Is It a Compliment When the Swan Metaphor is Used to Describe You?
“Agency” was released in 2023, has 16 episodes, and is streaming on both Viki and Netflix. It can be categorized as corporate office drama.
“Swans do not rest under the water, they struggle.”
Lifted this quote from the Kdrama TV series, “Agency” and it got me interested in knowing a little bit more about swans. No doubt, the analogy applies to the main character, Go A-In, while she climbs the corporate ladder of success. Is it a compliment or an insult?
“Most people are familiar with the description of a swan on water. Calmly moving along with cool grace above the surface, but below the surface, unseen to the observer its feet are paddling manically.” SOURCE: Swan Syndrome — Sin Eaters Guild
“Swans give up resting time to fight over the best feeding spots,…” SOURCE: Swans sacrifice rest to squabble — Phys.org
Swans are not greedy creatures and will only eat what they need. SOURCE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — The Swan Sanctuary
The swan’s movement is an ideal metaphor for expertise and excellence. We admire the very best in their fields because they are able to make the sublime look easy. SOURCE: The Swan Metaphor - Horeb International
Main Characters:
- Go A-In (played by Lee Bo-Young)
- Kang Han-Na (played by Son Na-Eun)
- Choi Chang-Soo (played by Cho Seong-Ha)
- Park Young-Woo (played by Han Joon-Woo)
♦ Go A-In is the First Female Executive at an Advertising Agency
“Agency” begins with an advertisement to get people to download a video game. “Go beyond being the first and be the best. Maintain grace despite beyond desperate. Give up from time to time for self-preservation.” This was the advice given to a female warrior in an RPG video game.
It’s good advice. But does it apply to Go A-In in her job as the first female executive of VC Communications, a leading advertising agency?
Before her promotion, her business card said that she was the Creative Director. People talk all the smack they want about her behind her back, like saying she’s a sociopath who focuses only on her own success. But nobody can deny that her job performance is “on another level”.
Go A-In is cold-hearted. Although she prefers to say she’s cool, calm, level-headed, and used to winning. Hey! When you got it, you don’t even have to flaunt it because … you’re the best … and EVERYBODY KNOWS! You also don’t need to care what others say or think or “expect”.
Why should you let others put limits on you? That’s Go A-In’s philosophy and work ethic. She is driven! She must be a success! Becoming the “first” is just the beginning of her road to success. No surprise that she regularly visits a doctor and takes prescription medication to treat insomnia.
For her diligent hard work and lack of sleep, she was promoted to Chief Creative Director. Another notch on her belt. The chairman called her directly to tell her that she was now “the face” of the company. The company needs to look “women-friendly”.
While she mulls over what the chairman had told her, the chairman’s proxy comes to deliver “the real news”. Her executive position was “temporary”. WHAT?? Where to next? Should she just accept that she’s been played and screwed?
Does she need a hero? Or can she save herself? One thing is certain in her mind. She won’t run away. She was told she had one year in her position. A lot can happen in a year.
One has to wonder. What is Go A-In’s definition of success?
FUN FACTS:
There is not a real video game named FIGHTER QUEEN, but there is a cartoon-style fighting an all-female fighting game available on Google Play named The Queen Of Fighters.
Thanks for reading.