Overview of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Jo Yong and Park Shin-woo are the writers and directors of the 2020 South Korean television series ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’. Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se, and Park Gyu-young are the featured stars. The series centres on an antisocial children’s book author and the keeper of a mental hospital.

From 20 June 2020, through 9 August 2020, 16 episodes of the show were shown on tvN and Netflix. Nielsen Korea reports that the average national TV viewership rating was 5.4%. In South Korea, it was the most-watched romance-themed Netflix programme of 2020. Positive reviews predominated; several observers faulted the writing in the series’ later half but appreciated the cast’s acting.

Profile

• Director: Park Shin-woo
• Writer: Jo Yong
• Network: tvN
• Episodes: 16
• Release Date: 20 June – 9 August 2020
• Language: Korean
• Country: South Korea

Cast

• Kim Soo-hyun – Moon Gang-tae
• Moon Woo-jin – young Moon Gang-tae
• Seo Yea-ji – Ko Moon-young
• Kim Soo-in – young Ko Moon-young
• Oh Jung-se – Moon Sang-tae
• Lee Kyu-sung – young Moon Sang-tae
• Park Gyu-young – Nam Ju-ri
• Park Seo-kyung – young Nam Ju-ri

Synopsis

With his autistic older brother Moon Sang-tae, Moon Gang-tae shares a home. Since Sang-tae saw their mother’s murder, they have repeatedly moved from one town to another, as Sang-tae suffers from PTSD. In every area they settle in, Gang-tae works as a caretaker in a mental health unit. While working in a hospital, he meets Ko Moon-young, a well-known author of children’s books who is reputed to have antisocial personality disorder.

Gang-tae is forced by circumstances to work at the OK Psychiatric Hospital in the fictitious Seongjin City, where they all grew up. In the meantime, Moon-young develops an obsession with Gang-tae after learning that their pasts are connected. Following him to Seongjin, the group which also includes Sang-tae begins to gradually help one another’s emotional wounds. They reveal numerous secrets, turn to one another for support, and continue living their lives.

What Happens In The Story?

In the Korean drama, ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’, Moon Gang-tae and his older brother Moon Sang-tae are the main characters. Sang-tae, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, is cared for solely by Moon Gang-tae as a result of the early death of their mother. Sang-tae has horrible nightmares that mysteriously involve butterflies attacking him because he was the only one to witness their mother’s death.

The two must be prepared to pack up and leave at a moment’s notice for Sang-tae to feel safe again and for their lives to be bearable. The brothers meet Ko Moon-yeong, Sang-tae’s preferred children’s book author, before making their next move, and she and Gang-tae start dating.

She, too, has experienced trauma and struggles with her own mental health. ‘It’s Okay Not to be Okay’ excels most when depicting mental diseases, recovery, and sibling relationships. Unfortunately, the plot falls flat when it delves more into the mystery behind the deaths of Gang-tae and Sang-tae’s mother.

Unlike so many characters with autism spectrum disorder, Sang-tae is not reduced to a supporting role or used as a story device. Instead, he is a crucial component of the programme, and everyone is shown to consider his opinions, feelings, and needs to be of the utmost importance. Ko Moon-yeong essentially needs Sang-tae’s blessing before she can start dating Gang-tae.

Sang-tae is accustomed to his younger brother centering his entire existence around him and his demands, hence this is a significant plot point in the drama. It’s incredibly lovely how these three individuals gradually come to be a “found” family that not only accepts but also values one other’s mental health difficulties.

For instance, Gang-tae has never been able to settle down someplace or even date. He moves, quits his job, and packs up every year to get away from Sang-tae’s butterfly dreams. The viewers can’t even begin to imagine the emotional toll this alone must have on him, especially given that he has been raising his brother by himself since he was a very young child.

He also works as an elderly/caregiver at psychiatric facilities because he was never able to finish his schooling as his mother passed away. The majority of his trauma also resulted from the way his mother raised him, acting as though he was solely there to look after and defend Sang-tae. He becomes someone who believes his needs and wishes are selfish and unimportant as a result of all this emotional upheaval. As a result, Gang-tae is utterly unable to communicate his true emotions and hides them to avoid upsetting his elder brother.

Sang-tae’s best buddy and the love interest of Gang-tae is Ko Moon-yeong. It is not sure if she has antisocial personality disorder, a serious mental health condition that is characterised as a full disregard for others, but it is mentioned off-handedly in ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’. In any case, Ko Moon-yeong doesn’t seem to give much care to the opinions and sentiments of others, acting as she pleases without consideration for the repercussions. How Sang-tae, Gang-tae, and Ko Moon-yeong are able to overcome all of their tragedies together is extremely lovely.

