IM YourOnlyOne

Ahh, yes! I was trying to remember that phrase, "Oud Wives Tale", it's not used here in the Philippines (since we use our local language for it), but it's exactly that.

🙇🏽

I should remember that when I need it next time. 😅

Haha, yeah, he just died just like that. You're right, it was the reason why he's my first suspicion in that final scene, probably karma's final twist. 😅

Karma: Surprise! We kept him alive because you need to die now! 😈

Same! I was confused by Oh Dollar too and Leo's story beieg inconsistent. They didn't flesh those out, I guess because, as you've said, they were simply a plot device.

Glad to know I'm not alone in those little things, which is a more objective approach in my view.

The show is about being different, not just about how It's Okay to Not Be Okay, yet people are already showing discrimination and prejudice on "age gaps"—actors at that, not the characters.

Besides, what if the characters are real people with a 20-year age gap? Is there something wrong about it? Is it not okay to be different? What if that real-life lovers with a 20-year age gap have disabilities? Is it suddenly okay to be not okay? That's ableism.

🤷🏽

This IOTNBO Philippine adaptation is high-quality. Trust me, it is rare to see such high-quality productions (adaptation or original) from the Philippine showbiz scene. It is by no means perfect but it is definitely worth it.

This.

Like come on, it's an adaptation for crying out loud. It was adapted to fit the local culture and target market. It was also based on local showbiz practices and how much budget the powers-that-be gives them.

Besides, it is not like Korean showbiz is producing high quality adaptations themselves. They do have less than stellar adaptations when compared to the original from another country.

All foreign adaptations are like that. No one is immune from it.

Hence, I don't understand why people keeps on comparing adaptations to the original. Review the adaptation based on how it is, not by comparing it with the original.

Lastly, when an adaptation is really bad, it shows. Even the locals and producers will admit it (though privately of course). I know, because I have friends in showbiz, they're honest people just doing their jobs.

No idea, I haven't watched the original. But you can check my reaction for E01 and E02 here: https://whtwnd.com/youronly.one/3luhwsusjt22g

9.5!

Wow.


And I will say it again, wow.

Episodes 1 and 2 were, in one word, awesome. Growing up in the Philippines, I have seen P-drama productions swing wildly from 'embarrassingly bad' to 'painfully laughable', but this? This passed my standards. Easily. I rarely say this, but I approve—at least for these two episodes. I hope, really hope, they can keep this same level of production quality all the way through.

## Anne Curtis

Anne Curtis. Let's talk about her first. She has always been a remarkable actress, but I have not watched any of her shows for years. Seeing her again in this series left me pleasantly surprised—her craft has matured, sharpened, evolved. She nailed her character's vibe, presence, and emotional depth. However… I just wished she spoke more Filipino.

Why? Every time she switches to English, something change, her delivery softens and the impact fades just a little. Meanwhile, when she speaks in Filipino, her lines bite, they carry weight, there is sharpness, a certain heaviness, a rawness that lingers. It is not the same when she goes full English. Taglish works fine—switching mid-sentence, flowing naturally—but pure English dilutes the emotion.

Now, I do wonder if this is less about Anne and more about the language itself. Filipino, and Pacific-Asian languages in general (not 'Asia-Pacific' which includes Oceania), is richer in tone, cadence, and expression. Even Philippine English, though unique, pales in comparison to the colour and rhythm of our native tongues. Maybe English just does not have the same emotional punch for scenes like these.

So, no shade on Anne. It might be a language barrier more than a performance issue. All the more reason for the writers to lean heavier on Filipino dialogue for her moving forward.

## Carlo Aquino

Carlo Aquino plays Matthew Gonzales, or 'Matmat', an autistic character. Based on what I have seen, Matmat most likely falls under Level 2 Support Needs, referencing DSM-5 (North America) and ICD-11 (Europe) standards.

Carlo's portrayal? Spot on. He understands his character is neither Level 1 nor Level 3. He did not overact. He didn not exaggerate. I could tell he researched well, respected the nuances of autistic behaviours, and truly grasped that autism is a multidimensional spectrum—not a linear scale. For that, I offer my sincerest respect and gratitude.

Same praise goes to the director, who clearly took the time to understand autism before stepping into production.

(Quick aside: while many in the autistic community, including myself, are not huge fans of these clinical labels, I am using them here since they are what most non-autistics understand. It is important to meet people where they are before unpacking the more complex realities.)

## Disabilities Representation

One thing that really struck me—they showcased a range of disabilities and mental health conditions from the very start. From episode one, it is clear: this story is to be taken seriously. And that, for me, is everything.

Again, I have no point of reference for the original K-drama. But seeing how the P-drama adaptation treats these topics with weight and dignity? I am here for it. As someone who absolutely despises discrimination and ableist nonsense, this matters to me.

