The acting was wonderful. OJS did a wonderful job portraying a character with autism spectrum disorder. It's my first drama seeing SYJ in a main role so I wasn't sure about her acting and I have to say she did a great job as well. Her and KSH's chemistry was questionable at first, but later on I could feel it in their scenes. There were a few scenes near the end of the drama that teared me up a bit.
My first impression of Mun Yeong's character wasn't that great and thought I wouldn't feel anything regarding her character, but it changed later on. The supporting characters for the most part did a good job of fitting into the story and helping out the main characters to develop.
The one thing that does confuse me is MDL lists PGY as a main role character but she felt more like a support role character. Her character wasn't explored much and it seemed like the story mainly focused on KSH, OJS, and SYJ.
Story wise, I think the writer did a good job in showing these three characters develop their characters. They were able to heal and evolve. The relationship of the two brothers was fun to watch and how they both make better changes in their relationship. I'm glad that this drama focused on mental health as well and tried to give various messages to the audience with this story. However, this drama does become predictable eventually with the major events involving the main three characters. There was no anticipation left for me regarding these characters. The drama introduced the problems they were individually struggling with along with an unsolved mystery and near the end they revealed everything about that mystery. If you paid close attention to the details before the revelation, then you would have been able to solve the big mystery before they revealed it. So, I was not surprised at all. I was hoping they would answer the other minor questions people had while watching the drama. But I guess they didn't consider it important enough. They also left out a few things from some of the supporting characters which I wish I could know more about.
Overall, it's not a bad watch, interesting and funny as well.
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BREATHTAKING EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER
It’s a great show. Amazing acting skills by everyone and a great story with plot twists. I cried at least ones in each episode, especially as the show progressed. I didn’t got tired at all and watched all episodes in three days, I truly didn’t want it to end. I will definitely miss it.It talks about important stuff like mental health, disability and abuse.
It’s not just a love story is about family, and that’s what makes it one of the best Kdramas I have watched yet.
I really believe that nothing will top this in my heart at least for the next couple of months or maybe years, because isn’t stereotypical, it’s a punch in the guts.
An emotional roller coaster that will blow your mind.
Recommend 100%
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Focus On More Than 1 Element In This Drama
Focus On More Than 1 Element: Romance, Healing, Mental Health, Novels Within a Novel, Mystery, Non-Traditional FamilyThe sum of the parts of this drama are just so good that regardless of the lapses of certain elements of the writing, it still deserves tons of praise.
My favorite part of this drama, hands down, was the 3-way relationship of the OTP and brother. The way they evolved had so much preciousness to it, it was unbelievable.
The 1 point deduction is for the part that everyone seems to be stuck on, that doesn't make sense in the *real* world but is fine for *la-la-land*, regarding the mystery. Plausible or not, this does not take away from all of the other parts that were done so well, to me, that I just cannot fathom deducting more than 1 point.
Lastly, you know a drama's story is well told when I bother to go to an online Korean marketplace to purchase the novels within this drama, that are written in Korean, to be sent to me here in the USA during a pandemic. Shelling out $170 for a fantasy author, Moonyoung & illustrator, Sang Tae's REAL work is nothing to sneeze at! I enjoyed them so much I was truly willing to invest.
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I don't often give a rating above 8.5/10 but...
OVERALLA drama about psychological healing that successfully combines comedy, drama, mystery and romance. Watch it, no ifs...but I guess keep it for later if you really, REALLY don't like characters with flaws.
THE STORY
I LOVE dramas that normalize mental health issues, so I was really hoping this one would be good. It did not disappoint. It's not really about psychiatric illnesses or psychiatric treatments per say. The drama is about accepting your psychological issues and thriving in live despite them. The Strengths: 1) the grabber in episode 1 is EPIC, probably the best start of a Korean drama I've ever seen, 2) the dip in gothic genre is extremely innovative for Kdramaland, and although the show doesn't completely go gothic, it's still cool, 3) there is literally NO loophole in this drama, it's so well-written everything that happens has a reason to be, 4) the clever use of fairy tales for symbolism and allegory is just AMAZING, 5) the characters have real and coherent character development, without going from 0 to 100 (they are imperfect from beginning to end, but still have improved), 6) the depiction of mental health issues was carefully researched and is appropriate (though not perfect), 7) the romance feels organic and natural (not forced by the plot at all). I feel like many Kdramas could learn from this one.