The show does a fantastic job of gently reflecting on each of their childhood emotional experiences and how they grew up learning from their past. It turns out that these three have more in common than they originally believed, which is where ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ goes astray.

One of those exceptional and remarkable thought-provoking dramas that genuinely is a masterpiece is ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’. It portrays a sad but lovely tale of character development and recovery. Despite the fact that the characters have flaws, we end up understanding them and wanting the best for them. To do it, they are also not required to be flawless. Imperfections can be found in love and acceptance. The message is uncomplicated and obvious.

Recollecting the 16 Fairy Tale Stories In ‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’

Due to its gritty yet realistic plot, which appeals to our hearts by encouraging us to accept personality and mental health difficulties, ‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’ became the topic of conversation every weekend for almost two months.

This drama helps us understand ourselves better in order to find true pleasure. It also helps us understand ourselves better toward others. The title alone is a lesson in itself, reminding us that it’s okay to not feel okay. It also teaches us a number of other lessons.

As a result, every episode has a unique fairy tale to tell. These fictional, but realistically portrayed fairy stories are ingeniously employed in the theatre to remind us of the essence of life—that even in fairy tales, we experience misery and take risks to find relief from it.

Episode 1: The Boy Who Fed On Nightmares

The young man awoke from a terrible nightmare. He wanted to forget those unpleasant memories from the past, but they kept coming back to haunt him in his dreams every night. He once went to the witch and begged her for help since he was afraid of falling asleep.

The boy grew older over time, becoming an adult. He no longer experiences nightmares, but for some odd reason, he was not at all content.

When a blood moon appeared one night, the witch reappeared to take what he had pledged in exchange for fulfilling his request.

The man asked the witch why can not be happy. Then, as promised, the witch removed his soul and revealed to him that, the memories and regret have taken over him. He is only capable of achieving bliss if he lets go of his past.

Episode 2: The Lady In Red Shoes

The young child wore her red shoes everywhere she went, including to a house of worship.

Once you put those shoes on, your feet begin to dance all by themselves, and you are unable to stop dancing or take the shoes off. The young girl persisted in wanting those red shoes nonetheless. The executioner ultimately had to amputate her feet. However, the two feet that were amputated kept dancing in the red shoes.

Episode 3: Sleeping Witch

A princess who had been dormant for many years lived in a castle in the middle of a dense forest once upon a time. The bad witch cursed the princess on the day of her birth, saying that a needle on a spinning wheel would pierce her heart and kill her.

Fearful, the king destroyed all of the spinning wheels in his realm to break the curse, but the princess was pricked by a thorn on the rose she was given by the witch in disguise and dozed off. This anecdote makes it abundantly evident that even if you make every effort to avoid something, eventually it will occur if it is truly meant to.

Episode 4: Zombie Kid

There was a boy born in a village. The boy’s mother naturally came to the conclusion that he was emotionless while raising him. He had nothing but the want to consume like a zombie. So that the villagers wouldn’t see him, his mother kept him locked up in the basement. She stole animals to feed him.

She raised him in secret in that way. One day, when there were no animals left, the mother offered herself to her boy. The boy gripped his mother’s torso tightly with both of his arms and said, “Mom, you’re so warm,” for the first time ever.

Episode 5: Rapunzel And The Cursed Castle

A young girl once resided in a cursed castle in the middle of the wilderness. The young girl’s mother used to tell her that she was too unique to live with the other people outside the castle. She was instructed by her mother to confine her to the castle. So she asked the moon to send her a charming prince who could rescue her from this situation every day.

Every day, the young girl awaited the arrival of her prince. Ko Moon-young’s experience of waiting for someone to release her is reflected in the tale of Rapunzel. It also teaches us to have faith and be patient because everything moves at its own natural speed. Things will finally take place at the ideal time and location.

Episode 6: Bluebeard’s Secret

A count with a blue beard once lived alone in a massive castle. One day, a destitute woman showed up at the castle and declared her desire to wed him. Bluebeard was overjoyed and took all the jewels and valuables from every room to present to his wife. His curious wife eventually opened the hidden door without informing her husband, despite his repeated warnings to never enter that room. This provides some insight into Ko Moon-young’s parents’ fate.

Being unique, though, is nothing to be afraid of as each person’s differences are deserving of love and acceptance, we must accept and embrace them. There is someone who will love and accept you for who you truly are, even if you’re different. Someone who affirms your right to be unique while not being afraid of you.

Episode 7: The Cheerful Dog

There was a dog who was exceptionally skilled at masking his feelings. The dog was restrained under a tree for shade. He always waved his tail. As a result, he was given the label “the joyful dog” because he was always in a good mood. The dog enjoyed playing with the village children. But, every night when nobody was around, he would groan and complain. He did that because he wanted to roam free in the spring field. However, he was unable to. And for that reason, he sobbed each and every night.

