There is actually a difference between an introverted person and a shy person. An introvert is someone who tends to be more within himself/herself. They usually don’t have any problem being alone. While they can struggle to interact with others, it’s not always the case. They have no desire to be the center of attention or be placed in the spotlight. More and more psychologists are finding that being able to be alone is a strength rather than a weakness. It’s not the same as hiding oneself away out of fear. That would be shyness.

My Shy Boss is a decent romantic drama at best, with two characters who stand on a mountain of integrity among a sea of supporting characters who struggle to find any at all. Eun Hwan Ki is a master of ideas, and while he doesn’t realize it, he’s also a master of dealing with people. However, he’s also a bit of a recluse who prefers the quiet solitude of his penthouse apartment rather than handle the day-to-day interactions with employees and clients. He’s immensely creative and has a knack for seeing things that others fail to see. He’s also a great listener, but his biggest problem is that he always puts others ahead of himself. He’s the guy who’s going to take the hits, put himself in front of the bus, and do whatever it takes to protect those who are unable to protect themselves. In many ways, he’s the true hero of the story, and he has the humility to do so without asking for anything in return.

Seo Yun Jung is other. This is a woman that others should try to emulate. She’s no wallflower, and she has absolutely no problem pursuing what she wants. She’s also the only other character who is perfectly comfortable with herself. The scene that made me stand up and cheer for her was when she turns the tables on Eun Hwan Ki’s father. This isn’t a woman who can be used, bought, or sold. And she had absolutely no problem taking issue with the despicable actions of Eun Hwan Ki’s father and telling him straight to his face. While I understand that Chae Ro Woon is the love interest of Eun Hwan Ki, I was really hoping (even though I knew it wasn’t going to happen) that he would have ended up with Seo Yun Jung. She’s a pillar of strength, who isn’t just someone who can be a romantic partner, but one who will easily stand with Eun Hwan Ki no matter what. Chae Ro Woon cannot say that. I lost count how many times she oscillates back and forth, back and forth. And Seo Yun Jung is far more mature as well.

You’ll need a clipboard of names to keep track of all of the “who likes who” at any given moment. I’ve never seen a drama with so many dynamics; so many that you just might get a headache.

Most of the characters are people who are looking for love and attention in all the wrong places. They truly believe that they cannot be happy unless they are with someone. What they fail to realize is that it is literally impossible to find happiness in someone else if you fail to find it within yourself first. Why? Because you cannot give what you do not have.

If you love yourself, you will never contemplate suicide as an answer to being denied/rejected.
If you love yourself, you will never harm yourself or use it as a means of getting attention.
If you love yourself, you will never feel empty by being alone. In truth, you will find it empowering.
If you love yourself, you will never allow anyone to use you for their own selfish reasons.

Chae Ro Woon—much like Eun Hwan Ki—is an outcast within her own family. She’s the outgoing one, and nobody knows how much her older sister is suffering until it’s too late. The sad thing about suicidal people is that you cannot save someone who does not want to be saved. If someone is bent on killing themselves, they will find a way. Chae Ro Woon is very much like a kid. She’s immature, selfish, and she doesn’t realize the mess she’s made until it’s too late. Rather than trying to find out the truth about her sister, she reacts emotionally, and irrationally, and hellbent on revenge.

It's always hard to hate someone once you get to know them. Chae Ro Woon begins to wonder if she has it right as she gets to know Eun Hwan Ki and realizes that he’s not the monster that she thinks he is.

There are a number of cowardly and despicable characters in this series. Eun Hwan Ki’s father is about as vile and violent of an abuser as you’ll ever likely to find in a “parent.” He’s ashamed of his son for being quiet and shy, and he has no problem being abusive—both physically and mentally—toward him. Such a person has no business calling himself a parent.

There are several problems with this series. First, people who are that suicidal and prone to hurting themselves as Eun Yi Soo (Hwan Ki’s sister) can miraculously heal themselves. Most people need some kind of professional help. Hwan Ki makes a grave mistake by not helping her get the help that she needs. The writers should have taken this far more seriously than they did. I’ve known people who have attempted suicide, and it’s no quick fix. However, Eun Yi Soo at least seems to understand that her problem stems from not loving herself, which is true. That’s a good first step. Given that Korea has the 3rd highest suicide rate in the world, I would have hoped for a more thoughtful and realistic approach to this part of the story.

The romantic dynamic between Eun Hwan Ki and Chae Ro Woon just doesn’t entirely work. First of all, the two actors have good chemistry together but NOT good romantic chemistry. Again, I thought the Eun Hwan Ki/Seo Yun Jung was better from a romantic chemistry standpoint, even though they didn’t really share any romantic scenes. The romance between Eun Hwan Ki and Chae Ro Woon was like watching a grown-up and a kid. Park Hye Soo just doesn’t have the chops to act out romantic scenes realistically. She tries to flirt, but comes across more like a child wanting attention, which was annoying more than just once! This is largely due to Park Hye Soo being miscast. I would have had Park Hye Soo play Eun Yi Soo (the sister) and Gong Seung Yeon play Seo Yun Jung with Jang Hee Jin taking up the role of Chae Ro Woon Jang Hee Jin was fantastic in “Flower of Evil”. Jang Hee Jin has far more range and acting prowess than Park Hye Soo. And as I’ve said, the constant back and forth between Eun Hwan Ki and Chae Ro Woon became tedious and unrealistic very quickly. Soon, they’re kissing, and next they won’t even touch each other. That was just silly.

By episode 15, I was just waiting for the series to end. It loses much of its steam in the last two episodes, and the story feels like it’s treading water, trying to limp toward the finish line of the last episode. Of course, we get another childish scene with Park Hye Soo because she doesn’t get a Christmas card from Eun Hwan Ki. Chae Ro Woon is what we call a “high-maintenance” girl.

I found myself far more intrigued with Eun Hwan Ki and how he was able to empower his small team of “misfits” to start believing in themselves. While they each helped him to develop more courage to stand in the spotlight, we also see what he’s done for the members of his team. Eun Hwan Ki is also a man—much like Atlas—who’s caring the weight of everyone on his own shoulders. He’s noble and courageous. We only wish he’d use just an ounce of that strength and belief on himself. If they had left the romantic aspect out of the story, this would have been a far more compelling series because the strength of the story is Eun Hwan Ki, and Yeon Woo Jin did an absolutely fantastic job with the role. My only issue was that his “shyness” was handled with a lot of inconsistencies, but that is a small issue.

Overall, the series is okay at best. If there is a central theme to this series, it’s for people to start putting themselves first. Learn to love yourself before you decide to share that with someone else. “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” is still the best drama series yet made on people who are psychologically and emotionally scarred. And just because you have feelings for someone, doesn’t mean that they should automatically reciprocate. And, yes, love is about courage; about taking risks and putting yourself out there. The quiet ones who never tell others how they feel will always live a life of regret.

And if you know someone who’s attempted or might attempt suicide, get them professional help! Sometimes, you have to acknowledge that you love someone so much that you cannot help them, but you will find someone who can!