The Healing Journey as seen on Kim Soo-Hyun’s It’s Okay Not To Be Okay
I have two reasons why I watched It’s Okay Not To Be Okay (IONTBO): First, it’s Kim Soo-Hyun. Remember his role as alien Do Min-Joo for My Love from The Star (2014)? Second, I have a soft spot for stories that highlight people with disabilities. I could say that it hits me close to home.
In most cases, our binge-watching reasons would always be the plot hook, the star factor, and the romance angle. But the sustaining capability of a series is yet another story. Eventually, my IONTBO marathon is no longer about my Kim Soo-Hyun thirst. I just get excited to see how the characters fly. In IOTNBO, it’s the character development that makes my marathon worthwhile. It brings me to the point of rooting for them to find their real faces.
For the first time, plot twists and incidental revelations didn’t matter to me. It’s definitely more satisfying to watch the healing journey of three emotionally and psychologically wounded people and how they draw comfort from each other. Let’s talk about our new favorite trio.
Ko Mun-Yeong has lived her young-life boxed in a castle with mentally unstable and ailing parents. The obsessive upbringing of her parents that caused a disastrous memory to Mun-Yeong is the root of her eccentric disposition and dark, anti-social behavior.
Moon Sang-Tae was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. He suffers from a traumatic experience caused by the murder of his mom. His fear of being chased by a “butterfly” is the reason why MST and his brother Moon Gang Tae transfer from one place to another. His inability to analyze one’s expression makes him inattentive about his brother’s lifelong struggle.
Moon Gang-Tae forcibly embraced maturity at a very young age, handling the tragic death of his mother and making sure that he fulfills his purposive existence to look after Moon Sang-Tae. His childhood was robbed and he has never lived a life for himself.
The intersection of these three has attributed a lot to their healing. And it’s just fulfilling and inspiring to see them grow. Allow me to pin these special moments and turn-of-events that moved me and teared me up.
(WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD)
When Moon Gang Tae introduced the Butterfly Hug Method to Ko Mun-Yeong. KMY remembered this method and did it to herself when she had a nightmare.
When Moon Sang Tae was initially commissioned by Jaesu as a part-time illustrator for his restaurant, treating his work as a freebie for customers. Few episodes forward, MST has become a professional illustrator for KMY’s book, “Finding The Real Face.”
I bawled while watching this scene when MST showed his published illustration to his mom. Remember when he was cut out of work on the first episode because of his disability? Look at him now. I cried.
When MST and MGT fought. This was also the first time when MGT burst the decade-old struggle that he has been suppressing.
But this fight had helped MST grow and act like a responsible adult and older brother to MGT.
When MST realized how happy his brother is; that’s because of KMY. From the first episode, MST has been struggling to study human expressions. Throughout the series, MGT, KMY, and Jaesu helped MST learn human expressions.
When MST finally accepted KMY to be part of his family after KMY’s failed attempts.
When KMY learned how to handle her impulsive-self by counting 1,2,3; thanks to MGT.
When MST acted as KMY’s real brother by consoling her and accepting her unknown apology.
Let’s not forget about this glow-up though.
When MST finally let go of MGT after years of total dependence. This is also the most refreshing scene in this series. It overflows with love and gratitude. This was also when MST said that somebody — outside his family circle — finally needed him.
IONTBO holds the most satisfying and realistic finale yet in my record. Having the courage to deal with your trauma, having full control over your demons with the help of your support system or family — whether by blood or bond and replacing bad memories with good ones are just some of the things you have to imbue to start your curing process.
But the first step is admitting that you are weak. That you are not okay. The next step is sharing the journey with the right people.
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It’s Okay Not To Be Okay is a 16-episode NETFLIX Original Series headlined by Kim Soo-hyun (My Love from Another Star), Seo Ye-ji (Lawless Lawyer), and 56th Baeksang Best Supporting Actor Oh Jung-se (When The Camellia Blooms).
All photos courtesy of NETFLIX.
