My Liberation Notes (2022)

Comforting and meditative

First off, I just want to say the cast is fantastic here. I believe there is no greater acting challenge than communicating with silence — the most moving beats are the ones of silence.

Second, I want to applaud this drama for being a genuine slice of life. It’s not perfect, but it’s honest. It never strayed too far into melodrama, and it didn’t buy into this false hope like many other shows. The hope here in this show is genuine because it’s so ephemeral. It’s not noble, it’s prosaic and honest and desperate all at once.

And while this may just be my own cultural interpretation, I think this show gives a very honest and fair view of what common metropolitan depression feels like. In every character.

Lastly, the soundtrack is wonderful. Great show, and I recommend to those who enjoy seeing the truths of life through the eyes of others.

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The meaning of meaningless life

Huge appreciation for the writer to be able to speak for every lonely person out there, providing a little meaning for the meaningless life. It may not be a lot but it's already enough for that little happiness and understanding to happen through its literal storytelling along with its heartfelt characters. Every dialogue and choice of word fits perfectly into our harsh reality, the acting is so deep down it calms every wandering soul like a true companionship. Even though it's densely packed in 16 hours of runtime, it's able to contain almost every modern societal problems out there that you could think of, and also tackling life progression at different kinds of stages. It may be tedious and tragic, but the sad and melancholic instinct within us will always ponder questions on why we exist, why am i here, while working hard to adapt into this familiar yet uncertain world. After completing this drama feels like covering in a warm blanket and having a great listener beside us, that little comfort is exactly everything we need.

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See yourself as human being on Earth

I felt each piece of this drama. They show us the real life. I really love it. If you're tired of watching fiction, this drama show you reality, give a try please.
I love how characters improve themselves and how they mature slowly.

In some parts I cried a lot, In some parts I laugh a lot.
This drama is EVERYTHING 😏 I am glad I met this drama.

I mostly saw the drama on Instagram while watching reels. Definitely more than the parts I've watched on reels. It is more special and valuable.
I love each charachter and their chemistry, They showed us as human beings on Earth, and you will find yourself in this drama.

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Making Extraordinary Out Of The Most Ordinary

Not everyone is going to like this show, but man I did. If you are looking for a classic kdrama with flashy leads and romantic kdrama moments like CLOY, this is not it. But if you are looking for a perfect ordinary slice-of-life story that feels so real, this is it. My Liberation Notes revolves around perhaps the most ordinary family I have come across in Korean television. This is not however a story where ordinary people meet a rich CEO or a handsome demigod, no, they remain ordinary and interact with the local alcoholic. So I would advise going into this show knowing that, and also that this kdrama is slow. Yes it is slow, it is hard to deny that, but if you stick with it and aren't mentally in a hurry, then it pays off so well. The messages in this story are something that feels so real. It is about normal adults living their lives but failing to find fulfillment, and they sort of drift through their lives in a state of mundanity and repetition. You have to watch it to really understand what I am talking about, but it really should resonate with many people. These people are not really traumatized or deeply depressed, they are just sick of the state of their lives and want to find something deep. The Liberation Club in the show where this topic is discussed was done very well, and I actually wished they had more of it.
I keep using the word "ordinary" because this show is amazing because it takes the ordinary and makes it great: that is the strength of this show. It does not rely on cliches or fiction, it builds a hyper-realistic setting, and turns it into something amazing. Yes, a lot of this show is a family silently eating dinner at dusk, and in the beginning there is remarkably little dialogue, but this review cannot do it justice. If you want something new in a drama, and are willing to be patient, this show is very memorable and will deliver something truly special and resounding to so many, especially in the world we live in.

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Emotional and One of a kind Kdrama

OH MY GOD!!
it's 2022 and I'm seeing this kind of drama WOW !!! I'm Thankful to each and every member who's involved in this drama.

In everyday life we've seen some sad people filled with grief and anger towards other, tired of everything , disappointed with life and trying to get better life than they have now , want to be free from the things they've been doing by force.

In this drama lead characters were no different. Which caught my attention. I could feel their emotions ..not completely but maximum time yes !
I'm still not over this beautiful drama . One of a kind . Every episode , every scene was so precious.

