this is for the girlies whose love language is acts of service
I had been in such a kdrama slump for like almost a year and then I decided to finally watch this show. I heard it gave off My Mister energy and I had had the biggest obsession with Kim Jiwon. I ended up binging this in two days and I haven't known sanity since. Like... what a show. Yeah, it's not perfect, the time skip that happens is a bit odd and confusing and it can drag and be a bit slow ofc and yeah... Sometimes it meanders and doesn't feel like it knows exactly what it's trying to say, but it's worth it for the characters. Park Haeyoung once again characters that feel so incredibly REAL. Like Yeom Mijeong's entire character felt like a personal attack against me and so did Gijeong to an extent like i swear Park Haeyoung has been inside my mind. It's interesting because Mijeong has the potential to be such an annoying, self absorbed character but I can't help but love her. She hates saying useless things she's so real she wants deep connections not just surface level stuff and that's the reason she literally has one friend and it's Hyeona who's actually insane we love a blunt queen. Actually Hyeona was also a personal attack against me yikes. But yeah Mijeong's such an interesting character to follow and I want to see her find liberation and actually relax for once her life like !!! And ofc then there's Gijeong who does nothing but run her mouth- the complete opposite of Mijeong- but equally as relatable. The whole 'pick it up girl' thing was so real and her staging an injury in case she got rejected was also so relatable she was just an embarrassing queen and yeah she was self absorbed and so flawed but idk I really enjoyed her character. And then there's Changhee who had the best plot in the entire show like. Wow. He's a character with zero vision and passion. He just wants to make money and he wants a car and he makes all of his decisions based on that. He doesn't stop to think about what he actually WANTS in his life he's just running off of practicality and the grind of how speedy life is. The way they ended his plot was actually the most perfect way it could've gone and it's impossible to predict like that was. Wow. I'm still not over it. And yeah. I'm in love with Gu. I love that man so much I so get why Mijeong went after him like he's so pathetic and dead inside and the way he would just walk with her... and accompany and her and eat with her... Like idk there was such intimacy in their silence I really don't know how they did it but at the same time that's the relationship I want. That comfortable silence was just so beautiful honestly and I love that she never tried to fix him like I don't think she approved of him drinking himself to death but at the same time it's his choice and she can't make him do anything. And ep 15.... YEAH EP 15!!!! That ep is the definition of true love im sorry. Also yeah Mijeong 'five minutes a day of happy moments broken up in seconds' speech is one of the best kdrama monologues I've ever watched in my life it stopped me dead in my tracks. What a gorgeous, poignant show like I could go on and on about the themes and the way transportation is used and just... There's so much to impact with this show and again, it's not perfect it's got a lot of flaws but wow what a watch... And yeah Mijeong and Gu are absolutely one of my favorite television couples of all time theyre so weird.Was this review helpful to you?
Epitome of slice of life
I finished My liberation notes almost a week ago, but I only got to write a review just now.This drama took me a while to finish and I am not entirely sure whether it was due to me being busy or bored. Watching MLN felt like seeing the human life from the eyes of a different being- acknowledging the petty struggles, as well as the passions, humans have. It is most definitely a slow burn. There is a great focus on the romance, yet it manages to be somewhat subtle. The focus of the story is more so on the individual characters and their development. This aspect makes it likeable. What truly helps bring the characters to life are the impeccable acting performances. There is not a lot to say here, every actor did such a good job.
With that being said, watching it, with so little happening, was difficult at times. I can certainly appreciate My liberation notes for its message- learning to come to peace with yourself and your life, to embrace struggles, to love others, but that's essentially all it has to offer.
If I was to sum it up, I loved My liberation notes and I do not regret watching, but I don't see it making on the list of my favorites- or as of right now, at least.
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A book, but in drama form
Beautiful, calming drama. Slow, slice of life. It’s like a cup of hot coffee on a snowy day. Bittersweet, realistic, warm. Romantic and Metaphorical.I am a fan of Mr Gu now. Loved Seon Seon Ku and his acting. The tilted head scenes he did just made me fall for him . Amazing actors, epic story. No loopholes. Just Perfect
The siblings were my favourite trio. They are like friends and roommates. They have their own thing going on but they still look out for each other. It kind of reminds me of my own siblings. Funny how just growing up together makes you so attached to people. Childhood is so precious.
Anyway this drama was such a personal delight for me. I don’t know how to objectify my opinions because I can’t. This drama was very, very touching to me on an emotional level.
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Oscar/emmy/ Golden Globes worthy performances
I was born and raised in Australia, although born to immigrant parents from Macedonia and Greece. So I was fortunate enough to be brought up in Sydney, Australia....with both the Greek and Macedonian cultures really important in my upbringing. I mention this, because now I am an adult, and even though I am Australian, in my heart, the Greek and Macedonian culture thrives. After watching this beautiful and poignant tv series, I often related to the south korean culture. The relationships and the interactions between the parents and their children.... the altruistic and often under appreciated roles of the mother in a family unit.... this series was easily the most rewarding south korean television series I have ever watched. It was beautiful, emotionally charged... yet all so real. It did not have the typical K drama cliches, in fact, it went against all the cliches one would usually expect from most K dramas. Thats why I found this series a brilliant insight to Korean life. It showed me, that whatever culture you are from, universally, we are all the same. I loved EVERY character and their flaws ....especially the OLDEST daughter of this dynamic family. Her character was, for me, the pinnacle of this series. HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDWas this review helpful to you?
