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Be Prepared to Cry Your Eyes Out
Damn!!! I cried a lot with this drama. So many scenes that broke my heart and so many children carrying heavy burdens placed on them by their parents. Goodness!!I liked the series overall. Really great cast but especially Oh Jung Se as Sang Tae. The man should have won all the awards the year this came out!!This drama ended up being totally different from what I thought it was going to be about. Seo Yea Ji is stunning and once again the Kdrama wardrobe and costumes department was on fire with her looks. However, her character, Ko Moon Young was not easy to like. Once we get her full story, we can see why she behaved the way she did. It was actually quite refreshing to see her development throughout the series.
Moon Gang Tae is one of the most heartbreakingly, tragic characters I have ever watched in a drama, K or otherwise. The amount of things this man had to endure was too much for me to bear and like I said, I cried a lot. The man couldn't catch a break.
One of the best things about this drama was the use of the well-known fairytales and the ones created by Moon Young that show the parallels of the characters lives.
I also really loved the animated scenes from the storytelling. Just phenomenal. OST is good too!
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Good
The writing on this show was actually top notch. The characters are complex and compelling. It was just so fascinating to watchthese characters banter and slowly open up to eachother. Of course, it's enemies to lovers, which I love. But it's portrayed in such a unique but realistic way that I haven't witnessed before in kdrama history. All of the characters have their flaws but that's what makes them all the more interesting. I also love how it feels like a fairytale and the use of stop motion. The acting is great across the board. Go Mun Young was iconic and her outfits ate down. It does follow the standard 16 episode format (which as you know I'm not a fan of) so it drags a bit. But it makes up for that in other aspects!
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A rock that turns into a gem
First of all, I must proclaim that it is quite a while since I watched this. But: This is one of those shows that you don't forget easily.I must also admit that the first episodes or so I wasn't really impressed. I think the female protagonist was a bit "over the top" for my liking.
But then, just as a rock that gets polished by the waves, the underlaying themes revealed themselves and I saw the beauty.
I guess my best way of describing it is to take some rather serious themes, spin a story around said themes that is a bit "over the top" to not make it feel too heavy, but rather make you laugh, feel some suspense, and love - both familiar love, and a bit of romantic love – and maybe you even got a bit emotional.
The acting was superb. Seo Ye-ji, Kim Soo-hyun and Oh Jung-se especially all gave convincing portrayals.
Seo Ye-ji's charachter Ko Moon-young (FL) was annoyingly crazy, but also managed to let you see the cracks in her armour every now and then.
Moon Kang-Tae, portrayed by Kim Soo-hyun, made you want to take him in, give him lots of hugs and support.
And then last, but not least: Moon Sang-tae, brilliantly brought to life by Oh Jung-se. He gave so much life and development to his character.
The supporting cast was also good – I can't remember a single one I frowned upon.
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Great time
I love watching Korean dramas that give a teste of good acting and I think that my craving was complete after I finished this drama , the cast gave me a ride I can't forget and never will , I am alsow a harsh critic on music and sound track but it wasn't as bad as I imagined , it was a good watch with good acting from FL and Oh Jung Se , I loved the female lead and her costumes , and the costumes, amazing jos on them , the way they were a perfect fit , i was breath taken every time she came on screen.Was this review helpful to you?
Loved
This got me back into dramas, it’s a drama I think about a lot and feel like I could really rewatch. The cast was incredible and the story kept me guessing. It really got me emotional and touched my heart. Perfect amount of romance, horror, mystery, and magic. The fashion was really cool too! I look forward to see what these actors do next. It makes me wish there would be another season in the future.I do understand why some people may not like it because it’s intense and if you have trauma it may be a little uncomfortable in moments. But overall everyone is likable in the right ways
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It Was a Story I Never Knew I Needed
This drama, touched my heart in so many ways. As someone who personally struggles with her own demons to the point that I don’t think I would ever get out of it, it showed me I can, that some days will be tough, but you can get through it.Mun-yeong and the patient who was haunted by the Vietnam War I felt I related to them the most, as someone who cling onto her past to the point I thought I would never find the door, or never cut off my leash to the past that was making me miserable. I thought I would drown and let my mental health and the people I let take control of my life continue to dictate me, thinking they were good when they were just more added demons.
There were days I felt like the people I had in my life that stepped on me like an empty can and crush me to the point I wasn’t allowed to feel anything or be my true self. And to be honest, I didn’t like Ju-ri in the beginning. She was catty, cruel, and she was a two-faced witch. She didn’t trust and understand fully what was going on with Mun-yeong and she ran away. Then she thought that she was poison for Gang-tae, and so did he. I relate to him honestly as well. I’ve had to put a smile on my face for so many people and act like them walking all over me is okay, that not being okay was wrong, that truthfully, there’s a bit of me in everyone of those characters. Except for Mun-yeong’s mom. I’m the woman who still thinks she’s a child, I still live with trauma, I had to live to people’s expectations or they would find me too embarrassing and dumb to hang around. I have to put a smile on my face every single day. When in reality, I want to scream, hit, hurt, and punch someone.
And Sang-tae? He’s the big brother everyone needs. Yes, the drama taught me, that it’s okay to not be okay, to live the life I want to live, and to find happiness. To be The Cheerful Dog that finally got to cut off his leash and play in the fields, to be the Zombie Kid that finally got his warmth, and I will be the girl (cause I’m not a boy), who will remember my dark past and my demons, because remember my dark and weakened past will make me stronger, more passionate, more determined, emotionally flexible, and I will find happiness.
