Soul Mechanic (2020)

Chicken Noodle Soup For The Mind & Soul

"Because our scars are like a GPS to our lives."

This was mindful, healing, and found a place close to my heart as someone who struggles with mental health. It was a beautiful drama that tackled mental illnesses and the preexisting negative views that society has towards mental health.

The story wasn't really anything special or new, but the execution was pulled off flawlessly. While the storyline does follow Han Woo Joo mainly, it also shines the spotlight on the doctors, nurses, and various patients as well. Not only do we see the way they approach improving other patients lives, they humanize the doctors. They really portray the fact that everybody is dealing with something underneath very well. It was refreshing to watch. There was no perfect solution to everybody's problems, but it was more of a road to traverse with different checkpoints for the people dealing with mental illness. They tackled so many stereotypes in this, but it never felt rushed nor boring. There was a pace set, and they kept to it.

The acting really carried Soul Mechanic. There was not one actor in here who delivered a less than stellar performance, but special kudos to Jung So Min. Her portrayal of her character's illness was emotionally evoking and spot on. There were a few times when I really didn't like her character, but I understood her. While some may say her ending was rushed, I had no issues with it since everybody's path is different. True to it's name, there were so many moments that really spoke to my soul in Soul Mechanic.

The OST is beautiful for this, but was sparsely used. If you're looking for heavy romance, this is not it. The main focus is on the relationships within, and how we can help those around us. There is VERY light on the romance, with a couple side couples, but they are by no means the main focus of this drama. I didn't have a problem with it because I felt it would take away from the bigger picture, but if that's what you're looking for, this may not be for you. There is also a bit of an age gap between the ML's that throw some watchers off. They were so sweet together, that it wasn't a problem for me.

All in all, I would highly recommend if you're looking for a content and relationship positive drama with loads of character development. This was a lovely and meaningful watch.

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Honestly, I love this show for its attempt to normalize mental health struggles. The fact that the psychiatrist characters themselves also have previous trauma / their own mental journeys played a huge role in driving the message that "Everyone is a little bit sick. It requires a sick person to recognize another sick person." (an early quote in the drama). I'm happy that the kdrama scene is treating mental illness seriously and is making many shows normalizing the healing journey -- Soul Mechanic and It's Okay to Not Be Okay, for example.

The main line of mutual healing and overcoming the past is very well-done in this drama, as it is in Korean dramas in general. Everyone's recovery journey is reasonable and believable, and the writers really got us rooting for even the ones who might seem like bad guys at first.

However, there is one major flaw in the story line, and it is the main couple. I get that transference is a common treatment step in borderline personality disorder, but the chemistry is just not there??? So that really lowered the enjoyment level for me. I also couldn't see any other significance of the Gongbap little sister's role other than messing it up for everyone with the things she does -rolls eyes-

The acting is super on point though. Especially Jung So-min's role as a BPD patient. I've never seen her play a role like this before, and I think it greatly expanded her repertoire of potential characters. Despite her annoying character setting, she really made her character come alive and win the audience's hearts. All the older actors were amazing too -- no matter good or bad guy.

I don't think I would watch this again. But if I did, I would rewatch it for Dr. Noh. He cute.

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Complete lack of chemistry between the leads spoils this one.

I took a chance on Soul Mechanic (“Fix You” on Viki) solely because it had Jung So Min in the lead and although I was ultimately disappointed with the drama, it wasn’t because of her. Jung So Min can play beautiful, shy and vulnerable with the best of them, but in this part she was also asked to express the anger and rage of someone in need of serious clinical help. It was shocking to watch in places, but she inhabited the character so completely that it was utterly believable (at least until the final few episodes, during which the script had Woo Joo somehow heal herself and get her life back together). Jung So min was lovely as usual. Her long wavy auburn locks were mesmerizing, and her quirky wardrobe with its long billowy dresses fit her personality wonderfully (although it was a tad hard to swallow that a struggling artist could afford those clothes and that apartment).

