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A Delectable Mash Up Of Tim Burton Wes Anderson & Rainman °Flutters Superior°
Bring your own smores.I won't try to describe this. Just get in the camper and journey with these characters.
This review, and the show itself is not about splitting hairs over the level of accuracy vis-a-vie certain mental ailments or whether the plot is plausible. Trust me, I understand the pain mental illness brings home. The show creators are giving us a little therapy and laughter in the hurt. It's entertaining enough to mute outside interference and provide a safe space for a little escape.
Every element is a win: Acting, costumes, characters, character arcs, sets, plot, dialogue, writing, directing, and soundtrack. (I want to jump in and have my own nice, long, cathartic, airing-out-my-lungs argument with this gang. What an emotional high-colonic that would be.)
It all comes together to make something that is truly stylish, sad, sagacious, sanguine, and... SUBLIME. It is way better than just okay.
IMHO〰
Directing 9
Acting 9
Romance 8
Flutters 6
Warmth 7
Art 9
Action 6
Thought provocation 7
Age 14+
Re-watch? Absolutely
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A fantasic drama that is truly one of a kind
Recently in some of my online groups I’ve seen people bashing on It’s Okay to Not be Okay, so here we are, because I will defend this show until my dying breath. It’s been months since I’ve finished it, I’m definitely not over it and it remains one of if not my favorite K-Drama I’ve ever watched.It’s Okay to Not be Okay is truly a one-of-a-kind show. I only started watching K-Dramas in early 2023 and I’ve watched twenty or so since, and for every other show there’s at least one other that I can compare it to. But there’s not a single piece of media that I have ever consumed that I could compare to this.
The story of It’s Okay to Not be Okay mainly follows three characters, Ko Mun-Yeong, Moon Sang-Tae, and Moon Gang-Tae. And as the title of the show would suggest, none of them are in any sense of the word, okay.
One of the things I’ve seen most people complaining about is Ko Mun-Yeong’s character. Particularly the fact that both herself and her relationship with Gang-Tae are toxic. I won’t refute that. She is, it is. But that’s kind of the point.
Mun-Yeong doesn’t care about anyone else, and Gang-Tae doesn’t care about himself. Throughout the course of the show, they both grow individually and together, allowing them to go from some of the reddest flags I’ve seen in a K-drama, to green flags for each other.
And while I loved the romance portion of the show between Gang-Tae and Mun-Yeong, I may have enjoyed the friendship between Sang-Tae and Mun-Yeong even more. They go through many phases, from Sang-Tae idolizing Mun-Yeong, to being friends with her, to hating her, to developing a relationship reminiscent of siblings. And it was an absolute delight to watch.
The pseudo family formed between Sang-Tae, Gang-Tae and Mun-Yeong was incredibly wholesome and pretty much made the entire drama for me.
None of that would have been possible through without the phenomenal cast. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a better cast show. I can’t imagine any other actor or actress taking these roles, it was like they were made for them.
The child actors that play the main trios childhood counterparts for flashbacks were also perfectly cast. I don’t know how they managed to find kids that not only looked like the adult character, but were also able to capture the character.
Some of the flashback scenes and the parallels to modern day were my favorite scenes in the show. And they get bonus points for the stunning cinematography in those scenes, which by the way is a constant throughout the show.
The best episodes though were the ones where one of Mun-Yeong’s books is read over a scene. The books are all well written and are always a beautiful metaphor for whatever is going on at the time.
The OST is also amazing. The songs always fit the tone perfectly, and Janet Suhh who does some of the tracks ended up being my top artist on Spotify because of how often I got back to listen to the soundtrack.
In addition to all that, the set design is amazing, as well as the costuming. Every single one of Mun-Yeong’s outfits were on point.
I could write a ten page essay detailing everything in the show that I love, but I wanted to leave this review mostly spoiler free and not too absurdly long, so I'll end it here.
It's Okay to Not Be Okay is a phenomenal show that covers a wide array of topics, mostly involving mental health. It’s funny, sad, serious, beautiful, wholesome and thought provoking all in the best ways.
If you haven't watched it, I would highly encourage giving it a shot.
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The best kdrama I have ever...
I just finished It's Okay To Not Be Okay one day ago and I decided to try watching something else. I ended up starting Move to Heaven but all I can think about is It's Okay To Not Be Okay. I think I might re-watch it even though I finished it yesterday! I am craving that feeling it gave me that Move To Heaven just isn't giving me.I cried so hard for the entire last episode but cried hardest at the end! I watched it in a library and I was a sobbing mess with snot leaking out of my nose and tears pouring down my cheeks regardless of people being around.
The character development is amazing! The ML and FL have such amazing chemistry that you actually believe that they're in love! Not only did i cry for the entire last episode but I cried throughout the entire series. I also laughed, felt sad, angry, and everything in between!
What a beautiful story of two people who experienced trauma that lean on each other to get better and become better people! This will forever be my all time favorite series! I feel like it's equivalent to a drug! I am now chasing that feeling it gave me! It's definitely going to be hard to find something better than this! I doubt I ever will !
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This review may contain spoilers
This is one of the best drama I have watched this year. From the first episode to the last episode I was hooked. The thing I love the most was the character development, story telling and the animation which was used in the drama. Casting: The people who did the casting I really want to give them huge round of applause. The actors were amazing. I was able to connect with characters and their emotions.
