Hi everyone, it has been so long since my last post. Today I am going to do a drama review of It’s Okay Not to Be Okay versus Queen of Tears. Since I had watched both Korean dramas, I am going to do a comparison between these two hit drama series. Kindly note that both of the drama is on Netflix now!
Storyline
In terms of storyline, I have a soft spot for It’s Okay to Not Be
Okay. The premiere of its first episode captured my eyes because of the amazing
animation. I don’t recall any Korean drama that used animation for their drama.
It was a wise decision because I was immediately drawn to the narrative and couldn’t
wait to find out more about the characters and their story. The storyline was
well written by the scriptwriter Jong Yong who revealed that she wrote this
drama based on her personal life story. She dated a man with personality disorder,
but she chooses to run away instead of carrying on with the relationship. The
drama follows closely with the message that the writer wants to convey to the
audience. Many life lessons were taught to the audiences through the portrayal
of the characters in the drama. We learnt about empathy and looking at
something from a different perspective. Most importantly, we need to love ourselves
first before we can love others. I cried and laughed throughout the drama, and
it has been four years and I still remember this drama because it was a
masterpiece which is timeless. It may not have the best rating in Korea, but it
does have many international audiences that love this drama!
Queen of Tears is a rather cute and beautiful drama about a married couple. I like the message of the drama which is mainly about the importance of communication between two people. The miscommunication and misunderstanding caused a crack in their relationship. The story about the miscarriage and the family dynamics were some reasons for the breakdown of the couple. There were some realistic aspects of the subject of communication. Therefore, I am very happy that the drama addresses this issue and makes us realize that we need to treasure the people around us. There were times when I was very frustrated by the pull and push tactics when the couples were together. All the blowing hot and cold to the partner may relate to the audience too. Sometimes, I feel sorry for our hero who was been “bullied” in the in-law family! This is a drama that really hit the mass market with all the right elements about family, love and some makjang moments.
It's Okay Not to Be Okay: Grade A+
Queen Of Tears: Grade A
Characters
I must admit that I watch both dramas because of our Hallyu Star
Kim Soo Hyun! In my opinion, I love Kim Soo Hyun since Dream High. Although Kim
Soo Hyun did not film many drama series, his taste in script has been very spot
on and I must say that he has an eye for scripts that are excellent.
Regarding his role in both dramas, I think he is good at portraying
both characters. In my opinion, his method acting in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
was a good attempt as he acted as a reserved and self-sacrificing Moon Gang Tae.
He has been improving tremendously over the years. We know Kim Soo Hyun is a talented
actor who has won many awards. The role of Gang Tae in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
left a deep impression on me. Although many people mentioned that his acting
pales in comparison to his co-stars, I think it was because of his character
when he was not supposed to stand out among his co-stars. He was supposed to be
extremely calm and patient whereas his partners have more outstanding roles and
were loud.
This does not mean that Kim Soo Hyun is incapable of acting. There were times that his co-stars outshone him, but he held his own in the drama, creating a well balance in the acting dynamic. He did mention during interviews that he knows that he will have to share the limelight with his co-stars. Despite that, he still wants to join this drama because he wants to be in a role to assist other actors to shine in a drama. Unlike in the past when he only thought and chose the drama role solely for himself.
On the other hand, Kim Soo Hyun did a great job in Queen of Tears.
I am glad that he decided to take up a husband role in Queen of Tears. He had acted as a boyfriend in many romance-comedy drama, and this is the first time he matured and grow into a husband material. Wow! He is a delight to watch as he ages like fine wine. He is already
in his mid-thirties; I am sure he can deliver a great performance in this
drama. His role as Baek Hyun-Woo is the ideal husband for thousands and
millions of ladies. Kim Soo Hyun has the talent to make audiences drawn to his
situations where we laughed and cried with him. This character as Baek Hyun Woo
is tailored made for Kim Soo Hyun just as his role in My Love from The Star.
His acting range was wide, and I really enjoyed all his comedic and adorable
moments. His baby face really suited this role and made his character so likeable!
It's Okay to Not Be Okay: Grade A+
Queen Of Tears: Grade A+
Prior to It’s Okay to Not be Okay, I did not know who actress Seo Yea Ji is. I thought she was a newbie and was in awe of her perfect portrayal of Ko Moon Young. This talented young actress has been buried underneath for seven years! That is such a waste of talent, and I am glad that she secured this lead actress role acting together with Kim Soo Hyun. She is so beautiful and fashionable in all her designer clothes, trendy make-up and nice hairdo. After this one hit wonder, Seo Yea Ji faced various scandals and been forced to take a break due to the controversies which was a shame. Seo Yea Ji excelled in her role as Ko Moon Young, a fairy tale writer with antisocial personality disorder. Her chemistry with the Moon brothers was out of the world. The way the main cast brings in their own harmonious energy in their acting. I like the way the actors know exactly how to react to each other like soulmates that matches each other.
