This review may contain spoilers
A great drama for introverts
As an introvert living in this extrovert world, I relate so much to the characters in the series. It’s a realistic slow-paced and heartwarming slice of life series. I see myself in Mi Jeong, Chang-hee, Mr. Gu, and sometimes Gi Jeong, and other characters.The only thing I don’t really like, even though it is realistic and suitable to the vibe of the series, is that Mr. Gu seems to rely on Mi Jeong in his alcohol addiction behaviors and emotional healing journey with a lot of serious traumas. I feel like their message in the last episode is that romantic love can heal everything, and that Mi Jeong only finds herself lovely when she’s with Mr. Gu. I don’t aggree with this idea.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE BEST SCRIPT EVER WRITTEN
To be honest, there was nothing really special about the story. It was about the lives of 3 siblings and their own personal struggles. BUT I think what made people drawn to this drama, aside from the amazing portrayal of the actors, was the superb script.The script for me brought out the life of the characters. It made people feel that the characters are relatable thus making people more drawn to them.
This was actually one of those dramas I did not expect that I'll actually like but yeah it was good. It made me look forward to the weekend actually.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Heartfelt Exploration of Love and Loneliness
This drama beautifully represents many aspects of life, including loneliness, the desire to love and be loved, the mundanity of daily existence, and the struggle for independence.I’ve noticed that viewers often have differing opinions on what love truly means. Some people question, “Why can’t these characters live without love? Will they die if they aren’t dating?” However, love isn’t solely about romance; it encompasses deep connections and affection between individuals—whether it’s a daughter and mother, a son and father, you and your best friend, or even you and your pet. You can fall in love with your job. It’s natural for us humans to seek love and companionship in our lives. If you’re not receiving enough love from your family, for instance, it’s only human to look for it elsewhere.
Throughout this drama, I found myself rooting for all the characters, wishing for each of them to find their own paths to happiness. Their journeys resonate deeply, reminding us of the importance of connection and the many forms love can take in our lives.
Was this review helpful to you?
I dropped it for this reason, which is disappointing since like I said I could picture this drama being so much better than it is, and there were some things I liked about it, especially the second couple and Ki Jung's chemistry with her co-worker.
IMO this writer is the most unique writer in kdramaland. I did like Another Miss Oh so I think with Liberation Notes she is trying to create another My Mister, which I know a lot of people loved but I couldn't get into either. These are two very introspective works which I can appreciate, but she needs to focus on plot and character development with this one. IMO a drama shouldn't be all introspection and philosophy, especially a romance.
Was this review helpful to you?
Your insanely boring life is just as precious as mine.
Liberation: the action of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release.What type of liberation you want?
What's stopping you from being liberated?
Is it you, your family or the world?
What will you do with your long awaited liberation?
Like this dozens and thousands of question will arise while watching this series.
It's one of those series from film noir genre which question your life and existence. What I loved the most was how realistic each and every character was. Three siblings and Mr. Gu were showed phenomenal growth in their characters. Although it is a little slow out the gates, once this one gets going, it turns into an unstoppable juggernaut. Prepare yourself for a long ride to liberation. My favourite quote: “I think humans are only sane when they’re lonely. So I think I’m saner at night.” – Mi Jeong
My liberation notes is a warm hug to let go of your suppressed emotions and bring out the courage to be liberated. Liberating from societal expectations, emotional baggages and growing demands of materialistic world, my day to day mundane life felt comforting. As the topic itself felt heavy on my chest after finishing the drama I didn't want to watch something else. I allowed myself to be fully submerged into the juggernaut emotions of the characters. This overwhelming feeling lingered quite longer than usual.
I think whomever watched this drama had a silent cry in every episode. That's why you need to watch this at night while you're stressed, alone in a room. Then you'll realise that this series feels like a warm damp hug to yourself.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best kdrama I've watched
My Liberation Notes isn’t the kind of drama that tries to impress you with big twists or flashy moments. It’s quiet, slow, and deeply personal and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Watching it felt like someone put my own unspoken thoughts and emotions on screen. There’s something incredibly comforting about seeing characters who feel stuck, tired, or invisible, yet still searching for something more, something meaningful.The writing is honest and unfiltered, capturing the dull ache of everyday life and the longing that lives underneath it. Every character felt real to me, especially Yeom Mi-jeong, whose quiet struggle to feel something...anything...hit me hard. And Mr. Gu, with all his silence and mystery, was such a beautifully written contrast. Their dynamic wasn’t about romance in the usual sense; it was about connection, healing, and finding peace in someone else's presence.