First I'll talk about the main couple Mi Jeong and Mr.Gu ..LOVE LOVE AND LOVE !!!
How can someone write this beautiful , genuine romance?? I'm mesmerized. Still can't get over this couple.
No skin ship , unnecessary kissing scenes , no filler romantic scenes JUST authentic romance . Worshipping each other , giving courage, supporting each other without any shame, Sharing thoughts genuinely. Heart fluttering simple moments of meeting . I just want record/remember their conversation in the part of my mind. Their each and every words made me emotional .
I can't describe their love . If you can relate to them then you'll love it, to the point where you think why it is ending?
Mi Jeong got liberated from her hatred towards men who hurt her in the past. Mr.Gu stopped being alcoholic and gave up on his rough job , they both start feeling better with each other. Their life got changed after meeting each other.

And all the three siblings got liberated ...Chang hee leave his frustrated job and found peace in whatever he wants to do.
His older sister found someone she can love .

And the best thing that all three siblings lived in Seoul together in the end.

I just loved it.

Ost-s of this drama are BEAUTIFUL !!

P.S. This Drama is for introverts who can listen , can see others sadness without getting bored. Who loves to watch genuine romance. Character development. And can feel others pain ,who have patience ❤️
If you are one of these people..JUST GO FOR IT .

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Watched something really good after a long time!!

Wow!! Just Wow! I'm trying to get over from this drama so badly. It feels like is there any drama I'll like after watching this ? Still trying to another one. Missing this drama so much. I think this drama is for introverts, or those who understands it's characters. This type of slice of life dramas are love!
Each character's life & their stories are worth watching. I love Mi jeong & Mr. Gu's romance, instead of being clingy and Cliché scenes, they're so pure and truthful towards each other, they listened to each other and say what they can't say to anyone else. There's no skin ship & so many kissing scenes yet they have another level of Relationship. There's full of flaws and so true to themselves. They started from Worshiping each other and ended up loving themselves and each other. This is one of a kind love.
Chang hee & gi jeong, I liked their character development, if you notice, all characters are liberated in the end, Mi jeong, feels lovable now. Mr. Gu too, he quit drinking and maybe his job too. Chang hee had so many desires in the starting but in the end, he lives his life without frustration and doing what he actually wants to do. Gijeong finally chopped her hair and loves him earnestly.
Obviously this drama is Masterpiece & it's OSTs also, My liberation notes, sink are my favourites.
Worth watching drama for mature audience. No Clichés only PURE LOVE.

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make sure that what kind of mindset in you are before waching this otherwise you find it boring

starting from the story it was a simple plot.three siblings having problems and problems. how they overcome their problems curiosity keep us waching this.
cinematography: awesome you can't explain in words. director is a guru
Acting:every character performance was top notch.even the liberation clubs members were gave us heartwarming performance.
Music:also ost makes this drama more beautiful
if you on a clear mindset before waching this then you will enjoy this
especially I'm in love with this drama. every character was well written.
and it was one of the best slice of drama I ever watch

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Liberating the Talented Mr. Gu

You know that feeling of consuming media and already missing it even though you’re still in the middle of experiencing it? Like, your heart is subconsciously preparing you for being without it. You want the episodes to both slow down so that you can savor while also wanting to find out what happens next. How seeing the opening credits envelops you like a warm embrace signaling that you’ve arrived home. This was one of those dramas for me.

This slice-of-life, character-driven, nearly-plotless drama was scripted for introverts like me. It trudges on at a snail’s pace with its audience urging it to hurry along and do something (insert meme of stick person poking at that thing to c’mon and do something interesting already). It puts the slow in slow burn, making all other slow burns feel like you were hit over the head at first impact. It’s sloooooowww. The characters walk slowly, they eat slowly, pour shots of soju slowly. Slow is the name of the game. Why hurry when you have no where else to be? Having said all this, what fueled my obsession was the show’s execution. Because oh boy, did this show execute.

I’ve never watched a drama quite like this one. Where the director lets a scene simply exist and -breathe-. Where the silence between characters is more revealing than the dialogue itself. The loudest parts in this drama were the quiet moments where the characters aren’t even looking at each other. How brave of the director to let the silence exist rather than fill it just because. The direction here is both evident yet clearly understated.

