A MASTERPIECE
I started watching this show because I'm a huge fan of Lee Minki and all I can say is... this is a masterpiece.The writing, directing, acting... everything is precious.
They put all the talent in a project and BAM! My Liberation Notes is created.
All the actors were amazing and all the characters were interesting. Everybody had a story to tell, and I felt confortable watching every single second.
It is beautiful to watch, there are a lot of incredible quotes. You laugh, you cry, you imagine...
I'm really happy to see Minki as Changhee. I think this character was made for him in all aspects because his portrayal is beyond amazing. I'm excited to see his new project.
Congratulations to all the cast and crew! ♥
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An honest yet hopeful introspective slice of life.
"Great art is clear thinking about mixed feelings."— W. H. Auden
The quote sums up what makes this drama so good. The tangled ball of yarn that resides in all of us, that we spend decades trying to unravel in order to knit a beautiful tapestry that is our life. At times it just feels like you're strangling the knots, this drama is what happens when you give yourself time to disentangle.
I feel a little conflicted about the finale, holistically it's a beautiful drama I'd recommend, one of the few slice-of-life I could rewatch. The writer does overplay her hand at times and the finale got a little overly maudlin for me. It is however a drama that does exactly what it set out to do, meditate on the ways we approach life's uncertainties and how we are as much imprisoned by our own attitude as much as our environment. The journey of liberation for each of the characters is equal parts poignant and frustrating. The ending is both realistic and hopeful and ties in well with the theme, that we are liberated when we find the courage to love ourselves as much as others unconditionally. I began this for Gu and Mi Jung, found myself relating to Ki Jung mid-way, and stayed for Chang Hee.
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I feel LIBERATED
I honestly would love to give this drama a 10! It’s probably one of my favorite dramas ever. The three siblings are fantastic. At first I mainly related to and understood Mi-jeon , but as the story went one I could relate to all the siblings. Every try info was great about this the family relationship, work-life, and friends. I’m usually in thriller and mysteries becaus so like to be in suspense all the time but for once I was at peace (watching the show) without getting bored. In my opinion the best part about the show is the inner dialogue. I feel like sometimes it’s simple and sometimes it’s profound. Sometimes I understand what it means and sometimes I don’t . Nonetheless it’s very enjoyable. The only things I would change is the ending (I just wanted a bit more) and Mr. Gu story a little bit. Everything felt really REAL about the show except Mr. Gu character around the end. Other than that I can confidently say this drama was perfect. It was beautiful in all regards and I would highly recommend people to watch it!Considerați utilă această recenzie?
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what mln taught me
Loved everything about this drama, from the simplicity to the soothing aesthetics. From witnessing them to their desire to be liberated to actually witnessing their liberation. Loved how they potrayed their characters effortlessly and flawlessly. The chemistry between each of them was incredible to watch. It's a must watch. 10/10Chang hee, possibly my favourite character in the drama, was the figure with whom I was most closely associated. The fact that this drama was so realistic, with characters that shared our desires and found delight in small ways. I liked how in the final episode, instead of venting like he had throughout the drama, he gulped down. Chang hee was never one to blame fate for anything, but accepting it and moving on from it meant the world to me. In the end, I really wanted him to meet Mr Gu. He had the best character growth. Moving on to Mr Gu and Yeom Mi Jeong, they won hands down for making me feel as if I was there with them at the time. I'm at a loss for words to express how much comfort they gave me. Only by watching the drama will you be capable of understanding this. They are, without a doubt, the most interesting aspect of the story. They were both liberated together, and even when they were at their lowest, they found solace in one other. Mi Jeong's decision to settle for less was disappointing, but she genuinely loved tae hun. Would have been much better if Tae hun had proposed to her or given her reassurance, but she was still the most powerful person there.
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Liberating from things that hold you back takes time
Watching this to get over 2521 and almost dropped it after the 4th episode but finding myself to look forward to it, so I continue. It's just so refreshing to see nothing grand happens in the first few episodes, just ordinary people living their ordinary lifes. Yet, those actions and words they speak hold so much meaning. The three siblings who wish to break free from the monotonous lifes and an alcoholic who seems to never be sober. Along the journey, they find and face their own issues to be liberated from them and live happier lifes. I am so proud of them to never give up and continue their lifes although it's not a smooth journey and lifes seem to always work not in the way they want, but they still find hope and meaning in small things. It makes you think about your life too, what are things you want to be liberates from. Storyline, actings, cinematography and chemistry are definitely top tier. As for the ending, I don't hate it, just feeling neutral. At least they are now off to the better places, still having hope and continue to be liberated.Considerați utilă această recenzie?
So sad, yet so comforting.
A story where it revolves around three characters. Same family but different struggles.I love how all characters are flawed, have a personality you won't like, and hard to love and understand. How can a drama make me feel so empty yet so full?
