My Liberation Notes (2022)

♾️ /10

This drama also makes me uncomfortable to watch it's like I see all of my problems being exposed.
I feel like a new person after watching this drama. I learnt many things through this drama.
I want to be liberated idk when it will happen but i feel motivated.
I just can't believe i cant watch it anymore. Watching this drama was like watching my story. All of the characters were relatable on some ways. I know I can't move on from this drama. There's a very few dramas that make me feel like what this one has did. This is a drama of my life. Mi jeong is very relatable to me. The way she found it hard to communicate with people is what I struggle from everyday. And the other liberation club member said that she just can't make her smile disappear from her face, that hit hard!! Because the way I sometimes pretend to be happy to please people should not be normal because I'm forcing myself for others. I should just be transparent and should accept myself more. I remember hyeon ah while fighting with a woman said in some ep that she is like a dog and she will be loyal to someone till death when they show even a little bit kindness. Thisss!!! This is what i said my mom some days ago, I can't believe how I relate to that line. I literally am like dog because even when someone shows a little bit of kindness I start to feel attached. But in the end my own friend left me. But it's okay I accept it.
This was not my point tho😮‍💨

But I now understand this drama. And I'm glad I watched. I think writer wanted to say life is like a open book. We have many things to learn maybe we can escape from the sadness maybe we can't and have to learn to be liberated.
Idk what I'm saying however this drama is the best!!!

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I now need liberation from this drama

I started this without any expectations but this slow burn quickly burned its way through my heart. This show is definitely not for everyone but I plead you to give it a try. Some say that it's depressing but I would argue that that would not be an accurate description of this show because it brought me so much laughter and I felt so much hope. The slightest sliver of light, the slightest smile, is more than enough to light up everything and makes things feel like it'll all be okay in the end.

We have 3 siblings living in the outskirts of Seoul, who are living a rather mundane life, tired of their 1.5hr one way commute into Seoul everyday. Just like we all do, they question their life goals, career goals, and love life. I believe everyone will be able to relate to bits and parts of each sibling. Gi Jeong is the eldest daughter, a hopeless romanist that lives with her heart on her sleeve. Chang Hee is the middle child who constantly feels like he is always down on his luck and nothing ever works out to plan. Lastly, our Mi Jeong who is silently but ever so bravely treading through her lukewarm life. In this small town, where people only ever leave, we have Gu, a visitor that mysteriously shows up and is welcomed into their little family and changes their lives forever.

Gu lives next door and is hired by the sibling's father to help out in his cabinetry/sinks factory. He is a man of very little words and literally does not say a single one word in the whole first episode but he is essentially the functioning town drunk, who you can find every night walking back and forth from the convenience store buying 2 bottles of soju at a time. One day, Mi Jeong reaches out to Gu for a favor and this is the start of our unconventional love story, a story so full of love and yet the word love never to be heard. When Mi Jeong tells Gu to worship her, i thought to myself maybe thats a mistranslation, but the more i watched their interactions, I do think worship is what they had. The words like to cherish or revere all seemed not enough anymore.

I feel like I can go on and on about all the good things about this show and my love for all the characters. Every word, every little detail was meticulously thought out yet effortlessly portrayed. I have been watching dramas for 15 years and it is very rare to actually love every single character. Don't get me wrong, every single character has their flaws, in fact, I thought Chang Hee was kinda annoying for the few few episodes, but to take his own words, he is like a drizzle. You think it isn't raining much but before you know it, you are already drenched. Slowly but surely, you start to see Chang Hee in a different light and you are just so proud of how far he has come. I have decided to be like Mi Jeong, to love and to accept everyone, flaws and all.

I am very hopeful that somewhere out there, all our characters are striving to be a happier and better version of themselves, taking one step at a time. In contrast, I will be in a kdrama slump for a while, as I am sad that MLN has come to an end. Time for me to find my own liberation.

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A MASTERPIECE

I started watching this show because I'm a huge fan of Lee Minki and all I can say is... this is a masterpiece.

The writing, directing, acting... everything is precious.

They put all the talent in a project and BAM! My Liberation Notes is created.

All the actors were amazing and all the characters were interesting. Everybody had a story to tell, and I felt confortable watching every single second.