Bravo also to the incredible cinematography. The colors and muted tones set the atmosphere because this drama was an entire MOOD. We have close ups of subway hand hold straps, we see condensation sweating off of glassware, we feel the seasonal changes as the chill of impending winter seeps into the bones of the characters. We hear the gravel underneath plodding feet and the sliding of doors open and shut when a character reaches their destination. Who knew that the sound of two bottles of soju clinking against each other while inside a black plastic bag can be both deafening and most welcoming. How characters come together for a meal and all that can be heard is the scraping of utensils and chewing. The silence is palpable as everyone is just trying to get through a meal while fighting individual battles of brokenness.

This drama is a visual and audio feast.

The scenery is its own, living and breathing entity. We have a countryside village with fields of greens and uneven pathways of dirt that take our characters away and back home again. Rinse and repeat. We have strong gusts of wind rustling through the trees and ruffling the sheets and garments hanging dry on makeshift clotheslines. The sounds of cloyingly humid nights where you can just -hear- how muggy and hot it is—all of this juxtaposed by the noise and brightness of Seoul, the supposed defining mecca for success in life.

The countless unpacking of delicious metaphors left to viewer interpretation. Underlining that the best stories are still ones that are shown and not told. How a pack of wild, roaming dogs are metaphors for freedom and imprisonment. How the subway serves as the division between the land of the living and those merely surviving. How the buzzing of an incoming text is a long held lifeline.

But more than any of this? This drama gave us the talented Mr. Gu portrayed by the incomparable Son Soek Koo.

I first discovered SSK years ago in the Korean adaptation of Suits where he played David Kim, an extremely intelligent rival lawyer and antagonist for the main lead. Think Moriarty to Sherlock but in the legal field. His guest role arc was only three episodes long but he was so magnetic and spoke perfect, impeccable English (kinda rare in kdrama-land, at least enough so that it's noticeable when it's spoken well). Fluent English that was delivered with such swagger that I quickly became a fan. It didn't hurt that the man knew how to don a fitted suit.

I next watched him in Designated Survivor: 60 Days where he played Cha Young Jin, senior advisor to the designated acting president, a meatier role that saw him on the good side of the fight. And in watching him passionately urge and support President Park's will to run the country, I learned how versatile SSK could be. Magnetic enough to take over the screen while also willingly staying in the background for others to shine.

And then along came Mr. Gu.

Mr. Gu, the neighborhood alcoholic who is shrouded in mystery. A man of very few words, but with an expressive face that conveys tomes of meaning you can’t wait to decipher. He portrays a lonely soul with hints of a dark and dangerous past. He never apologizes for who he is and even tells people: "I’m a bad guy, you won’t like me when you find out what kind of person I am." Only to be met with: "I don’t care. I accept you entirely."

He’s not a pretty boy by Korean standards, but there’s no denying the charisma and swagger that SSK (and Mr. Gu by portrayal) reeks. Honestly, everything about SSK is pretty average. Average height, average build, average looks—let’s be real. BUT the way he carries himself in this role… he dials the sexiness to a boiling point. Looks are fleeting…but presence? Presence can’t be denied. Both scruffy and clean shaven, Mr. Gu oozes presence.

How does he make dirt and sweat look so damn delectable? How does he look so sexy in a sweat-soaked, oversized shirt that desperately needs laundering and an immediate introduction to an ironing board, while also filling out a cable knit sweater and an overcoat like nobody’s business? How does one look so desirable dressed like a homeless man (actual words a character on the show used to describe Mr. Gu). And damn, can this man lean on things—against a subway railing, beside a car, against a building, walking up a dark, hilly path. Body language that is an entire character, one that tells its own story. The lean while delivering his rare, crooked smile is a true sight to behold. It’s beautiful.

And why did I watch this show hoping for glimpses of Mr. Gu in sleeveless tees and jean short cut offs? Because arms. And calves. And a face so delicious that I yearn to slap the confident smirk right off of it. I could make a home for myself inside his cheek dimple.

Make no mistake about it—when Mr. Gu is on the screen it’s impossible for me to look anywhere else. He is that mesmerizing. I grew so attached to his character that when Mr. Gu’s past indeed catches up to him, I fervently watched with bated breath hoping he comes out of the other side unscathed.

