It's Okay To Not Be Okay

 

It has been a marvelous 8 weeks with these trio. How do I move on?

It's Okay to not be Okay is one of the best dramas of 2020. If there's anything redeeming about this crappy year, it's this series (and sige na nga, pati CLOY).

I've seen my share of KDramas that tackle mental illness but this by far, is the one I like the most. With mental illness being more recognized and veering away from being taboo, it gives viewers another picture on the lives of families struggling with these realities.

Some of the scenes are romanticized but the lines are eye opening and perhaps, even heart-wrenching. It was satisfying to see the characters grow into the better versions of themselves. They managed to face all the hurts and pains and learned how to heal. Comparing their characters in the finale vs the pilot, they surely have come such a long way. 

I loved how Sang Tae, the older brother "grew" up and realized that he's the hyung. The waterworks came when Sang Tae told his younger brother that Gang Tae belongs to Gang Tae and that he was not born to be the caregiver of his older brother. 

I liked that each episode revolves around a certain fairy tale. My favorite, by far, is the one from the pilot as it set the tone for the whole drama. It also has one of the most poignant lines, for me:

'Hurtful, painful memories. Memories of deep regrets. Memories of hurting others and being hurt. Memories of being abandoned. Only those with such memories buried in their hearts can become stronger, more passionate, and emotionally flexible. And only those can attain happiness.'

So don't forget any of it. Remember it all and overcome it. If you don't overcome it, you'll always be a kid whose soul never grows."

The pilot episode is whimsical which caught my attention. And the female lead, Seo Ye-Ji was so unlike any other. She carried being a bitch so well and her distinctive voice put her above other Korean actresses.  She has come a long way from the teeny-bopper love interest of GDragon in BigBang’s MV Let’s Not Fall In Love.

I’ve seen Kim Soo Hyun in previous dramas but this is his first post-military stint full length project (not counting his cameos in Hotel del Luna and CLOY). I knew that he’s a brilliant actor but he blew my mind again with his performance here.

Oh Jung Se is a revelation. I first saw him in Touch Your Heart but this one, is his best (next to Camellia where he won best supporting actor in the recent Baeksang awards). He made my heart ache with his thoughtful portrayal of a person with mental disabilities. And when he took time off his busy schedule to meet with a fan who has the same condition as his character, my tears started to flow. And he even came dressed as Sang Tae!

I love the story. I love the acting. I love the cinematography. I love this drama!

And that finale. It certainly wrapped everything up and allowed us to say goodbye to characters that we've invested 24 hours of our lives with. It was fulfilling to see the cameos return and their stories incorporated in KMY'S final book. I'm amazed how the writer managed to bring everything together in the end.

If I’m going to nitpick, I’m not satisfied with the explanation of Ko Moon Young’s mother. After scaring us for so many episodes, that's it? 

Also, though there were some nice songs in the OST, nothing that would stick in my mind.

I've said my share of goodbyes to awesome dramas in the past two years that I've been watching. But this one will stay with me for a long, long time.

Rating: Five Tissue Boxes!

Ps

Remember that sometimes, it really is okay not to be okay.

Watched: June 29 - Aug 9, 2020

Vincenzo: A Review

From Netflix FB page

With possible spoilers. Read at your own risk.

This drama made me realize how difficult it is to be Lawful Good. We have always been educated and even reiterated in other dramas that criminals, though how evil and despicable they are, should be dealt with in accordance of the law. Moreover, with their human rights protected. But there will always be a part in us that will yearn for biblical justice--an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. And suffice to say, this drama successfully wooed my bloodthirsty side.

Throughout the whole series, we've seen how the people of Babel group lead by Chairman Jang, superbly played by Ok Taecyeon (and I say that without prejudice), kill people ruthlessly without blinking an eye. We grieved with the victims and even cheered them on when they were able to get justice at the end. And that justice, oh wow, it was so satisfyingly delivered. I should feel pity on how our hero, Vincenzo, dealt with their punishment but it was so so SOOOO deserved.

There were those who only saw Ok Taecyeon for the first time. He was actually the main reason (yes, Song Joong ki was the second) why I watched this drama. OTY is a member of the kpop group, 2PM, before he ventured into acting (he's still a member of the group and still promotes with them. In fact, they have a scheduled comeback later this year). This is actually his 6th drama that I've watched not counting his reality show appearances (3 Meals a Day and 2PM Wild Six!). Amongst all his shows, Vincenzo is where he managed to show more depth and improvement in his acting. I'm SO proud of him!

A lot of viewers were also not happy with the death of Jang Han Seo. I felt ok with that as it made me despise Chairman Jang Han Seok more. If ever I felt pity for that psychotic chairman, it disappeared when he killed his own brother.

Kwak Dong Yeon, the actor who played Jang Han Seo, again showed his notable acting chops (I can still remember his memorable appearance, albeit a cameo, in It's Okay Not to be Okay). If it's character development that we're looking for then his is the one that deserves an applause. After being physically beaten by his own brother for years, he found the "brotherhood" that he was looking for in his former arch-nemesis. It made his death more bittersweet and touching.

I should also mention the awesome cinematography of the series and the OST too! I love the instrumental violins (?) that were played at the end when Vincenzo was walking away. Makes you really want to give it a standing ovation.

Am glad they did not go too heavy on the romantic scenes. I liked his chemistry with the female lead but am more focused with Vincenzo's relationship with the other characters--the Geumga Squad for one. They're my favorites here, most of all, the president of Vincenzo's fanclub (Oh My Consiglieri). Gosh! That was a riot! Hahaha!

If I were to have a peeve it would be the product placements (PP). South Korean dramas are notorious for their PPs especially if the lead is a hallyu wave star. However, if the PP is smoothly done, it doesn't bother me and I just laugh it off. In this case, it's effective as I want some Maxim and Kopiko.

I originally thought that this drama was a tad too long at 20 episodes and 1.5 hours each! But at its conclusion, there were still so many things that I wanted to see--a reunion with the Geumga squad, the destruction of the building, Vincenzo's new "family island" etc. But I rest easy knowing that this drama entertained me enough for the past 3 months.

Highly recommending this!

Rating: Five Tissue Boxes

For the entertainment and for the superb cast.