Summary: Moon Kang Tae works as a psychiatric caregiver and also takes care of his grown up brother who has special needs. He is great at his job but he doesn’t stay long in one hospital or employer. Due to a childhood trauma, he moves around with his brother a lot. Moon Kang Tae meets Ko Moon Young, a popular, successful and eccentric kids book author. Ko Moon Young takes a liking to Moon Kang Tae and starts following him around.
Trailer: It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Genre: Romance, Psychological, Countryside Romance, Melodrama
Episodes: 16
Stars: Kim Soo Hyun as Moon Kang Tae
Seo Ye Ji as Ko Moon Young
Oh Jung Se as Moon Sang Tae
Likes: A beautifully-written story with much focus on details. I love the combination of exceptional characters combined with intense psychological drama, with added series of literary masterpieces and illustrations in a much rural, coastal backdrop. It was unique in a way and such an enjoyable show to follow until the end.
The grotesque animation. I’m a huge fan of this part. It gave the whole drama a dark tone and at the same time retained some cuteness. Which was my exact whole impression of the non-animated part. A great introduction indeed.
The cursed castle. This impressive set was just perfect for the story. A princess is not a princess without a castle afterall. Eerie but perfect!
The featured books and stories. I love all the books and the amazing stories and the morals that came with it but I think The Zombie Kid left a special place in my heart. Moreoever, I also like the touching story of the two brothers who made sure the other has a sack of rice for his family.
The storytelling with its animated illustration. Illustrated stories are simply the best. There are people like me who are visual so I really enjoy illustrated books, much more animated illustrations!
The titles of each episode. Yes it was the book’s title and each episode’s story is a reflection of that in the book.
The sarcasm in Ko Moon Young’s Fairy tale Class. I enjoyed this bit. There’s so much truth in all of these…
What is a fairy tale? It is a cruel fantasy that illustrates the brutality and violence of this world in a paradoxical manner.
Moral on Ugly Duckling – raising someone else’s child is unrewarding, so just look after your own.
Moral on The Little Mermaid – karma will bite you hard if you covet on an engaged man.
Conclusion: A fairy tale isn’t a hallucinogen that gives us hopes and dreams. It is a stimulant that makes us face reality.
The beautiful coastal, countryside. A break from the usual busy and crowded Seoul. I thought the psychiatric hospital’s location was a perfect place to those seeking emotional and psychological healing. Love the view of the ocean!
The OST. Love, love the beautiful OST: It’s Okay Not To Be Okay!
The Brilliant Cast…
Kim Soo Hyun as Moon Kang Tae – I know Kim Soo Hyun would always choose a good role and as Moon Kang Tae, his comeback role after his military, it was a sure winner for him. His downcast personality as Moon Kang Tae showed how well he could do with serious roles like this one. At first I thought he was too thin but I realized it was all part of it.
Seo Ye Ji as Ko Moon Young – no one could do this role better than Seo Yi Ji. She was hands down the best! I loved her voice, perfectly fitting her role as Ko Moon Young. I loved Ko Moon Young’s different looks: beautiful, sultry, eccentric, arrogant, intimidating – difficult with a beautiful and talented soul. She was every inch a character from a fairy tale, the one with the very tiny waist :)! Moreover, all the outfits she wore were gorgeous and suited her really well!
Oh Jung Se as Moon Sang Tae – I’ve got to give the best actor award to Oh Jung Se for doing Moon Sang Tae soooo well! The acting was just brilliant, hands down. I loved how he mastered the mannerisms, the stutter when he talked, the way he walked and how he could portray that innocence of someone who living in his own world. Such a brilliant actor!
The Ending with a twist. I love how the brother whom everyone thought was someone everyone would take care of became the one protecting others. I didn’t see that twist with the mum coming but what a surprise! In the end, everyone found their peace, could move on and grow more.
Dislikes: I’m less a fan of psychological drama. Sometimes it’s too sad. It’s just that this one was too good to let it slip.