KSO
The Couch Downstairs
Mental Health and it's true dangers
I'm going to start by saying I have never suffered through any significant mental issues.
I am also grateful to say that none of my friends and family have experienced anything major.
But regardless of that fact, I have always been interested in mental health. I often watch YouTubers talk about their conditions and all the misinformation that has been spread around.
(Some really good channels are: DissocialDID, Johnny Benjamin 1, and EDucating Shanny)
So whenever I watch a show or movie with mental health as one of the main topics, I'm always a bit skeptical since I know how wrong the mainstream media can get things.
But with this show, I was pleasantly surprised by all the truths it brought.
Stuff like how hard it can be for the family, the harm it can bring the patient, and all the changes that can happen in a person's life were all portrayed nicely.
So looking at the medical part of this show, I am delighted with it. But some things ruined the experience...
So let's move on from this long introduction and get on with the details...
Story 〆(・∀・＠): I was really excited about the medical parts of this drama as well as all the romantic ones. Two of my favorite genres were put together; how could I not be ecstatic!? So I went into this show with a very positive mindset, and the beginning seemed to support it immensely. You get a good look at the characters, their relationships, and a hint on their upcoming development. So even though it wasn't the most exciting beginning, you never felt bored since it was like getting an appetizer before the main course...
Unfortunately, that main course took a bit too long to come to the table...
Hints of the main issue were dropped throughout the show, but it seemed to take forever to actually get there. I'm not going to lie; I enjoyed seeing our psychiatrists help mentally struggling patients, but other than that, the story seemed extremely repetitive.
The main couple got into a fight ---> They make up for a short amount of time ----> They get into another fight.
Yeah yeah yeah, I know couples fight, but our main one just kept doing it over the stupidest things. Even the main female protagonist, Ji Hae-soo, admits that she tends to act like a bish. Sure she had her "reasons," but it was irritating as a watcher and something I don't want to have to sit through again.
What saved the show for me was the ending. Things were wrapped up nicely, and the final few episodes were interesting for their entirety. Ji Hae-soo became somewhat likable only for her family to become the new bishes.
Like seriously!!!! Why can't there be a time where I like everyone!?
As for the side couples, I didn't really care about them. The second main duo's relationship kinda sprung out of nowhere. They kept arguing and after one big fight... BOOM.... they just got together.....
I mean... sorry if I missed something... but what???
So all in all, the romance was very meh for me.
I'd say this show's strongest points was in friendship and the realities of mental health. You see people break down and hit the lowest point in their lives but are helped out of it by those close to them. You see people fighting to have normal lives and can't help but cheer them on through it all!!!!
Acting ｡゜(｀Д')゜｡: Acting was phenomenal!!!!! That's really all I need to say.
I mentioned that the characters had a tendency to get on my nerves, but that is solely due to the writing and not the actors themselves. When needed, they can tug at all the heartstrings and make you want to cry along with them. Jo In-sung is a fantastic example of how much talent these people have.
He appeared as such a happy go lucky guy all while showing how damaging it can be to force out a fake persona. His ability to show a character at the highest and lowest point in their life was breathtaking.
I could fully believe his struggles through his rough mental state and cheered him on with every step he made towards recovery!
Besides him, everyone had their moments to shine. There was not one particular actor that was carrying everything, and everybody seemed to work well together. The couples' chemistry may not have been the best due to writing, but the actors all seemed comfortable with each other and showed how important friendship can be.
So fantastic job everyone!! I hope to see you all again!!
Music ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪: This part of the show was absolutely hilarious.
I liked a lot of the music and always found myself paying attention to the translated lyrics (even though surprisingly, some of the songs were entirely in English). So music, in my eyes, was exceptional this time around.
What I think is funny is where the editors decided to put some of the songs.
Usually, you'd play a sad song during a sad scene and a happy one during a happy scene, but oh boy, these editors wanted to change things up. I loved watching a young boy get beat by his father to a cheery tune of someone singing about sunflowers or happiness (I don't remember the topic exactly). It really fit the scene of a suffering child
* sarcasm *
I don't know why they were added at such times, but it was interesting, nonetheless.
I don't know if I should hate it or love it, so I'll stay safe and neutral by saying it was definitely an experience...
Other (ง°ل͜°)ง: Since I, along with all my close ones, have never experienced anything significant in the mental department, I can't confirm or deny the legitimacy of some things.
From what I learned on my own, the show did seem true to many of the patients' conditions, and the writers didn't seem to add any un-needed dramatic flairs. Conditions seemed more severe and real in that sense.
So it's tough for me to talk about how accurate things are. If it was about physical health problems, I might have more to say, but that isn't the case.
I'm sure there are people who are much closer to the subject than I am and can give a more in-depth analysis.
So I'll end this part of the review here.
All in all, the show is a mix of love and hate.
I love how honest it is about mental conditions and how the writers don't try to add anything unnecessary for the sake of entertainment. What I hate about it is stuff like the romance and some of the character decisions that were made. I found myself bored and irritated for much longer than I'd ever want to be.
So when asked if I recommend it, I would have a different answer depending on the person.
If you're interested in medical shows, then go for it 100%!
But if that isn't your cup of tea and you are more focused on the romance, then I might be a bit more hesitant.
This show has a lot of strengths and weaknesses, so I recommend thinking a bit about it before giving it a shot.