The cinematography is stunning, but not in a showy way. It reflects the stillness of the story, empty roads, gray skies, small town landscapes, almost like a visual sigh. And the soundtrack ties it all together perfectly.
This kdrama made me reflect on my own life, on the things I want but don’t always know how to ask for. It’s one of those rare dramas that lingers long after the credits roll, not because of what happens, but because of how deeply it makes you feel.
And Hey If you’ve ever felt stuck or lost, this drama will speak to you. It did to me.
Was this review helpful to you?
I rewatched it too many times!!
Honestly, when you watch it at first it feels different. And that’s because it is.This is one of my top k-dramas because it shows what’s life really like. I always like to guess what’s gonna happen next and here I couldn’t or didn’t even want to. I just went with the flow. It was bitter sweet, not sugarcoated and that’s probably why I loved it even more.
I usually watch dramas as a getaway from reality but I still couldn’t resist watching every single episode. I also rewatched it like four times. It gives me comfort, which might be strange but it’s true.
No spoilers-you have to see and understand yourself.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Intresting, But Simply Not for Me
I honestly don't know how to rate this drama because I can understand what it was trying to do, and I can appreciate the writing and acting, but at the same time, it was just not for me.I went into this expecting a thoughtful slice-of-life drama about three siblings trying to find some meaning and happiness in their ordinary lives. The first few episodes actually drew me in, especially the introduction of the three siblings and Mr. Gu. But as the drama went on, I found myself becoming more and more frustrated with it.
The biggest problem for me was how depressing the entire outlook on life was. More than half of the drama is basically them travelling from Seoul to Sanpo, eating, drinking, sitting around with family and friends, and talking about how lonely, dissatisfied and unhappy they are with their lives. I know that this is probably intentional and that the drama is trying to portray that feeling of numbness where life becomes a repetitive cycle and nothing seems to have any real meaning.
But honestly, I was drained watching it.
Maybe that was exactly what the writer wanted me to feel, but I don't think I enjoyed being in that emotional space for so many episodes. My own nature is quite optimistic, so I struggled to understand how none of these people seemed to have anything in their lives that they genuinely enjoyed or looked forward to.
I kept waiting for them to grow. Not necessarily to become completely different people or suddenly have perfect lives, but I wanted some kind of meaningful change. Something that would make me feel that all these conversations and struggles had taken them somewhere.
Instead, by the end, I felt like most of them were still almost the same people they were at the beginning.
I actually liked the three siblings as characters. They all had very different personalities and problems, and I liked seeing how differently they dealt with their dissatisfaction.But I really wanted more from their individual journeys.
Gi-jeong, Chang-hee and Mi-jeong all seemed stuck in their own ways, and I kept hoping each of them would eventually find something that made their life feel worthwhile. Unfortunately, I didn't find any of their romantic storylines particularly satisfying either.
I don't need every character to get a perfect happy ending, but after watching them struggle for so long, I wanted at least something that felt rewarding or hopeful.
I have to talk about Mr. Gu because I came into this drama partly for Son Suk-ku, and I honestly feel like they wasted his character.The first few episodes made him seem so mysterious and interesting. I kept wondering who he was, what happened to him, and what was behind his constant drinking and withdrawn personality.
But eventually I felt like the mystery wasn't worth the buildup.His alcoholism also became increasingly frustrating for me. There is so much drinking throughout this drama, and I really didn't like how casually his drinking problem was treated. People were literally buying alcohol for him as gifts, and I just kept thinking, why is nobody trying to stop this?
I understand that drinking is very normalized in Korean culture, and I know the drama wasn't necessarily trying to present it as something admirable. Still, personally, I found it irritating to watch.
Mi-jeong and Mr. Gu's relationship was probably the part I struggled with the most.I know many people found their relationship beautiful and healing, but I just didn't understand it.
