7 Motivational K-Dramas That Will Help Spark Your Life & Career Goals
Let’s light a fire under your ambitions.
Your choices in entertainment shape more than just your watch list - they influence your mood, thoughts, and even aspirations. Surprisingly, binge-watching can be more than just a guilty pleasure; it can be downright therapeutic and uplifting.
If you're in desperate need of a motivational boost, here are seven K-dramas that do more than just help you unwind. They feature leads whose passion for what they do will inspire you to hustle harder and reach for the stars.
Radiant Office (2017)
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Where to stream: Hulu, Viki
Eun Ho-won's situation feels hopeless. She is struggling financially, failing all her job interviews, and finally learning that she only has a few months to live. When a job offer finally arrives, Ho-won decides to make the most of her remaining days and walks into the new office with a transformed, sassy attitude.
Today's Webtoon (2022)
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Where to stream: Hulu, Viki
On Ma-eum is a former national judo champion who was forced to abandon her athletic dreams due to a tragic event. But the tenacity she developed in the sport shines through as she sets her sights on a new, unexpected path: becoming a webtoon editor.
Search: WWW (2019)
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Viki, WeTV, iQIYI
This show follows the empowering journey of three fierce women in their late thirties. They all once chose careers at rival web portals over traditional family roles and are now thriving. But work struggles and love shenanigans knock on their doors.
Agency (2023)
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Viki
Go Ah-in's road to success is hard, but satisfying. Raised in poverty, she manages to climb the ranks of a major advertising agency and become the first female executive in its history. The drama follows the lives and relationships of the fierce girl boss and her employees.
Start-Up (2020)
IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video
Welcome to the fictional South Korean Silicon Valley, where our drama dives into the lives of ambitious youth hustling in the startup scene. The lead character, Seo Dal-mi, is a bright and ambitious girl who, despite a tough past, is fueled by dreams of rivaling the great Steve Jobs himself.
Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Where to stream: Netflix, Disney+, Viki, Tubi
Jang Geu-rae has always been obsessed with a board game called Baduk and hoped to become a professional player. But a huge failure pulled the rug out from under him. Now, with no college education and no experience, he must become an intern at a large company and navigate office life with strategic thinking in order to get a permanent position.
Navillera (2021)
IMDb rating: 8.7/10
Where to stream: Netflix, TVING
The fan-adored story of a 70-year-old retired mailman who suddenly decides to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a ballerino, and a young dancer who is forced to tutor him, is sure to fuel your drive, spark your inspiration, and make you believe in humanity again.