The new original series Honey Part-Time Job, starring Lee Jae-wook, is drawing immense attention by claiming the global #1 spot. As a 100% original creative work rather than a web novel or webtoon adaptation, it carries even greater significance.
Netflix’s Honey Part-Time Job continues its box office streak by ranking #1 on the Netflix TOP 10 non-English TV shows list.
According to the Netflix TOP 10 website, the survival horror series revolves around a strange employment agency that exclusively offers ‘honey part-time jobs’ starting at 50 times the hourly wage. Protagonist ‘Hyuk-jun’ is thrust into a nightmare labor environment, recording 8,700,000 views (total view time divided by runtime) in its second week of release to top the global TOP 10 non-English TV shows. It swept the #1 spot in 22 countries including South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, while entering the TOP 10 list in a total of 76 countries, proving worldwide interest.
Domestic and international viewers showered the survival horror project with glowing reviews, praising the clever stage design, impressive CG, great acting, and short running times. Fans highlighted the universal yet heavy themes expressed in a ‘Gen Z’ style, praising the unique worldbuilding and refreshing directing choices never seen before in Korean dramas.
Behind-the-Scenes and Cast Chemistry
Newly released behind-the-scenes stills capture the cast’s burning passion and the cheerful atmosphere on set. First, Lee Jae-wook draws attention with his no-holds-barred survival action to escape his nightmarish part-time job.
Notably, his intense physical acting inside the rotating office hallway set, known as the ‘washing machine,’ vividly conveys the desperation of an extreme situation. Go Yoon-jung is shown monitoring between takes, reflecting her dedication to shaping her character ‘Yeon-joo.’
Kim Min-ha added vibrant energy to the series as ‘Ji-yoon,’ jumping into the world of part-time jobs with bold action and charming determination to save her brother Hyuk-jun. Meanwhile, Lee Hee-joon left a strong impression as the ‘Spider Employment Agency President,’ bringing an ironic twist to a character who leads people into dangerous labor before stepping into the trenches himself.
Performance artist and circus veteran Lee Sung-hyung also turned heads as the ‘Pierrot,’ completing the realistic horror with his live acrobatics. Choi Hyun-wook and Yoon Kyung-ho round out the cast with memorable appearances in early episodes.
Unique Production Design and Worldbuilding
Production stills reveal spatial designs tailored to each unique part-time job, creating an uncanny and eerie visual identity. Director Kim Da-min explained that distinct key colors and lighting were assigned to every job to evoke the feeling of stepping into another world.
The milk delivery office building utilized varying structural characteristics per floor to maximize the eerie atmosphere. From unsettling wall murals to bizarre bone towers and twisted fairy tale motifs like the Three Little Pigs, the production constructed a massive 1,000-pyeong set to bring the surreal theme park to life.
Lee Jae-wook’s Military Service and Surprise Appearances
Lead actor Lee Jae-wook is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service, having entered the training center on May 18th this year before being assigned to the Army.
Though absent from the official Seoul press conference due to his service, he surprised attendees at the 31st Busan International Film Festival open talk by appearing with a military buzz cut, hat, and mask to greet fans. He also delivered a video message expressing his regret for missing the press conference and promising to return in good health after completing his duties.