The Weaknesses: Really, the only thing that bothers me is that for around 2-3 episodes in the second half of the drama, things just feel a bit off. Maybe there's a slight decline in the overall coherence, maybe it's the acting (see below). It's very short-lived though! Another thing that may bother some (but not me): the romance isn't particularly fast-paced and there isn't a whole lot of skinship (aka kisses and more). It's still totally great!
THE ACTING
Great performance by the two leads, SYJ and KSH. I recently got to know Yeji through Save Me, and since then also watched Lawless Lawyer, and I got to say, she delivers every time. In this drama in particular, she blew my mind. She kind of overshadowed KSH's performance, and even the actor playing autistic Sang Tae (who was amazing too!). I think I have a girl crush haha The child actors were amazing (most of them are, don't know what they feed them), and some extras also grabbed my attention. The one downer in terms of acting comes in the second half of the drama. I won't say much more so I won't give anything away, but I feel like one person overacts WAY too much at the end of the drama, which almost ruined these 2-3 episodes for me.
THE MUSIC
Pretty cool, though nothing I felt compelled to add to my playlist by the end of the drama. I want to highlight the creepy tune that came in everytime our female lead did something psychopath-y. I loved it!
REWATCH VALUE
High, but I'm not sure it's very high? I shed too many tears in this drama to feel like watching it any time. It'll probably be for when I'm not too happy but not too sad - the perfect mood for it.
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Personally I am a person of simple tastes and only from time to time I allow myself to see such psychological dramas (don't get me wrong, I love psychology but depending on how my mood can affect me a lot or not). But really this drama is one of the best I've ever seen in my sight.
The direction, the cinematography, the OST and the acting are wonderful. I really loved the chapters where the her protagonist's tale were recreated; I really cried a lot in those episodes.
To count more would be sacrilege. I think they are one of those series where you really don't have to spoilers yourself, you have to look at it as if you were the first time.
The only thing I can say is that it treats all kinds of psychiatric / psychological disorders in a very beautiful way. It really is the first time that I consider that Netflix took care of absolutely all the details.
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I've a soft spot for Kim Soo Hyun since loving him as Sam Dong in Dream High so I'm a bit let down that he is the straight guy here as Moon Gang Tae, as compared to meaty roles of Seo Ye Ji as Ko Mun Yeong or Oh Jung Se as Sang Tae. But when a drama is produced so well, you know you're in good hands.
A healing drama with fairytale elements and mysterious gothic feels, how did it all work so well? And for those who are curious, the psychological issues are tackled thoughtfully and there's nothing too depressing or graphic.
This drama might have catapulted Kim Soo Hyun, esp. Seo Ye Ji to more fame. I wanted to fall head over heels over the OTP (they look so good though and those kisses!), but maybe I expected more fire from KSH in some acting aspects (he remains the best crier though), and SYJ in the comedic aspect.
It's probably a blasphemy for IOTNBO fans, but
Sang Tae is the runaway best part of the drama for me. Oh Jung Se is a gem. That bromance is so heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. That scene when Sang Tae confronted Gang Tae about a painful 'icy' encounter between the brothers from the past. Drama GOLD.
Aside from the OTP role reversal, the story might be nothing new from starcrossed lovers, to ill fated brothers. But Jo Yong's writing make you care for all her characters, even the supporting ones. It was so satisfying to go through their growth, with each tear and each laugh. It all came full circle. The whole ensemble cast is precious. Kim Joo Heon as CEO Lee Sang In is a great discovery!
This is another drama that will now fall easily as one of the kdrama romcom classics. 2020 has been tough for all of us, and IONTBO came at the the right place at the right time, like the Moon-Ko family, telling us it's ok to not be ok.
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HEALING IS A PROCESS!