It is beautiful to watch, there are a lot of incredible quotes. You laugh, you cry, you imagine...

I'm really happy to see Minki as Changhee. I think this character was made for him in all aspects because his portrayal is beyond amazing. I'm excited to see his new project.

Congratulations to all the cast and crew! ♥

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This had all the makings of a great drama. Cold, closed off, mysterious ML with a juicy past. A shy FL who tries to break through his barrier. The cinematography and direction is great. The actors are experienced and good. There is so much that could be fleshed out from that. Instead the writer has given the leads, especially the ML, virtually zero outward development. Nothing exciting has ever happened. So many scenes of characters eating and walking together in silence. The leads have zero physical chemistry and their relationship feels very forced. Almost every interaction between them is the ML looking bored with her or physically trying to get away. I was amazed when in episode 12 I finally saw him at least crack a smile around her for a second. Sometimes he let her have a conversation with him, that's it. Their first kiss felt awkward since ML hadn't changed at all and is still being silent and leaving her in the dust whenever he can. It got to the point that it was frustrating for me to watch.

I dropped it for this reason, which is disappointing since like I said I could picture this drama being so much better than it is, and there were some things I liked about it, especially the second couple and Ki Jung's chemistry with her co-worker.

IMO this writer is the most unique writer in kdramaland. I did like Another Miss Oh so I think with Liberation Notes she is trying to create another My Mister, which I know a lot of people loved but I couldn't get into either. These are two very introspective works which I can appreciate, but she needs to focus on plot and character development with this one. IMO a drama shouldn't be all introspection and philosophy, especially a romance.

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An honest yet hopeful introspective slice of life.

"Great art is clear thinking about mixed feelings."
— W. H. Auden

The quote sums up what makes this drama so good. The tangled ball of yarn that resides in all of us, that we spend decades trying to unravel in order to knit a beautiful tapestry that is our life. At times it just feels like you're strangling the knots, this drama is what happens when you give yourself time to disentangle.

I feel a little conflicted about the finale, holistically it's a beautiful drama I'd recommend, one of the few slice-of-life I could rewatch. The writer does overplay her hand at times and the finale got a little overly maudlin for me. It is however a drama that does exactly what it set out to do, meditate on the ways we approach life's uncertainties and how we are as much imprisoned by our own attitude as much as our environment. The journey of liberation for each of the characters is equal parts poignant and frustrating. The ending is both realistic and hopeful and ties in well with the theme, that we are liberated when we find the courage to love ourselves as much as others unconditionally. I began this for Gu and Mi Jung, found myself relating to Ki Jung mid-way, and stayed for Chang Hee.

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I feel LIBERATED

I honestly would love to give this drama a 10! It’s probably one of my favorite dramas ever. The three siblings are fantastic. At first I mainly related to and understood Mi-jeon , but as the story went one I could relate to all the siblings. Every try info was great about this the family relationship, work-life, and friends. I’m usually in thriller and mysteries becaus so like to be in suspense all the time but for once I was at peace (watching the show) without getting bored. In my opinion the best part about the show is the inner dialogue. I feel like sometimes it’s simple and sometimes it’s profound. Sometimes I understand what it means and sometimes I don’t . Nonetheless it’s very enjoyable. The only things I would change is the ending (I just wanted a bit more) and Mr. Gu story a little bit. Everything felt really REAL about the show except Mr. Gu character around the end. Other than that I can confidently say this drama was perfect. It was beautiful in all regards and I would highly recommend people to watch it!

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what mln taught me

Loved everything about this drama, from the simplicity to the soothing aesthetics. From witnessing them to their desire to be liberated to actually witnessing their liberation. Loved how they potrayed their characters effortlessly and flawlessly. The chemistry between each of them was incredible to watch. It's a must watch. 10/10
Chang hee, possibly my favourite character in the drama, was the figure with whom I was most closely associated. The fact that this drama was so realistic, with characters that shared our desires and found delight in small ways. I liked how in the final episode, instead of venting like he had throughout the drama, he gulped down. Chang hee was never one to blame fate for anything, but accepting it and moving on from it meant the world to me. In the end, I really wanted him to meet Mr Gu. He had the best character growth. Moving on to Mr Gu and Yeom Mi Jeong, they won hands down for making me feel as if I was there with them at the time. I'm at a loss for words to express how much comfort they gave me. Only by watching the drama will you be capable of understanding this. They are, without a doubt, the most interesting aspect of the story. They were both liberated together, and even when they were at their lowest, they found solace in one other. Mi Jeong's decision to settle for less was disappointing, but she genuinely loved tae hun. Would have been much better if Tae hun had proposed to her or given her reassurance, but she was still the most powerful person there.

