Surprise, everyone! We have another guest post today! 🥳

Today, we have Sean sharing with us his various insights into how well the CEOs in our beloved dramas stack up – when compared to real life.

As many of you might know, Sean’s had a lot of experience in both the CEO life, and the drama life (we have no idea how he’s managing such a full existence on both planes; he must be existing in multiple dimensions – but that’s another story for hopefully another day! 😁).

And therefore, Sean’s probably one of the best positioned people on the planet, to comment on such a comparison.

This post was first published on Sean’s own blog, where he regularly writes about leadership. You can check out his blog here, and the original post here.

Thank you phl1rxd, for suggesting this, and thank you so much Sean, for allowing me to share your fabulous post in this space!

I hope you all enjoy this very special post!

KFG ❤️

As I was watching the conclusion to Agency, the latest Korean Drama on Netflix, the thought occurred to me I needed to look at how CEOs are portrayed in these shows and whether I share the same leadership and management abilities and techniques (or is it the other way round?)

Office Politics – Agency

In Agency, we see the battle for the top job waged between two executives. Their war is beyond a fight to the death. One of our protagonists learns to be a team player and lead the team. The other continues to abuse those around them and grovels before the higher ups, expecting the same from those teams they lead.

Meanwhile, the actual CEO, thinking about retirement, has been treading water for ten years, totally powerless, a lame duck. However, as events unfold, he takes on a Yoda type disposition and eventually does what a CEO should do 😉

As such, my role as CEO exists on a number of political planes:

• National and state politics ie the parliamentary process;
• At the local level regarding the elected members on my council;
• Internally, within the local government I administer on a day to day basis.

As far as office politics goes: I don’t condone it. I make it clear at the outset there are no factions, no favourites and the one thing I really dislike: someone laying on the charm. Yep, that’s right, I would be sunk working for a Korean chaebol or legal firm or the prosecution 😂

Have I worked for others where office politics permeates the atmosphere? Absolutely! And how did I survive? By being me.

And for the record, I thought Agency was very, very good. Go A-in displays many qualities I value: knows her limitations, doesn’t blame others, is resourceful and values quality over quantity. In short: 10/10.

The Fascination With Jobs and Musk – The Issue of Leadership

Nearly every second KDrama I watch, or even Chinese drama for that matter, Steve Jobs or Elon Musk are wheeled out as leadership demigods.

Both are true technocratic visionaries. However, the way they go about leading an organisation leaves much to be desired.

Steve, during his tenure, had to undertake a sabbatical. On his return to Apple, it would appear he toned down his style. Then sadly, when he became terminally ill, he perhaps mellowed and began to focus on what it means to be human.

Elon on the other hand, is technically clever and is “driving” towards solving a number of key global issues. However, he is not someone I would want running my organisation.

In Startup, we see the different types of leadership and management styles on display. The various teams strive to win the annual competition sponsored by Sand Box. Although they try to observe the competition’s rules, ultimately we see cut throat tactics used.

What these sandbox “kids” needed was a mix of coaching and mentoring. Competition between team members and teams is a very outmoded way of approaching successful outcomes.

In terms of my own leadership style, it’s about: communication, empowerment, training and development and mentorship. Perhaps the biggest factor though is this – I do what I say.

I gave Startup: 7/10. It could have been great.

The Matter of Strategy

On the Verge of Insanity is one of those very good business orientated dramas that shows the difference between a strategic thought bubble and one purely based on oneupmanship.

In this drama, those at the top decide there needs to be a downsizing of the workforce, to make it palatable for a takeover. An HR expert, Dang Ja Yeong is brought in to make this happen and wants to get to the top in her profession.

Once the changes are underway, Choi Ban Seok is at first ostracised and then allocated to a research and development team due to his superb innate technical skills, which are also laced with a sense of the pragmatic. I have to say though, Jung Jae Young is superb at playing these grumpy characters with a heart of gold underneath.

Ban Seok quickly exposes the senselessness of always doing the things the way they have always been done. Suddenly, those around him are galvanised into using successful mental models. Ja Yeong starts to see the sense of what he is about.

