“If you can’t erase it, you just need to cover it with something better.”- Ko Mun-yeong (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay)
The engrossing, hyper-real, whimsical, and heartwarming series, ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ is a deeply emotional and visually stunning Korean drama that skillfully blends psychological healing with unconventional romance. This 2020 South Korean romantic comedy follows the lives of Ko Mun-yeong, an antisocial children’s book writer, Moon Gang-tae, a caregiver at a psychiatric hospital, and his autistic brother, Moon Sang-tae, who together share a painful past.
Series : It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Where to watch : Netflix
Cast : Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji and Oh Jung-se
Written by : Jo Yong
Directed by : Park Shin-woo
The Plot
Ko Mun-yeong (played by Seo Yea-ji) is a famous children’s author and has antisocial personality disorder due to a troubled childhood and a strained relationship with her parents. On the other hand, Moon Gang-tae (played by Kim Soo-hyun) lives with his autistic brother, Moon Sang-tae (played by Oh Jung-se), and has to travel from one place to another because his brother is a witness to their mother’s murder.
For the same reason, Gang-tae starts working in his hometown as a psychiatric ward caregiver at OK Psychiatric Hospital, where he meets Mun-yeong. After meeting Gang-tae, she forms a romantic obsession with him. As circumstances lead the trio to live together, they slowly begin to heal each other’s emotional wounds and discover secrets about their intertwined pasts.
The Characters
Ko Mun-yeong (played by Seo Yea-ji)
Ko Mun-yeong is a famous children’s book author who has antisocial personality disorder and a troubled childhood. Her father is admitted to OK Psychiatric Hospital, where she meets Gang-tae and forms a romantic obsession with him, willing to go to extreme lengths to get his attention.
Moon Gang-tae (played by Kim Soo-hyun)
Moon Gang-tae works as a caregiver at OK Psychiatric Hospital and is selfless and empathetic. He deals with self-esteem issues and, due to his troubled past, avoids forming relationships with other people. He lives with his autistic older brother and eventually falls for Moon-young.
Moon Sang-tae (played by Oh Jung-se)
Moon Sang-tae is Gang-tae’s autistic older brother and a fan of Mun-yeong. He is also an aspiring illustrator. He has a fear of butterflies due to witnessing his mother’s murder, and because of this, he and Gang-tae move from one place to another.
What made the show popular?
- Strong Storyline : The series perfectly blends romance, mystery, tragedy, and personal and emotional growth, which keeps the audience intrigued and engaged until the very end.
- Sensitive Issues : The series’ take on sensitive issues like mental illness, the autism spectrum, trauma, and healing, and its normalization of conversations around such topics, makes it more relatable and acceptable for viewers.
- Impactful Performances : The cast’s powerful portrayal of complex characters dealing with emotional trauma and vulnerabilities not only brought these characters to life but also deeply resonated with the audience.
- Stunning Aesthetic Visuals : The use of animation, dream-like cinematography, and symbolic storytelling made it visually and emotionally more immersive.
- Soundtracks : The OSTs ‘In Silence’ and ‘You’re Cold’ complemented the emotional tone of the series and left a lasting impression.
- Global Recognition : The series, with its compelling themes and emotionally resonant storytelling, became one of the most-watched Korean dramas on Netflix in 2020.
- Relatable Themes : The series tackled relatable themes of self-acceptance, emotional support, and the importance of love, resonating with viewers—especially those seeking stories of hope and healing.
In its essence, ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ is a series that captivated audiences worldwide by breaking the mold of traditional K-dramas. With its fairy-tale-like visuals, strong and powerful characters, poetic storytelling, rich symbolism, and standout performances, the series offered a powerful message that even the most broken hearts can heal and find their way home—and that sometimes… it’s okay to not be okay.
Written by – MANSHA CHAUHAN
Connect with us on Instagram | X | YouTube for more content, interviews, & news.
