Fresh off the Netflix mill, It’s Okay To Not Be Okay is one drama I greatly anticipate because of Kim Soo Hyun.
Marking my first K-Drama for episode recaps in my new blog hub means a lot to my sanity. *chuckles
I have made up my mind to observe brevity without losing the essence of the story and taking away what should have been enjoyed visually in my episode reviews.
Additionally, I might throw in ideas and insights to help understand the implied messages in the narrative.
Episode Recaps: | 01 | 02 | 03 |
Episode 1: The Boy Who Fed On Nightmares
Feeling uneasy about how the meeting goes, Moon Sang Tae (Oh Jung Se) fidgets as he stares on the stoic face of his brother Moon Gang Tae (Kim Soo Hyun). Bearing the litany of the school administrator, Gang-tae quietly cleans his brother’s locker, inwardly smiling at his hyung’s worried look.
Gang-tae approaches his brother and asks him what he wants to eat as they leave the school premise, walking side by side, like nothing happened. Apparently, the scenario is typical for the brothers who normally move to new neighborhood when issues concerning the special mental condition of Sang-tae erupts.
Meanwhile, popular children’s book writer Go Moon Young enjoys her meal alone quietly. However, she is interrupted by a mother and daughter pair, who asks for a signature. Obliging to the request, she sees through the lie of the mother that her daughter is her fan. Moon-young offers photo opportunity and whisper harsh words to the little girl. I
Infamous for her disappointing social skills, the beautiful but inconsiderate author marches to prepare for an upcoming reading session in a hospital. Driving to her destination, Moon-young’s sharp senses notice her company’s publisher fumbling on a phone call that came in. She orders to put it on loud speaker and listens as the hospital nurse where her father is confined, explained the need for her approval as legal guardian of her father.
Brushing off the request, Moon-young’s expression hints a severed relationship with her father. The nurse, Nam Joo Ri (Park Gyu Young) is ordered by the head nurse to secure the signature no matter what.
Coincidentally, the hospital where Moon-young’s reading session will be held is where Gang Tae works. Under a cherry blossom tree, she ignores the stares from people while she enjoys her cigarette puff in a non-smoking area.
Gang Tae calls her attention and warm eyes meet cold gaze. Following his warning, she uses his coffee cup to throw the cigarette and walks away.
After a busy morning of subduing a patient, Gang Tae’s day turns worse when a dangerous patient escapes from priority confinement. The patient reaches the venue where Moon-young currently reads her book. His escape inevitably cancels the event raging fury on the celebrated writer.
Finding her daughter, the patient takes her to a room. Moments later, Moon-young enters to intervene. She exchanges not so pleasant words with the deranged father who wants to commit suicide with his daughter.
Thwarting him to get the knife thrown out of her bag, the patient gets the upper hand and chokes the intruding Moon-young. Just in time, Gang Tae finds the girl and he was led to where the runaway patient is, in the cusp of killing Moon-young. After restricting the raging patient, Moon-young surprisingly moves to stab the patient. But, Gang Tae quickly acts and shields the patient with his hand.
The ruckus causes Gang Tae his job, as he is left no choice but to take the fall for neglect of duty since the person supposed to be in charge is just an intern.
Relenting to the decision, and because the time is almost ripe to change location, Gang Tae goes home, and meets his best friend Jae Soo (Kang Ki Dong). While nearing their house, Gang Tae remembers his promised autograph sign of Moon-young to his brother, who reveres the writer.
Settling to make a copy of the signature from online photos, war erupts in the small room they are renting as Sang-tae quickly figures out that the presented signature is fake. A whole round of apology, chiding and sulking among three grown men happen ending in Sang Tae sleeping with Moon-young’s books surrounding him, afraid that Jae Soo might do something bad to his collection.
Joo Ri goes to the hotel room where Moon-young is checked in to get her approval. Their confrontation hints a back story involving their parents.
Gang-tae reads the text message from Moon-young’s publisher and agrees to meet the next day. At different beds that night, Gang-tae and Moon-young think of each other.
In the morning, Moon-young spots Gang-tae reading one of her books. Thinking he is visiting for the usual damage control meeting for the wound she caused, she gets surprised when he responds differently.
He peers on her face, unfazed, he declares that he agrees to be there for the chance of meeting her. Flashes of his young boy memories parade in the screen as he chases after a young girl with expressionless eyes, who seems to be Moon-young.
Peak Points
Well Introduced Characters
The even distribution of exposure while shedding distinct emotions and sketches of the characters evidently impresses on the first showing of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay. On Gang-tae’s camp the established brotherhood suggests cute bromance in contrast to Moon-young’s side whose duo team seem to be up for a challenge in understanding their primadona celebrity writer.
Episode 1 surprisingly reveals bits of interesting back stories connecting surrounding the main characters that waiting for the big picture seems to be the normal thing to expect in future episodes.
Lively & Fast Pacing
Great that the storytelling incorporates humor and distinctly described characters on the onset. Tackling mental health, albeit set in a hospital, the series seemingly leans more to take the “healing drama” label with the characters own personal issues at the center.
That is good news indeed since the chirpy cast appear to have a lot of individual stories to tell, and connecting moments to share.
Kim Soo Hyun’s ab showcase at 12:44 mark
Forgive this fangirl comment, but that quick peek had me energized even more while watching the show at 2am-ish. Everything in Kim Soo Hyun’s visual spells handsome and happy.
Episode 1 Musings
I like how the episode title comes from Moon-young’s book titles, that I hope the succeeding chapters would have that feature, along with the insightful message derived from the book story.
Trauma experienced by children was hinted in the premiere. Something that directly speaks a lot about Moon-young’s past with hinted bad experience from her childhood. That probably led to her career which serves as a venue where she can pour out her unresolved emotional grievances. Her penchant for sharp and pointed objects as well as counting flower petals adds enigma to her persona.
Right off the bat, Gang-tae declares neon-sign-I’m-the-most-optimistic-guy ever in the series. Rooting for his journey to take care of his brother is inescapable. Apart from that, I wish his character gets to develop into someone who will be more loving to himself too. At least, he seems to know how to stand on his own ground, even defiant when required.
Oh Jung Se is phenomenal in his role as a grown man suffering autism. Notably, I appreciate that the show is careful in bringing the medical condition in a light manner, adorned with comic tones binding the relationship of brothers Gang-tae and Sang-tae. Details about Asperger syndrome surely would provide helpful awareness to the audience.
I am looking forward to more information on Moon-young and Joo-ri’s relationship, just as I know Kang Ki Dong and Park Jin Joo would spur scene-stealing moments in the series.
Lastly, I am expecting more dynamics to the already interesting romance picture between Gang-tae and Moon-young. Both reflect emotionally battered individuals, needing warmth specific to their needs.
Don’t miss this endearing new Korean drama on NETFLIX!
Photo Credits: tvN
Photos: tvN