Why does it matter so much? Because too often, disabilities are treated as:

- a joke
- a convenient plot device
- a random twist
- something light and comedic
- or a token flaw people can brush off with the dreadful "we all have disabilities" excuse (just… no).

I am hoping—no, I am begging—that this adaptation keeps this same serious tone and purpose, not just for the premiere but all throughout. I want this show to haunt people in a good way. To remind them of empathy. To make them think twice before judging. To normalise representation while also educating audiences about mental, social, genetic, and psychological conditions.

Because, after all, the title says it clear as day: **It's Okay to Not Be Okay**.

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* Cover image: Official poster owned and Copyrighted to ABS-CBN, used under "Fair Use".

The P-drama «It's Okay to Not Be Okay» (2025) is an adaptation of the K-drama of the same name ( «사이코지만 괜찮아» (2020)). Here's my reaction about the premiere episodes.

https://whtwnd.com/youronly.one/3luhwsusjt22g

I wish we can leave GIFs here, plenty of IU meme reactions for that kissing scene. 🤣🤣🤣

I get what you mean. The common practice and expectation is to surprise your spouse face-to-face, and you'll also see their genuine expression.

Delivering the news over the phone is like:

"I'm pregnant"
"Who's the father?"
"You, of course!"

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Also, if it's going to be delivered on the phone, the best way is "We are pregnant" because they're legally married and serious as a couple.

If it's "I'm pregnant" over the phone, aside from the above scenario it _also_ sounds like teens caught:

"I'm pregnant"
"Shit! Have you told your parents?"
"No! My father will kill me! But my brother, he's hunting you now!"

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

But I guess things changed in 2020s. 😅😝

It's a common information passed down from generation to generation here in Pacific-Asia (not Asia-Pacific since that includes Oceania). Even here in the Philippines, that belief still lingers to this day despite what doctors said it's fine.

I even heard that it is how twins are made. 😁😁😁🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 While it is possible, even without having sex during pregnancy, the mother can get another embryo, it's rare but there were documented cases of delayed pregnancy (and while already pregnant).

Anyway, maybe they were just using the common taboo as a lite joke, even though many are already aware it is generally fine.

IU: I'll sabotage your kissing scene. 😈

Wow. This is the first Kdrama I've noticed that grabbed both Kopiko and Subway as advertisers/PPL. 😁🤣

Yep. They can give HanNa more exposure instead of sidelining her personal grudge without moving the focus away from "Good Boy".

It was a missed opportunity. It could've made "Good Boy" a more deeper character too instead of simpli portraying him as a punching machine with a very strong sense of justice and pride.

There's definitely room for improvement.

His badge is red, that's for death penalty. However, I think South Korea doesn't have a death penalty, or at least it was suspended like here in the Philippines.

Courts can still give a death penalty if it was only suspended. So what happens is, those on death row stays in maximum security prisons for the rest of their life without parole or until death penalty is resumed and they get their turn.

My bet is, the Russian guy. He survived and no one knew about it. He is the second person, aside from HanNa, who has a deep personal grudge against him.

Personally, I prefer HanNa finishing the story to give an ending to her father's murder. They didn't even give her a proper ending, not even a single sniper shot. I guess they've forgotten her story.

The ML doesn't have a personal grudge to settle with him, the only thing driving him was his 100% sense of justice and conviction. But HanNa? It's deeply personal.

It's like:

HanNa: Oh, so it wasn't Russian guy who killed my father, it was JuYeong. Ok, case closed.

You see, I don't believe that. They built her character as someone who has an unfinished business regarding her father's murder. And just because she learned the truth, she dropped it and became a regular police officer who supports her boyfriend's pride as a policeman?

If anything, the ML should've been the one who switched as a supportive boyfriend to avenge her girlfried's father.

Yes, yes, we can assume that the ML did exactly that. However, the way the ML acted did not imply anything about that. They didn't even talk about it. He was just the usual, "I am a police officer so I must fulfill my oath". From the very beginning it was about his sense of pride as a policeman. He never once acted on behalf of HanNa's personal mission.

Don't get me wrong. It's good and all. But there's room for improvement, and that was making HanNa's personal mission the main plot. Giving a much more deeper meaning, and meat, to the ML's sense of justice and conviction, instead of simply a boxer trying to find his way again.

The ending dialogue could've been:
ML: This is for my brother. *punch*
ML: This is for my mother. *punch*
ML: And this is for HanNa! *uppercut*

Cliché but it at least shows us, and establishes firmly, that he is human instead of just a punching machine.

Again, room for improvement, but sadly they missed it.

Oooh! Those are great observations and deductions!

It makes it even more interesting. I didn't consider the other characters as potential suspects behind the S-Line glasses.

Hmm… they really should've made this longer.