The relationships between their parents, partners, friends, and even with their jobs are so relatable. The bond of each actors and actresses are so natural. You can feel their emotions even the quiet and dull characters, how they differently face each problems and how they speak their feelings.
Last, I love the ending. It's rare to find a korean drama where the ending is not rushed. They made sure that all 3 main characters had their moment at the end, super loved it!
I give it a 10/10. This is such a good drama, makes me appreciate the people around me and living more.
(Loved Lee El and Lee Ki Woo so much in this drama!)
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A Masterpiece of Realism and Emotional Depth
My Liberation Notes is one of those rare dramas that excels in portraying the quiet intricacies of life. From its opening scenes, it’s clear that this series isn’t about grand, dramatic moments, but about the understated beauty and struggles of everyday existence. The pacing is deliberately slow, giving you time to soak in the characters, their surroundings, and the complex emotions they face. It’s this slow-burn quality that makes the series feel so grounded and relatable.What sets *My Liberation Notes* apart from other Korean dramas is its unwavering commitment to authenticity. There are no exaggerated characters or over-the-top plot twists. Instead, we’re given an intimate look at the lives of ordinary people who are simply trying to navigate through their own personal challenges. It’s rare for a show to capture such a raw and honest depiction of the human experience, and this series does it masterfully.
The story centers on three siblings, each dealing with their own frustrations, loneliness, and desires. What’s fascinating is how the show doesn’t rush their development or try to solve their problems in quick, convenient ways. Instead, it takes its time to show the subtle changes and moments of introspection that lead to personal growth. Watching the characters evolve feels natural, and their journeys are presented in a way that anyone can relate to—whether it's feeling stuck in life, longing for connection, or grappling with a sense of dissatisfaction.
One of the most captivating aspects of the show is its ability to convey deep emotions without needing to rely on excessive dialogue or action. There are moments where the silence between characters speaks louder than any words could. It’s a series where you can feel the weight of every glance, every pause, and every seemingly mundane interaction. These small moments build up to something far more profound, creating an emotional depth that resonates long after the episode ends.
The performances are stellar across the board. Each actor brings a quiet intensity to their role, portraying their characters with an authenticity that makes you forget they’re acting. There’s no melodrama here—just nuanced, deeply felt performances that capture the essence of their characters. You can feel their pain, joy, and longing in every scene, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys.
Visually, *My Liberation Notes* is stunning in its simplicity. The cinematography often mirrors the characters' internal states, with wide shots of the countryside highlighting their isolation or close-up shots capturing the intimacy of their emotions. The rural setting of the show adds a layer of beauty and melancholy, creating a visual representation of the characters’ desire for something more while being rooted in their reality.
In conclusion, *My Liberation Notes* is a masterclass in storytelling that embraces the quiet struggles and moments of liberation that define the human experience. It’s a series that doesn’t rush to provide answers but instead invites you to reflect on your own life. A true masterpiece of emotional depth and realism, it’s a must-watch for anyone seeking a profound and moving drama.
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MASTERPIECE! NEW CRUSH UNLOCKED= MRS GU
This drama is the definition of a great character driven drama. The drama doesnt have a specific plot exept of course for the fact that Mrs Gu comes into their lives. Even without a main plot this drama manage to make you fell in love with it and the characters, it can make you excited to watch more, to watch all of the characters struggle in a very realistic way. There is nothing that i can find unrealistic about this drama, each character stayed true to each self till the end, most dramas create characters and as the plot progress they change them, they make them more soft or more loving etc, but this drama just kept everyone the same, maybe with some differences but no one change entirely and that is exactly what makes this so realistic.The characters were so well written with great depth and the chemistry between all of them was great. But what surpriced me the most is how relatable they all are. We watched them in every aspect of their lives, when they were sad and lonely but also when they felt loved and happy, There are not enough words to express how well written and interesting all of them were, i will always have them in my heart, i learn a lot of things from them, the way they talked about their feelings made me realise that sometimes i have the same thoughts (especially with Mi Jung) and that it is okay to struggle sometimes, if only you have at least 5 minutes of happiness each day.
The stories the three siblings had were so interestings. My personal favorite was Mi Jung story mostly because not only i can relate to her the most but also because her story had Mrs Gu aka the NVP of the whole drama, my new crush, they storyline and the whole worship thing was so beautiful, how they felt whole when they were together and miserable when they didnt had each other, how they always talk about their feelings and never judge each other, omg they were so beautiful together, definitely one of my favorite couples in every Kdrama i have watched. Ki Jung story was good too, i would like to see more of her relationship with the child but i liked that they made it realistic and didnt make the child magically accept her. Chang Hee story was the least favorite for me, i think maybe i couldnt really connect with him after all.