I never really felt the moment when their love developed. I understood that they were both lonely and unhappy and that they recognized something in each other, but for me it felt more like two broken people finding comfort in each other's misery than a romance that I could actually feel.
I also really missed seeing them actually enjoy each other.Mi-jeong kept talking about worshipping Mr. Gu, but I wanted to see that connection instead of mostly being told about it. I wanted more warmth, more genuine happiness, more moments where they seemed excited to be around each other.
Their relationship was interesting as an idea, but it didn't work for me as a romance.
The pacing was probably my biggest issue.I don't mind slow dramas at all. In fact, I can really enjoy a slow slice-of-life drama when the characters and their everyday lives are interesting enough to keep me invested.But here, I found the pacing extremely slow.
There were so many scenes of people staring into space, walking, drinking, sitting silently, or having long conversations about life that eventually I just wanted something to happen.
The dialogue was often beautifully written, and I can see why people love it. But personally, I found a lot of the conversations repetitive. They kept talking about loneliness, dissatisfaction and how difficult life is, but I didn't feel like we were getting somewhere.
At some point I started thinking, okay, I understand that you're unhappy. What are we going to do about it?
The ending was probably another reason I couldn't connect with the drama.
I understand that it was supposed to be metaphorical and that life doesn't always give people neat conclusions. But after spending so much time watching these characters struggle, I really wanted something more satisfying.
I wanted them to have something to hold onto.Something that showed me that their lives were moving forward.Instead, it felt like the drama simply stopped and told us that life continues.
I actually had to look up discussions about the ending because I wasn't deep enough into the drama to understand all the symbolism myself.
Maybe that's partly on me. Maybe I simply wasn't in the right place in life to appreciate what this drama was trying to say.
I can absolutely understand why this drama has such a devoted following. The acting is excellent, the dialogue is thoughtful, the characters feel very human, and the drama has a very specific atmosphere that it maintains from beginning to end.
I also think it probably does a very good job of portraying depression, loneliness and emotional numbness. There is something almost uncomfortable about how ordinary and repetitive their lives feel.But that was also exactly what made it difficult for me to watch.
I am someone who naturally looks for hope in stories. Even when the characters are struggling, I want to see some little reason for them to keep going. I wanted these three siblings to find something that made them genuinely happy or at least satisfied with where they were heading.I didn't get that feeling here.
Maybe I'll watch it again years from now when I'm in a completely different stage of life and connect with it more. Maybe I'll understand Mr. Gu and Mi-jeong better then. But right now, I mostly felt tired and emotionally drained after watching it.
I don't think it's a bad drama. I just think it wasn't the right drama for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
A half baked story forgiven by masterful scriptwriting and compelling performances.
Let’s start my thoughts off with the elephant in the room, comparisons. MLN is brought to us by the same screenwriter of the heavily praised My Mister. Introducing newcomers to its signature realistic,gritty,and deep tones that many like me were overcome with nostalgia from their previous work. I am part of the minority that wasn’t as fond of My Mister as the rest, and MLN, in my opinion, succeeded in a few areas i felt were poorly handled before, with a much more surreally mute tone I fell in love with immediately.My Liberation Notes has alot to say, ALOT. It also manages to keep many moments where exchanges or unnecessary dialogue isn’t needed, empty. This was my first encounter with this bold style of narration, nothing has to be said for the characters and the viewer to get what’s happening. You’re thrown in the middle of awkward silence, that’s only awkward because 99% of dramas does not attempt to speak with only expressions and atmosphere. Some will not be fond of this style the writer took on, as this aspect is also a very different feel from their previous work, leaving most jumbled at first.
The direction in this series is with no surprise, top notch. With a very beautiful Ost perfectly mixed in to fill silent scenes and defining moments, which may be quite distractive at times from being..too good? Hell you might even pause the series every now and then to immediately search up the soundtrack and/or spend more time replaying a scene than it takes to complete the episode. Stunning cinematography with a much brighter touch that makes it very refreshing compared to the dark, depressing story being told.
