Kolorful Palette: Frankly… [It’s Okay, It’s Love]
by Fanderay
With all the other summer dramas on my radar I almost forgot about this one, and that would have been a terrible thing. In retrospect I should have been camped out waiting for the premiere since I have yet to see Gong Hyo-jin star in anything bad (I honestly can’t think of anyone comparable with a better record). The premise didn’t have me all that sold initially, but It’s Okay, It’s Love is fresh, witty, well-acted and well-directed, so really, what else could I ask for?
Somehow I’ve never seen Jo In-sung in anything, but his chemistry with Gong Hyo-jin is amazing. Not even in a romantic way (although that too) but in a “let’s be honest and vulnerable while challenging each other” kind of way. A huge portion of this drama is dedicated to nothing more than conversations between Jae-yeol and Hae-soo, but it never gets old and boring because watching how their thoughts and emotions progress never ceases to be fascinating. I’ve been trained to think that TV characters will always clam up in certain situations, or lie, or become passive-aggressive. These characters are much more developed and consistent than that, but they’re also changing and growing, so they’re not predictable either.
Probably my favorite feature of this show in general is the sincerity and frankness of all the characters. Jae-yeol and Hae-soo are the primary focus, but everyone else is equally earnest, and I find myself wishing that more people in real life acted the same way. There’s certainly a lot of bickering in this show as a result of everyone’s openness, but there’s no moping or grudges to be had afterwards. Everyone maturely moves forward, and animosity is quickly replaced by empathy. I almost enjoy confrontations between Jae-yeol and Hae-soo because it’s a symptom of them being challenged, and that’s something they both need. Throughout it all they both ultimately respect each other, but they don’t sacrifice their own opinions to cater to each other either, and that seems healthy to me. They’re also both willing to change their opinions when it’s warranted, and that’s even better.
Although the characters in this show have fairly rare disorders, I still find them incredibly easy to sympathize with on an emotional level. Who hasn’t ever felt defensive or vulnerable before, and who hasn’t been helped by sharing something personal with someone? I’ve certainly built up various things to be much different in my head than they are in reality, and even small fears have caused me to throw logic to the wind. The fact that even overcoming small issues (like a dislike of spiders) can be so difficult makes me root for these characters all the more.
The scene I drew is when Hae-soo goes to Jae-yeol’s bathroom to help him after he comes to blows with a hallucinated abusive father. The reason I chose this scene is because it really showcased the sincerity between these two so well. It hasn’t been long since their last fight, but they’ve both come to understand one another better already, and they’re ready to share even more. Even though Hae-soo is caring for Jae-yeol’s physical wounds, it’s pretty clear that she’s primarily there for emotional support, and she does a very good job of it, without any prying or judgment. Besides genuinely wanting to help each other, I think they both also recognize that they’re helping themselves with their interactions, and more than anything I think that will push their relationship forward. Their biggest obstacles are themselves, but they both know that, and I think they both view each other as a combination of treatment and love-interest. I already can’t wait to see how it all progresses.
On a side note, I completely forgot to draw the cut on Jae-yeol’s cheek until I was almost finished and decided I like it better that way, but I apologize! On another side note, I love the directing in this drama, and I really wish that more dramas would utilize depth-of-field like this show does.
I know I’ll enjoy whatever happens next week, but I’m most eager to see what happens when Jae-yeol’s hallucinating is finally discovered. He clearly has some guilt and regret to work though, but it’ll be nothing short of traumatizing when he realizes the severity of his illness, and that’s a whole new issue for him to deal with. There may not be a lot of concrete plot, but there are so many nuances to look forward to, and if you aren’t already watching this drama then I highly recommend checking it out.
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1 owl
August 9, 2014 at 2:22 PM
I just love this, Fanderay!
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2 adekmanja
August 9, 2014 at 2:23 PM
Guess I'm one of your latest fan Fanderay!
Again, another lovely painting (sincerely from someone who can only draw match-stick man!)
I like it minus the cuts! You have chosen the same shot as the one on the recap! great minds think alike ;)
I'm swayed with JY & HS relationship too.
But more on how this series bravely explore the issues on mental health. Put aside the parts of when the doctor discussed criminal record with his close friend who is also closed to his patient, the script is very thought provoking!
thanks for the beautiful painting again & the meticulous observation in sharing your thoughts on ep 6 :)
cheerio!
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3 crzycpl
August 9, 2014 at 2:24 PM
Loving this drama! Chemistry between JIS and GHJ rocks! Can watch these two bicker all day long. I believe it is all GHJ. She brings out the best acting in her co-stars.
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4 Catherine
August 9, 2014 at 4:27 PM
WOW, love your art!
