Picture credits - Pinkvilla
“A fairytale is a cruel fantasy that illustrates the brutality of this world paradoxically.”
It's okay to not be okay is a k-drama about how a path to emotional recovery opens up for an antisocial children's book author and a psychiatric hospital employee, desperate to escape his emotional baggage and the heavy responsibilities he's carried his whole life.
The New York Times named “It's Okay to Not Be Okay” one of “The Best International Shows of 2020". At the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards, it received eight nominations with two wins (Best Supporting Actor – Television and Technical Award for costume design). It received a nomination at the 49th International Emmy Awards in the Best TV Movie or Miniseries category.
Introduction
Series Name: It Okay to Not Be Okay
Directors: Park Shin-woo
No. of Seasons: 1
Total Episodes: 16.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Language: Korean
Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Yea Ji, Oh Jung Se, Park Gyu Young, Jang Young Nam
Synopsis - Spoiler Alert!
It's Okay To Not Be Okay portrays the unique love story of Moon Gang Tae, a de-sensitized community health worker at OK Psychiatric Hospital, and the lawless, antisocial Ko Moon Yeong, a well-known children's book author.
Moon Gang Tae and Ko Moon Yeong both have unhealed childhood emotional traumas that prevent them from truly admitting each other into their lives. Moon Sang Tae (Oh Jung Se) is then introduced as Moon Gang The's brother, who has been diagnosed with autism.
The brothers were orphaned when their mother was stabbed to death by a mystery woman (who turns out to be Ko Moon Yeong's evil mother) wearing a two-butterfly brooch. Sang Tae, as the sole witness to the murder, feels terrified every time he sees a butterfly and attempts to hide.
Kang Tae, burdened by the responsibility of caring for his mentally disabled older brother, endures having to change jobs and houses every year simply to get away from the butterfly.
The three main characters meet for the first time during Ko Moon Yeong's book signing when Sang Tae gets into trouble because he spots a child dressed in a dinosaur costume, which is one of his crazy obsessions. Following events and episodes depict the ups and downs of Ko Moon Yeong and Moon Kang Tae's relationship, seemingly due to Sang Tae at first, but ultimately due to their own unresolved emotional baggage.
Sang Tae, unbeknownst to Kang Tae and Moon Yeong, becomes the unifying factor that pushes them to stick together as a couple and for the three of them as a family.
About the Director
Park Shin Woo is a director who made his directorial debut with Phantom in 2012. In 2016, he directed Jealousy Incarnate written by Seo Sook-Hyang. This is Park’s solo directorial venture. In 2020, he directed the hit series, It's Okay to Not Be Okay. In 2021, he directed Love Struck in the City for Netflix. He has gained nominations for his work at the banking awards.
Personal Opinion
The clever and effective portrayal of mental illness is the best aspect of this drama. It's not pushy, it's not naively optimistic, it's not attempting to pass itself off as an educational program—simply it's a beautiful story of three broken, emotionally fragile people struggling to make ends meet.
The main objective of this drama was to depict the agony, frustration, and grief that comes with trauma, dealing with situations that are beyond your control, and the hurt that comes with mental illness for both those who suffer from it and their family members.
But most importantly, it emphasizes these people's strength, and how they help and are helped by one another to improve things.
It eloquently depicts themes of compassion, resilience, love, and camaraderie between people who have faced adversity.
Of course, it has its share of clichéd clichés, stereotypes, and dramatic flourishes, but despite this, it effectively conveys the message.
The brilliance of it is that, despite having heartbreaking and emotional moments that make you cry, it never lets the dark side take over by providing much-needed comic relief and heartwarming moments that make you laugh and feel good on the inside.
Famous Dialogues
“If you can't erase it, you just need to cover it with something better” - Ko Moon Young
“ Remember it all and overcome it. If you don't overcome it, you will always be a kid whose soul never grows” - From The Boy Who Fed on Nightmares.
“ To make the people around me happy, I have to be happy first.” - Nam Ju Ri
The Bottom Line
The show is simple to follow and contains elements of suspense, thrill, murder mystery, deranged parents, and drama, as well as emotion, heart, and healing. It's fast-paced with wholesome leisurely moments and wonderful character development.
The interactions between these three are intense, and you can't help but wish for their happiness. The supporting characters are all interesting and add to the overall feel of the show.
The music is gorgeous, the directing is lovely, and the sweet story integrating dark fairytales and creepy animations tie it all together.
It's absolutely binge-worthy, and it's a roller-coaster of emotions that you won't want to miss.
My ratings for the show - 4.5 on 5
You may watch the show on - Netflix
Written By - Melita Pinto
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