Now with, in my opinion, the strongest(and perhaps weakest?) aspect of this drama, the characters. The main cast has come to express every bit of talent they have in this one. You’re endlessly shocked at how natural these performances are, how drawn you are to them, how much you feel as if you can literally meet these exact characters in your day by day encounters, which in terms of relatability, you can. In terms of the main cast everyone takes an equal hand in making this series as great as it is, nobody drowning the other out, no one noticeably under performing, no thunder stolen here. You have to acknowledge and thank Lee Min Ki, Kim Ji Won, Lee El, and Son Seok Koo for easily one if not their best roles yet.
Now... the weakest aspect of this drama, as this series isn’t without its flaws. I will just put all my nitpicks under one classification that i found MLN severely lacked in at times, believability. Hear me out, as this drama is one of the most realistically written series you'll come across, but there are some mishaps. To list a few:
~Toleration from the supporting cast when unnecessarily deep realizations comes to the fore front from the leads, leaving you confused as to why they’re not questioning where it’s coming from, and why at times their dialogue is only used to set up the leads for these realizations of themselves, unnatural topics being brought up in natural situations.
~Some supporting characters don’t progress unless the main storyline calls for another push.With sudden abruptions of “I have a sob story as well!”, “Well here’s my long awaited confession”, “ Here’s something personal I shouldn’t even know let alone address and belittle you for.. any realizations yet?”
~Gu’s background starting out as a well handled secret leaving all of us curious and guessing, slowly leaking out little by little. Suddenly it erupts at an abnormal pace with abnormal characters making actions that most of the time felt forced, because you’re not given the same amount of time with these new chracters, you’re not given enough explanations to justify the things they’re doing(or haven’t done). You’re expected to accept weirdly paced occurrences in an already established slow and steady paced story in general.
Nonetheless, My Liberation Notes was a powerfully written story, though too deep for some. A work of art worth all acknowledgment and praise it gets. A new personal favorite of mine that fulfilled much emptiness i was left with My Mister. A memorable journey of this fantastic cast seeking liberation. I applaud, i cry, i await the next story to be told.
Was this review helpful to you?
The reality of hope. A deeply compassionate drama.
Both writer (Park Hae Young) and director (Kim Seok Yoon) know how to create sensitive dramas built around pathos, but with a cutting edge. Kim directed “The Light in Your Eyes” and Park penned the class act that is “My Mister”. You can imagine what you will be getting, and they deliver on it—in spades.At the start there is little to attract in the main characters. They are all struggling to find any sort of meaning in soul-destroying lives that are dominated by a long and exhausting commute to the city from their countryside home. But this writer has a beautiful knack of taking that ordinary exterior and peeling away the layers to reach the vulnerability and struggling humanity within. And by the end of episode 2 you are totally captivated by these self-scored 20/100 characters. Add to that a director and cinematographer who know how to capture the smallest twitch of a muscle in a face and make it speak volumes. And actors like Kim Ji Won and particularly Son Seok Koo, who can work with them to reveal the interior life of a character without words.
As with “My Mister” the raw material at the heart of this drama is family and the unfathomable glue that holds it together despite difference, ambivalence and natural preferences. Essentially they are characters weighed down with who they are, wishing they were something else, ignorant of how to change but trying to work out how to make things different. They are trapped and struggling to emerge, like butterflies, from chrysalises of painfully low self-esteem, guilt and negative thinking. If this doesn’t sound like an attractive proposition, it is the skill and wonder of the whole production to make it compulsive viewing. Each of the characters draws you to themselves and touches your compassion as they struggle towards the elusive future that beckons them.
The plot meanders through their realisations and lurches along with them. In the main it works but occasionally loses its way, particularly later on when time hopping causes inevitable fragmentation. I was not convinced that this disordering of time to create tension was strictly necessary as the depth of the characterisations are sufficient to carry you through. However, imo, it would be counter-productive to enforce a regular development on a drama that is essentially exploring the vagaries of the human psyche with all its winding roads, u-turns and blind alleys. The unevenness of it creates the overall mood and ambience of the drama and reflects the stop-go nature of real life.
The drama features the standard three leads and their relationships; but this is not a standard romance drama. Relationship itself is the focal point, not the falling in love. Essentially it examines how we can approach and be with each other whilst still retaining ourselves. And suggests that the only way we can live with both ourselves and with others is by being honest and taking the hit for doing so, as we work towards self-acceptance and self-understanding. Ultimately it is upbeat, but open ended.
