’s international distribution ensures that audiences worldwide can experience this thoughtful drama. New episodes are released weekly on Saturdays and Sundays, with each episode running approximately seventy minutes. The streaming platform provides subtitles in multiple languages, allowing the story’s themes of identity, family, and resilience to reach diverse audiences.

The drama concluded its run on November 30, 2025, offering a complete twelve-episode arc that provides satisfying resolution while leaving viewers with much to contemplate. For those interested in Korean workplace culture, family dynamics, or character-driven storytelling, The Dream Life of Mr. Kim offers a compelling viewing experience.

Cultural Context and Contemporary Relevance

The drama arrives at a moment when discussions about work-life balance, corporate culture, and personal fulfillment dominate conversations not just in Korea but globally. Korea’s intense educational competition and corporate expectations create particular pressures on professionals to achieve and maintain success. The drama addresses these pressures directly while maintaining enough universality to resonate with international audiences facing similar questions about career and identity.

By centering a middle-aged protagonist rather than the typical younger leads of many dramas, The Dream Life of Mr. Kim speaks to an often-overlooked demographic. The story acknowledges that personal growth and change remain possible at any age, even after decades of following a particular path. This message of hope and renewal, combined with honest acknowledgment of difficulty and pain, creates a mature viewing experience.

Conclusion: A Drama Worth Visiting

The Dream Life of Mr. Kim succeeds through its combination of talented cast, experienced direction, thoughtful writing, and strategic location choices. The filming locations throughout Seoul serve not merely as backdrops but as active elements in the storytelling, reflecting the protagonist’s internal journey through external spaces. From the glass towers of Gangnam to the humble food alleys of Euljiro, each location contributes to a comprehensive portrait of contemporary Korean life and the search for authentic meaning within it.

For drama enthusiasts planning to visit Seoul, many of these filming locations are accessible and offer opportunities to see the real places where this touching story was brought to life. Whether you’re drawn by the stellar cast, the acclaimed director, or the universal themes of identity and renewal, The Dream Life of Mr. Kim delivers a viewing experience that lingers long after the final episode.