One day, he questioned himself that ‘why doesn’t he just cut the leash and run away?’. I’ve been tied up for too long, so I forgot how to cut myself free, the joyous dog said. People are skilled at concealing their feelings. Wearing a mask, they only allow people to see what they want them to see. Furthermore, as long as we are not caught up in the deep pit of our own emotions, the Cheerful Dog’s story serves as a reminder to let go while there is still time.

Episode 8: Beauty And The Beast

The tale of Beauty and the Beast explores Stockholm syndrome. Due to a curse, the beast is confined to the castle alone. He nurtures his victim while holding a woman by the name of Belle hostage in the castle. The Beast frequently treats Belle harshly. Once, Belle, the gullible woman, was moved by his occasional act of kindness. The influence of Belle’s true love causes the Beast to transform into a prince.

The Beast’s savage disposition was subdued by Belle’s love. His wounded spirit was embraced by that love.

The tale of the Beast and Belle demonstrates the strength of real love. There is someone out there who will tear down the strong wall you have built around yourself and completely embrace you.

Episode 9: King Donkey Ears

The man yells, “The monarch has donkey ears!” as he enters the woodland. (Sang-tae). You get frustrated if you keep anything to yourself. To ease your stress, you must inform someone.

A monarch with donkey ears is the subject of the tale King Donkey Ears. Other than his hairdresser, he maintains that a secret from the public. The hairdresser had been keeping the King’s secret for years, but one day he broke his promise. Sang-tae voiced his deep-seated hatred for Gang-tae, just like what occurred at the conclusion of the episode. Consequently, keeping things to yourself will only cause disruption.

Episode 10: The Girl Who Cried Wolf

The shepherd boy consistently told lies. The youngster constantly told the locals a genuine wolf had appeared. When Ko Moon-young lied about her vacation with Gang Tae, she was known as, “The Girl Who Cried Wolf.” Using the story from above, she tells Sang-tae that she is lonely.

It is quite difficult to convince others to trust what you have stated if you are renowned for lying. The trust and relationships we formerly had with individuals are destroyed by dishonesty.

Episode 11: The Ugly Duckling

The other ducks are cruel towards ‘the ugly duckling’. They harass him because they don’t like the way he appears. He eventually quits his family because he is so lonely.

The duckling wouldn’t depart if the mother duck showed a lot of love. The ducks and swan can get along and coexist peacefully if the adult hugs the children. One’s self-esteem can seriously suffer from judgements. Understanding and valuing everyone’s differences will help them become assets rather than objects of ridicule.

Episode 12: Romeo And Juliet

“We look like Romeo and Juliet”. — Ko Moon-young. “The ill-fated mortal enemies. Who should’ve never crossed paths”. — Gang-tae. “No. they’re meant to be. It’s fate”. Moon-young. “It’s a tragic fate”. — Gang-tae

“The outcome is catastrophic”. – Gang-tae.

This episode gradually reveals how their families are related. The two share the same unfortunate fate as Romeo and Juliet. But, this narrative also demonstrates how we might transform family animosity into love. Love really is quite potent.

Episode 13: The Father of the Two Sisters

The real abuser is the person who ignores and keeps silent about it. This is the tale Ko Moon-young detested the most out of all of them. This is addressed to all those who turn a blind eye in any circumstance, not just parents. Those who act as if nothing happened while remaining silent.

Episode 14: The Hand, The Monkfish

Once upon a time, a rich family welcomed a lovely newborn girl into the world. She was as flawless and lovely as a magnolia. Her mother promised she would sacrifice anything for her child since she loved her so much.

Even the sun and moon would be shown to her, she promised. The mother remarked, “My beloved kid, I need some rest now. I raised the infant by always giving her all she needed. Please bring me some food. The youngster then said, “Mom, I don’t have any hands. They have disappeared since I never utilised them”. So, my dear child, would you be able to carry me on your back? My legs ache.

The young child then replied, “Mom, I don’t have any feet. I was always strapped to your back. I therefore never even touched the ground. But I have a big mouth,” she said, opening her big mouth. The mother then yelled angrily, “You weren’t really my ideal baby after all. You are as useless as a monkfish. You can only eat what I give you, that’s all. Nothing can be accomplished on your own. You are a complete failure. The mother then threw the infant into the far sea.

Since that time, it has been said that on eerie, windy days out at sea, a fisherman can hear a baby’s cry. “Mom. Mom. what went wrong with me? Please bring me home. Please return and fetch me”. This is a tragic tale. Parents who spoil their children by preventing them from taking initiative will eventually pay for it. We don’t always have someone to lean on. We occasionally need to confront the world on our own.