There are no generic characters here. Each one, even the minor players, has been carefully created and presented with depth and there are some wonderful observational details and cameo performances.
Lee Min Ki does such a great job with the character arc of the irrepressible, oblivious and impulsive Chang Hee. His confusion and lumbering realisations are beautifully portrayed and provide a flicker of humour darting through the shadows. How can you not fall in love with him? Especially over the car!
I have an affinity with Yeon Mi Jung and the things she prayed about as a child. The character is played elusively by Kim Ji Won who manages to capture the enigmatic exterior that hides the depth and singularity of her character’s thinking and perceptions. You are always waiting expectantly for what left-field thing will emerge from her mouth. Occasionally the script can feel a little pretentious and self-conscious, but it is mainly because the writer is wanting to explore non-intuitive ideas and trains of thought. If there is a reason to rewatch the series, then I think Mi Jung is it. A second time round, understanding the character arc, would illuminate much of her early actions and responses.
Perhaps the most vulnerable of the three is Yeon Ki Jung, portrayed with empathy by Lee El, who manages to undermine herself at every turn and perhaps elicits the broadest spectrum of responses from both the viewer and the other characters, from exasperation to total compassion.
The interloper into the family is played convincingly by Son Seok Koo who manages to capture the multi-facets of Gu Ja Gyeong from brooding to awkward to nasty to vulnerable. The character and his background provide a disturbing contrast to the rest of the drama and sometimes jarred for me. If there is any flaw in the credibility it comes with the ending for this character. But his time on screen is compulsive viewing and many of the scenes between him and Kim Ji Won are very special, full of nuanced, silent communication and unspoken feelings from both of them.
The cinematography and editing has more the feel of a film to it, as though the camera is just a neutral observer hanging around and we see the action though those non-judgemental eyes. It lingers on contemplative faces and reveals hidden depths. In many ways the whole drama doesn’t criticise or condemn, but tries to simply observe. And in that observation there is the balance and compassion that colours the whole production. Nothing is too polished or self conscious. It draws you in and places you firmly in the action as a participant in this slice of life. Beautifully done.
There is also a very restrained use of a soundtrack, so that often it is the silence that holds you in the moment with the character. There is a lot of simple piano music, ethereal voices and soulful songs, which have been carefully chosen to highlight the mood. Did I catch “So Tender” by Say Sue Me from “Nevertheless” in Ep 11 at 47’, playing in the cafe scene between Yeon Ki Jung and Jo Tae Hoon. I think I heard it earlier with regard to this couple as well.
This was a special drama for me and goes straight onto my personally recommended list.
What my rating means: 9+ A drama I totally fell in love with and is endlessly re-watchable. It ticked all the boxes and had some serious wow factor. It would go on my personally recommended list.
Was this review helpful to you?
Flawed and Unlikeable Characters brought us Amazing Stories and Moments
*update*. I have a little time to process and am lowering the rating down to 9.0 instead of 9.5.Completed - 5/23/2022 - my love for Mr. Gu bumped the rating to 9.5
I am really surprised that I like this drama so much. I am never one to root for annoying and unlovable characters, and they never bring me joy. Slice-of-life dramas are a hit-or-miss to me as I often find them very slow. However, “My Liberation Notes” excels in telling amazing and touching stories of very flawed characters, and in the end, you grow to care for them. You should know what you are getting yourself into, in order to enjoy this drama. You either love it, or hate it. I can’t say I relate to the characters on a personal level or that they are ‘realistic’, but their stories touch me nonetheless. Thus, a rare high rating for me for a slow-paced, mature slice-of-life drama.
A few things to know before delving into the drama:
- This drama is not a happy drama, but has unforgettable comedic moments.
- Does not give you warm and fluffy romantic feelings - but has moments that make you smile.
- You will find the characters annoying in the beginning, or maybe throughout the drama.
- The drama uses a lot of silence - gives viewers the time to feel and breathe.
- Dialogues and Monologues can provoke deep thoughts (even during silly, comedic moments).
“My Liberation Notes” focuses on the three Yeong siblings and their family.
