Laborer Roh Moo-jin (2024)
Starring Jung Kyung-ho, Seol In-ah, Cha Hak-yeon
A clever mix of workplace drama, sharp comedy, and supernatural justice, Laborer Roh Moo-jin breaks expectations and delivers a story that’s both emotionally grounded and darkly fantastical.
Plot Summary:
Roh Moo-jin (Jung Kyung-ho) is the unluckiest man in the office—10 years into his career with no success and a retirement plan based solely on giving up. Things hit rock bottom when his best friend scams him out of his life savings and his wife walks out in frustration.
With a law degree collecting dust, Moo-jin finally takes the bar exam to become a labor attorney—specializing in labor law, workplace injury claims, and employee rights. He opens a small firm with the help of his sister-in-law, Roh Hee-joo (Seol In-ah), who handles everything from admin to finances just to keep the lights on.
Despite the chaos, Moo-jin is determined to fight for underpaid workers and injured laborers—until an influencer named Go Geon-woo (Cha Hak-yeon) tempts him into a morally gray scheme: secretly film factory hazards and pressure companies into paying hush money.
It works—until a steel factory mission goes wrong. A massive beam falls from above. Moo-jin should be dead… but instead, he meets the Ghost Boss at the gates of death.
The deal? Work for the dead. Fight for the wronged. Seek justice for the laborers who died in silence.
What Makes It Stand Out:
- Jung Kyung-ho delivers a standout lead performance—relatable, defeated, but quietly heroic
- Blends real-world labor issues with supernatural flair
- Seol In-ah shines as the overworked but loyal sister-in-law, injecting humor and heart
- A rare K-drama that spotlights the blue-collar class with grit and respect
What Could Be Better:
- The shift from legal dramedy to supernatural revenge thriller may be jarring to some
- The ghost world could use more structure and rules for better world-building
Verdict:
Laborer Roh Moo-jin is a darkly funny and unexpectedly powerful drama that tackles social injustice with style. It’s part legal drama, part fantasy thriller, and completely unique—delivering humor, heart, and a haunting message about the cost of labor.
