Categories: K-dramas

tvN Drama It’s Okay to Not be Okay with Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji Premieres to Promising Cable Ratings of 6.093%

Okay, I have no idea what I just watched but it’s all okay because it was so so soooooo good. The first episode of tvN mental health themed drama It’s Okay to Not be Okay (Psycho But It’s Okay) premiered this Saturday and the first episode was impressive and intriguing. Ratings for episode 1 was 6.093% AGB nationwide, and for comparison sake to other recent hit tvN dramas Crash Landing on You premiered with 6.073% and Goblin got 6.332%. This drama isn’t a fantasy romance like those two hits and I don’t think would rope in such a wide audience, it’s actually off putting to watch as there is much darkness and disturbing behavior all around, especially with female lead Ko Moon Young played by Seo Ye Ji.

She’s a legit sociopath but one that we will likely see was shaped by her childhood surroundings whereas male lead Moon Kang Tae is so awesome off the bat. Like, Kim Soo Hyun came back from the army and is even more of a heart pumping strong male lead onscreen. He takes care of his autistic brother played by Oh Jung Se and also takes care of many other mentally challenged people around him as a mental hospital orderly. He’s do decisive and measured, and such a rich character to explore especially as he sparks against Moon Young’s brand of legit psycho. The directing bears mention as absolutely insanely well done, like The King: Eternal Monarch could have benefited from this level of talented directing but here it’s used to showcase a really weird and curious story line that makes me want more.

ockoala

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  • I liked the first episode!! The script, directing, editing and musical scoring were FRESH and on point. The drama is so intriguing, can't wait for the next episodes. I hope they can continue this pace and kind of story-telling. Since you mentioned TKEM, IOTNBO's first episode is more cohesive and seems to be well-done. :) It's looking like it's going to be a great comeback project for KSH.

    • I believe Kim Soo Hyun is really a very good actor so no matter who you pair him with or what kind of character he portrays, it will go well to him coz he acts as the character. And he's really handsome. I only looked forward to this series because of him.

  • I enjoyed the first episode. It was all good. But, still have to watch more episodes how they will turn out.
    Guys! Anyone watched Backstreet Rookie? It is so bad and fucking racist (so gross). It is even worse than The King.

  • I liked the Tim Burton inspired opening scene...its a clever way of introducing central plot...I liked the sensitivity and thoughtfullness that has gone into portraying mental health issues in child and parent dynamic...I liked how they used fantasy elements to avoid showing the downside of being a care giver or nurse in a mental health institution...cinematography, editing, acting A+ for now...hope it can keep this up....Also Kim Soo Hyun and Seo Ye Ji are on fire together.

  • This explains why the first half of Backstreet Rookie yesterday night only rated 3.7%, since it (10:00-10:40) overlaps with the last stretch of It's Okay to Not Be Okay (9:00-10:30). At least, the rating for the second half of BR (10:40-11:10) leaped to 6.8%. Still worse than The King's numbers though.

    • This drama airs from 9:00-10:10 BR airs from 10:00 to 11:10. There is almost no overlap and does not explain a rating of 3%.

    • Sane people will not compare the blockbuster TKEM with Backstreet Rookie, especially that BR is on iQiYi and TKEM is promoted in Netflix. TKEM has Kim Eun Sook, LMH, KGE, WDH and all the promo. BR has KYJ and JCW, probably the fiery priest PD name.

      On the other hand, if BR can get 6% and the finale of TKEM get 8% it say much more about TKEM than BR.

      I don't get about people that make a case from nothing, who knows how both drama will ends up.

    • 6% on a primtime timeslot without any competition is very low for Backstreet Rookie. Though it doesn't even deserve that much because the drama is racist and sexist to the core. I'm glad netizens see that and are actively criticizing it and calling for it to be cancelled.

      • but still.. there are still many of their fans tried to defend this by blaming the fault on the korean feminist which i found it funny. just accept it that the 1st ep of BR is crap

  • The first episode just sparked! It was tense and funny and macabre. I loved Seo Ye Ji in Save Me. This is a great showcase so far for her powerful presence, she just draws the eye. She’s so assured in this- not one second feels forced or stagey.

  • On one hand other shows are doing dismal performance in ratings , but this one is surely going to go super high .However it will be too early to bet that it can rake in that coveted 20pc mark.But I m hopefull that it won't take much time to reach double digit.
    TVN came back with a bang...Post CLOY ,the last two dramas did decent business but this is KSH'S star power to have brought in mamy audience in the first episode itself.
    It is definitely deserving of all the praises. The shots, cinematography, bgm ,ost ..it was eccentric.
    Not to forget that chemistry between leads plus the over all acting by everyone is so great.. I specifically would like to pat on the back of the director, editor and the cameraman for engaging us in such a enjoyable way with those beautiful shots and angles.
    The three TKEM directors need to take a lesson from this pd.
    So far the story is intriguing and it definitely met all of the expectations which was required for the premier.
    I m eagerly waiting for tonight's episode
    ??.

  • I don't know, I find the premise is promising, but the execution is abit confusing. Might be it's because it's still the first episode. I find Backstreet Rookie is more enjoyable to watch.

  • I feel worry about this drama, many kdrama seems to try big and heavy topic but they don't actually want to talk about it or explored it and then use "love" to cure it all. It's not that I don't have faith but I've seen it over and over and I just hope this isn't the case.
    Okay 1st episode, also, I feel like being a princess isn't that bad, why must be a witch when a witch is usually someone who took the dark path and using "immoral" way, why not just become ourselves.
    I still feel like being a princess isn't necessarily equate to bad things

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