I not only cried, but laughed, yelled at the screen, and cheered them on. This was as story I didn’t know I needed, the acting was superb, and I know I thought Crash Landing On You was my number 1 favorite, but this one takes it spot, moving CLOY to number 2 and What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim to number 3. Thank you, Sang-tae, Gang-tae, Mun-yeong, and even Mang-tae for showing me self-love.
THE BEST DRAMA EVER.
PS: For those who don’t think it was accurately depicted mental health wise, it was. Just some of their diagnosis wasn’t correct. As someone who has spent her entire life in and out of hospitals, I’ve seen everything under the sun. A lot of it was depression, PTSD, I will give Mun-yeong Antisocial Personality Disorder along with I’ll say bipolar. But PTSD symptoms and major depression was definitely there. All in all, great performance from the cast. The soundtrack was amazing (some songs I need to download), the story perfect, I’ll definitely rewatch it again in the future.
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must watch
i love this drama story and every thing is too goodwhen i start watching this first seems bored but after half episode. i watched non-stop whole drama loved it..
I really love the story. It's unique and refreshing
actor and actress acting is superb
Supporting actor acting is also too good
in this drama-Comedy, Romance, trauma, frustration, pain, sorrow, mystery
Most people are not ready for this kind of kdrama but when i start watching unique story i loved it
Overall, if you're looking for a good 2020 drama, then congrats, you just found it
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Slow, emotional and unique.
A characteristic of k dramas is that the plot unfolds slowly. We slowly get to know the characters and in that way we better connect with them.But the beginning of this kdrama is too slow. The first 7 episodes can be placed in 3. It starts to be really interesting from the 8th episode. Then I got hooked on and couldn't stop watching it.
The topic is very difficult. The plot revolves around an older brother who has autism. In his life, he has only a younger brother who devoted his whole life to him. There is a constant struggle between brotherly and romantic love.
It shows what a person can do for someone and how much he can lose himself in it.
Present incredible power of forgiveness and the lesson that it is better to suffer together than separately. "A kiss is better than a fight."
It evokes emotions, it makes me cry and laugh. The mystery surrounding the murder kept me constantly in suspense. The story is incredibly thought out and must be watched to the end.
My only complaint is the slow development of certain parts. Everything else is perfect: script, acting, music, scenography... Personally, I don't believe that I would watch it again, it's too much of an emotional roller coaster.
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Warm, funny and poignant
A drama that pulls at your heart strings and stays unforgettable. So warm, hilarious and moving.The FL character is so charmingly psycho, her deep voice, no-filter talk and swearing are cute and endearing. The leads look beautiful. The costumes, the castle, hospital, the scenery- everything is eye candy. Bonds of brotherhood, friendship and found family are endearingly portrayed. This was not the type of drama i found to be binge watch friendly, rather I slowly enjoyed it over several days. Loved the perfect ending.
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A BEAUTIFUL PSHYCOLOGICAL DRAMA, WITH A WHOLESOME STORY AND PERFECT MUSIC .
This drama is a masterpiece when it comes to kdramas. I love the cast , their acting feels perfectly natural and as the story progresses you really start to connect with them. The plot is also good and feels natural . The music is just perfect , I found myself grooving along with it every time I heard it and overall gives a nice feel to the show . Being a perfectionist myself I tend to watch only those dramas that actually worth the time I am investing in them and trust me, this show is worth your time. Its is fun to watch and has a balance of emotions , so you will not feel bored at all. The music fit well with the characters and the story. The characters are super fun and every one has a unique trait making even the side characters fun to watch. OVERALL , AN EXELLENT SHOW , THAT IS WORTH YOUR TIME , IT GIVES YOU A REFREASHING FEELIING AFTER YOU COMPLETE IT AND VERY WHOLESOME.Was this review helpful to you?
A Deep Dive into Healing, Love, and the Shadows We Carry
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay isn’t merely a drama, it’s a profound exploration of the human heart, a quiet reminder that healing is neither simple nor swift. It’s about the invisible scars we carry, the people who see them, and the courage it takes to keep living when life has tried to break you.At its core are three souls bound by pain and love: Moon Gang-tae, a man who has spent his life suppressing his own emotions to protect others; Ko Mun-yeong, a woman who wears her trauma like armor, sharp-tongued yet fragile beneath the surface; and Moon Sang-tae, Gang-tae’s brother, whose innocence and truth reveal what real connection looks like. Together, they don’t just coexist ,they heal each other, piece by piece, in ways words can barely capture.
This series doesn’t romanticize suffering; it acknowledges it. Pain here isn’t portrayed as something to escape, but as something to understand, to make peace with.
Seo Ye-ji brings to life a character who is both monstrous and tender, unapologetically broken yet yearning to be understood. Kim Soo-hyun portrays quiet anguish with restraint and grace. And Oh Jung-se’s portrayal of Sang-tae is a masterclass in empathy. His journey reminds us that healing doesn’t mean changing who you are, but learning to love yourself as you are.
What makes It’s Okay to Not Be Okay truly unforgettable is its honesty. It whispers truths many of us are too afraid to face ,that sometimes love doesn’t save you, but it stays with you while you learn to save yourself. That pain doesn’t disappear, but with compassion, it can transform into something gentler.
✨ Verdict:
More than a drama , it’s a mirror for anyone who has ever felt broken, unseen, or unworthy. Poetic, vulnerable, and unflinchingly human, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay reminds us that to be loved is not to be flawless ,it’s to be seen, scars and all.
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