Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September in the United States in Canada, but for more than 90 other countries throughout the world, including South America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, International Workers’ Day (also known as “Labour Day”) is recognized on May 1. It is a public holiday in most of these countries, and it’s a day to celebrate laborers and the working class.
So for all you working stiffs out there, we wanted to celebrate the working masses by highlighting the universal types of colleagues we can find in every office, no matter what industry you work in. See if you recognize yourself or your coworkers in our list of the different types of office workers — inspired by memorable characters from our favorite Asian dramas!
The Slick-Charmer Type
Han Suk Yool (played by Byun Yo Han) is all smooth talk and no action as an intern but gradually learns how to prove himself through his work as an employee in “Incomplete Life (aka Misaeng).”
Kang Jin Goo (played by Kim Young Kwang) knows how to turn on his charms to entertain tourists as the top employee at a travel agency in “Plus Nine Boys.”
The Out-to-Get-You-Cutthroat Type
Pi Song Hee (played by Yoo Young) is very upfront about the fact that she is not your friend, will never be your friend, and may actually be your worst enemy in the office in “Cunning Single Lady”!
Dubbed the “Corporate Serial Killer, ” Kang Min Ho (played by Jung Kyung Ho) has no shame or morals as he coldheartedly takes over companies and lays off employees in “Falling for Innocence (aka Beating Again).” But does a “change of heart” mend his wicked ways? You’ll have to watch the exciting on-air series to find out!
Go Cheok Hee (played by Jo Yeo Jeong) looks all sweet and innocent but don’t let the beautiful smile fool you! Her cutthroat ways as a vicious divorce lawyer gets her into hot water in “Divorce Lawyer in Love”!
The Eager-to-Please Type
Jang Geu Rae (played by Im Siwan) is so determined to succeed that he will do anything to please his manager and get hired on full-time in “Incomplete Life (aka Misaeng).” He is the quintessential underdog, and we can’t help but root for him!
Ahn Young Yi (played by Kang So Ra) goes from star intern to department errand girl, but she puts her head down and does everything that’s asked of her in “Incomplete Life (aka Misaeng).” She earns respect by showing her male colleagues that no task is too menial for her to prove herself!
Hwang Hye Rim (played by Hwang Seung Eon) is a convenience store clerk who uses her looks to get all the neighborhood boys to do her work for her while she stands around polishing her nails in “Let’s Eat Season 2”!
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Yu Xi (played by Kirsten Ren) sometimes likes to bum around and make excuses for needing time off at inopportune times while working as a personal nurse in “Someone Like You.” She can get away with it because her boss is blind!
The Best-Kick-Ass-Assistant Type
Secretary Ko (played by Han Jung Soo) has only one goal in life — to protect his boss at all costs, even if it means literally carrying him away from a dangerous situation or letting himself be a punching bag for his boss’s anger in “Iron Man.” This assistant’s loyalty has no bounds!
Kim Soon Jung (played by Kim So Yeon) is a second-generation employee to the company CEO, and she is tough and precise in making sure no intruders disturb her boss in “Falling for Innocence (aka Beating Again).” But will circumstances force her to go work for a man she can’t stand?
The-Annoyingly-Cheerful-Coworker Type
Hong In Ah (played by Jo Eun Ji) keeps reminding her coworkers that she’s married to a doctor and takes great delight in others’ discomfort and misery. She then annoyingly butts into the personal lives of her coworkers in “Let’s Eat Season 2.”
Oh Do Yun (played by Lee Do Yun) is so infectious in her perception of her own self worth in “Let’s Eat,” you can’t help but like her despite her misplaced delusions of grandeur!
The No-Nonsense-Boss Type
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Yuan Fei (played by Annie Chen) shoulders a lot of responsibilities at work and at home so she doesn’t have time to mess around on either fronts in “Boysitter.” She’s very serious about her job and expects others around her to follow suit.
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Qi Yi (played by Aaron Yan) likes cleanliness and order and not a single thing in his life and work to be out of place in “Just You.” He especially doesn’t like peppy women who throw a monkey wrench into his orderly life!
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He Bu Fan (played by George Hu) was perfectly fine leading his serious life before a “ghost” forces him to get involved with a strange woman’s love life in “Love Cheque Charge”!
The Secret-Chaebol-Who-Doesn’t-Need-to-Work Type
Guk Seung Hyun (played by Seo Kang Joon) tries to hide his true identity to blend in with the office workers and even falls in love with the boss’s ex-wife in “Cunning Single Lady.”
Seo Bum Jo (played by Kim Young Kwang) goes to work as a reporter to be near the woman he likes in “Pinocchio.” He has a driver who takes him around his beat and even a doting mother who tries to drum up news for him so that he can rest! Not a bad way to do a job, if you had to work!
Which type of office worker are you? Which character is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
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