For a 16 ep drama, everything tied together nicely. Sometimes you don't need to fully heal to keep moving forward. HEALING IS A PROCESS, not a magic trick where you suddenly feel all better just because a drama is ending etc.. What I liked about the ending was the "going seperate road" shot, because it did not mean it's the end, to me it meant they're just taking a different path, a different route to heal.Acting was superb! Especially Oh Jung Se's role, that's a very hard role to pull for an entire 16 (nearly 1 hour each) episodes. I also have to applause Kim Soo-Hyun and Seo Ye Ji. I first watched KSH from Dream High(2011) and SYJ from Potato Star(2013) and I must say they really improved so so so much. ALSO THEIR CHEMISTRY, OH MY LIFE! <3 The multiple staring scenes were a little bit awks as they lasted a lil bit too long for me but goodness me their chemistry was seeping through my laptop screen LOL. Don't even get me started on their kiss scenes, wow just wow.
Overall, I give this drama a 8.5/10, 1.5 point off as I hoped for more but that is just me hehehe. If you look beyond the romance, I am sure you'll see a much bigger picture in regards to mental health issues. Yes, the drama may have overly exaggerated KMY's personality in the beginning BUT this is where character development comes in and you will be surprised what people can do irl. Anywho, I will miss the cast for sure. I hope they work together again. Til the next one <3
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I loved it. Best series of year hands down!
The first thing I’m going to do is find out who the writer is and watch any other shows that he has written. This show is absolutely amazing. I have never watched anything like this that he has a vote such emotion. It literally had me crying and laughing at the same time. I don’t know who this person is that created it but they did it in such a way that the heartfelt moments are so touching and the cheerful moments are so natural and hilarious.This show definitely encompasses healing, forgiveness, family, love, acceptance, friendship, trials, and finding your own path. just amazing. This is easily the best series of the year. For me this was not a hard thing to say at all. I watch so many dramas a day and during the week but I absolutely feel that this one is untouchable. It gives you an opportunity to learn from not only the older people but younger as well.
It absolutely embodies what loves really means.
Serious around two male siblings and a female. They have all been somewhat affected by an event in their past. This event ultimately has an impact on their life choices in the present as well as in the past. What you will get here is “the fight to move forward and overcome it all” and it’s beautiful.
There is no crazy ex-girlfriend. There’s no ridiculous love triangle. There is no stupid make up break up that last 40 eternity. There is no nonsense in this series. I absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a good Hartfield series to watch or a romantic series or a series I have some mystery and it may be a little bit of thrill. Either way this one will satisfy all those needs.
The story was great. The acting was perfect. The music was great. I’m even considering locating the song for my ringtone. The rewatch value is definitely a big plus because it has so many moments that I have already gone back to look at the part again, And this was while I was still watching the series. The ending was beautiful. It gave the feeling of a new beginning. Oh the possibilities. I was sad that it was over. Overall 10 for me.
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This drama shines like a black diamond
This drama is not your average K-drama with fluffy love, a rich alfa male that has some disease where the love of his life solves all his problems. No. This drama is touching, real and gives us an inside of a part of the world that most of us don't want to see.STORY
This story revolves around an underdog Moon Gang Tae that has always been caring for his mentally disabled, autistic brother Sang Tae. Because of that, he lived his life around his brother and always put his brother before him. His brother is traumatised by the murder of their mother, but he can't cope with it which is why they always have to move around. They meet up with the beautiful Ko Mun Yeong, a writer, who suffers from antisocial personality disorder. She can't hold herself back, curses and does whatever she wants without thinking about the consequences. She wants Gang Tae to be her safety pin as well, and they both find out that they have a history together.
The story turns dark when it appears that the murderer of the mother of the Moon brothers is still alive and she leaves hints for them. Mun Yeong turns out to have a small heart as she wants to protect Gang Tae and Sang Tae, even if she has to offer up her own happiness.
Within the psychiatric hospital where Gang Tae works, we get to see glimpses of people with mental issues. Someone that is suffering from a trauma from war, someone who combats alcoholism, but also someone with dementia and multiple personality disorder. This is a part that we often don't want to see in our perfect world, and especially in Asia is a taboo. This drama gives us an inside of a reality that we need to see, and we need to try to understand these people and learn to respect these people.
