IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OK.(Review)
This is a romantic comedy from South Korea that aired back in 2020. It was so well received that it was nominated for Best TV Drama 2021 at Baeksang Arts Award. According to New York times it was one of the best international shows in that year.
Park Shin Woo directed the drama and the main cast was Kim soo hyun as Moon Gang Tae, Seo Yea Ji as Ko Moon Young, Oh Jung Se as Moon Sang Tae and Park Gyu Young as Nam Ju Ri.
The show follows the lives of two brothers, Moon Sang Tae and Moon Gang Tae and a young lady Ko Moon Young. Moon Gang Tae is the younger one and he works as a caregiver in psychiatric wards, he also takes care of his older brother Moon Sang Tae who is autistic. The young lady is an author of children’s books.
They are forced to move from town to town due to Sang Tae’s huge fear of butterflies which is due to witnessing his mother’s murder. Circumstances force them to go back to their hometown where it happened.
Ku Moon Young has antisocial personality disorder which causes her to be called emotionless girl. She is obsessed with Gang Tae and she will do anything to have him. She follows them to their hometown only to find out later that a cruel fate unites them.
The actors chemistry is undeniable and they bring the characters to life with their acting skills. Oh Jung Se who plays Moon Sang Tae is the most compelling one as he brought out the autism with so much prowess. He even won Best supporting actor for the role.
Sang Tae experiences the most growth. He accepts Ko Moon Young as a part of his family, he takes on his role as the big brother after a big fight with his younger brother and finally he is able to overcome his fear of butterflies thanks to Director Oh.
We follow the characters as they face their fears, learn to forgive and help each other to heal their emotional wounds.
The show brings to light various issues in modern day society such as mental health illnesses, dysfunctional families and personality disorders which are increasing by the day.
If you like to watch shows with real issues and a dash of comedy, this is definitely for you.