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Liberating from things that hold you back takes time

Watching this to get over 2521 and almost dropped it after the 4th episode but finding myself to look forward to it, so I continue. It's just so refreshing to see nothing grand happens in the first few episodes, just ordinary people living their ordinary lifes. Yet, those actions and words they speak hold so much meaning. The three siblings who wish to break free from the monotonous lifes and an alcoholic who seems to never be sober. Along the journey, they find and face their own issues to be liberated from them and live happier lifes. I am so proud of them to never give up and continue their lifes although it's not a smooth journey and lifes seem to always work not in the way they want, but they still find hope and meaning in small things. It makes you think about your life too, what are things you want to be liberates from. Storyline, actings, cinematography and chemistry are definitely top tier. As for the ending, I don't hate it, just feeling neutral. At least they are now off to the better places, still having hope and continue to be liberated.

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So sad, yet so comforting.

A story where it revolves around three characters. Same family but different struggles.

I love how all characters are flawed, have a personality you won't like, and hard to love and understand. How can a drama make me feel so empty yet so full?

The relationships between their parents, partners, friends, and even with their jobs are so relatable. The bond of each actors and actresses are so natural. You can feel their emotions even the quiet and dull characters, how they differently face each problems and how they speak their feelings.

Last, I love the ending. It's rare to find a korean drama where the ending is not rushed. They made sure that all 3 main characters had their moment at the end, super loved it!

I give it a 10/10. This is such a good drama, makes me appreciate the people around me and living more.

(Loved Lee El and Lee Ki Woo so much in this drama!)

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MASTERPIECE! NEW CRUSH UNLOCKED= MRS GU

This drama is the definition of a great character driven drama. The drama doesnt have a specific plot exept of course for the fact that Mrs Gu comes into their lives. Even without a main plot this drama manage to make you fell in love with it and the characters, it can make you excited to watch more, to watch all of the characters struggle in a very realistic way. There is nothing that i can find unrealistic about this drama, each character stayed true to each self till the end, most dramas create characters and as the plot progress they change them, they make them more soft or more loving etc, but this drama just kept everyone the same, maybe with some differences but no one change entirely and that is exactly what makes this so realistic.

The characters were so well written with great depth and the chemistry between all of them was great. But what surpriced me the most is how relatable they all are. We watched them in every aspect of their lives, when they were sad and lonely but also when they felt loved and happy, There are not enough words to express how well written and interesting all of them were, i will always have them in my heart, i learn a lot of things from them, the way they talked about their feelings made me realise that sometimes i have the same thoughts (especially with Mi Jung) and that it is okay to struggle sometimes, if only you have at least 5 minutes of happiness each day.
The stories the three siblings had were so interestings. My personal favorite was Mi Jung story mostly because not only i can relate to her the most but also because her story had Mrs Gu aka the NVP of the whole drama, my new crush, they storyline and the whole worship thing was so beautiful, how they felt whole when they were together and miserable when they didnt had each other, how they always talk about their feelings and never judge each other, omg they were so beautiful together, definitely one of my favorite couples in every Kdrama i have watched. Ki Jung story was good too, i would like to see more of her relationship with the child but i liked that they made it realistic and didnt make the child magically accept her. Chang Hee story was the least favorite for me, i think maybe i couldnt really connect with him after all.

The end was quite disappointing for me, i wanted more, but it wasnt bad, i think it was a little anticlimactic but at least we have an open ending so i can imagine all of them found liberation (and there is room for season 2 too, i would love to see more of them). * i was really afraid that something bad would happen at the end especially to Mrs Gu bad i am glad everyone was okay (everyone exept from one -cry-)

Anyway i can write a whole book about this drama and how much it touched my heart but i will just say that it a beautiful journey with great messages that i will cherish for life. I highly recommend this one.