The end was quite disappointing for me, i wanted more, but it wasnt bad, i think it was a little anticlimactic but at least we have an open ending so i can imagine all of them found liberation (and there is room for season 2 too, i would love to see more of them). * i was really afraid that something bad would happen at the end especially to Mrs Gu bad i am glad everyone was okay (everyone exept from one -cry-)
Anyway i can write a whole book about this drama and how much it touched my heart but i will just say that it a beautiful journey with great messages that i will cherish for life. I highly recommend this one.
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Exquisitely written slice of life
It’s been a long long time since i watched a series that moved me so much as this.the writing, the characters with all their oh so human flaws, the brilliance of the actors, the cinematography - everything was just mesmerising. There’s no razzle dazzle , simply a beautifully written and acted piece of work. The emotion this series brought out of me left me feeling drained at the end of every episode, ive Just finished the last one and the only way i can think filling the space each weekend is to watch it all again and thats precisely what i plan to do………Considerați utilă această recenzie?
It’s a no.
This was one of the most boring and dullest dramas I’ve ever watched. I understand it’s genre and that it was intentionally projected this way. idk if the English subs were just bad but even the dialogue wasn’t that great to me. it didn’t make much sense too. The dialogues were so random and irrelevant. Even though it’s completely relatable stuff I’m also just at a loss for words at how mundane and overly dull their lifestyle was. They need vitamin D in their lives, it might help with the depressive lifestyle they have. Their outlook on life is just so very uninspiring and hopeless. I did not gain anything valuable. I did cry and the acting was superb. But definitely not my genre.Considerați utilă această recenzie?
Like Reading A Collection of Diaries
My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.I picked up this drama because I had a headache and wanted to watch something calm. I had it on while doing other things; I didn't think I would pay too much attention to it. However, it drew me in and I found myself completely focused on this drama.
Acting/Cast: I wasn't sure about the cast at first, but they all really grew on me. I may not have necessarily personally liked certain characters, but they all felt very believable and well-acted. I really related to the younger sister, Mi Jeong, a nice, soft-spoken girl with some talent who repeatedly gets taken advantage of. I also felt empathetic towards the older sister, Gi Jeong, watching her try so hard to make a change and take risks, only to keep getting knocked down and publicly humiliated. I would say the brother, Chang Hui, and his storyline was probably the most annoying, but even that storyline, I didn't feel as though I wanted to skip over it. 5.5/10
Writing: I knew this drama was written by the same person that wrote My Ahjusshi, Park Hae Young (which I really enjoyed), so of course I was comparing the two dramas the entire time. This drama is dialogue heavy, especially compared with My Ahjusshi, which is something I typically don't like. However, I felt the dialogue was purposeful and listening to the characters expressing their thoughts was like reading a diary. Also, this drama is not dramatic at all, whereas My Ahjusshi had some intense scenes. It's very "slice-of-life"; very relatable. However, I think that those who have never struggled with depression may not relate to or enjoy this drama. In addition, this drama is very open-ended, more so than My Ahjusshi. Nothing is truly resolved in My Liberation Notes for any of the characters and this is completely intentional. Do I understand why? Yes. Do I like it? No, but I usually don't like open endings. While watching My Ahjusshi (it's been a while but...), I remember wishing I could just skip over the side stories; the main story was way more interesting to me. However, with My Liberation Notes, I had no desire to skip over any of the storylines. There's a time jump towards the end of the drama that was a bit jarring. I think it's because things drastically changed without preparing the viewers for it. Also, the story wasn't linear anymore and kept jumping back and forth between past and present. I liked the Mr. Gu character, but he wasn't nearly developed as much as the other main characters. In consequence, his character felt sort of hollow towards the end of the drama. I thought we would get more back story on him but unfortunately, we never do. In any case, this drama seems like it's based on a true story, but to my knowledge, it isn't...it just feels very realistic. So in that sense, the writing is well done. 8/10
Direction/SFX/Music: The vibe of this drama actually reminded me of Something In the Rain rather than My Ahjusshi. My Ajhusshi felt much darker. Maybe also similar to One Spring Night or Twelve Nights, except with a ton of dialogue. The OST is not my cup of tea but its fine. It has some variation to it. Listening to the OST on its own seems like the drama would be a lot happier than it actually is though. 5/10
Entertainment Value: This drama put me into a weird state of mind. There have been times when watching certain dramas would trigger depression in me. However, what I felt while watching this drama wasn't exactly depression or sadness and it wasn't quite calmness or hopefulness either. It was a strange in-between. Maybe melancholy? I found myself slowing down my movements, even my breathing. It was to the point where I was holding my breath in a lot...sort of like when you're sick or injured and you're trying to avoid exacerbating the pain. I never experienced an effect from a drama like this before. I didn't know if I liked this feeling or not, but I must have to some degree because I kept wanting to jump back into their world. Now that it's over, I'm not missing that feeling...I think. Anyway, I found myself hanging onto every word Mi Jeong spoke. I saw myself in her, but with one major difference - she seemed to have discovered the answer to her problems. I was looking to her for a revelation, but I'm still unsure of the hidden answer that she seems to have found. But then again, maybe she didn't actually find it...maybe she's just on the right path. I still don't understand how though. So, the drama left me feeling unfulfilled. 6/10
Overall, I gave this drama a 6/10. This is largely due to how incredibly open the ending itself is (as I personally tend to dislike open endings) and the change in the progression of the drama towards the end. A rating of 6 and above is in the "would recommend" zone, and yes I would recommend this drama if you like the slice-of-life genre. However, I think someone who hasn't struggled with depression may not like this drama and may find the characters annoying. I was able to relate a lot to them though.