Music: The timing and the use of the music was really great in this drama . For example the music which was used when Munyeong confessed GangTae made that clip even more funnier.
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THIS IS A MUST WATCH
I picked up this series because of Kim So Hyun. It's the best decision I have made thjs month.The story is refreshing, captivating and intriguing. I was on tenterhooks wondering which direction the story will take. It wasn't easy to predict the happenings. The story really potrays the meaning of love and the healing process and growth involved in falling in love and staying in love.
The coustume for the FL were all beautiful and runway worthy. The acting of the ML and FL was flawless and perfect. The chemistry was intense(If you don't believe me just watch until the Gang Tae and Ku Yeong kiss each other). Even I could feel the heat watching them. The expressions of the Lead Actors was fantastic and well interpreted.
The Music was apt. All the OST's were appropriately used to convey the mood of the story. I am definitely downloading the all the OST of this series.
I will definitely rewatch this as many times as it takes to be able to mimic and lip sync the words of the FL. The performance delivery of the actors in this series expecially Moon Sang Tae, is award deserving.
I am looking forward to the next series that will serve Kim So Hyun and So Ye Ji acting together. They are my most favourite on screen couple. I'll ship a relationship between them any day.
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unique storyline, romantic
this kdrama was probably the best i’ve watched, the storyline, acting, and ost were amazing.pros: 1. what really made me get interested in watching this drama was the title which sounds comforting and reassuring
2. the characters were all well developed and changed over the course of the drama
3. the acting was perfect, all the actors portrayed their characters really well even though the characters had unique personalities.
4. the male and female lead were visually pleasing
5. the ost sounds good and suits all the scenes
6. the plot twist is just wow
7. the drama is about healing and taught me it’s really okay to not be okay
8. it really captivated me and made me feel for all the characters
cons: 1. the story was moving a little slowly at one or two episodes
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Absolutely fascinating!
I had my doubts starting this drama despite all the rave ratings....I wasn’t sure if it would be something I will enjoy. But once I started ...I couldn’t stop. It was enthralling... gripping.....there was so much emotion and every single actor did justice to their roles. It’s was beautifully made and I didn’t want it to end. The female lead was so unusual that it was actually refreshing, it seemed the drama did a role reversal when it came to the male and female lead but it made sense. Everything about this drama was just perfect.Was this review helpful to you?
It really is okay not to be okay
Satisfying to the very end. The casting, acting, THEEE STORY-TELLING (OMG!!) was phenomenal. And the OST (Original Soundtrack) brought the story together so seamlessly. Mental health is a taboo topic not seen to often in kdramas. It’s Okay Not To Be Okay explored mental health in such a thorough yet elegant manner and I am HERE FOR IT! The animation fillers reminded me of Timothy Burton style: semi-dark, yet whimsical and so beautifully done. It was serious with the perfect amounts of comedic relief.This drama makes you fall in love with not only the main characters, but all of the supporting and even stand-in extra roles. It’s so adorable.
I’ve seen it twice so far and I would love to watch it again with anyone of my friends/family who are interested.
I love, love LOVE this drama. I Highly recommend this work of art!
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This review may contain spoilers
the Visuallllsss
the visuals for this kdrama was stunning and the dominant fl plot was on point.....the character build up was fantastic it gave Korean fairytale vibes....the acting was a 10/10 and the osts were nice.......I have to applause the costume designer for the fl becos she was dropping a new look for every scene and each matched her mood and vibe in the film....I also like the graphics of the children storybooks in the movie.......the guy that acted as the autistic brother of the ml was fabulous anlt a point I thought he was autistic in real lifeWas this review helpful to you?
Best TV series of 2020
Just as I gave up on the 2020 TV series, this series seemed to me to find water in the desert. The story, the acting, especially the KHS SYJ duo became my favorite couple. But the Oscar goes to OH JUNG SE FOR BEST ACTOR!!! He really did touch our hearts, I really love his character and how he portrayed it.Human healing drama gave a very correct meaning. You will find many pieces of yourself in this series. Perhaps it's a drama in which you will find solutions. I have to say that it contributed a lot to me.
Be sure to watch this drama.
Ko _ Ko Mun Young
Mun_ Moon Kang Tae
Young _ Yeong-wonhi
♥ ♥ ♥
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Be emotionally prepared!
This drama is way too beautiful that I could not stop watching it. Luckily I watched it until it stopped airing so i did not have to wait for the upcoming events.It was an emotionnal rollercoaster to me but I enjoyed it just as much as I felt both happiness and sadness. If you are looking for something to enjoy in all aspects of life: family, relationship, love, hatred, friendship, physical and mental illness and so one, this is deffo highly recommended. If I had to describe it shortly, I'd say this is an aesthetically beautifully sad drama.
I also want to emphasize on the main actors acting: the main actress for portraying one of the most sensitive topis in the entire world: mental health. the main actor for showing the reality of family sacrifice. And lastly, but not least Oh Jung-se for showing that imperfection is the real beauty.
The OSTs were just too beautiful that I had to download them to my phone and listen to them whenever.
Truly a very beautiful unforgettable drama to me.
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