Personally I really like this drama, its new and fresh and the cast is just so perfect. As said before, the chemistry between JIS and GHJ is top notch, I would be shipping them since they look so good together but he is in couple already haha :P.
The OST of this drama is also one of my favs ^^
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5 Bex
August 9, 2014 at 4:36 PM
I spent the day hung over binge watching this drama and it's so fabulous, I initially was going to wait for it to be finished before I started but it's too good and you're so right the chemistry is just perfect. I kind of wish we didn't have the messy sub plot of the step father's murder but I understand why it's there, I just really don't want it turn out that Jae-yeol is a murderer and that he let his brother go down for it.
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6 mai
August 9, 2014 at 5:40 PM
Fantastic!
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7 xfantasiix
August 9, 2014 at 6:05 PM
Wow...just wow, That drawing is amazing :) I love the way you capture JY's eyes. OMG his eyes T_T and HS's expression ^_^ So good. So hooked on this drama - it's like nothing I've seen before ^^ ~
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8 Kandiboo
August 9, 2014 at 6:12 PM
Although I like light fluffy and somewhat surreal dramas (what, chaebol round the corner? contract marriage with the perfect-on-paper guy? XD); I connect so well with It's Okay, It's Love because it is so real-life.
Mental illness is actually more common than people realize and even without the background of basically every single character having a psychiatric or psychological problem to deal with, I can relate to their struggles getting through life. Not to mention that JIS and GHJ's chemistry is absolutely wonderful to watch!!!!
What a horrible cliffhanger at the end of Ep 6! I can't wait till Wednesday/Thursday.
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9 ilikemangos
August 9, 2014 at 7:12 PM
Brilliant scene, my favorite in episode 6. The acting, chemistry, dialogue, direction.. even the lack of background music to this scene made it all the more perfect. The tension between these two were palpable.
This was such a vulnerable moment for jae yul, to bare his soul out like this to hae-soo. And Hae soo taking it all in without needing to say a single thing about it was spot on and closer to reality. Some things don't need to be spoken with words.
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10 thursdaynexxt
August 9, 2014 at 7:21 PM
Thanks for sharing your pic and your insights, Fanderay!
I think this is the best one yet! Love the shape of her hand on his shoulder!
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11 pick
August 9, 2014 at 7:59 PM
My favorite scene ! Gorgeous ...... Thanks for posting.
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12 Cherry
August 9, 2014 at 8:00 PM
I love GHJ! I would watch anything she acts in. But i think out of all the characters I've seen her act - this one is closer to her personality - she is honest and spunky. Lol
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13 Pearl~ai88
August 9, 2014 at 11:06 PM
Beautiful- you captured their expressions and the mood of the scene perfectly :)
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14 shasha
August 10, 2014 at 5:16 AM
Mother of god! you painted that? I'd love to be that talented. It's and exceptional painting.. It's just so gorgeous. I love the streaking of colours in Gong Hyo Jin's hair..
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15 memyself
August 10, 2014 at 6:20 AM
thank you for the drawing.
I already am enjoying the drama with all its wacky relations and circumstances. I felt the same way Jae-yeol did when he was first briefed on how everyone is related and where they stand relationship wise. That expression was just spot on: "what in what????"
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16 ashee
August 10, 2014 at 7:32 AM
I tried my best but cannot bring myself to watch this drama anymore....
A pity really as I like both lead actors.
Nevermind, I'll be waiting for her next drama! :)
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vintage60
August 10, 2014 at 9:23 AM
To skip our Korean "Katherine Hepburn" performance is a mental illness! LOL
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17 laraffinee
August 10, 2014 at 7:57 AM
This show has blown me away in the quality of acting and the script - the whole production actually!
I almost passed it up, because it appeared that it would be a fluffy rom-com, but the beautiful dynamics of the relationships portrayed are really exceptional! So glad I have tuned into this one!
This is one of the most sophisticated dramas I have seen for a while. Smart writing, directing and acting - what more could I ask for?
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18 Ara
August 10, 2014 at 8:30 AM
Even more than your gorgeous painting I love what you say about this drama, how you describe the characters and what's making them so special. Couldn't ever put it like this, but I agree with every single word u wrote =)
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DeeCee
August 11, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Ditto! Lovely artwork.
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19 Marge
August 10, 2014 at 9:11 AM
Wow, i adore your work and your review!
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20 grace
August 11, 2014 at 2:46 AM
wow! i usually never comment on anything but this is on point. You're so talented!! thanks for sharing :)
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21 Thandy
August 14, 2014 at 10:11 PM
This is my favourite drama at the moment, lovely painting .
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22 Nasa
September 7, 2014 at 10:15 AM
I reallyinto this couple.
This drama brought us to a new perspective to kdrama(not the usual love-mushy-sweet overdose)
It bring us reality.
Really love the script and storyline.
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