There are many K-drama with universal messages but I will talk about this particular drama, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay because it is a profound and emotionally resonant Korean drama, it explores themes of mental health, trauma, and healing. This drama was aired in 2020 and it follows the journey of Moon Gang-tae, a caregiver at a psychiatric hospital, and Ko Mun-yeong, a successful but emotionally troubled children’s book author and it is their complex relationship forms the heart of the story, but not only that, the drama also focus on mental well-being that leaves a lasting impact.
Most importantly, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay tell us we can not always be okay and it's normal, just don't hold it in because it is okay to not be okay. This message is simply but yet it is powerful and it is one that transcends cultural and geographic boundaries. Many of us, regardless of where we come from are struggling with our mental health at some point in our lives. Some due to stress, some due to grief, some because trauma, or simply the pressures of day-to-day living. This movie encourages viewers to acknowledge their pain and accept their vulnerabilities, rather than bottling them up or hiding behind a mask of perfection because no one is.
One of the key themes explored in the drama is the impact of childhood trauma. Both Gang-tae and Mun-yeong carry emotional scars from their past, with Gang-tae having grown up in a deeply dysfunctional family and Mun-yeong suffering from neglect and abuse but none of them open up, they just held it in. Their struggles are portrayed with great sensitivity, it shows how unresolved trauma can affect every aspect of a person’s life because healing is not linear, it is messy, the process often painful and it requires self-compassion, understanding, and the willingness to face the darkness inside.
The relationship between Gang-tae and Mun-yeong serves as a metaphor for how people can help one another through their darkest moments. While Gang-tae initially resists forming deep connections due to his own emotional baggage, but later he learnt that healing comes through vulnerability and acceptance of help from others because it can't be done alone.Mun-yeong, on the other hand is both emotionally distant and self-destructive, but through her interactions with Gang-tae and the people around her, she begins to understand that love and support can be the key to overcoming her pain.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay also shows the importance of self-acceptance. The characters are flawed, broken, and imperfect, yet they find solace in accepting themselves for who they are, rather than trying to conform to societal expectations of “normality” or success. This movie encourages people to be kinder to themselves, to embrace their flaws, and to seek help when needed. This is a message that resonates universally, especially in an age where mental health issues are becoming more openly discussed.
It serve as a reminder for me and others that we are all deserving of love and healing, even in our most vulnerable states. It teaches us that mental health should be prioritized and that it’s okay to seek help and take time to heal, no matter how long it takes.