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It's Okay for a Show to Be Overhyped
I did not start this drama right away for three reasons: (1) It was incredibly over-hyped (2) It sounded like some flimsy self-help drama with no real substance and (3) I was sick seeing romanticized psychiatric themes as plot tools.
Once I actually started the show, it completely blew through any doubt I may have had for starting it. I struggled with shortening this review because I practically had written an entire essay for why this show was amazing. If you don't want to read the full review, just read the very last paragraph.
The artistry ALONE is enough to enjoy the show and I found myself sucked in within literally the first 30 seconds due to the beautiful stop motion-like animation in the beginning and the enrapturing script. They used the FL's children's books as themes for each episode and echoed messages of books she had written or common fairytales (such as The Ugly Duckling) to depict the lessons the characters were learning in that particular episode. What I loved was that those lessons weren't too in-your-face and unnecessarily repeated to emphasize the genius of the writing; they were quietly woven into the story and addressed head-on for only a few scenes. I think rewatching this show would be so rewarding to explore the motifs and goals of these messages that likely would have been missed on a first watch.
Honestly, the character development is another reason on it's own as well. Though Mun-Yeong is such a captivating character and probably everyone's favorite, the center of all of this for me was Gang-Tae. Kim Soo Hyun did such a spectacular job with this character and clearly spent a lot of time thinking about Gang-Tae’s motivations. If you check out the BTS footage, he is excitedly talking with the director about where and how he should stand, how he should say a certain line and trying his best to stay calm around Ye Ji in order to act properly (major uwus). He is the experienced actor we needed to bring life to Gang-Tae.
Seo Ye Ji was the only one who I could have ever seen as Mun-Yeong. Her lower, raspy voice with her killer visuals and beautiful yet creepy smile made me fall in love with her and her character. Make no mistake, her character is deeply messed up. I don't know if anti-social personality disorder makes you have sociopathic tendencies like she does but it makes her character all the more compelling. Think of a witch standing at the edge of a forest adorned head-to-toe in the most luxurious clothing, piercing eyes painted with makeup and a smile as sharp as a knife. The typical kind-hearted, princess that can bring out the best in people is instead pushed aside as our second lead. What. A. Power. Move. This writer understands women and what they want and has created the ideal FL character for us from that understanding. ALSO HER FASHION?!?! She and Man Wol from Hotel Del Luna could have a full on fashion battle.
I’ll be honest, when I saw the title and description, I thought it was going to be some flimsy self-help drama with romanticized psychiatry themes added for pure aesthetic. And I still do believe some of the mental disorders were breezed over or not 100% accurately portrayed, but considering it is a form of entertainment, any production with psychiatry themes is unlikely to be 100% accurate. Even the Korean title: “Psycho, but it’s okay,” doesn’t quite seem very friendly towards those with mental disorders. But we could perhaps call it a step towards the right direction.
Oh Jung Se (second ML: Sang-Tae) said that he learned a lot while playing his role and spoke in interviews about what he had learned - namely that individuals do not ‘suffer’ from autism, it is the way that they are born and they are as perceptive and deserving of respect as any other person. The writers could have used Sang-Tae's autism as an excuse to not give him character development, but they didn't and dove into making him a full-fledged character. I love Sang-Tae. I love him so much. The two brothers (Gang-Tae and Sang-Tae) are truly incomplete without each other and I would argue that the main couple of the show is also incomplete without him. If you watch the show you'll understand what I mean.
Incredible artistry and cinematography, well thought-out character development, a great plot with an unpredictable climax and oscar-worthy acting is how I would describe It's Okay Not to Be Okay. Whether you are looking for something healing, something romantic, something that takes a step towards depicting mental illness on screen in a slightly better way or just a good story, this show will deliver. Give it a go.
WARNING: Prepare Tissues
Once I actually started the show, it completely blew through any doubt I may have had for starting it. I struggled with shortening this review because I practically had written an entire essay for why this show was amazing. If you don't want to read the full review, just read the very last paragraph.
The artistry ALONE is enough to enjoy the show and I found myself sucked in within literally the first 30 seconds due to the beautiful stop motion-like animation in the beginning and the enrapturing script. They used the FL's children's books as themes for each episode and echoed messages of books she had written or common fairytales (such as The Ugly Duckling) to depict the lessons the characters were learning in that particular episode. What I loved was that those lessons weren't too in-your-face and unnecessarily repeated to emphasize the genius of the writing; they were quietly woven into the story and addressed head-on for only a few scenes. I think rewatching this show would be so rewarding to explore the motifs and goals of these messages that likely would have been missed on a first watch.
Honestly, the character development is another reason on it's own as well. Though Mun-Yeong is such a captivating character and probably everyone's favorite, the center of all of this for me was Gang-Tae. Kim Soo Hyun did such a spectacular job with this character and clearly spent a lot of time thinking about Gang-Tae’s motivations. If you check out the BTS footage, he is excitedly talking with the director about where and how he should stand, how he should say a certain line and trying his best to stay calm around Ye Ji in order to act properly (major uwus). He is the experienced actor we needed to bring life to Gang-Tae.
Seo Ye Ji was the only one who I could have ever seen as Mun-Yeong. Her lower, raspy voice with her killer visuals and beautiful yet creepy smile made me fall in love with her and her character. Make no mistake, her character is deeply messed up. I don't know if anti-social personality disorder makes you have sociopathic tendencies like she does but it makes her character all the more compelling. Think of a witch standing at the edge of a forest adorned head-to-toe in the most luxurious clothing, piercing eyes painted with makeup and a smile as sharp as a knife. The typical kind-hearted, princess that can bring out the best in people is instead pushed aside as our second lead. What. A. Power. Move. This writer understands women and what they want and has created the ideal FL character for us from that understanding. ALSO HER FASHION?!?! She and Man Wol from Hotel Del Luna could have a full on fashion battle.
I’ll be honest, when I saw the title and description, I thought it was going to be some flimsy self-help drama with romanticized psychiatry themes added for pure aesthetic. And I still do believe some of the mental disorders were breezed over or not 100% accurately portrayed, but considering it is a form of entertainment, any production with psychiatry themes is unlikely to be 100% accurate. Even the Korean title: “Psycho, but it’s okay,” doesn’t quite seem very friendly towards those with mental disorders. But we could perhaps call it a step towards the right direction.
Oh Jung Se (second ML: Sang-Tae) said that he learned a lot while playing his role and spoke in interviews about what he had learned - namely that individuals do not ‘suffer’ from autism, it is the way that they are born and they are as perceptive and deserving of respect as any other person. The writers could have used Sang-Tae's autism as an excuse to not give him character development, but they didn't and dove into making him a full-fledged character. I love Sang-Tae. I love him so much. The two brothers (Gang-Tae and Sang-Tae) are truly incomplete without each other and I would argue that the main couple of the show is also incomplete without him. If you watch the show you'll understand what I mean.
Incredible artistry and cinematography, well thought-out character development, a great plot with an unpredictable climax and oscar-worthy acting is how I would describe It's Okay Not to Be Okay. Whether you are looking for something healing, something romantic, something that takes a step towards depicting mental illness on screen in a slightly better way or just a good story, this show will deliver. Give it a go.
WARNING: Prepare Tissues
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