This review may contain spoilers
A masterpiece that’s extraordinarily ordinary.
With so many drama’s airing right now, this gem of a drama really stood out. This is simply a masterpiece , where the plot is extraordinarily ordinary yet so relatable, to what anyone could feel daily or at any point in life, the characters portrayed their roles immaculately that it feels like they are just being themselves. MLN is about an ordinary family, everyday problems, work life, ordinary love, friendships and the bond of siblings.The writing has been superb and despite a rather slow start, has settled into a really good rhythm and managed to touch on a lot of important topics. It’s slow pace but a healing drama. if there’s one thing this show has done fantastically well, it’s the symbolism and themes. The drama has done so well to keep this going throughout the episodes and it seems fitting to end on one here too, given the coin and the drain. I’ll miss this drama in terms of how unique and special it was, how memorable the dialogue was and the emotions and comfort that we felt watching this drama.
This drama was never about a happy ending, It's an open-ending but them being able to smile and start anew, having liberated from some of the things they wanted to escape and go on in their lives in pursuit of further liberation. Nothing is guaranteed, all we have is hope and that was potrayed beautifully by the ending.
A beautiful story, superb acting, the OST and BGM were really soothing, and the cinematography was simply marvelous. From the write of one of my favorite drama’s “My mister”, this drama too has definitely been added to my favorite list of dramas.
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When Springs Come, Will We Be Different?
My Liberation notes is a title that Park Hae Young has blessed us with after the stunning success of My mister. The drama follows the Yeom siblings and a mysterious but charming Mr Gu who all feel trapped in their lives waiting to be freed from the cycle of the mundane.I think what pulls people into this drama is the audience finding pieces of themselves in the 4 leads. From the lack of courage in Mi Jeong her introverted nature but her desire to stir up the courage to do things she never thought possible, To Chang Hee who feels like the world is always giving him the end of the stick and finding ways to chew our friend's ears off as we rant, to Gi Jeong who I hope I am as honest as not just to others but most importantly to myself and the loving Mr Gu who we want to be as mysterious as, where both of us wait for life to punish us at our highs so we don’t get caught off guard and end up worse than we were.
The drama does not come to deliver character development in the traditional way but to allow us to experience how people learn about themselves, through 4 seasons these characters experienced love, death, and loneliness and they fought battles only they could see. It dives into the value of introspection and hope for change. Even up until the last seconds as their pictures entered the screen, I could see them trying to overcome themselves daily, often failing but never giving up.
The cinematography was one of the most unflawed parts of this drama. Just a single scene with the bus as it came and went spoke volumes. From the farm where they toiled to the bustling streets of Seoul where loneliness was at its highest. Each scene stood out with and without dialogue because the perspective from which we watched it was that of great experience and beauty. The music and lighting added great effect to the storytelling of the drama, from angelic vocals to pure acoustic pieces that brought us close to experiencing what they did.
This is my perfect example of a comfort drama, although not perfect in terms of all terms the cast and crew created something that has taught, entertained, and comforted me even as I face the void that life had put me in. As they wake up, go to work, and come home you can see yourself in their little activities. It's them living their lives like each of us does working hard in jobs we don’t like and even if we do like them sometimes feeling underserved, overworked, underpaid, and just to wake up and do it again, why? Because you have to, you live your life just for the sole purpose of survival. I believe Park Hae Young decided to wake us up through this piece and ask us to pursue liberation, even if it feels like just 5 minutes of tiny little seconds of happiness and freedom, do it.
Did they get liberated? That’s for whoever is reading to find out as you watch this title. As for me, I will start my liberation journey and hopefully, see a change and feel that 5 minutes ever-growing each day.
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What kind of life you have right now?
A journey of self-awareness, reflection, and blissfully liberating yourself to be the better version of yourself.Each sibling had their own issues, dream, and views in life that we can relate to at least one of them. And for me, I learned something from each one of them . CH reminds me how to have empathy for others, or give your all in everything that you do. Take a leap of fate and enjoy the little things. I love his character so much. For KJ, a struggle for women who wanted to find perfect love, and if that happens, you must give it all. And MJ gives me the strength to be brave and I like her silent approach to the problems. She's not shouting or wrecking things just like in the other dramas, but here, her stare can give you chills or her inner monologue can relate to others, well because we are most like that somehow.
Each character got a very important part in the drama. Our Mr. Gu of course as well as the others like the Yeom parents, siblings friend, their co-workers, everything was memorable. Every line strikes your heart.
