YG Future Strategy Office review: truth among pratfalls and pee jokes in K-pop Netflix series

YG: Future Strategy Office is part mockumentary; part YG promo. It's also likely to score points among the many Seungri antis: the star of the show is also the butt of most of its jokes.

The Netflix series takes the time-honoured tradition of humiliating idols on variety shows and transports it into the mockumentary format, giving the Big Bang maknae the "role" of consultant in the YG Entertainment office and depicting the admin shenanigans that ensue, in the style of The Office, 30 Rock, or the Australian series about the public service, Utopia. It's basically the story of egos, ineptitude and mismanagement in the K-pop industry; with an IRL star at the centre.

Almost everyone is playing themselves or, as a disclaimer at the beginning says, "an exaggerated" version of themselves. (I am not sure whoever approved that gave sufficient weight to its meaning; as it doesn't necessarily reflect well on the participants.)

Episode one begins with the explanation for Seungri being given the role: it's penance for a drunken transgression captured on video that went viral. It's pretty mild in comparison to his rumoured 2012 scandal in Japan. He's taken to the office where he will meet his staff and be introduced to the role. This section plays quite snappily with well-executed gags highlighting Seungri's arrogance and seeing it swiftly brought down by the reality of his situation as he meets the unruly office dweebs in a shabby building.

Cameos in the episode are provided by girl group BlackPink and Taehyun, formerly of boy group Winner, now of South Club. Jinu of Jinusean turns out to be a regular castmember.

This episode revolves around Seungri having to organise a YG family day, with celebrities. His staff want him to get his bandmates G-Dragon and TOP (both currently in the military) - they are impressed by anyone in Big Bang but him. Of course the whole day is a spectacular failure and ends with him being abused by Chairman Yang.

via GIPHY

This has more or less been the formula of the five episodes I have watched so far (Seungri is a bit of a dick; everyone gets pissed off, Yang berates him; YG stars make an appearance): there are eight, and I am undecided on whether I am going to continue. As the series progressed it has seemed less like a a stand-alone series and more like an opportunity for YG to promote its artists: now here is Winner; now here is Ikon, oh here is 2NE1's Park Bom; though the latter provides one of the battier episodes and Ikon and Winner both have some fun moments.

Seungri does a solid job in the lead role, and the regular cast, which includes actress Kim Ga-Eun and (YG-signed) Saturday Night Live comedian Yoo Byungjae give good support.

This will no-doubt prove irresistible to YG stans - although predictably, some have become upset - and there is probably something here for those interested in the K-pop industry too: for instance it seems like parts of it were actually filmed among the collectibles and memorabilia of Yang's real office and a good deal of the series also takes place at Seungri's restaurant Aori Ramen, while one episode includes a scene with the rookies' monthly evaluations.

Although the ramen restaurant could primarily be product placement, real life touches like these make the viewer wonder how much truth is buried among the pratfalls and pee jokes.

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And now, here is a reminder that Seungri recorded the best song to come out of the Big Bang stable.