Unlock My Boss (2022)

Surprisingly fun to watch!

I know this drama, but I'm not really following this drama from the first time the drama aired. I was just randomly scrolling my Netflix homepage and found it on the top 10. I just watched it and surprisingly, it was fun?? I continue watching it until the end.

I know the story is not the kind of unique story, but I don't know why I keep watching it because it's fun.

I was also surprised for the actors. There are many famous actors in this drama and it makes the drama even better. The thing that I really like is the comedy scene that makes this drama really funny. I mean, the hyperbolic scene makes it even funnier.

I guess that's it. These days, I was not really in the mood to watch kdrama, but this drama makes me want to watch more dramas.

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Unlocked a gem!

What a treat this turned out to be. I was ridiculously sceptical about starting this drama as I thought the premise was quite a silly one. Someone being trapped in a phone? Get real! In all honesty it exceeded my expectations on more than one front.

The casting for this drama was done exceptionally well and translated through to the characters brilliantly. Not only did we get relationships in all forms and ages, we were able to emotionally connect and become attached to the bonds formed amongst the characters. Gi So Yoo did an incredible job playing Park Sung Woong’s daughter and the way she bonded with each character differently spoke volumes about the writing of the characters, especially the bond formed with Kim Sung Oh’s character, Ma Pi. There was special care taken to think and flesh out each character and their contribution to the show. This was evident in the final product and how easily attached we, the audience, became.

A special shout out goes to Ahn Nae Sang, because it was lovely to see him play such a dorkable character that actually lives past the second episode! His pairing with Kim Young Sun as his wife was also a great match for comedic banter between the two and their robot!

We cannot forget to mention the mystery element about the phone. How did the CEO get inside the phone? Was the CEO in the phone, actually the real CEO? Who was the mastermind behind it all? Did the CEO’s body disappear? For each episode you were kept guessing as to how it all came together and who the real villain of the story was. Surprisingly this was done without dragging and without making you feel stupid with a sprinkle of romance to keep our hearts in beat.

All in all, the flow of this drama was such an easy going one that even though being a mystery, it was light, easy and enjoyable to watch.

x dramafoxx

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Unlock My Boss wasn't something I saw myself getting interested in, but gave it a try anyways. I'm glad I did too! I couldn't stop watching and wondering what the conclusion was going to be.

I loved the balance this drama gave between thriller/mystery with a comedic relief. It always picked the right moments for comedy and switched when it needed to be serious. I felt that it would be hard to do, especially when one of your main characters is a smartphone, but it wasn't cheesy or weird at all.

This is one of those dramas where you love all the characters and the little found family they start making. I loved Se-Yeon and Mafia so much. I also loved Min-A and the light moments she helps put into the show. Chae Jong-Hyeop does such a great job portraying Park In-Seong and switching between his real self and his "acting" ceo self.

There were a few ups and downs within the story itself and honestly the end left a lot of unanswered questions and a good open ending. That would be my main issue with the show after watching. It does leave an ending perfect for a second season, but hate having to wait to see if there is one. Especially with the way they leave you off.

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a sci-fic that everyone needs to watch ASAP!!

I think this drama has a little bit of potential from the beginning, since it gets you entertained by each scenarios that the story has. But where in fact this drama was a sci-fi, seems interesting and sometimes circulating questions ponders in your head of how he was inside that phone (seems weird, right? :'D). The drama seems to be good, but mixed with reality of dreams and pursuing your goals in life, with unexpected outcomes, bursts with emotions and feelings that I could relate to. With this, I think this drama seems to be okay with me, but I would go through with each parts of why this drama was interesting and entertaining to begin with.

STORY/PLOT
Kim Sun Jo was one of the CEO of the country's largest IT companies in SK, he was a genius as every life plans where planned well, but with challenges left to solve and take that brings him down. Due to its accident that causes his life to twist around in a wrong direction, he became a victims from an unknown killer by a senseless murder. But as he was still in a coma, his spirit was entered in his very own invented smartphone where he got trapped spent his life inside the CPU. Until, a university graduate student who's dream was to be an actor, Park In sung, found out a phone near in his neighborhood and as Sun Jo asked for help to In sung. As he take the advantage to save him, and willing to do the favor of Sun Jo in exchanging for his services. As In Sung entered the company acting as the President/CEO, there he met Sun Jo's secretary Jung Se Yeon. As they are together to solve the case and the truth about where and how did Sun Jo entered to a different dimension.
With this plot when I read everything, I get the point why it seems interesting that the fact that this was sci-fi, and how everything might goes without getting spoiled. When watching, it was very interesting, I think most of the parts of every episodes makes me want to never stop watching it because of how it gets even more interesting and exciting at the same time. With the plot as well, it blends so much with a little bit of romance, even if it focuses more about the comedy and mystery of this drama. But again, the story seems to be well, but then the endings needs to be fixed. I think it would have a better ending then what it was shown to make the story has a better one, with no flaws or I considered it as a good one. I also love how the story really explains how the sad truth gets hidden by how it is covered by people's words and decisions. Sometimes we chose what is better for us or for them, but we don't think of how hidden truths might give us an impact.