MUSIC
The music is done fantastically. They made a variation on Paganini's La Campanella, and even Beethoven's Für Elise if you listen closely. It is not easy to make good variations on these classical masterpieces, but as a classical musician, I approve. The darker moments were also enhanced by the music in a superb way. They really did their best and it paid off.
ACTING
Where do I start. First I want to start with the role that hit me the most. Moon Sang Tae was portrayed by Oh Jung Se, and he totally stole the spotlight. You might know him as the loser guy No Gyu Tae from When The Camellia Blooms (watch it! It's super good!). I know several people with severe autism, and he got it down. The way he walks with his head down, his hands and excessive scratching. I couldn't believe that I knew him from another drama and that he actually isn't autistic.
Seo Ye Ji is the actress that was perfect for this role. Her yelling, obsessiveness, everything was done in a way that made me believe that this was real. The way her eyes quivered, the pain in her heart, she portrayed her character like the queen that she is.
And lastly, Kim Soo Hyun. This role was made for him. Even when I watched You Who Came from the Stars, I felt like his roles shouldn't be the alfa male, but more like the soft underdog kind of roles. And I was right. I felt bad for him, I felt sad for him and I was frustrated that he didn't put himself first.
Overall, I don't write reviews often, but this was so beautiful that I had to write one. It was so beautiful, touching, realistic, and it just hit me that our society should start accepting people who are different. We help them, and don't judge them because we might not know their full story. And, we need to tell them that it's okay to not be okay.
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Best kdrama you will watch!
I absolutely loved "It's okay not to be okay". Great, great message. Wonderful characters, amazing chemistry between the leads and well-written plot. The cinematography was amazing and really loved the animations as well. Moon Gang-Tae was perfect and very well written, and Sang-Tae really adorable and cute. The slow-burn romance between Seo Ye-ji and Gang-Tae was wonderful. Ps. The mental health issues were nicely done, wish more dramas did this!! 10/10*****************************************************************************************************************
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Very interesting but the end could have been better
The story started getting boring when they reveal that her mom is that nurse. After acting so sane as a nurse she is suddenly revealed to be a lunatic? With what purpose was she acting as a nurse for those 20 years? Why did she reveal herself? To achieve what? Was she so confident that Moon Kang-Tae would stop being with her daughter if she threatens him? Or was she so confident that she will kill Moon Kang-Tae if he doesn't agree?The whole plot around Do Hui-Jae/Park Haeng-Ja coming back to do something was unconvincing. Anyone who has observed Moon Kang-Tae and Ko Moon-Young know they were inseparable. Also Ko Moon-Young had a cold personality but she was never so insane as her mom. Her mom aka the nurse Park Haeng-Ja would have known it better afterall she is observing patients for so long now...
Thankfully our boy Moon Kang-Tae gets his wish fulfilled i.e. to travel around the country. Moon Sang-Tae got into a profession that suits him and he seems to happy now.
I wished Yoo Seung-Jae and Jo Jae-Soo got together. Both were cute and funny. Jo Jae-Soo was too busy taking care of his friend and I wish he finds his love and settles down.
They didn't properly reveal whether the last publication from Ko Moon-Young is a bestseller or not. From what I understood from Lee Sang-In and Nam Joo-Ri's conversation is that its not selling that good. Did Yoo Seung-Jae give back Do Hui-Jae's last work to her boss Lee Sang-In?
if Dr Oh Ji-Wang retires from the hospital then who will run it? His son is not ready yet.. it's better he stays there for sake of his patients.. Patient Joo Jung-Tae seems perfectly normal to me and i want him to get discharged soon so that he can stay with Lee A-Reum.
i think the older brother Moon Sang-Tae cuts short his travel to give the couple some time together. He might have observed both of them sleeping on each others shoulders during the night. I wish after this travel ends Moon Kang-Tae gets to attend the school of his choice and learn whatever he wants to learn. Poor boy has spent his whole life looking after his brother and trying to make ends meet. He has enormous patience to deal with his brother as well as the patients. No doubt why he is favorite caretaker for many..