This is Art.
This show is undoubtedly amazing. I went into this show just expecting a simple average kdrama and got something spectacular. I LOVE this show. This is show has everything: funny moments, serious moments, character growth, plot, and realism. This show is one of the most realistic kdramas I have ever watched. It discusses serious topics that are not usually talked about in media or in tv shows. This has become one of my most favorite kdramas ever. Each character has a struggle and each character finds a way to overcome that struggle. You will love this show!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Slow pace
Very slow pace but It's entertaining. If you are looking or anticipating any big drama or twist, this show is not for you. This is a show mostly about perspective of life. I found myself wanting to see what each character has to say about their view of life overall. The brother character I found is the most interesting and well written.His belief about being rich or being born in bigger city and live there will change his life or make him happier change throughout the course. Mr Gu story line is really not believable. Hard to believe people will welcome someone to live or work close by without knowing anything about them AT ALL other than his last name. I was looking forward for his amazing story and turned out ,his career was even more unbelievable .
Tae hun story is the worst by far. They never reconcile his attitude towards his sisters. So we are just going to have to believe he will marry and the wife will just have to endure his sister's horrible behavior.
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...and the story goes on
The biggest criticism of this drama is that it feels incomplete, a.k.a where is the ending? But that's the thing. They haven't been liberated. But that they've hope that they might be. One day.This drama is poetic that way. It doesn't spoon-feed the viewer. And allows them to walk side by side with the characters. When the characters talk (or to be precise, go about their monologue) it is like you're seated with them, listening to them. And agreeing. Because even if not all, some of their experiences you can certainly relate to. You can feel their pain and frustration just as much as their victories.
By the end of the show, though things jump from A to B to C, leaving you wondering when this happened. There are also other issues with the drama. Like how the side characters seemed multi-dimensional, yet we never get more of them. They just disappeared into the abyss. And others, but I won't get into it.
This show is something the viewer has to experience for themselves. I won't mar the experience by technicalities, etc. The viewer should experience it for themselves. Give it at least one watch to see whether you like it or not. It won't liberete you. Maybe it'll do nothing. But maybe it will.
I'll recommend it because it made me feel warm and cry.
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Very relatable!
This is an amazing drama with top tier actors! I was hooked from the very beginning! Has a little bit of “My mister” vibes but a completely different story and although at times it felt heavy and uncertain which way it was headed, i absolutely loved it! It’s in my top 3! Very real, very honest, very relatable to challenges we face everyday. I saw pieces of myself in all the characters, just wished we would’ve gotten a little more with the ending specifically Gu, which path did he take, did he stay the same? I want to believe him putting down the bottle meant he was starting something new or at least trying.. was the love she gave him enough to keep him going.Was this review helpful to you?
My liberation notes review
It is a reality based drama. Nothing so special or magical things.I liked this drama because there is no miracle or unbelievable incidents in this drama just like our lives. Our regular days filled with stress and career pressure are shown on this drama.
This type of storyline would never give people false hope. It doesn't even give you 0.000001% to hope for miracles(or magics). I think we should try to watch some realistic dramas every now and then.
Give it a try!!
People who follow the reality won't be disappointed, I guess :)
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You can only find such good dialogues in novels.
I loved every minute of this series. It has such a special atmosphere, with such small details that stuck in your mind, like the billboard, all those walks from the bus station, the fields around the house.I really loved the story of the elder sister and her crush, it was so realistic, yet romantic at the same time. The series has so much more than just romance, yet almost a year after watching it, the love stories are the storylines that stayed with me the most.
The FL's worklife is extremely relatable. We all have that moment, when we realize: working is not what we expected, it is not what we dreamed about as children.
This is one of those series that makes you think about your own life.
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If I could have rate it more than 10, I would've!
Up until this time I never completely believed reviews that said that "so and so" drama made me write my first review but "My liberation notes" what a show, story, and piece of art you are!Yes, this show is that one. Many people consider it as boring and very slow-paced but that is the whole point and charm of the show. It shows our day-to-day pace and a life that is relatable to millions. I got very disappointed when people consider the show actually starts getting good after episode 3. My personal favorites might be the pilot(episode 1) & episode 2. The scene I was most impressed by was the natural silence that is present in any house, with the rustling sounds of utensils while preparing and eating food, and exchanging no dialogue. This drama is touching very important and sensitive topics which are completely realistic but I am more fond of the quiet and daily life portrayed here.
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Introvert heaven
This drama is not only about introverts and highly sensitive people, it also feels like it is directly made to calm the exhausted nerves and overwhelmed minds of those. Liberation Notes is about acceptance of yourself just the way you are in a world that isn't always too kind to people straying from the herd. It is healing and soothing, inspiring and encouraging.One thing I got from almost all of the storylines: to find someone you can talk to about your deepest feelings and thoughts and they don't run screaming is all you actually need. Whether you are that person for yourself or someone else is.
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