Yeom Ki Jung - The eldest of the three siblings, Ki Jung is probably my least favorite sibling. I find her annoying and that feeling subsides a little in the middle of the drama, but in the end, I still dislike her the most. As someone who is 40 years old, she acts very immaturely. However, you can say that she portrays a hopeless romantic beautifully, as there are many people out there who are just like her - want to be crazily in love with the most perfect person. But after you reach a certain point, you become desperate enough to want to just be with anyone. She wears her heart on her sleeves, displays all her emotions outwardly and uncontrollably. Her story has a strong focus on romance and her relationship with Jo Tae Hoon. In the end, I still am not sure they are the right fit for each other, and if Tae Hoon can really give Ki Jung what she wants.
Yeom Chang Hee - the brother who I am most annoyed with in the beginning. But he’s also the one that has grown the most and I root for him in the end. Chang Hee is loud and can’t help but criticize everyone and everything. He gives off a lot of negative energy. However, his crazy outbursts also have a lot of insightful truths. You realize he actually is really smart, although life hasn’t gone his way. His casual and funny conversations with his buddies often enlighten us with important life lessons. He also provides a lot of comic relief, especially when it comes to his relationship with Mr. Gu. The way he looks up to Mr. Gu, even though technically they are not close at all, is quite fascinating and hilarious. Chang Hee’s story focuses more on his career than the other two siblings. He might not seem dependable, but as he said, he’s psychic. He’s always somewhere at the right place and the right time, up until the last scene for him in the drama. I am happy for him.
Yeom Mi Jung - the youngest of the siblings and the one that probably has the most screen time due to his relationship with Mr. Gu. Mi Jung is just one weird, lonely, depressed and dysfunctional human being. I am not sure if such a person really exists in real life (one that has ALL of her traits). The drama does get into stories about her family, career and relationships. Although I do not relate to her at any level, her story is fascinating to me, maybe because we are just so different. We barely hear her talk in the first few episodes. But once she starts to open up to Mr. Gu, WOW, fascinating and weird stuff comes out of her mouth, unfiltered. Her conversations with Mr. Gu are to die for. They are just so unique and profound in a way. I am glad she met Mr. Gu.
Gu Ja Gyeong - the mysterious Mr. Gu is so attractive and ruggedly sexy that I can’t take my eyes off him. There’s just something about him or how Son Seok Koo plays this character. His aloofness, smirks, and endearing glances at Mi Jung totally melt my heart. This manly man has to be one of my favorite K-drama characters of all time. He’s so quiet for most of the dramas, but the microexpressions on his face speak volumes. His silence with different characters does not seem awkward at all, but just how things are supposed to be this quiet with him. Mr. Gu is the perfect soulmate for Mi Jung. They are on the same wavelength and just understand each other so well, even though they come from very different backgrounds. In the last episode, I wish for a happy ending for him and Mi Jung, but I can’t help expecting he’s going to die either because of his work or alcoholism.
This review is getting long. But let me just say that the acting is top notch here for all actors. I’ve seen Lee Min Ki and Kim Ji Won in many of their previous works, but they are so different here. Big props to them for branching and doing such a great job. Everything feels so real in this drama - no fancy clothes, makeup, or beautiful smooth skin. Commuting to work and worrying about missing the last train is hard. There are many great dynamics between different characters, especially the Liberation Club.
Other Random Observations:
1. The word “Worship” has a whole new meaning.
2. Mr. Gu looks hot in fancy suits and dirty clothes - I kept on waiting to see him topless. LOL
3. Weird stories such as pick-up girl and frogs are highlights of the show.
4. The depressed and serious vibes can change all of a sudden due to very memorable comedic moments.
5. Mr. Gu and his club scenes are probably my least favorite moments of this drama.
6. Did I mention I ❤️ Mr. Gu? 😍
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Must watch drama
There are things in this drama that could have been different but I still give it a 10. It is a drama that really touched my heart and I could relate to the main character, it is a beautiful drama.To be honest the first episode bored me but I'm glad I gave it a second chance, the plot is simple but I couldn't stop watching it.
The last episodes were very sad but I liked how the characters dealt with it. I'm really going to miss this drama. In the future I am sure that I will see it again, now it has a deep meaning for me.
Obviously there were things that I didn't like like, for example, that Gu didn't overcome his alcoholism problem, I would really have liked his character to change like the others.
I really have to say its not a drama for everyone.
Was this review helpful to you?