CINEMATOGRAPHY AND OST
So with this part, I really REALLY love the OSTS!! every ending scenes of each episodes gives me the thrill when it hooks me in every ending! It really blends every scenes, that make my soul cry, and how it gives reflection to the scenes and the characters feelings during that specific scenes to give atmosphere. The cinematography of this drama was a meh okay for me. There are some scenes that are pretty obvious that the blue cgi was kinda obvious.

CAST AND CHARACTERS
Chae Jong Hyeop, gosh he had lots of potential, especially he got so famous by his character so called "the potato boi" from a famous kdrama nevertheless,, I really like his role, the way he smiles lightens the mood, and nothing really changed his career from the previous projects he had, but for sure I could see lots of improvements, from the sad scenes and such. With his character, Park In Sung was never a disappointment for me, In Sung made his life so much twists that he never expected to involve in a case where he acted to be the CEO without any experience or degree. Park Sung Woong, it was my first time to see him ever since I watched kdramas. I like his role, but sadly I can't see a lot of his acting skills because most of the time, he was only a voice actor. But in his character, Kim Sun Joo was the same with Park In Sung, but the fact where his decisions where never been easy especially as a CEO. Love the way he blends with the other characters as well. Seo Eun Soo, was also the first time I saw here ever since the day I started to watch kdramas. She was pretty good at acting, but before I could really describe her, same as Park Sung Woong, I need to discover both their other projects that are different from their roles in this drama. Well Seo Eun Soo was pretty tbh! I could really see how she fits so well with her role as a secretary. With her character as Jung Se Yeon, I think it was never been easy for her to be part and getting involved by SunJoo's case because she also has personal matters in her private life. Thanks to her boss, she could provide what she needs in her life. But again, the other casts did so well! I appreciate their efforts in being part of this drama, kudos to the team <33

Overall, it was a fun and a good watch during weekends. Especially it only has 12 episodes, i think viewers would get satisfies with how it goes, just like me hehe.
Good for binge watch (since it is a 12 eps kdrama, i think its enough to kill the allotted free time), good for time kill, great for beginners and good for re watch as well.
Well here I am, as I end the note, hoping that the casts would have other roles to enter in their future careers, hoping that they could strive higher recognitions as well! a good kdrama, and again, kudos to the team, rooting for them!! :>

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Watching this I thought I was frozen in time

For me, this was so slow. I felt like I'd been watching it forever, imagine my surprise when I was only on episode 5! I stuck it out, hoping it would improve, again, I'm only speaking for myself, it didn't.

There were a couple of positives:
1) Chae Jong Hyeop. He had the great ability to go from nerdy to "spy" in a moment. He did a lot of switching back and forth. One minute he's someone that has no drive, just wants money, then the next he is standing up for the underdog.
2) I loved Im Chul Soo's scene in the last episode when the police asked him what other jobs he's had, and he referenced his characters from other dramas. That was so funny!

Otherwise, too many bad guys, a wasted and useless romance (romance is my favorite genre, but don't try to fit it in where it doesn't belong), lots of repetition, and I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending.

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Interesting concept but the execution leave much to be desired

I dropped it in the fifth episode but I skipped forward to see what happens in the next episodes and... I guess it's okay if you have nothing better to watch or it is one of your first kdramas ever, but for someone who's seen dozens of them the execution of the story is not interesting enough to keep you hooked.
From the start there are quite a few unanswered questions, and I dont mean the main intrigue here ... I haven't read the webtoon but in the drama you can immediately tell that we are talking AI here and not some man's soul trapped in a smartphone [since the kdrama's universe does not have any magical elements]. The relationship between Park Inseong and the CEO is cute at times but you just can't help thinking that this man's body is lying somewhere/he might be already dead and here we got two grown-ass people who somehow believe that someone's soul could be trapped in a smartphone.
We also don't know how, if its just an AI, CEO's smartphone ended up sending calls for help? Was it just because he witnessed the whole situation? It's unclear.
I think it would've been better if they had figured out very fast that the smartphone CEO is just an AI and tried to solve the mystery starting from there... maybe that would make it an 8-episode series and I wouldn't complain.
I do admit it was kind of funny though seeing obvious "Parasite" references in the earlier episodes.

