It's Okay to Not Be Okay
"When you can't control yourself, count to three."
Overview
Desperate to escape from his emotional baggage and the heavy responsibility he’s had all his life, a psychiatric ward worker begins to heal with help from the unexpected – a woman who writes fairy tales but doesn’t believe in them.
What critics are saying
It's Okay to Not Be Okay is widely regarded as a unique and ambitious K-drama that distinguishes itself through its dark, whimsical tone and its focus on complex mental health themes. Critics frequently praise the series for its original premise, excellent character development, and evocative exploration of trauma. The show is noted for its ability to balance emotional weight with romance and comedy, creating an engrossing experience for its audience.
While the drama is often celebrated for its mesmerizing portrayal of human nature and impressive soundtrack, it is acknowledged as a challenging watch given its sensitive subject matter. Certain reviewers highlighted the strong performances, particularly by Oh Jung Se, though some perspectives suggest the show's moral boundaries and character choices provoke deeper reflection.
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is one of the most unique K-Drama romcoms.”
“A meaty, dark, whimsical melodrama that examines the difficulties faced by people suffering from trauma and mental illness.”
“It’s Okay To Not Be Okay mesmerizes with its brilliant sketching of human nature in its various shades.”
“The series has an original and heartwarming premise with excellent character progression and interesting themes.”
Where to Watch
Similar Shows
Want personalized picks like these?
Create a free account, rate a few shows, and we’ll tune recommendations to your taste.
The series balances sharp comedy with a deliberate look at mental health. By pairing an anti-social fairy tale writer with a psychiatric ward worker, the narrative moves away from traditional romance tropes to prioritize the process of emotional repair. The presence of an autistic character offers a rare, nuanced perspective on how deep connections form between people who have spent their lives navigating different kinds of exclusion.
Oh Jung-se delivers a standout performance that anchors the show during its most vulnerable moments. The writing finds humor in the friction between its leads while remaining grounded in the reality of their trauma. It manages to feel both reflective and chaotic, leaning into the complexity of the characters rather than smoothing over their frayed edges. This is an exploration of how stories, even those that seem fake, influence the way people perceive their own healing.
Cast
Show 55 more Show less
Crew
Similarity
Where It's Okay to Not Be Okay overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.
Shows sharing performers with It's Okay to Not Be Okay.
-
Crash Course in Romance
2023
6 cast members
Jang Young-nam
Kim Mi-kyung
Choi Hee-jin
Bae Hae-sun
+2
-
Our Unwritten Seoul
2025
5 cast members
Jang Young-nam
Jung Seung-kil
Jeon Jun-woo
Kim Ju-hun
+1
-
Forecasting Love and Weather
2022
5 cast members
Kim Mi-kyung
Jung Ji-hyeon
Kim Jin
Yu Mi-ran
+1
-
Unmasked
2025
5 cast members
Moon Woo-jin
Jung Seung-kil
Bae Bo-ram
Kim Geon-ho
+1
-
Big Mouth
2022
4 cast members
Kwak Dong-yeon
Kim Ju-hun
Kim Geon-ho
Han Gi-joong
-
The Sound of Magic
2022
4 cast members
Cho Si-yeon
Kim Jin
Chi Hae-won
Jeon Jun-woo
-
Castaway Diva
2023
4 cast members
Moon Woo-jin
Jung Ji-hyeon
Kim Ju-hun
Kang Woo-je
-
Agency
2023
4 cast members
Kim Mi-kyung
Jung Seung-kil
Jeon Jun-woo
Han Gi-joong
-
A Time Called You
2023
4 cast members
Jung Ji-hyeon
Kwon Ha-young
Kim Geon-ho
Choi Se-in
-
KBS Drama Special
2010
4 cast members
Kim Ki-cheon
Park Gyu-young
Kim Ju-hun
Seo Yea-ji
Shows made by some of the same people behind the camera.
-
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
2016
3 crew members
Heize
Sam Kim
Nam Hye-seung
Original Music Composer · Theme Song Performance
-
When the Stars Gossip
2025
2 crew members
Lee Soo-hyun
Park Shin-woo
Director · Theme Song Performance
-
Our Unwritten Seoul
2025
2 crew members
Park Shin-woo
Nam Hye-seung
Director · Music
-
Sweet Home
2020
2 crew members
Cho Sang-kyung
Nam Hye-seung
Costume Design · Original Music Composer
-
Still Shining
2026
1 crew member
Kim Yoon-jin
Director
-
Squid Game
2021
1 crew member
Cho Sang-kyung
Costume Design
-
Mr. Plankton
2024
1 crew member
Jo Yong
Creator · Writer
-
Hotel Del Luna
2019
1 crew member
Heize
Theme Song Performance
-
Dear X
2025
1 crew member
Kim Joo-eun
Theme Song Performance
-
The Prosecutor's Proposal
2026
1 crew member
Jo Yong
Screenplay
Shows built around the same subject matter.
-
Reply 1988
2015
5 topics
heartfelt
romance
bromance
romcom
+1
-
Doctor Slump
2024
4 topics
heartfelt
romance
healing
romcom
-
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo
2016
4 topics
romance
bromance
romcom
romantic drama
-
From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke
2023
4 topics
heartfelt
romance
romcom
romantic drama
-
Mo
2022
3 topics
reflective
heartfelt
empathetic
-
The White Olive Tree
2025
3 topics
romance
bromance
post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)
-
Mr. Plankton
2024
3 topics
romance
dark comedy
romcom
-
Like Flowers in Sand
2023
3 topics
heartfelt
romance
romcom
-
Castaway Diva
2023
3 topics
heartfelt
romance
romcom
-
Daily Dose of Sunshine
2023
3 topics
healing
mental health
psychiatric ward
Keywords
Details
- First Aired
- June 20, 2020
- Status
- Ended
- Origin
- KR
- TMDB Votes
- 1,521