It's a drama that you can go back and watch whenever you are feeling empty because it reminds you that it's okay to feel like that. It's a comfort drama. A subtle and relaxed feeling.
Magnificent and Amazing is still an understatement of how to describe this unique and memorable drama.
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Watch for the story, the characters, the direction
I don't think I will be able to say anything others haven't already said about this show. But here goes a few of my thoughts on what makes this drama so excellent.When I started watching the show, I plunged into it deeply. However, I was surprised to read people on Twitter say that they can see how some viewers might balk at the slow pace of the show which might be boring to them. I found nothing boring or even slow about it. Somehow the pace was perfect for me.
I recognise that the pace is definitely slow but it felts more on the measured side of the scale rather than the boring side. I only harp on this because there are soooo many shots and scenes that bring forth the mundanity of life but does it in such a subtle but also impactful way that one has no option but to take notice of it. I don't know if I have ever seen anything that did this.
I loved the characters. That's all I will say. Please enjoy meeting them and getting to know each one. You are in for a treat!
One thing I wanted to highlight was the actor Lee Min Ki - not because he did better than any other actor but because this role made me see him in a new light. I watched him in Because This is My First Life but I didn't really like him then. Every time I saw that he was in a drama or a show, I would feel mehhh - and I admit I had reservations when I learnt he was cast in this drama. But he was really really good here. This is what happens when the magical formula of story, casting and acting come together!
I love how the writer made the characters flawed - not black and white. I think I am at this stage in life where I am very interested in rejections and failures and flaws. It is nice to see nice, good people, of course. But meeting people who harbour grudges, are scared, talk shit about others feels real and comforting sometimes.
I went into My Liberation Notes without research. I didn't know what the show was going to be about. I loved the experience of watching it.
I am not one to rewatch stuff. But I will get to watching this show again.
Thank you to the writer and the director. They have done an extremely amazing job.
To those who will get to watch My Liberation Notes for the first time, I am very jealous of you. :)
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This review may contain spoilers
♾️ /10
This drama also makes me uncomfortable to watch it's like I see all of my problems being exposed.I feel like a new person after watching this drama. I learnt many things through this drama.
I want to be liberated idk when it will happen but i feel motivated.
I just can't believe i cant watch it anymore. Watching this drama was like watching my story. All of the characters were relatable on some ways. I know I can't move on from this drama. There's a very few dramas that make me feel like what this one has did. This is a drama of my life. Mi jeong is very relatable to me. The way she found it hard to communicate with people is what I struggle from everyday. And the other liberation club member said that she just can't make her smile disappear from her face, that hit hard!! Because the way I sometimes pretend to be happy to please people should not be normal because I'm forcing myself for others. I should just be transparent and should accept myself more. I remember hyeon ah while fighting with a woman said in some ep that she is like a dog and she will be loyal to someone till death when they show even a little bit kindness. Thisss!!! This is what i said my mom some days ago, I can't believe how I relate to that line. I literally am like dog because even when someone shows a little bit of kindness I start to feel attached. But in the end my own friend left me. But it's okay I accept it.
This was not my point tho😮💨
But I now understand this drama. And I'm glad I watched. I think writer wanted to say life is like a open book. We have many things to learn maybe we can escape from the sadness maybe we can't and have to learn to be liberated.
Idk what I'm saying however this drama is the best!!!
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Such a complex yet so simple story
I did not expect to love this show so much. It kept screaming sadness and angst to me but it wasn't that. It had it's own fair share of fun moments, just like how our life is.This show left me feeling completely at peace. I just feel really peaceful. Like I've been liberated as well. It's such a different feeling. I love all these characters. I am sad I won't see them again. They were all so real and so endearing. Some of their thoughts and actions were just like mine, maybe that's why i loved this show so much.
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MUST WATCH IF U WANT A HEALING/CHILL DRAMA WITH A TWIST (SLOWBURN DRAMA)
i might edit this review after i watch all the episodes but when i started watching this, it was still at ep 8 and i was not expecting myself to love this drama. don't get me wrong i have already dropped dramas like this bcs i find it boring but this wasn't. the part when they revealed who mr. gu really was, got me shocked and was not expecting it. i won't give any spoilers bcs it wouldn't be fun haha. anw you should watch this you won't regret it 101% . Don't let a few bad reviews deter you from watching this! (Although, it's your choice.)Was this review helpful to you?
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!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
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.Was this review helpful to you?
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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