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A good and very unique drama
STORY: (full of spoilers)The drama tells the story of two brothers who have to run away and move regularly to escape from a "Butterfly" who killed their mother. There are flashbacks to tell the youth of these two brothers. 20 years later, KT and ST meet a woman called MY. She is a strange woman with a strong quirky personality with family issues as her mother disappeared and she cut ties with her father who is in a psychiatric clinic with cancer. As she chases after KT because she wants him, the lives of these three people start to closely entangles. Then the truth is unveiled about the death of the mother of KT and ST. That she was killed by MY's mother and this mother who disappeared is in fact one of the nurse working in the clinic with KT. The nurse who revealed herself as the mother then tries to separate them.
The story was simple but told in a unique and mysterious manner using flashbacks and detailed hints and moments of contradicting semi revelations which allow us to have our own understanding and theory about what happened and who is the killer. This was subtly done with a good suspense and it kept me interested in the main plot. Then came the twist and the revelation. I have to say this twist looked a stunt for me. The drama which had a Tim Burtonesque atmosphere suddenly included a psycho killer completely hysterical. How could that lunatic who screams crazily for nothing have hiden her personality for 20 years in a psychiatric clinic? And if she managed to do it, what triggered her to change? I could accept she was alive, she was in hiding as a nurse, she wanted to watch her husband suffer... but why she went back to her black clothings and her crazy days to kill a poor patient in the clinic? Because he injured her daughter? Because she witnessed her daughter becoming "normal" and she could not stand it? Finally I just accepted this unclear reversal of matters and the return of the mother like a temporary stumbling block in the new life of our 3 main leads.
CHARACTERS/CAST:
The gallery of characters presented is the greatest part of this drama. The flashbacks gave a understanding of the personalities of the main leads and made them sympathetics. The sub plots with their own guest characters, events, outcome and lesson of life were very enjoyable and described great character developments.
- KT: The younger brother. His difficult childhood made the person he is : someone who suppressed himself to take care of his brother. He slowly learns to open himself, enjoy things and find a girl for himself. KSY was pretty decent in that role. Young KT and the kid actor were good also.
- ST : He is the older brother and for me he is the most interesting of the two. He has autism disorder and relies on his brother at first but he slowly develops autonomy and responsibility. He finally become a real older brother for both his younger brother and his new younger sister. He even leaves the house in the end to live his own life. OJS did a great job here.
- MY: I just loved her character and SYI nailed it as she portrayed that weird strong quirky woman perfectly. Even her clothes were meaning ful. One woman character who will become iconic in kdramaland. Amazing performance from SYJ and the little girl actress portraying MY was lovely too.
- Jae Su: Loved him for his loyalty and unwavering friendship for the two bother and his great dialogues with KT.
- Ju-Ri: I never hated her even at the beginning. She just looked a bit pathetic but she slowly showed her immature and cute side.
- See Sang In: I liked how loyal he was to MY. He is funny but also mature and reliable for the other people. He and Ju-Ri were cute in their own little almost romance
- Ju Ri's mom: the wise one and acting mother of the people in her house and for MY.
- Seung Jae : I pitied her for always being the victim of Sang In but she had her little vengeance in the end.
Plenty of charismatic, lovely or funny but always interesting characters: Dr Oh, his son, the two patients lovers, the mother who lost her daughter and of course KGD the son of the politician. It was good that the drama gave a nice closure to all of them.
MUSIC:
This drama has the best OST. Every song is nice to listen to. It contributed largely to the special atmosphere of the drama and to its success. Releasing some songs after they were aired in the drama was masterpiece.
REWATCH VALUE:
The story is a little bit too simple but I will gladly rewatch it for the numerous funny, cute, weird scenes with excellent dialogues and quotes.
OVERALL:
Having watched around 400 dramas I have to say this one is a very special drama. I would have called it perfect if the twist was slightly better explained. I totally recommend this drama for its weird, fun, quirky, heartwarming and very human characters and its many good lessons of life. I really loved the long journey of waiting and watching this every week end and also following and discussing this. Thanks to the actors and the crew who made this drama and to the fans. This drama has some flaws but overall it deserves a 10.
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