I made a music video featuring Mi Jeong and Mr. Gu. It's called "My Liberation Notes | Mi Jeong + Mr. Gu | Greedy" and my channel name is The Enablers (@theenablers3846).
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We grow up when we realize that adults don't know what to do either
As children, we hear our teachers give us instruction with such confidence. “These facts are the things that happened. These numbers add up to this sum. Our governments follow these rules that we call laws.” Outside on the playgrounds, we make up new games and the rules are made up on the spot. But around adults, it appears that there are systems and pieces that fit together and when we grow up, we’ll know the answers to how things work and where we fit.And then we reach adulthood ourselves and find that adulthood is lot like the playground games where we’re all making it all up as we go as often as not. Some of us excel at it and a lot more of us struggle to figure out who we are and how we find success or even just live in such a world. At the same time, we find moments, ephemeral as they may be, of unexpected grace and beauty and kindness.
“My Liberation Notes” is an exploration of this reality we live in and it is a stunningly beautiful rendition. Few dramas can combine such lush cinematography with immaculate editing, astonishingly original dialogue, a marvelously composed score and backdrops that might be ordinary in purpose, but are stunning with the vividness of their color. Even had it been sixteen episodes without characters or dialogue, there’s a bevy of gorgeous photography and musical accompaniment worthy of viewing pleasure.
As for the narrative, three unhappy siblings that live in the countryside divide their lives between long commutes to unrewarding jobs in Seoul and toiling on the family farm with a taciturn father and persevering mother. As adults, they all find themselves unsure of their place and their purpose. The oldest sibling is Ki Jung who has a talent for loudly saying the worst possible thing in a public place. The only son, Chang Hee, is a grown man that usually behaves like a squirming, uncomfortable child in church that simply wants to leave. The youngest and main character is Mi Jung, a soft-spoken but unbending and fearless woman that’s never found anyone that understands her. Dropped into this mix is a man known only by his last name, Gu, who is incredibly diligent and skilled but also an unapologetic alcoholic.
As for the plot, it’s very strictly and very real slice of life stuff. It’s getting through petty work disagreements. It’s complaining about the heat or suffering from the cold. It’s waxing nostalgic with old friends. It’s yearning for a few minutes of happiness a day or a new relationship. There are few destinations and the journeys rarely follow a particular direction for any length of time. There’s not so much buildups and reveals and cliffhangers. Rather, there’s symbolism and hidden meanings and guarded dialogue. When a shocking event does happen, it’s revealed initially so matter of factly that a viewer not intently watching might even miss how quickly the news had dropped.
The cast performances are outstanding. Lee Min Ki and Lee El, as Chang Hee and Ki Jung, are the extroverts and thrash and churn through their characters’ frustrations, joys and fears. Several supporting cast members shine too, especially Han Sang Jo as a longtime friend and occasional accomplice to Chang Hee, and Chun Ho Jin, as the siblings’ father. And it cannot be overlooked how much Park Soo Young and Lee Ji Hye shine brightly in very limited supporting roles as members of Mi Jung’s Liberation Club.
Kim Ji Won’s performance as Mi Jung is subdued as the character is extremely guarded and only very slowly reveals herself to Gu. It’s a very good performance and certainly one that should stand out on her resume. But despite having some of the best dialogue of recent memory, Mi Jung never comes across as a relatable human. Whether that’s due to Kim Ji Won’s restrained manner or just that the character’s humanity seems broken or whether this is a production that just isn’t interested in having characters that viewers should root for, that’s the end result - with a central figure that’s emotionally distant.
Meanwhile, Son Seok Koo as Gu is downright brilliant. He barely speaks for several episodes but his smirks and squints and head shakes and intensity belie that this is not simply a normal man with little to say. As his story unfolds and his internal struggles are revealed, it’s a devastating performance. None so far in 2022 can come close to matching it.
Overall, there’s very, very little to find fault with in “My Liberation Notes”. It is exquisitely produced from almost every angle. And it is highly recommended.
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