Do you know you need to take care of your mental health?
Hey there, fellow K-drama enthusiasts, so recently I realised I have a bit of anxiety issues that comes up once In a while, this made me feel inspired to write about mental health and Korean drama that sheds light on it.
Also, I want to talk about it because mental health is really important to me. As someone who’s passionate about Korean dramas, I’ve noticed that more and more shows are tackling this sensitive topic and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Mental health is still stigmatized in many parts of the world, and it’s amazing to see Korean dramas helping to break the silence. Here are three shows that I think do an incredible job of portraying mental health and mental disorders:
1. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
This drama is probably one of the most honest portrayals of mental health I’ve ever seen. The story follows a man with antisocial personality disorder and a woman with a personality disorder, his brother who has autism and their journey towards healing and love. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s absolutely captivating.
The drama had had Kim Soo-hyun and Seo Ye-ji. The story revolves around Moon Gang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun), a community health worker at a psychiatric ward, and Ko Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji), a successful children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder.
This drama took me a while to get over with. From Watching their journeys, I realised that the drama explored themes of trauma, mental health, love, and acceptance, challenging societal norms and stigmas surrounding mental illness. It was a very consuming drama. If you have watched it, what do you think.
2. Kill Me, Heal Me released in 2015
This show is a romantic comedy-drama that tackles dissociative identity disorder (DID). Yes, you read that right – a rom-com that deals with a serious mental health condition! It’s a testament to the writers’ skill that they can balance humor and heartbreak so beautifully.
The drama had actors like Ji Sung and Hwang Jung-eum. The story follows Cha Do-hyun (Ji Sung), a wealthy businessman with dissociative identity disorder (DID), who has seven distinct personalities:
- Shin Se-gi (violent and aggressive)
- Perry Park (a young boy)
- Ahn Yo-seob (a charming and flirtatious man)
- Ahn Yo-na (a female personality)
- Nana (a young girl)
- Mr. X (a mysterious and menacing figure)
- Cha Do-hyun (the original personality)
Oh Ri-jin (Hwang Jung-eum), a first-year psychiatric resident, becomes involved in Do-hyun’s life and helps him uncover the traumatic events that led to his DID. As they work together, they develop feelings for each other, but their love is complicated by Do-hyun’s multiple personalities and the danger posed by Mr. X.
This is a very interesting but complicated drama but and is worth watching to understand the themes of trauma, mental health, love, and identity, raising awareness about DID and challenging stigmas surrounding mental illness.
3. The third korean drama to watch is is Doctor Slump
This drama shows the impact out of feeling depression and burnt out
These dramas are more than just entertainment – they’re a reminder that we’re not alone in our struggles. They show us that mental health matters, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
So if you’re looking for some amazing K-dramas that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even learn something new, then check these out! Let’s keep the conversation going, and let’s break the silence surrounding mental health.
