In the past few years Kdramas have captivated everyone around the world with their culture., storyline, interesting characters and cinematography. But beyond the usual trend of love-triangles or melo dramas, Mental Health has lately become a common theme in Kdramas. South Korea just like India considers mental health as a ‘taboo’ topic. So, this new wave of Kdramas is breaking the stigma around mental health by depicting accurate portrayal of mental health and its struggles, while also contributing to the growing conversation around mental health by bringing it to the center stage and encouraging us as an audience to understand empathize with it.
Let’s look at 5 Kdramas that break down this stigma around mental health.
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
Directed by Park Shin Woo, Its Okay To Not Be Okay is a cult classic drama in the Kdramaland that deals with mental health issues with sensitivity and empathy. The story revolves around Moon Kang Tae (Kim Soo Hyun) who works as a caregiver in a psychiatric hospital.
He then encounters Go Moon Young (Seo Ye Ji) an author of children’s book with anti-social personality disorder (ASPD) she becomes infatuated with him, and is determined to win him. But Kang Tae doesn’t really care about being in relationships or romance he is dedicated to take care of his older brother Moon Sang Tae (Oh Jung Se) who is autistic.
From the synopsis it sounds like any other kdrama with a ‘boy-obsessed’ female lead but it is so much more than that. Its Okay Not To Be Okay takes us on a wild journey where we not only learn about our main characters struggles with mental health but also that of the patients of the psychiatric hospital where Kang Tae works.
Each character and their trauma has been dealt with so much care and sensitivity. The drama is filled with heart – touching stories of love and support and is truly is a great drama from the plot to the characters to the actors.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
Oh Jung Se portrayal of someone on the autism spectrum in Its Okay To Not Be Okay was nothing less than remarkable. And the baton is carried forward by Park Eun-Bi in Extraordinary Attorney Woo wherein Park Eun-Bi plays the role of Attorney Woo – an autistic lawyer. The drama explores the theme of ableism and the difficulties faced by Woo Young Woo as an autistic lawyer who has to work hard to face the prejudice against her at her workplace and to be taken seriously in the courtroom.
It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
Another popular Kdrama centered around mental health is It’s Okay, That’s Love, is the story of Jang Jae Yeol (Jo In Sung) is a famous writer who happens to meet Ji Hae Soo (Gong Hyo Jin). They grow to dislike one another, but Hae Soo is forced to make amends and put up with Jae Yeol’s pompous ways when she finds out that he is the owner of the house she has been renting.
The two find out that they have a lot in common, despite their mutual hatred for one another, and since then an adorable romantic relationship blossoms.
When it comes to mental health and recovery, this is one of the most unforgettable series. The audience is able to empathize with and in some cases even sympathize with Jang Jae Yeol, when it is revealed that he is dealing with a serious mental disorder.
He was one of the first male leads in a K-drama who suffered from schizophrenia, and we follow him on his journey to heal. There are several raw and emotional scenes that show him trying to overcome his illness. The love and support that he receives from Ji Hae Soo is very heart-touching.
Hyde, Jekyll And Me (2015)
Gu Seo Jin (Hyun Bin) a chaebol and CEO of an amusement park. Despite his seemingly flawless appearance, impressive wealth, and sharp mind, he suffers from dissociative identity disorder. When his heart rate increases, his typical icy demeanour turns into kindness. He chances upon Jang Ha Na (Han Ji Min) when they argue over getting rid of the circus show at his amusement park. And despite their disagreements, they start to understand one another and grow fond of each another.
Due to a traumatic incident in his past, Gu Seo Jin emotionally shut himself and became the shell of a person he was before. Though reluctant, he slowly musters the strength to confront his trauma. As the series goes on you will surely be rooting for him as well.
Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)
Kill Me, Heal Me is the story of a third-generation chaebol Cha Do Hyun (Ji Sung) finds himself struggling with dissociative personality disorder after dealing with several traumatic incidents, until he meets Oh Ri (Hwang Jung Eum), a first-year psychiatric resident helps him deal with his various personalities before they take control of him.
This series does a fantastic job at not only revealing Cha Do Hyun’s mental disorder, but also doing it in a humorous and light-hearted manner at times. Despite the serious nature of the subject, Cha Do Hyun’s character shows courage and determination in the face of defeating his demons. He wants to learn about the cause of his illness and makes an effort to find an answer. He is a strong and inspirational character who doesn’t give up easily.
