International K-Drama fandom is once again abuzz with a familiar query: “What K-Drama is this?” The search describes a captivating series featuring 3 or 4 female protagonists fiercely navigating the complexities of life and work, often punctuated by a fan-favorite mantra: “drink now work later!”
If your browser history looks anything like “www search hello my twenties” or you’ve been recommended “Be Melodramatic” because it’s ‘similar’ – you’re incredibly close to the mark!
Based on the overwhelming clues and that iconic ‘drink now work later’ sentiment, the show you’re almost certainly thinking of is none other than ‘Work Later, Drink Now’ (술꾼도시여자들)! This powerhouse series, starring Lee Sun-bin, Han Sun-hwa, and Jung Eun-ji, perfectly encapsulates the camaraderie, struggles, and drunken escapades of three best friends navigating their 30s.
While ‘Hello, My Twenties!’ (also known as ‘Age of Youth’) brilliantly portrays the lives of young women sharing a house and their coming-of-age stories, and ‘Be Melodramatic’ (Melo Is My Nature) offers a witty, realistic look into the lives of three female friends in their 30s working in the entertainment industry, ‘Work Later, Drink Now’ stands out with its explicit focus on drinking as a central coping mechanism and bonding ritual for its protagonists.
Its raw honesty, hilarious situations, and deeply relatable portrayals of friendship and career hurdles have made ‘Work Later, Drink Now’ a certified hit, resonating deeply with fans worldwide who often find themselves echoing the characters’ sentiment after a long day. If you haven’t binged it yet, prepare to raise a glass – or several!