So what was the source of my disappointment with Soul Mechanic/Fix You? Well, for starters there was absolutely no chemistry between the lead characters Han Woo Joo (Jung So Min) and Lee Shi Joon (Shin Ha Kyun), which for a romantic comedy pretty much kills it. As I watched I couldn’t tell if the problem was with the actors, their characters, or the script. It just wasn’t there. Part of it could have been the cringey doctor patient relationship that the script tried to lamely explain away toward at one point. Part of it could have been that—even by kdrama standards—the romance between Woo Joo and Dr. Lee was incredibly tame (lame?), almost entirely platonic in nature. And part of it could have been the age difference between the actors Shin Ha Kyun and Jung So Min (15 years). They just didn’t look natural together. Speaking of age gap, I found it hard to swallow that Dr. Lee’s Dad was actually old enough to be his Dad. The two actors differ in age by 17 years, but they looked more like brothers. It was jarring and really affected the credibility of the story.

This is a weird show. It’s good in places, but ultimately unsatisfying. Fans of Jung So Min will see something they haven’t seen before, but some of it is not pretty to watch. Others will want to skip this one altogether.

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A Good Insight On Mental Health

This is a good story with some great, simple messages regarding mental health. It's okay to admit you need health, there is nothing wrong with having issues, acknowledgement is the first step to recovery. And we learn that thanks to our great leads. Han Woo Joo is our POV of someone with severe mental health problems that need fixing but she is still basically a normal person, just like any other. Lee Shi Joon is our voice on how to recover and overcome these problems. He is an extremely friendly Dr who is a bit eccentric but a genius in terms of medicine. And the hook is that he, too, is suffering from Mental Health problems (PTSD). So we have perfectly normal, well adjusted human beings that aren't exactly well themselves. That's a great message to present. Hell, even our main antagonist is just a normal human being that just needs someone to talk to. The rest of the story is really great with the side characters, cases that Shi Joon has to deal with. The romance between the two leads is less love-lovey and more theraputic and helpful, adding to the story rather than it being more for lip service to the industry tropes. The story touches on some sentivie subjects such as suicide in many different ways, family abandoning each other because of mental health, etc. It's all played out with respect and conluded in interesting ways. Sometimes good, sometimes sad.

The acting was strong, Shin Ha Kyun in particular. There is a bit of an age difference, but similar to the themes of the drama, it's done in a respectful way, showing age is just a number if you're good for each other. Jung So Min was good in her role. Whether it was her relationship with Ha Kyun's character or her friend, she was very relatable in any role that was asked of her. Her "episodes" for a lack of a better word captured the vibe of the series as well as you could. It was upsetting at times, fustrating in others but it was always exactly what was required.

Would watch again.

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Almost dropped this halfway but I'm glad I didn't

This series gave me a really unique experience. I love and hate it at the same time but more of the former. It started really slow to the point I've been putting it off as much as I could and almost dropped it but then at a certain point I just started loving it. I'll let you know what to expect on this series (without spoilers)

The things that I didn't like that much about the series are:
- The doctor-patient relationship. It kind of make me a bit uncomfortable. Their relationship seems a bit too far-fetched and to me they look more like patient-patient relationship however since the story shifted more about the patients' story, it became bearable. (Although I personally think there's no chemistry between them at all.)
- The first few episode have a vague storyline. I also didn't feel like the stories are not given depth but as I mentioned it gets better towards the end.


The things that I loved the most:
- Interesting concept of a medical drama set on Department of Psychiatry. It was definitely new to me and I immediately find it interesting.
- There were lots of touching moments. It is relatable and it makes you understand about human's emotions and thought process.
- The idea that treatment comes from oneself more than from the doctors themselves.
- The fact that the story also includes friendship, family and colleagues.

Overall, although I felt like it's a slowburn, there are still a lot of good reasons to see this series. I find it hard to finish it but I did and I love how the story turned out. It gave me a self healing and let me understand human emotions more and about mental health (It made me want to visit my psychiatrist again)

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dissapointment

What I liked about this drama:

- the idea that the patient himself/herself is the best doctor and the best medicine - that you need to treat yourself well in order to live well (it seems simple, but in real life it's really not so obvious)

- the importance of finding a not so obvious passion and that passion serves other people (FL thought she is destined to be a musical star, but she finds joy of life in using her talent in psychodrama and thus helping sick people get better)

What I didn't like:

- some patient - doctor relations are at least disturbing

- the idea of romance between a psychiatrist and his patient is highly wrong and unethical, despite the fact the we - the viewers - believe in purity of ML (that also makes the script artificial - nobody in the right mind could approve such a thing... if it wasn't a tv fairy-tale... It's pretty weird to watch thou, how the rest of the doctors in the hospital are fine with such a relationship)

- the romance between two main protagonists is SOOO unbelievable that even script writers have problems to pull it off and thus we only have some talking bout love, but NO real dates, etc. - It kinda feels like the "romance" is here, cause they were too scaried to make a drama without it, even if it's completely unnecessary or even unethical due to the doctor-patient issues.

