Published At 2025.05.30
Drama
A Special Way that Youth and Elders Meet, “A Man on the Inside”
Beyond Prejudices: Building Equal Relationships Across Generations
By Yeonseo Park
2025-03-02
How should we treat the elderly? Do you show them respect, or do you feel uncomfortable around them? Interestingly, there is a drama that challenges our perception of old age—a stage of life we will all face someday—and the older generation. That drama is “A Man on the Inside”. This drama explores how the older and younger generations can understand and coexist with each other. Charles, the main character of the drama, is a retired architecture professor. After the death of his wife, he spends his days inside until one day he noticed an eye-catching advertisement in a corner of the newspaper: "Investigation Assistant Wanted: Ages 75–85.” By chance, he applied and took a role of a spy infiltrating in Silvertown to investigate expensive jewelry theft cases. As Charles finds new excitement in his monotonous life, he spends a month becoming an insider-just like the drama’s title-while trying to solve the case. What especially draws attention in this drama is the relationship between Charles and Julie, the private detective who hired him. Julie is a cold and workaholic person who treats people solely as employees, regardless of their age. She maintains a strict and distant attitude toward both Charles, who is nearing eighty, and her young secretary, insisting on discussing only work-related matters. However, their relationship doesn’t end in mere conflict. Instead of being hurry by Julie’s approach, Charles solves the case on his own way. Gradually, Julie begins to acknowledge Charles and starts to treat him as a co-worker. This shows that true understanding comes not from age or generation, but from being dedicated to one’s role. “A Man on the Inside” shows how different generations can build a mature relationship and respect each other as equal co-worker beyond age and generational differences. The drama warmly and realistically portrays that when individuals are dedicated to their roles and receive fair compensation for their work, they can truly acknowledge and respect one another. This drama shows that the elderly are not a person to be protected, but co-worker who can work and learn together. Beyond mere entertainment, “A Man on the Inside” convey the wisdom of coexistence and is recommended for those who want to explore how to collaborate and respect each other’s roles, regardless of age or preconceived notions.