And it's not about me having a crush, it's that SSK is SO magnetic in this role that you're invested in his character and where he's going and where he ends up. That's a true testament to an actor, when you get the audience to CARE about the character even though said character is imperfect in every possible way.

I know I talked at length about SSK and his Mr. Gu, but this show features an ensemble cast of massively talented folks who all excel at micro-expressions. It’s Kim Ji Won’s most mature and impressive role to date. It’s Lee Min Ki in his least Lee Min-Ki-est role. It’s Lee El churning out a sympathetic and realistic character who yearns for love while realizing she's her own obstacle at obtaining it. It’s about the entire Yeom family existing alongside each other without ever truly talking or listening to one another. And still yet, it's in seeing each other for who we are and less of who we want the other to be. It's the idea of escaping and running from a past that we can never truly leave behind.

As much as I’ve touted the show, I understand that it’s not for everyone. The slow pacing can be off putting. There are parts that can be a slog to get through (it never was for me for what that’s worth). Some may even drop it for lack of moving plot, but man…. the journey is so wholly satisfying simply because it’s entirely relatable. These people are my people, my fellow introverts who are trudging through life one day at a time, piecing together small moments of happiness to offset their loneliness. It’s in the measurement of self-worth and finding your place in society. It’s discovering and accepting that you’re lovable.

It all speaks to me so much that after the end credits rolled, I immediately clicked replay on episode one. I never do that. Not with such immediacy and need.

In an interview, SSK referred to playing Mr. Gu as possibly his role of a lifetime. He urged viewers to pay attention when watching, for it might just change their life. It certainly did mine. I'm jealous of any of you who are still reading that have yet to experience this extraordinary drama. If you decide to give My Liberation Notes a go, consider yourself warned, you might just catch some very big feelings along the way.

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Mixed feelings

I have mixed feelings for this drama. The beginning was good- I binge watched the first couple of episodes. The daily life between city and countryside was realistic and as someone who also has to commute (though I live in a city) and who is just like the FL an introvert I could relate to many things.

But around the 11th epsiode I started to skip many scenes, especially related to the siblings. The (poetic) dialogues got heavier, seemed to be forced, the order of the scenes didn't seem coherent and it was hard to follow. Also I couldn't stand the toxic behaviour of some characters. I made me mad how the brother treated his chummy friend. It was also such a disappointment that we didn't get more romantic scenes between FL and ML. I was rooting so much for them and when they finally kissed the camera immediately zoomed out. It was a huge let down... therefore the rating in Netflix doesn't make any sense (in my country it is from age 16, same like squid game).

Also the huge alcohol abuse was irritating. They were basically drinking all the time and even if you are just drinking daily an after work pint you can be considered as an alcoholic. There wasn't a big difference between Mr Gu and them. I know alcohol is rooted into Korean culture but it was shocking that the consequences of alcohol consumption were so much played down and not carefully painted.

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this is for the girlies whose love language is acts of service

I had been in such a kdrama slump for like almost a year and then I decided to finally watch this show. I heard it gave off My Mister energy and I had had the biggest obsession with Kim Jiwon. I ended up binging this in two days and I haven't known sanity since. Like... what a show. Yeah, it's not perfect, the time skip that happens is a bit odd and confusing and it can drag and be a bit slow ofc and yeah... Sometimes it meanders and doesn't feel like it knows exactly what it's trying to say, but it's worth it for the characters. Park Haeyoung once again characters that feel so incredibly REAL. Like Yeom Mijeong's entire character felt like a personal attack against me and so did Gijeong to an extent like i swear Park Haeyoung has been inside my mind. It's interesting because Mijeong has the potential to be such an annoying, self absorbed character but I can't help but love her. She hates saying useless things she's so real she wants deep connections not just surface level stuff and that's the reason she literally has one friend and it's Hyeona who's actually insane we love a blunt queen. Actually Hyeona was also a personal attack against me yikes. But yeah Mijeong's such an interesting character to follow and I want to see her find liberation and actually relax for once her life like !!! And ofc then there's Gijeong who does nothing but run her mouth- the complete opposite of Mijeong- but equally as relatable. The whole 'pick it up girl' thing was so real and her staging an injury in case she got rejected was also so relatable she was just an embarrassing queen and yeah she was self absorbed and so flawed but idk I really enjoyed her character. And then there's Changhee who had the best plot in the entire show like. Wow. He's a character with zero vision and passion. He just wants to make money and he wants a car and he makes all of his decisions based on that. He doesn't stop to think about what he actually WANTS in his life he's just running off of practicality and the grind of how speedy life is. The way they ended his plot was actually the most perfect way it could've gone and it's impossible to predict like that was. Wow. I'm still not over it. And yeah. I'm in love with Gu. I love that man so much I so get why Mijeong went after him like he's so pathetic and dead inside and the way he would just walk with her... and accompany and her and eat with her... Like idk there was such intimacy in their silence I really don't know how they did it but at the same time that's the relationship I want. That comfortable silence was just so beautiful honestly and I love that she never tried to fix him like I don't think she approved of him drinking himself to death but at the same time it's his choice and she can't make him do anything. And ep 15.... YEAH EP 15!!!! That ep is the definition of true love im sorry. Also yeah Mijeong 'five minutes a day of happy moments broken up in seconds' speech is one of the best kdrama monologues I've ever watched in my life it stopped me dead in my tracks. What a gorgeous, poignant show like I could go on and on about the themes and the way transportation is used and just... There's so much to impact with this show and again, it's not perfect it's got a lot of flaws but wow what a watch... And yeah Mijeong and Gu are absolutely one of my favorite television couples of all time theyre so weird.