- for the whole show I felt that FL is far more annyoing/irritating than actually sick and her story is too watered down and has no good tempo

- other unnecessary romances (including a love triangle of 3 psyhiatrists in which every one of them doesn't confess his/her feelings... just beacause) - all pretty boring and giving no real depth to characters, their past, etc.

- the issue of using a patient "as a medicine" to help a ML get over his trauma for his patient suicide. Very sick and disturbing idea.

Overall, I was pretty dissapointed with the end result.

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Good enough

" Soul Mechanic " was a pretty sweet drama.

It revolved around human relationships and the root of the psychological problems that the patients faced. And, they actually added many medical cases to support the main story, making it even more heartwarming and emotional. The main story itself was good, but the big hospital drama was just predictable and boring. The final ending had everything too easily resolved. Still, the romance was slow paced, which made it more realistic, and the couple had chemistry. But this drama didn't focus on the love story. Rather, it was more about family, friendship and hope. The cast, finally, did a great job with their performances.

So, overall, seven out of ten.

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You don't always have to be bleeding for it to be an emergency.

A story about healing each other made kind of messy, but still works. I liked this drama since the 1st ep. aired and I will continue to do so forever. I, as a BPD patient myself, have felt this drama in a really personal way, so let me tell you what I think about it (honestly).

''Soul Mechanic'' is true to its name. It is such a heartwarming drama and it shows people the reality of mental illnesses.: they're no joke, they're real and no less than any other illness. In reality, people suffer and stuggle lot and they make sure to portray it perfectly through every different patient. Different illnesses, different obstacles, different healing. That's what I loved the most about this drama, it not only focuses on the leads but on every other supporting characters too.

The romance plays a little part of the story; I wouldn't say it's the main theme. Still, it's worth mentioning. I didn't see that many chemistry between leads, but it's enough to make it work. Their relationship is heartwarming and, at first, toxic, but they managed to make it work and I'm so happy it did. It's always nice to see that kind of development in a drama couple after seeing so many toxic ones.

The acting on this drama is amazing. The main male lead, Shin Ha Kyun, has such a friendly face and is perfect for the role he's playing, and the main female lead, Jung So Min, portrays a BPD patient really well and truthfully. It's not an easy one, keep that in mind, and what you'll see on this drama aren't ''exaggerations'' as many people may say. I'm telling you as a bpd patient myself, as I said before; bpd isn't an easy disorder. I've lost more than I've won. The anger issues are true and the attention seeking is too. So keep in mind, if you're gonna watch this, it's not too much. Is a struggle and this drama shows it rawly.

To end this review, as I don't want it to be endless, I'd like to say this drama isn't perfect. I've only stated the good parts of it because they make this drama pretty worthy of watching and I wouldn't want anyone to miss it, but it's true that some aspects of it (ex. Si Joon's way of treating his patients) may be controversial.
I also would like to encourage anyone with a mental illnes, whatever it is, to watch this drama. The message it gives it really encouraging and it made me feel a lot less alone in this world.

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pretty sweet drama

●HOW I CAME TO IT
Well, this drama had been on my PTW, as being a medical background I automatically get trailed to the medical shows.

●STORY
It's basically a healing show where an FL is having a psychiatric issue, which ultimately leads to our ML, a well-known psychiatrist, and thus the story follows of healing and healed.

●PLOT VIEW
This is yet another drama about mental health issues, I was completely taken aback by the treatment approach of Dr. Lee, who always does cognitive therapy rather than medicinal treatment. Well, one part was good as this was the first drama where a doctor goes to extreme lengths in cognitive behavioral therapy but on the other hand excluding the medicinal approach of treatment is worse. As medicos learn the science and chemistry of each medicine and the human body, we understand its effects and side-effects, it's necessary to keep patients calm. We as medicos know better than the patients. If Dr. Lee had considered a bit of this, then his patient wouldn’t have ruined someone's life on award function.
Also, mental illness can be found in anybody, it can be found in those who are healing you too. The modern-day lifestyle has affected the medical staff. we hear a lot of them taking up their lives for various reasons, bullying, work stress, demotion, but we need to just take a step and get a SOUL MECHANIC, who understands and treats you.

