The producer of the show "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" reveals that he wrote the characters for Ko Moon Young and Moon Kang Tae precisely to deliver valuable yet difficult life lessons.
Producer Park Sin Woo tells the narrative behind the story in an interview with Star News. Although global society is growing and normalizing mental health issues, it is still highly condemned in South Korea. He wanted to show the side behind the struggles of those who have psychological problems are also people.
Seo Ye Ji plays the character of Ko Moon Young, a cruel and closed-off person. No one understands her and the reasons behind her actions.
The way she acts out is how she survives alone in this world. Park Sin Woo was careful to stress it subtly within the drama, which is why he thinks the character is portrayed as an enthralling one, instead of cruel.
The producer related that although she could seem keen, she remains stuck as a child for a long time in the drama, as are often seen within the way she craves affection and a spotlight. Only at the end, when released from her trauma, can viewers truly see maturity and growth in her character.
On Kim Soo Hyun as Moon Kang Tae, he learned to like something which he previously stopped himself from loving because he thought it was selfish. Indeed, loving someone is selfish but necessary to one's happiness and growth as a person.
Producer Park Sin Woo shared that if being with someone becomes a pain to both of you, it is okay to distance. However, if you feel that you can withstand the pain together, causing you to be happier, then you ought to make the judgment that it's alright for the two of you to be together.
On his closing statements, he emphasized that as much it is okay not to be okay, it's okay to prioritize yourself first, love yourself, and do what makes you happy as long you are not hurting yourself. Once you have fulfilled the needs of yourself, then you will find ease to look after others.