Happy Watching <3
I am also grateful to say that none of my friends and family have experienced anything major.
But regardless of that fact, I have always been interested in mental health. I often watch YouTubers talk about their conditions and all the misinformation that has been spread around.
(Some really good channels are: DissocialDID, Johnny Benjamin 1, and EDucating Shanny)
So whenever I watch a show or movie with mental health as one of the main topics, I'm always a bit skeptical since I know how wrong the mainstream media can get things.
But with this show, I was pleasantly surprised by all the truths it brought.
Stuff like how hard it can be for the family, the harm it can bring the patient, and all the changes that can happen in a person's life were all portrayed nicely.
So looking at the medical part of this show, I am delighted with it. But some things ruined the experience...
So let's move on from this long introduction and get on with the details...
Story 〆(・∀・＠): I was really excited about the medical parts of this drama as well as all the romantic ones. Two of my favorite genres were put together; how could I not be ecstatic!? So I went into this show with a very positive mindset, and the beginning seemed to support it immensely. You get a good look at the characters, their relationships, and a hint on their upcoming development. So even though it wasn't the most exciting beginning, you never felt bored since it was like getting an appetizer before the main course...
Unfortunately, that main course took a bit too long to come to the table...
Hints of the main issue were dropped throughout the show, but it seemed to take forever to actually get there. I'm not going to lie; I enjoyed seeing our psychiatrists help mentally struggling patients, but other than that, the story seemed extremely repetitive.
The main couple got into a fight ---> They make up for a short amount of time ----> They get into another fight.
Yeah yeah yeah, I know couples fight, but our main one just kept doing it over the stupidest things. Even the main female protagonist, Ji Hae-soo, admits that she tends to act like a bish. Sure she had her "reasons," but it was irritating as a watcher and something I don't want to have to sit through again.
What saved the show for me was the ending. Things were wrapped up nicely, and the final few episodes were interesting for their entirety. Ji Hae-soo became somewhat likable only for her family to become the new bishes.
Like seriously!!!! Why can't there be a time where I like everyone!?
As for the side couples, I didn't really care about them. The second main duo's relationship kinda sprung out of nowhere. They kept arguing and after one big fight... BOOM.... they just got together.....
I mean... sorry if I missed something... but what???
So all in all, the romance was very meh for me.
I'd say this show's strongest points was in friendship and the realities of mental health. You see people break down and hit the lowest point in their lives but are helped out of it by those close to them. You see people fighting to have normal lives and can't help but cheer them on through it all!!!!
Acting ｡゜(｀Д')゜｡: Acting was phenomenal!!!!! That's really all I need to say.
I mentioned that the characters had a tendency to get on my nerves, but that is solely due to the writing and not the actors themselves. When needed, they can tug at all the heartstrings and make you want to cry along with them. Jo In-sung is a fantastic example of how much talent these people have.
He appeared as such a happy go lucky guy all while showing how damaging it can be to force out a fake persona. His ability to show a character at the highest and lowest point in their life was breathtaking.
I could fully believe his struggles through his rough mental state and cheered him on with every step he made towards recovery!
Besides him, everyone had their moments to shine. There was not one particular actor that was carrying everything, and everybody seemed to work well together. The couples' chemistry may not have been the best due to writing, but the actors all seemed comfortable with each other and showed how important friendship can be.
So fantastic job everyone!! I hope to see you all again!!
Music ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪: This part of the show was absolutely hilarious.
I liked a lot of the music and always found myself paying attention to the translated lyrics (even though surprisingly, some of the songs were entirely in English). So music, in my eyes, was exceptional this time around.
What I think is funny is where the editors decided to put some of the songs.
Usually, you'd play a sad song during a sad scene and a happy one during a happy scene, but oh boy, these editors wanted to change things up. I loved watching a young boy get beat by his father to a cheery tune of someone singing about sunflowers or happiness (I don't remember the topic exactly). It really fit the scene of a suffering child
* sarcasm *
I don't know why they were added at such times, but it was interesting, nonetheless.
I don't know if I should hate it or love it, so I'll stay safe and neutral by saying it was definitely an experience...
Other (ง°ل͜°)ง: Since I, along with all my close ones, have never experienced anything significant in the mental department, I can't confirm or deny the legitimacy of some things.
From what I learned on my own, the show did seem true to many of the patients' conditions, and the writers didn't seem to add any un-needed dramatic flairs. Conditions seemed more severe and real in that sense.
So it's tough for me to talk about how accurate things are. If it was about physical health problems, I might have more to say, but that isn't the case.
I'm sure there are people who are much closer to the subject than I am and can give a more in-depth analysis.
So I'll end this part of the review here.
All in all, the show is a mix of love and hate.
I love how honest it is about mental conditions and how the writers don't try to add anything unnecessary for the sake of entertainment. What I hate about it is stuff like the romance and some of the character decisions that were made. I found myself bored and irritated for much longer than I'd ever want to be.
So when asked if I recommend it, I would have a different answer depending on the person.
If you're interested in medical shows, then go for it 100%!
But if that isn't your cup of tea and you are more focused on the romance, then I might be a bit more hesitant.
This show has a lot of strengths and weaknesses, so I recommend thinking a bit about it before giving it a shot.
Happy Watching <3
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