●ACTING/CAST
All the characters were chosen very wisely and I loved all the characters. all the patients and the medical staff of the hospital did an excellent job.
Dr. Lee Shi Joon (Shin Ha Kyun) portrayed the doctor as a doctor with himself having a mental health problem amazingly well. when his face shined with a smile he looks like an angel to the patients.
Woo Joo (Jung so min) had an upbeat character with favorable facial expressions. I loved the scenes where she showed her Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Despite the age gap I still enjoyed their chemistry, it was natural, and their relationship blossoms into a kind of platonic romantic one which had an oozing friendship feel.

●MUSIC
It was found and well blended with scenes. keeping the atmosphere of the scene pretty well.

●REWATCH
Yes, this one deserves a rewatch, coz it's a medical drama. No other reasons for me.

●APPRECIATION
All the short stories are very interesting, maintains the balance of slow and steady stories from falling apart. The stage therapy was compelling to me and maybe I try it someday in the future too. It was inspiring to me as I too want to further my studies in psychology.
show's understated style and emphasis on the themes of healing and friendship rather than overdramatic romance, it was more about family, friendship, and hope.
And I admire the female lead, BFF who can stand being her friend given her toxic behavior. We often avoid toxic people, but what if they actually need our help

●CRITICISM
It would have been better if there was a clear concept of the diseases of the patients. Although most of them were imaginary, their elements could have been more perfectly blended if they had some medical expert advice. I wish the writer did more research and written it more beautifully.

●FAV SCENE
Woo Joo dance on the drum music to relieve the stress.

●QUOTES
A person who notices someone who is sick is someone who is even sicker - Woo Joo
There is a condition to full recovery, it that you must not try to forcefully erase your wounds, you must embrace, accept and love them - Dr. Lee Si Joon

●RECOMMENDATION
I recommend this to everyone who loves medical dramas. It might feel slow but it keeps its pace of healing excellently

●AFTERTHOUGHT
There are a lot of phobias, addictions, or mental health issues, which we don’t know but we have them. If any of these you have kindly consult a Psychiatrist, instead of fighting with it alone, seek help, and have a comrade in the form of a doctor.

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Algo Não Me Pareceu Certo...

A procura por um drama diferente me trouxe a Fix You. Comecei sem expectativas e por isso não posso dizer que estou decepcionada.

O drama não é para todo público, o desenvolvimento é lento e beira a monotonia. As atuações foram comedidas, nada a reclamar ou destacar, a OST e fotografia seguiram o mesmo padrão, nada marcante.

Teria sido melhor se tivessem focado apenas no trabalho da equipe de psiquiatria do hospital, mostrando apenas sua rotina diária de tratamento com os pacientes e no máximo o relacionamento interpessoal entre a equipe do hospital.

No momento em que a trama partiu para o desenvolvimento romântico entre médico e paciente meu nível de interesse caiu drasticamente, acho que no máximo o que deveria rolar alí seria um relacionamento de amizade. Foi um casal um tanto forçado, nada natural e porque não dizer estranho, já que um relacionamento romântico entre um psiquiatra e sua paciente não parece nada certo.

Resumindo: Sem nenhuma reviravolta ou até mesmo chegar ao clímax a trama se esticou por longos 32 episódios. Não acho que a história precisasse de tantos episódios.

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those who give this above 5 must do not have any morals in there life

When our ML become 20 year old adult
jung So min was 5 year old baby
Gross pedophile vibe,
Every time ML smile he look like a prevert rapist, no even gross then that
with his not ugly but Dirtiest face he is getting Leads roles only because he is good at giving BJ to PDs well

Korean director favourite script include
INCEST, pedophiles, and relationship those give incest or pedophile vibes.

