Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, which has become one of Netflix’s most beloved Korean series worldwide.
This compelling psychological romance drama premiered in June 2020, featuring 16 episodes of approximately 70 minutes each on Netflix. The series masterfully blends mental health themes with gothic fairy tale elements, creating a unique narrative that explores trauma, healing, and the power of human connection. Set against the backdrop of a psychiatric hospital, the story follows the intertwined lives of three individuals who help each other confront their deepest fears and emotional wounds.
When Broken Souls Find Each Other
The story centers around Moon Gang-tae, a psychiatric ward caregiver who has spent his life taking care of his autistic older brother Sang-tae while suppressing his own dreams and emotions. Their carefully structured world is disrupted when they encounter Ko Moon-young, a successful but deeply troubled children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder. Moon-young becomes fascinated with Gang-tae, pursuing him relentlessly while he tries to maintain distance to protect both himself and his brother.
As the three characters’ lives become increasingly intertwined, dark secrets from their shared past begin to surface. The series explores how childhood trauma has shaped each character, revealing connections that run deeper than mere coincidence. Through Moon-young’s haunting fairy tales and the brothers’ journey of self-discovery, the drama weaves a complex narrative about confronting inner demons and learning to heal.
Moon Gang-tae: The Selfless Caregiver’s Journey
Gang-tae represents the archetype of the self-sacrificing caregiver who has lost touch with his own identity. His character arc brilliantly portrays someone who has been so focused on others’ needs that he’s forgotten his own dreams and desires. Throughout the series, we watch him slowly learn to acknowledge his own worth and right to happiness.
His relationship with his brother Sang-tae forms the emotional core of his character development. The series handles their dynamic with remarkable sensitivity, showing both the beautiful bond between them and the realistic challenges of caregiving. Gang-tae’s journey toward setting healthy boundaries while maintaining love and support creates some of the drama’s most poignant moments.
Ko Moon-young: The Beautiful Monster’s Redemption
Moon-young is arguably one of the most complex female characters in K-drama history. Diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, she initially appears as a selfish, manipulative person who takes what she wants without regard for others. However, the series gradually reveals the deep trauma behind her behavior and her genuine capacity for growth and love.
Her character development is masterfully crafted, showing how someone who seems incapable of empathy can learn to connect with others authentically. Moon-young’s relationship with both brothers becomes the catalyst for her transformation, as she learns to see beyond her own needs and understand the impact of her actions on others. Her journey from emotional isolation to genuine connection forms one of the drama’s most satisfying character arcs.
Confronting the Butterfly’s Shadow
The series reaches its emotional peak when the truth about the characters’ shared traumatic past is revealed. The mystery surrounding Moon-young’s mother and her connection to the brothers creates a climactic confrontation that forces all three protagonists to face their deepest fears. This revelation not only explains their psychological wounds but also provides the key to their healing.
The climax skillfully weaves together the fairy tale elements with psychological realism, creating a resolution that feels both fantastical and emotionally authentic. The characters must literally and figuratively face their monsters to break free from the cycles of trauma that have defined their lives.
A Community of Healing
The psychiatric hospital setting allows the series to introduce a rich cast of supporting characters, each dealing with their own mental health challenges. From the patients to the medical staff, these characters add depth and authenticity to the story while reinforcing the drama’s central themes about the universality of emotional struggles.
Sang-tae’s character deserves special mention for its respectful and nuanced portrayal of autism. Rather than using his condition for comedic relief or inspiration, the series presents him as a fully realized person with his own dreams, fears, and agency in the story.
Success on Netflix
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay achieved remarkable success on Netflix, becoming a global phenomenon that introduced many international viewers to Korean drama. The series was praised for its bold approach to mental health topics, stunning visual aesthetics, and exceptional performances. Its unique blend of psychological thriller elements with romantic drama set it apart from traditional K-dramas, while its gothic fairy tale atmosphere created a distinctive viewing experience that resonated with audiences worldwide.
If you love psychological dramas with complex characters and meaningful themes, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
A beautifully crafted series that proves healing is possible when we find the courage to confront our demons and the right people to help us through the journey.
Detalhes da Série:
Número de Episódios: 16 episodes
Plataforma: Netflix
Avaliação: 9.0/10 IMDb
Gênero: Psychological Romance, Drama, Thriller
Protagonistas: Kim Soo-hyun (Moon Gang-tae), Seo Ye-ji (Ko Moon-young), Oh Jung-se (Moon Sang-tae)
Antagonista: Ko Moon-young’s mother (past trauma/psychological wounds)