Much has been written and studied regarding the importance of strategy in business. I am a lifelong student of strategy. Sticking to the plan, with a degree of flexibility is important. I believe in keeping the metrics simple though. Afterall, it’s about the outcomes and we should never lose sight of that. Metrics, like information technology (including where AI is heading) become self serving – we spend more time on measuring performance instead of the doing!

Insanity’s ability to show clearly the importance of strategic thought versus office politics: 10/10.

Getting To The Top

The basic premise with Kdramas is that CEOs are very good at everything, they generally come from rich and/or influential families – more often than not a dynastic empire (chaebols) or make it because of internal politics. Rarely do we see the self made CEO.

Many are very young and they feel entitled. However, I have chosen two CEO candidates that go against the Kdrama trend.

In Money Flower, we see our protagonist Kang Pil Joo, who as a puppet master, is not only an old hand in handling his “chaebol family,” but an ace lawyer who has his sights set on the top job so he can carry out revenge on the family that ruined his life.

Pil Joo is a master at keeping records and keeping records on everyone around him. in short – he is prepared for any situation. As any good CEO knows, good record management is the foundation of success.

Money Flower gets 10/10, not because of being a model example of getting to the top, but because it is an awesome drama. The acting is superb.

My journey to become a CEO consisted of relying on my own abilities, with some very sage advise from my mentors. And of course, my number one supporter, who is none other than my very patient and understanding wife.

In Call it Love we do see a young CEO who is being targeted because of his talent and at the same time is also the focus of revenge. However, his integrity wins the day – what you see is what you get. He is also very concerned and sensitive to those around him.

Our young CEO enjoys camping, something his mentor passed on to him from a young age. When I was young, I was a Boy Scout, in fact a patrol leader. One of my troop leaders was Joe, a former member of the SAS. He taught me so much about not just camping, but life in general. His experiences in Vietnam I will never forget. In fact, he kept an eye on me until I became a young man.

I have now spent more years as a CEO and executive than that as an employee. To get to the top or walk into the top role, I had to each time research the organisation I hoped to one day lead, make a presentation on how I saw the future and answer questions – before a council of anywhere between seven to 13 elected members. Sometimes, my wife would be invited to the interviews as well!

At some point my reputation then started to proceed me.

Call It Love and the struggles a CEO faces, including qualities as a self made leader: 10/10

Integrity, Values, Ethics and Transparency

All four elements mentioned in the heading are found as recurring themes in Doctor Romantic Kim. In Kim Sabu, we see a very humble, but amazing, surgeon working in a secluded hospital in the countryside. He is a hard task master, but ensures his protégés shine. Even though there is a President that runs the hospital, Kim Sabu is the chief surgeon and really runs what happens on a daily basis.

Being a loner, or being part of, or leading the pack, including being a bully are very strong themes in KDramas overall. These would seem to be very clear social issues impacting on South Korean society.

Kim Sabu takes in the disaffected genius doctors and surgeons so they not only embrace themselves, but each other. As the faux CEO, he has great integrity, values the human condition, promotes team work very strongly and reminds everyone around him the importance of being open and transparent. He is also very good at finding external support for his endeavours despite internal politics.

My greatest success has come from being open and transparent, doing what I say I will do and being fair and balanced in my dealings.

In terms of Doctor Romantic Kim, Season 3 applying essential CEO traits to tackle outmoded hierarchical thinking: 10/10.

Fashion – More Than The Symbolic

Without fail, the CEOs in Kdramas are always beautifully dressed and groomed. It goes beyond power dressing.

Queenmaker is the story of what it takes to become the Mayor of Seoul. Our two leads are always meticulously dressed. Image is everything. This show as a drama is 10/10. The Taiwanese equivalent is The Wave Makers is also 10/10, but fashion is far from its focus.

Then there is Fates and Furies, a Kdrama shoe fashion extravaganza that promised so much. The clothes, the shoes, the accessories are beautiful. The glitz and glamour, a wow. The story – not so much. It was 6.5/10 for me.

It is said that Suzy Bae in Startup redefined CEO fashion. Nightcity has quite the run down here.

