Non-Spoiler Review: It’s Okay, That’s Love

From left to right: main characters Lee Kwang-Soo (Park Soo-Gwang), Jang Jae-Yeol (Zo

In-Sung), Ji Hae-Soo (Kong Hyo-Jin) and Jo Dong-Min (Sung Dong-Il) having late night

drinks as they casually discuss what behaviors would classify someone as a pervert.

K-dramas are the South-Korean equivalent of a soap opera. Although they haven’t become a form of mainstream entertainment in non-Asian countries, they do have a worldwide following. As of 2016, 18 million people in the United States were watching them through the video streaming service, Drama Fever. I started my K-drama journey back in 2012 and, out of the 104 dramas I have watched since, I can confidently say that “It’s Okay, That’s Love” stands above them all.

After working together in “Padam Padam” and the critically acclaimed “That Winter, The Wind Blows,” Director Kim Kyu-Tae and screenwriter Noh Hee-Kyung have once again joined forces to bring audiences “It’s Okay, That’s Love.” This drama tells the story of Ji Hae-Soo (Kong Hyo-Jin), a psychiatrist whose everyday schedule consists of treating patients with severe mental disorders, and Jang Jae-Yeol (Zo In-Sung), a DJ, radio host and famous novelist who is either writing in his office or dancing at a club while surrounded by beautiful women. In a society that doesn’t yet understand mental health issues, they both must juggle their own with meeting the needs of their work, family and friends as they try to overcome the unusual circumstances of their romantic relationship.

Although this SBS (Korean TV Network) drama was written by a Korean and for Koreans, it definitely breaks their country’s cultural mold, and it does so spectacularly. In a conservative culture which has strict gender roles, gives primary importance to seniority, frowns upon the portrayal of foul language, violence, sex and, most importantly of all, considers mental disorders a taboo, “It’s Okay, That’s Love” shouldn’t have been one of the highest-rated dramas of 2014 (both in Korea and in all K-drama video streaming services). Yet, it was successful, and that success is due to the fact that Noh was brave enough to write a script which discusses such unspoken of topics. Instead of telling the unrealistic story of a billionaire falling in love with a working-class girl, a common plotline in dramas, “It’s Okay, That’s Love” touches on subjects that affect individuals' everyday lives, a major one being how conflicts between all kinds of interpersonal relationships can affect the mental health of those involved. Because of it, people, both from Korean and from around the world, can and have connected to the story and its characters.

The production’s popularity can also be credited to it’s stellar cast. To name a few, famous comedian Sung Dong-Il, popular TV host Park Lee Kwang-Soo, veteran actress Jin Kyung and K-Pop star D.O. Each actor gave great performances focused on their respective fields of entertainment, unveiling the script’s full potential. Inevitably, the final product turned out to be the perfect combination of comedy, melodrama and, of course, romance.

The chemistry between the drama’s leads, both majorly coveted actors in Korea, is something directors, screenwriters and producers can dream of finding once in a lifetime. When I think of brilliant acting, considering film and television from all parts of the world, one of the first scenes that comes to mind showcases the protagonists of this drama, Hae-Soo and Jan-Jeol, as they grocery shop. The script doesn’t require anything special from the actors; all they do is place items into their shopping cart and share a split-second kiss. Yet, every time I watch this scene my heart skips a beat. The way they talk to each other, react to one another’s acting and, most remarkable of all, look at one another always ends up making me somewhat uncomfortable (in a good way); I feel as if I’m intruding into an intimate moment between two lovers. That’s how extraordinary the combination of these actors’ chemistry and their acting is. Kong and Zo’s performance served as an anchor that kept me chained to my chair and made me want to know their characters’ story from beginning to end.

That anchor alone, though, wasn’t enough to hold my attention during this K-drama’s extremely slow beginning. It took them four hour-long episodes to finally get into the meat of the story. What locked me in place and kept me from giving up on the drama, was the delivery of one of the main theme of the script: relationships.

“It’s Okay, That’s Love” showcases several types of interpersonal relationships, such as those between subordinates and their bosses, family members and between romantic partners. The drama demonstrates the rules, power struggles, inside jokes and conflicts of each relationship. What the script and the actors do so well is not only portraying but, in a way, also teaching the audience that it is okay not to be perfect. Each character has one or more major flaws and, although they get into serious arguments with one another because of those flaws, audiences also get to see how the characters work through their issues in order to preserve the respect and love that they have for one another.

Going into it, I didn’t understand why the drama was titled “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” but after watching it, all of the pieces fell into place. This drama teaches its audience that yes, it is okay not to be perfect. Like Lee Kwang-Soo's character, Park Soo-Gwang, explained, some people might be missing a piece or two, but that is okay because that is what love is all about, accepting one another in spite of many faults. And together, trying to find the missing pieces and completing one another's puzzle.