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Exquisitely written slice of life

It’s been a long long time since i watched a series that moved me so much as this.the writing, the characters with all their oh so human flaws, the brilliance of the actors, the cinematography - everything was just mesmerising. There’s no razzle dazzle , simply a beautifully written and acted piece of work. The emotion this series brought out of me left me feeling drained at the end of every episode, ive Just finished the last one and the only way i can think filling the space each weekend is to watch it all again and thats precisely what i plan to do………

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We grow up when we realize that adults don't know what to do either

As children, we hear our teachers give us instruction with such confidence. “These facts are the things that happened. These numbers add up to this sum. Our governments follow these rules that we call laws.” Outside on the playgrounds, we make up new games and the rules are made up on the spot. But around adults, it appears that there are systems and pieces that fit together and when we grow up, we’ll know the answers to how things work and where we fit.

And then we reach adulthood ourselves and find that adulthood is lot like the playground games where we’re all making it all up as we go as often as not. Some of us excel at it and a lot more of us struggle to figure out who we are and how we find success or even just live in such a world. At the same time, we find moments, ephemeral as they may be, of unexpected grace and beauty and kindness.

“My Liberation Notes” is an exploration of this reality we live in and it is a stunningly beautiful rendition. Few dramas can combine such lush cinematography with immaculate editing, astonishingly original dialogue, a marvelously composed score and backdrops that might be ordinary in purpose, but are stunning with the vividness of their color. Even had it been sixteen episodes without characters or dialogue, there’s a bevy of gorgeous photography and musical accompaniment worthy of viewing pleasure.

As for the narrative, three unhappy siblings that live in the countryside divide their lives between long commutes to unrewarding jobs in Seoul and toiling on the family farm with a taciturn father and persevering mother. As adults, they all find themselves unsure of their place and their purpose. The oldest sibling is Ki Jung who has a talent for loudly saying the worst possible thing in a public place. The only son, Chang Hee, is a grown man that usually behaves like a squirming, uncomfortable child in church that simply wants to leave. The youngest and main character is Mi Jung, a soft-spoken but unbending and fearless woman that’s never found anyone that understands her. Dropped into this mix is a man known only by his last name, Gu, who is incredibly diligent and skilled but also an unapologetic alcoholic.

As for the plot, it’s very strictly and very real slice of life stuff. It’s getting through petty work disagreements. It’s complaining about the heat or suffering from the cold. It’s waxing nostalgic with old friends. It’s yearning for a few minutes of happiness a day or a new relationship. There are few destinations and the journeys rarely follow a particular direction for any length of time. There’s not so much buildups and reveals and cliffhangers. Rather, there’s symbolism and hidden meanings and guarded dialogue. When a shocking event does happen, it’s revealed initially so matter of factly that a viewer not intently watching might even miss how quickly the news had dropped.

The cast performances are outstanding. Lee Min Ki and Lee El, as Chang Hee and Ki Jung, are the extroverts and thrash and churn through their characters’ frustrations, joys and fears. Several supporting cast members shine too, especially Han Sang Jo as a longtime friend and occasional accomplice to Chang Hee, and Chun Ho Jin, as the siblings’ father. And it cannot be overlooked how much Park Soo Young and Lee Ji Hye shine brightly in very limited supporting roles as members of Mi Jung’s Liberation Club.

Kim Ji Won’s performance as Mi Jung is subdued as the character is extremely guarded and only very slowly reveals herself to Gu. It’s a very good performance and certainly one that should stand out on her resume. But despite having some of the best dialogue of recent memory, Mi Jung never comes across as a relatable human. Whether that’s due to Kim Ji Won’s restrained manner or just that the character’s humanity seems broken or whether this is a production that just isn’t interested in having characters that viewers should root for, that’s the end result - with a central figure that’s emotionally distant.

Meanwhile, Son Seok Koo as Gu is downright brilliant. He barely speaks for several episodes but his smirks and squints and head shakes and intensity belie that this is not simply a normal man with little to say. As his story unfolds and his internal struggles are revealed, it’s a devastating performance. None so far in 2022 can come close to matching it.

Overall, there’s very, very little to find fault with in “My Liberation Notes”. It is exquisitely produced from almost every angle. And it is highly recommended.

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