I had watched Kim Ji Won acting in fight my way and I do enjoy her performance
in that drama. However, I am surprised that Kim Ji Won looks much prettier and
slimmer in Queen of Tears. She has that feminine look, and I must say that she
looks great with Kim Soo Hyun. She is a good actress but her role as Hong Hae-In
was a little stiff and expressionless at times. Probably Kim Soo Hyun is my bias,
so I was a little frustrated with her mistreating him with cold attitude.
However, this drama is mostly about the chemistry of the couple, and they truly
deliver what is expected of them. I like the back story of the couple after the
end of each episode. They really get into their role perfectly that it became
so close to my heart.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Grade A+
Queen of Tears: A+
Story development
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay has a great and impactful character development
for everyone especially the main leads. They had such a beautiful transformation
like a butterfly spreading its wing as it flies in the sky. The side stories from the other characters were also well written. I love the way the
drama interlinks the fairy tale story and Ko Moon Young children’s books. Like I said before, this drama emphasizes on character growth, and they succeeded in doing so for our main characters. It takes a person with an
open mind and heart to fully appreciate this drama. That was probably why this
drama is a timeless masterpiece despite its poor rating in Korea. I can see the effort the production team put into the drama. They
filmed this drama with much sincerity and like what Kim Soo Hyun said this is a human healing drama that he has hope will not be forgotten.
Flaws
The only flaw that I can find in this beautiful drama is the character of Ko Moon Yeung’s mother - Do Hui Jae. I think the drama can explain more about the disappearance and her motives. It was unclear how she survived the fall from the stairs and how she escaped from the basement. There must be something that trigger her to become a psycho, but it was not explained towards the end. Although it is only a minor flaw which can be overlooked, but I do hope that the show will explain a bit more about her mental issue. Do Hui Jae seems to be scarier in Moon Yeung dream. I understand that her mother presence serves as a catalyst for Sang Tae to overcome his fear and the closure that the main characters seek in life. However, this drama has been consistently delivers great contents and it was a little disappointing with the loophole and the undeveloped story of the real "witch".
Queen of Tears was rather interesting in the beginning when Baek
Hyun Woo was bullied in the Hong family. As mentioned before, I love Kim Soo
Hyun comedic timing. He knows that he has an adorable facial expression and
body language, therefore he utilizes it to its full potential in this drama. He
is so relatable and cute when he was “afraid” of his wife. Kim Soo Hyun excels
in playing this type of pitiful, intelligent and cool guy that we can’t help
but empathize and root for him. He is just so charming as an actor in whatever
role he has been given. Besides Kim Soo Hyun good acting skills and his onscreen
chemistry, I also like the family been closer to each other after the ordeal
and learn to appreciate each other. The drama series was longer in comparison
to other drama; therefore, the drama was able to deliver more content to satisfy
the audience.
I was totally scratching my head when Baek Hyun Woo was knocked down by a car. Logically speaking, how does he save his damsel in distress in that condition? He should be seriously injured and life hanging on the thread if that is a real situation. Surprisingly, he was able to get out of the hospital and look for his wife? The other loophole is that of getting out of jail in Germany so easily written off and it is anticlimactic to say the least for Queen of Tears. All the buildup in the previous episode became a bubble at the end of the drama. While I appreciate the ending at the graveyard and the family photo, do we forget that Hong Hae-In has brain tumor and it is a serious illness which the scriptwriter chose to overlook for the sake of the perfect completion of the drama. The villains and family drama were not important since the drama is solely on the main couple.
Screenplay
I think both dramas were good in the screenplay department. There
was no dispute that they put in lots of effort in looking for locations. However,
Queen of Tears, having a bigger budget and takes the cake for screen play. I love
the filming location set in Germany; the whole atmosphere was different. On the
other hand, It’s Okay to Not be Okay has the mysterious castle and a mental
hospital that have nice sea view. The other amazing factor is the fashion wardrobe that Seo
Yea Ji brings onscreen. She really looks expensive in all the outfit and grabs many
eyeballs with her beauty.
It’s Okay to Not Be Ok: Grade A
Queen Of Tears: Grade A+
Original Soundtrack
I like all the original soundtrack of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay! This is the song that lingers in my mind after hearing Moon Gang Tae love confession to Ko Moon Young! This is a soulful song specially for our Moon-Moon couple! Love it.
This song is titled: In Silence. I feel the pain of our Main leads Ko Moon Yeung and Moon Gang Tae. This song was so meaningful and touching that I cried when I heard this beautiful song.
I love this song by Crush – Love you with all my heart. My heart is flattering when I thought of the scenes with our couple in mind. Just like his previous OST Beautiful. This can be a good wedding song too.
Kim Soo Hyun sung in one of the OST in Queen of Tears! How not to love this song when it was sung by my favorite Korean actor? I just wish he will sing the OST for all his previous drama. He is a multi-talented celebrity and that is why he is getting the highest paid actor (idol, singer) in Korea? He just has the whole package! Don’t we love his charm and his smooth voice?
It's Okay to Not Be Okay: Grade A+
Queen Of Tears: A+