The bottom line is this: Kdrama CEOs will always be better dressed than me 😂 We often see Kdrama CEOs (whether male or female) buying clothes for their significant other – with flair and success. My wife on the otherhand has tried so hard to make sure I’m presentable. I am far from cooperative 😁

Queenmaker, Fates and Furies and Startup in terms of fashion: 10/10. My dress sense: 6/10 😱

Executive Support – The Priceless PA

Personal Assistants, executive support officers or secretaries are indispensable to a CEO. in WWWSK, Secretary Kim is the consummate professional and she has a plan. She leads the other secretaries, directly supports the CEO and has every eventuality covered. Her plan though rests on her going off to do something else in life.

I have been fortunate to have a number of excellent PAs work for me over the years. Like Secretary Kim, they have managed my interactions with others through guarding my diary, made sure to bail me out of over extended engagements and discussed issues with me objectively.

Unlike Secretary Kim, they have never managed my attire and rarely attended to family matters. The latter has only happened if I had no other option e.g. keeping my sons occupied before or after school. Our daughter sometimes as well.

Of course this show has that strong romantic element to it as it is about young professionals that have that childhood connection – a very common theme in Kdramas. In fact, it has those ooh la la moments which many viewers will enjoy 😉

I suppose another fun fact is Secretary Kim’s father is a rock and roll god. My own father a long time ago was the road manager for perhaps our most revered rock god from where I am. It’s one of the reasons I play guitar (quite badly, but I have been able to have great time with it).

Secretary Kim regarding all aspects regarding what it takes to support a CEO scores 10/10.

The Matter of Family

Perhaps the most common theme re Kdrama CEOs is they are either married, generally through an arranged marriage, or enter into a contract marriage to avoid the pressure families put on them to actually get married.

In Business Proposal, a contract marriage drama, we see a hapless young executive who must get married. He loves his grandfather dearly, who is a successful chaebol, but the patriarch wants what the patriarch wants.

In true Kdrama parlance, our young chaebol lost his parents in a car crash. A factor that has scarred him for life and impacts on some of his choices and decisions.

Also, in true Kdrama fashion our young CEO is an excellent cook.

Our young CEO has many new and innovative ideas.

Our contract marriage partner is delightful. She watches Kdramas and somehow, they reflect her life. There is one drama in particular that she is drawn to which is also enjoyed by show’s patriarchal grandfather.

As a drama, Business Proposal is a refreshing watch. Our leads steam up the viewing screen.

As for myself, like Frank Sinatra sang: “I did it my way.” I got married long before becoming a CEO was something I would aspire too. We were an office romance. Without a doubt, I couldn’t have done what I have done without my fantastic and beautiful wife behind me. And yes, I can cook too.

As for Business Proposal in the end, it was 9/10, because unfortunately, the writers couldn’t maintain the great writing of the first ten episodes. But, that’s only my view.

The CEO’s Office, House and Car

Kdrama CEOs have it all – very glamorous buildings and offices, beautiful homes, flashy cars and every thing that opens and shuts.

In Vincenzo, yet another CEO revenge drama, we see our hero lead from the front, out scheme the villains, inspire those around him and be just pure awesomeness.

I included the above photo, just because it’s awesome! My library was never this big, but I did have thousands of books.

Located in metropolitan South Korea, we can see Yoon Se-ri’s (Son Ye-jin) office is decorated with flourishing plants and cosy off-white furnishings. Taken from: Tatler

It doesn’t matter which Kdrama you watch, the homes, the offices and the cars are always 10/10.

I have been very fortunate. Throughout my career as a CEO, I have had a nice house provided, the best of the best in terms of a vehicle and a range of other benefits.

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed my snapshot. Kdramas are very much a guilty pleasure and take my mind off all that CEO stuff. The shows I have chosen are essentially ones that made me think more than usual. There are many others that show the disparity between the haves and the have nots, and they are worth a look.

What I have provided in this post is a range of shows that actually have some substance. We get to see leadership and management in action, albeit set in a very “dramaesque landscape” (yes, I made that up).

The reality is that many Kdramas focus on CEOs, presidents and company chairs. This is because the thriving corporate sector has been at the heart of South Korea’s economic turnaround over the last 30 years. However, society is still very patriarchal there and the young generations have had enough. Elitism, bullying, corruption and loneliness are major themes.

Many Kdramas try to give us an insight regarding how it is.

Others try to show the change.

One thing a Kdrama will always guarantee: they are very good to look at 😊😊😊

~Sean