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ball of fun

i can’t even be mad at the sort of shoe-horned in side character backstories that bypass the legwork of actual character building, since it works anyway lmao, like rly well, but also because the lead is just done so damn well.

just a straight up decent friggin guy, whose decent-ness as a human being gets continuously highlighted as more virtuous than it is, merely because the environment this is set in fosters turning down ones humanity. a humble guy going nowhere in life fast forwarded to a major CEO position, casually making amazing decision over anything he touches because he’s not perverted by the system yet.

oh and also the wacky fun as hell concept of park sung woong being trapped in a phone orchestrating the whole thing. that man really brought the same caliber of performance he usually brings, while playing a pulsating personal assistant blob on a phone.

wholesomeness from the left, wholesomeness from the right, a healthy amount of meta-ness as sprinkles, and to top it off some deep cutting reflection on the uncanny viciousness that is the korean job market

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Unexpectedly Good

I honestly have to give it up for Unlock My Boss...I genuinely didn't think this series would turn out to be good because I thought the story sounded silly, like you can't blame me on that part. But I gave it a go and it had me captivated, the storyline was unexpectedly good and it was actually interesting.

The only bad side about this entire series is the ending, it was rather abrupt and tho the ending was satisfying I wanted to see a little more(?) like you barely saw what happened with Min-a after Hyun-Ho got arrested and her dad returned in a PVA state and she's left only with Soojin at home — or are Insung and Seyeon still living with her? That's something I wanted to see more of and not to mention Inseong and Soyeon's romance. But I guess since the romance is just a side story it's not necessary.

Overall it's a good fantasy/thriller series and I do recommend it.

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Had Potencial

The story was good. Great even. The script was good and the acting was on point. But damn they fumbled the bad at the end. Literally the ending makes absolutely no sense and had too many lose ends. I haven't read the Webtoon but still. The end disappointed me a lot.

First: The AI was really an AI, right? So why keep it? Why would you travel around with an AI puppy and have it as a honorary third wheel?

Second: who's taking care of the company?
I understand he wanted to be an actor but it was established throughout the show that he's a great CEO. Dreams can change.

Third: The little girl is ... ALONE?
That was the one that annoyed me the most. they inserted themselves in the girls life, acted as surrogacy parents but once the company was saved they just left her to be raised by the maid?
they should've at least showed if they're still part of her life.

in conclusion, the ending was rushed and to me it ruined the story. I will not be watching it again

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A great drama

A great drama, 12 exact episodes!! No episode is boring or unnecessary. It has everything a good drama should have.
* Tension maintained throughout the episodes is maintained
* Comedic scenes.
* Falling in love and good chemistry between the characters
* Characters develop with the plot
* Additional exposure to the capabilities of Ai, artificial intelligence that is already "here and now"
Not futuristic and really not imaginative and not fictional at the same time also scary,
It is no secret that the capabilities of artificial intelligence can also be used by hostile institutions
and not immoral
* Perfect casting and one captivating and talented Chae Jong Hyeop.
* Sound track is perfect and suitable for the scenes..

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Get throug the first six or so episodes for a satisfying later half... worth it.

Not really a spoiler, just a brief mention of a scene by one character. You will have to watch the show to see the scene I very briefly mention.

Tough call between 8 and 9 stars. At times, the show gave a sense of complacency instead of anticipation. I debated whether or not to continue after six episodes. I am glad I did, in a way. The final episodes picked up the pace and gave a satisfying finish.

Cast: 10 / 10
Story: 8 /10
Production: 9/10
Character development: 8/10 - at times - for brief moments - I loathed the portrayal by Chae Jong Hyeop as Park In Sung. The ML didn't hit his stride until the last half of the show. Seo Eun Soo played her character well as Jung Se Yeon - somehow she reminded me of seeing I.U. for the first time in "My Mister" (a must watch) though the two shows are vastly different.

Throw in a wildcard (personal satisfaction of show) and the final score comes to 9/10 stars.

Favorite Character: Mapi, played by Kim Sung Oh - this character alone could be cast in a prequal.

Special mention to Gi So Yoo as Kim Min A. Lovable and sympathetic character. I was surprised at the amount of screen time she received. Good call by producers/writers. SPOILER ALERT*** the scene about the cops is memorable. ***END SPOILER ALERT

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It tried to be something, like that bro who tries too hard to be an adult when he is 9.

Don't get me wrong, the story had potential, but that's about all.

I will admit I was suckered in by the first 2 eps which promised some simple entertainment without much thought. The problem was the next 10 episodes. See eps 1 and 2 already weren't very plausible, but the rest took that to a crazy degree with a disjointed presentation style that left me frustrated because it wasn't done well like masterpieces such as Memento and Flower of Evil, it was only used because just showing it in chronological order would make it even more boring than it already was.

The twist: every good mystery needs either a great twist or a well told story, this had niether. I must say I thoroughly decided in Ep 1 that they wouldn't *dare* use such an obvious plot, but I was mistaken. I was only shocked in the fact that:
1. They did.
2. The leads were so clueless.

I liked all of the actors, but most of the characters were boring.

I would only recommend picking this up if there is nothing on your TBR other than "The king: eternal monarch" or "Boys Over Flowers."

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