Episode 15: A Tale Of Two Brothers

Two impoverished brothers who cared deeply for one another once lived together. It was harvest time, so they both harvested rice. The older sibling was concerned that his younger sibling would run out of rice. So, at night, he carried a bag of rice and deposited it in front of his younger brother’s home. The younger brother brought a sack of rice that same day and placed it in front of the house of his older brother. Imagining his older brother could require more as a result of his large family.

The following morning, when they both awoke, they both observed that they still had the same quantity of rice. It seemed unusual to the two brothers, so they did the same thing at night and placed a bag of rice in front of each other’s home. This story demonstrates gratitude and love for others, particularly for your siblings.

Sang-tae claims that the moral of the story is that close-knit siblings should live together to avoid having to perform unnecessary tasks.

Episode 16: Finding The Real Face

Three people whose real faces had been taken by the Shadow Witch formerly resided in a castle in the middle of a dense woodland. The three of them continued travelling and met a clown. The audience cheered them on as they danced. The terrible Shadow Witch reappeared in their path as they set out on a new quest to recover their stolen faces. She abducted the Emotional Princess who danced with the clown and the Masked Boy who sobbed on behalf of the mother fox, saying, “The two of you will never be able to find your smiling faces.” She imprisoned them in an enclosed, pitch-black mole burrow after bestowing such a curse upon them.

A few days later, The Box Man discovered the mole tunnel, but he was unable to enter because of the small entrance. The Box Man eventually worked up the nerve to remove the box from his head. He entered the tunnel and rescued the emotional princess and the masked boy. The two of them laughed out loud when they saw the man’s face instead of the box when they emerged from the dim tunnel.

The Masked Boy started laughing so hard that his mask fell off. Also falling off and making a clanking sound was the can that had been covering the Emotional Princess’ torso. The Box Man, now out of his box, said, “I’m happy,” as soon as he noticed the two of them laughing and revealing their genuine selves. The bravery to pursue happiness, not their genuine selves, was what the Shadow Witch had taken from them.

‘It’s Okay To Not Be Okay’ is a very wonderful story that summarises its own drama. It teaches us to always have the fortitude to pursue our own happiness and to triumph over life’s challenges. Life’s road is by no means simple. To be led in the correct way, we must navigate a number of winding roads and perplexing detours.

In addition, the entire cast—from the lead to the supporting actors—nailed their parts by accurately portraying their personalities. Of course, none of this would be possible without the writer, director, and entire production team’s ingenuity and inventiveness!

The Ending

The conclusion was not left open-ended as is customary in Korean dramas. It is the finest possible conclusion to this. Ko Moon-young is currently liberated from her evil parents. Additionally, she fell in love with Gang-tae, thus it is no longer an obsession. Sang-tae, at last, understood his goals. Additionally, Gang-tae is no longer bound by the chain he and his brother created. He finally understood that, like his brother, he had a life of his own.

Awards

• APAN Star Awards 2021
  Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries – Seo Yea-ji
• APAN Star Awards 2021
  Best Supporting Actor – Oh Jung-se
• APAN Star Awards 2021
  Popular Star Award, Actor – Kim Soo-hyun
• APAN Star Awards 2021
  Popular Star Award, Actress – Seo Yea-ji
• Baeksang Arts Awards 2021
  Most Popular Actress – Seo Yea-ji
• Baeksang Arts Awards 2021
  Best Supporting Actor – Television – Oh Jung-se
• Daejeon Visual Art Tech Awards 2020
  Visual of the Year Award (Special Video)
• Asia Artist Awards 2020
  Grand Prize (Daesang)
• Asia Artist Awards 2020
  Kim Soo-hyun
  Best Artist Award – Seo Yea-ji
• Asia Artist Awards 2020
  AAA Hot Issue Award – Kim Soo-hyun
• Asia Artist Awards 2020
  AAA Hot Issue Award – Seo Yea-ji
• Korean Academy of Theater Arts 2020
  Art of the Year Award

Interesting facts about ‘Its Ok to Not Be Okay’

1. This is Kim Soo-yun’s first drama role since his military service.
2. Kim Soo-yun compares his character to an Avenger.
3. The director knew Ye-ji was the perfect female lead after meeting her.
4. The exterior scenes of the psychiatric hospital were shot at a cafe.
5. Soo Hyun and Ye-ji filmed a commercial together.

FAQs

1. How many episodes are there in ‘Its Okay to Not Be Okay’?
   There are 16 episodes.
2. In which year was ‘Its Okay to Not Be Okay’ released?
   2020
3. Does ‘Its Okay to Not Be Okay’ include fairy tales?
   Yes
4. What is the Instagram ID of Kim Soo-hyun and Seo Yea-ji?
   The Instagram ID of Kim Soo-hyun is @soohyun_k216 and Seo Yea-ji is @seoyeajiluv.