Psychology manipulation for getting sexual favours from clints
Hypnosis woman into your bed, thats call professional
Hospital was full of corruption, and cocksuckers for ML
Why ? because He ML and director order all cast to suck him dry whenever he ask for it
he start treating patient so he can make himself better and it Right thing
there isn't any Ethics in this show no medical services act


Doctor forcing his lust on female patients
Some Serious disrespect to medical professionals

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Fix You/Soul Mechanic é o exemplo clássico de um drama que é perfeito para ser acompanhado enquanto está sendo lançado, isso porque você consegue assistir calmamente sem desespero algum e ao mesmo tempo enquanto acompanha nem percebe que o tempo passou.

E mesmo depois que o caos chamado "lançamento" passa, essa recomendação ainda é válida, principalmente se você for uma dorameira que prefere assistir doramas aos poucos a maratonar.

Por isso mesmo que acabei criando uma frase bem peculiar para descrevê-lo: "Fix You é como aquele relacionamento confortável que você tem com alguém que te tranquiliza só de estar perto." Ficou curioso pra saber o motivo de tudo isso? Leia o blog todo que você irá descobrir.


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EXPERIÊNCIAS DORAMÁTICAS

Ta aí esse foi um drama que não dei nada por ele quando comecei a assistir, mas que só foi melhorando a medida que o tempo passava. E, o final deixou uma sensação muito boa de que valeu a pena assistir.

Confesso que nunca tive muita sorte com dramas que abordam essa temática de psicologia e psiquiatria. Fui toda animada assistir: It's okay that's love, mas no meio do caminho senti que se perderam completamente. E, depois disso sempre ficava com um pé atrás quando pensava que o drama seria remotamente parecido com aquele.

No entanto, estou feliz em dizer que a minha história com Fix You foi totalmente diferente. O ritmo embora não fosse frenético, conseguiu se manter agradável do início ao fim.


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SOBRE O DRAMA

O desenvolvimento da protagonista Han Woo Joo me surpreendeu muito. Realmente pensei que ela não conseguiria superar seus traumas e seguir em frente. Mas, quando menos esperei ela se mostrou uma verdadeira guerreira.

Tenho que dizer que para mim, um dos momentos mais tocantes de toda a trama acontece quando ela visita o orfanato que viveu quando criança e descobre que ao contrário do que imaginava sua mãe biológica lhe amou muito. Isso faz com que todo seu estigma de rejeição tenha um fim. A partir dali, virar a página e seguir em frente se tornou algo mais fácil de acontecer para ela.

E é claro que eu não poderia me esquecer do personagem que mais gostei nesse drama: Lee Shi Joon o psiquiatra mais diferente que já vi. Seus métodos para tratar os pacientes ao mesmo tempo que fugiam dos padrões tradicionais, eram muito efetivos. Gostava de ver sua paixão pela profissão e seu bom humor era contagiante.

O Dr. Lee Shi Joon tem uma história turbulenta com o seu pai, e o que lhe motivou a escolher a psiquiatria e não a medicina foi justamente a vontade que ele sempre teve de entender o seu pai, no meio desse caminho ele acaba se tornando um ótimo profissional.

Esse personagem ta aí para nos mostrar que nem mesmo os psiquiatras estão isentos de sofrerem traumas ou doenças mentais quando passam por certas situações complicadas.

Todos os casos médicos foram interessantes, e embora o romance não tenha sido nada fácil para ambos dadas as circunstâncias (médico traumatizado com uma certa doença tratando uma paciente que tinha justamente essa doença), foi bem diferente, interessante e não me desagradou em nada.


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OS PERSONAGENS

Tive uma certa dificuldade para gostar de alguns personagens. Mas a medida que conheci melhor suas histórias de vida passei a entendê-los melhor.

O Dr. In Dong Hyuk é um dos maiores exemplos disso: passei boa parte do tempo achando ele chato, mas no final acabei me surpreendendo com seu crescimento e com sua história de vida.

E já que estamos falando sobre alguns personagens, tenho que confessar que o Oh Gi Tae, Vice-presidente do Hospital, foi um dos únicos personagens que realmente não gostei do início ao fim.

O motivo? Achei ele desnecessariamente ambicioso. Não gostei da forma que ele agia e em diversos momentos me pareceu que ele não dava a mínima para os pacientes. Mas sim para o joguinho de poder para conseguir comandar o centro médico que estava prestes a ser inaugurado.

O resumo da ópera é que Fix You é um Kdrama que realmente vale a pena ser assistido. Além disso, a história é bem interessante e não te deixa cansado no meio do caminho.

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