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"This is just how life is..."

This drama is easy, slow-paced, heartwarming, and inspirational.
I've seen this drama numerous times on my recommendations on Netflix.. but never clicked on it because I didn't feel like watching "sad-inspirational drama". After watching Son Suk-Ku in the drama 'A Paradox Killer', his aura motivated me to check his film history and I remembered that he did a drama with Kim Ji Won, which is this drama.
The way he portrayed his police officer character in the Killer Paradox and his side villain-nie... and of course, his handsome face. This made me have no choice but to check his other drama and watch 'My LiberationNotes'. Hahaha. But I do want to watch this drama so badly. I just used that as an excuse to watch it.
Anyways, in this drama... they truly demonstrated a lot of inspirational daily life choices.
The main one is alcoholism.
It's not easy to stop drinking.
It's an addiction.
But with Mi-Jeong's coping mechanism he managed not to drown himself with alcohol.
Instead of forcing him not to drink, the way she communicates with him helps him feel comfortable and allows him to trust her.
I don't really know how to explain but their relationship is so calming. I don't think their healthy relationship can be a reality in this generation as we tend to give up easily especially the more we get to know how addicted someone is to alcohol.
Yes. Love is love... but people tend to let go... because it might damage them in the future.
I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm saying.
The family issues have definitely hit me on the inside.
One being an immigrant... we may have jobs... but that's not enough to provide for ourselves and our family. I do want to help my family in my home country... but it's hard when inflations are fucked up.
Just watching the family members work hard has made me feel emotional.
The effort their parents put into providing for their children.
Lake of verbal affection; which is very normal in Asian cultures.
Asian parents tend to show affection through food and other household chores.
The struggles the siblings face every day just to survive hits me.
Life is hard.
But as they said... if you want to make a change in your life. You have to take action. But for me... how? Idk where to start or go...
Idek what I'm saying anymore.
I'm going out of topic.
In conclusion, this drama has made me emotional mentally and physically. But they inspired me.
The only brother with his change of career... im so shocked yet proud.
There are some unanswered scenes... but I love this drama.
Regardless of little skinship. I love their characters. This is probably my first drama with little to no kissing scene. And I'm totally okay with it. Tangina ang gwapo talaga ni MR. GU. AHHH.
ITS CRAZY how he's 41 years old.
At first.. im shocked about their 10-year age gap... and how Jiwon calls him Sunbaenim... but their chemistry in this drama is on point.
I LOVE IT. WOULD definitely rewatch some of their scenes together.
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Please. If you don't want spoilers stop. (It's for my future References)
I don't understand the older sisters' relationship... did they end up together or not-?
The best friend girl... who's somewhat seeing the brother.. what? I don't understand...
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The ending tho... why does it have to be like that... whats with the last-minute fighting scene? (Totally hot th0) but still.

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Anyway... this hit drama hit me from the bottom of my heart.
3/7/24 11:40 pm

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