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When K-drama writers think outside the box:"Unusual" topic done well
The drama slump has been hitting hard lately. And since I’ve sworn off ongoing dramas (for my sanity), I’ve been left with no choice but to become what I call a “miner”—not the kind who digs up gold or diamonds, but one who scours the trenches of K-dramaland, unearthing underrated shows that many might have forgotten—or never even heard of. At this point, it’s become less of a coping mechanism and more of a full-blown hobby.
Luckily, I always manage to find one or two hidden gems that make the dig worth it. And the joy of watching something from years ago and sharing it with my small drama-loving community is unmatched—especially when it's a 2021 drama no one seems to have watched.
Which brings me to You Raise Me Up.
How did I even land here? Not long ago, I was in my “family drama” phase—you know the ones: daily dramas with 50+ episodes, usually filled with a never-ending cycle of misunderstandings and mother-in-laws from hell. One of them caught my eye: It’s Beautiful Now. I didn’t finish it, just skimmed through, but the cast was strong—especially Yoon Shi Yoon (from Train, Nokdu Flower, Psychopath Diary). Naturally, being the true K-drama fan that I am, I started searching for more of his romantic works and that’s how I stumbled across You Raise Me Up.
Now, as a miner, nothing stings more than finding a "gem" that turns out to be unwatchable or completely misses the mark. But You Raise Me Up?No its not a Josh Groban song remake, Its a drama that falls into the “Wait—how did no one talk about this?” category. As I watched, I kept asking myself: “Is this even a topic you’re allowed to discuss openly in Korean society?” And that’s when I realized I had found something rare—something beautiful.
Let’s be real: Aren’t we all just a little tired of the cookie-cutter rich chaebol/poor secretary romances? Or the indecisive male leads, or the female leads who exist just to be rescued every other episode? Plots that lose steam halfway through? You Raise Me Up is none of that.Instead, it’s a bold, sincere, and surprisingly comedic take on a very real issue that men face but is rarely, if ever, addressed in K-dramas: erectile dysfunction.
Yes. That problem.
YRMU is not another mental health PSA disguised as a melodrama. It’s not a rehash of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, nor does it ride the coattails of It’s Okay,That’s Love or If You Wish Upon Me. What it is, though, is an honest attempt to explore a sensitive subject with heart, humor, and just the right amount of quirk. Think of it as a drama that uses visual gags and light absurdity not to mock the issue, but to make it accessible—without ever being vulgar.
Despite the questionable depiction of therapy ethics, the acting is top-notch. It’s a short series with a small cast, but every character serves a clear purpose and gets meaningful screen time. Yoon Shi Yoon delivers, as always—funny, vulnerable, and completely committed. Ahn Hee Yeon (a.k.a. Hani) once again proves she's not afraid to take on roles that step outside the usual “K-drama heroine” mold or the Korean's closed box of what is "normal" (We all rember Hit the Spot dont we?)Park Ki Woong plays the soft antagonist with just the right balance—you won’t hate him, but you definetly want his medical licence revoked.How can I forget "Jennifer" played by the charming Kim Seol Jin,without spoiling much all I can say is that he is memorable and a fan's favorite.
The OST fits perfectly, the production feels clean and cohesive, and you can still sense the pre-2020 charm of a director who actually planned the arc from start to finish.
My only real complaint? It was way too short—I could've easily watched a few more episodes.
And just a soft heads-up for mental health professionals: you might want to sit this one out (or at least watch with a grain of salt). The show plays very fast and loose with professional ethics. I’m not in the medical field myself, and even I found myself asking, “Wait—is that even legal?” And judging by the comment sections, I wasn’t the only one.
If, like me, you’re in a slump and craving something different—something that makes you pause mid-episode and say, “Wait, what?”—then give this one a shot. It’s weirdly refreshing, weirdly real, and weirdly...human.Forget the ratings. Let yourself breathe. Sometimes the best stories are the ones that no one was watching.
Luckily, I always manage to find one or two hidden gems that make the dig worth it. And the joy of watching something from years ago and sharing it with my small drama-loving community is unmatched—especially when it's a 2021 drama no one seems to have watched.
Which brings me to You Raise Me Up.
How did I even land here? Not long ago, I was in my “family drama” phase—you know the ones: daily dramas with 50+ episodes, usually filled with a never-ending cycle of misunderstandings and mother-in-laws from hell. One of them caught my eye: It’s Beautiful Now. I didn’t finish it, just skimmed through, but the cast was strong—especially Yoon Shi Yoon (from Train, Nokdu Flower, Psychopath Diary). Naturally, being the true K-drama fan that I am, I started searching for more of his romantic works and that’s how I stumbled across You Raise Me Up.
Now, as a miner, nothing stings more than finding a "gem" that turns out to be unwatchable or completely misses the mark. But You Raise Me Up?No its not a Josh Groban song remake, Its a drama that falls into the “Wait—how did no one talk about this?” category. As I watched, I kept asking myself: “Is this even a topic you’re allowed to discuss openly in Korean society?” And that’s when I realized I had found something rare—something beautiful.
Let’s be real: Aren’t we all just a little tired of the cookie-cutter rich chaebol/poor secretary romances? Or the indecisive male leads, or the female leads who exist just to be rescued every other episode? Plots that lose steam halfway through? You Raise Me Up is none of that.Instead, it’s a bold, sincere, and surprisingly comedic take on a very real issue that men face but is rarely, if ever, addressed in K-dramas: erectile dysfunction.
Yes. That problem.
YRMU is not another mental health PSA disguised as a melodrama. It’s not a rehash of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, nor does it ride the coattails of It’s Okay,That’s Love or If You Wish Upon Me. What it is, though, is an honest attempt to explore a sensitive subject with heart, humor, and just the right amount of quirk. Think of it as a drama that uses visual gags and light absurdity not to mock the issue, but to make it accessible—without ever being vulgar.
Despite the questionable depiction of therapy ethics, the acting is top-notch. It’s a short series with a small cast, but every character serves a clear purpose and gets meaningful screen time. Yoon Shi Yoon delivers, as always—funny, vulnerable, and completely committed. Ahn Hee Yeon (a.k.a. Hani) once again proves she's not afraid to take on roles that step outside the usual “K-drama heroine” mold or the Korean's closed box of what is "normal" (We all rember Hit the Spot dont we?)Park Ki Woong plays the soft antagonist with just the right balance—you won’t hate him, but you definetly want his medical licence revoked.How can I forget "Jennifer" played by the charming Kim Seol Jin,without spoiling much all I can say is that he is memorable and a fan's favorite.
The OST fits perfectly, the production feels clean and cohesive, and you can still sense the pre-2020 charm of a director who actually planned the arc from start to finish.
My only real complaint? It was way too short—I could've easily watched a few more episodes.
And just a soft heads-up for mental health professionals: you might want to sit this one out (or at least watch with a grain of salt). The show plays very fast and loose with professional ethics. I’m not in the medical field myself, and even I found myself asking, “Wait—is that even legal?” And judging by the comment sections, I wasn’t the only one.
If, like me, you’re in a slump and craving something different—something that makes you pause mid-episode and say, “Wait, what?”—then give this one a shot. It’s weirdly refreshing, weirdly real, and weirdly...human.Forget the ratings. Let yourself breathe. Sometimes the best stories are the ones that no one was watching.
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