“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” is a South Korean television series that aired in 2020, featuring a storyline crafted by Jo Yong and directed by Park Shin-woo. The cast includes Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Oh Jung-se, and Park Gyu-young. The plot revolves around Ko Moon-young, an introverted writer of children’s books, who relocates to her hometown in pursuit of her love interest, Moon Gang-tae, a caretaker at a psychiatric ward. Gang-tae has devoted himself to caring for his autistic older brother, Moon Sang-tae. The series aired on tvN from June 20 to August 9, 2020, and is also available for streaming on Netflix in certain regions.
With an average nationwide TV viewership rating of 5.4%, “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” became the most popular romance genre show on Netflix in South Korea in 2020. Critical reception was largely positive, although some critics expressed reservations about the latter half of the series while praising the performances of the cast.
The New York Times recognized “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” as one of “The Best International Shows of 2020”. At the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards, the series received eight nominations and won two awards: Best Supporting Actor – Television and Best Technical Achievement – Television for costume design. It also earned a nomination at the 49th International Emmy Awards in the Best TV Movie or Miniseries categories.
Moon Gang-tae resides with his autistic older brother, Moon Sang-tae, and they frequently move from place to place since witnessing their mother’s murder. Gang-tae works as a caregiver in psychiatric wards wherever they settle. At one hospital, he encounters Ko Moon-young, a renowned children’s book author rumored to have antisocial personality disorder.
Events lead Gang-tae to the OK Psychiatric Hospital in Seongjin City, the same city where they all lived during their youth. Meanwhile, Moon-young develops a romantic fixation on Gang-tae upon discovering their shared pasts. She follows him to Seongjin, where the trio, including Sang-tae, gradually begins to heal each other’s emotional scars. Together, they uncover numerous secrets, find solace in one another, and move forward in their lives.
CHARACTERS
- Kim Soo-hyun portrays Moon Gang-tae, an orphaned caregiver at OK Psychiatric Hospital, who, while compassionate towards others, struggles with self-esteem due to past trauma, leading him to avoid forming close relationships outside of his brother.
- Seo Yea-ji plays Ko Moon-young, a renowned children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder, haunted by a troubled childhood. She becomes romantically fixated on Gang-tae, going to extreme lengths to capture his attention after a chance encounter.
- Oh Jung-se depicts Moon Sang-tae, Gang-tae’s autistic older brother, who idolizes Moon-young and aspires to become an illustrator. His fear of butterflies stems from witnessing their mother’s murder, leading to frequent relocations with Gang-tae to avoid triggers.
- Park Gyu-young appears as Nam Ju-ri, a nurse and Gang-tae’s colleague at OK Psychiatric Hospital, harboring unreciprocated feelings for him. She struggles with shyness and jealousy, particularly towards Moon-young, whom she befriended in childhood.
- Kim Joo-hun portrays Lee Sang-in, the CEO of SangsangESang Publishing Company, responsible for publishing Moon-young’s books, with Park Jin-joo as Yoo Seung-jae, the company’s art director.
- The hospital staff includes Kim Chang-wan as Director Oh Ji-wang, a caring figure who employs unconventional methods to help patients; Kim Mi-kyung as Kang Soon-deok, a skilled chef and Ju-ri’s mother; and Jang Young-nam as Park Haeng-ja, the head nurse.
- Patients at OK Psychiatric Hospital include Lee Eol as Ko Dae-hwan, Moon-young’s dementia-afflicted father; Kim Ki-cheon as Kan Pil-ong, a Vietnam War veteran suffering from PTSD; and others like Joo Jeong-tae, Lee Ah-reum, Park Ok-ran, Yoo Sun-hae, and Ko Do-yeon, each with their own unique struggles and stories.
STORYLINE
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” intricately crafts a compelling narrative that delves deep into the lives of its central characters, exploring themes of mental health, trauma, and the profound impact of love and acceptance. At its core lies Moon Gang-tae, a compassionate caregiver at OK Psychiatric Hospital, whose existence revolves around safeguarding his autistic older brother, Moon Sang-tae, haunted by a distressing childhood memory of their mother’s tragic demise. Their peripatetic lifestyle, dictated by Sang-tae’s fear of butterflies, undergoes a significant shift when they return to Seongjin City, their hometown.
In Seongjin, Gang-tae crosses paths with Ko Moon-young, a celebrated children’s book author renowned for her unconventional and dark narratives. Moon-young, grappling with her own inner turmoil and diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, becomes captivated by Gangtae following a series of serendipitous encounters, leading to a complex and emotionally charged relationship between them. As they navigate their intertwined pasts and burgeoning emotions, they embark on a voyage of self-discovery and healing, gradually unraveling layers of trauma and anguish.
Their odyssey is enriched by the presence of Nam Ju-ri, Gang-tae’s colleague at the hospital, nursing unrequited affection for him, and Sang-in, Moon-young’s publisher, who becomes intricately intertwined in their lives. As Gang-tae and Moon-young’s connection deepens, they find solace and empathy in each other’s vulnerabilities, challenging societal norms and expectations along the way. Together, they confront their past traumas, confront their fears, and learn to embrace their authentic selves, drawing strength from their shared experiences.
As their bond blossoms, Gang-tae and Moon-young’s unconventional love story serves as an inspiration to those around them, including the patients and staff at OK Psychiatric Hospital, each grappling with their own inner battles and uncertainties. Through moments of heartache, joy, and redemption, the series delves into the intricacies of mental illness and underscores the significance of empathy, compassion, and acceptance in navigating life’s adversities. Ultimately, “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” delivers a poignant and uplifting portrayal of resilience, healing, and the transformative potency of love amidst adversity.
