Episode Guide
The first episode of the season was met with a 3/5 review score. The second episode received a 3.5/5 review score, and the third episode garnered a 4/5 review score. The fourth episode was given a 4/5 review score, and the fifth and sixth episodes both received 4/5 reviews. The seventh episode received a 4/5 review score, while the eighth and ninth episodes both received 3.5/5 reviews. Episode 10 was given a 4/5 review score, while episodes 11-15 all received 4.5/ 5 ratings from reviewers. Episode 16 was met with a 4. 5 / 5 rating from reviewers ..
But, as it turns out, My Liberation Notes is not a misfire. In fact, it’s one of the most engaging and well-made shows on the network this year. With strong writing and a unique premise, My Liberation Notes is sure to please fans of JTBC’s hit show, Love & Weather.
The series follows the life of a young woman, Nina, as she struggles to find her place in the world and come to terms with her sexuality. It’s a story that is full of heartache and hope, and it’s one that is sure to leave an impression on viewers.
The story follows four people as they commute to and from their jobs in the city and rural areas. We see their hopes and dreams, as well as the obstacles they face on their way. We learn about the different ways these people live, and how they cope with the challenges of life in different parts of the country.
Mi-Jeong is a young woman who has been through a lot in her short life. She has three siblings, and she is the youngest. Mi-Jeong is introverted and often outspoken, desperately seeking a way out from her life. Thankfully, she finds that through her next door neighbor, Mr Gu. Mr Gu is a kind man who helps Mi-Jeong through her difficult times.
Working, drinking, and staring at the horizon has become Gu’s routine. Mi-Jeong starts to understand why he behaves this way and urges him to worship her. By doing so, she believes it will liberate both of them from their difficult circumstances. ..
The second storyline is about a young woman, Park-Soo, who’s trying to find her place in the world. She’s been raised by her grandparents and has never really left their home. She’s always been a bit of an outsider, and she doesn’t really know what to do with her life. Both stories are intertwined, but they have different goals and different outcomes. Chang-Hee wants to escape his family because he feels like he’s not doing anything with his life; Park-Soo is trying to find her place in the world because she feels like she’s not doing anything with her life.
Gi-Jeong is the eldest of the siblings and desperate to find love and escape from her life. In doing so, she finds herself involved with two different men across the season. One man is a successful businessman, while the other is a struggling artist.
The age-old debate about storytelling usually boils down to character vs plot. If ever there was an example of character being the most memorable part of a story, this is it. My Liberation Notes understands each of its characters and their plights. The story manages to effortlessly show Chang-Hee’s frustrations at the world, while simultaneously including a message of how money can’t always buy happiness. I know that’s a cliche, but My Liberation Notes manages to explore this idea without ever falling into that realm.
In her story, Gi-Jeong successfully navigates away from the romantic tropes like love triangles and misunderstandings, instead managing to portray a realistic example of a male and female exploring their emotions while navigating through life.
The showrunners did a great job of creating a strong and memorable cast, with Mr Gu and Mi-Jeong at the top of the list. The real meat and potatoes of this story though stems from these two characters, and their chemistry is electric. There are some great moments here too, which manage to add flair and gravitas to the show.
The allegory of the rich vs. the poor is explored in interesting and unexpected ways in this film. One scene depicts Je-Ho (Mi-Jeong’s father) racing along a dirt track to try and outrun a rich family strolling along the road. It’s close, for a while, but then Je-Ho crashes the truck and they end up in the ditch. This is an allegory for the rich vs. the poor, and how, despite a monumental amount of effort, luck is a fickle mistress and can turn on you in a dime. ..
In another instance, each of the kids have a crazy dream. Chang-Hee finds himself with a sports car while Gi-Jeong is carried to bed by a giant robot. These “dreams” are essentially what these characters are hoping for in their life.
In the final episode of “The Crown”, we are left with a ambiguous image of Mr. Gu’s life journey up to this pivotal moment. This is wonderful stuff, and for a geek like me, it picks out these minute details and extrapolates them to examine further. This is a testament to the storytelling that this show keeps doing that in interesting and unexpected ways across the 16 episodes.
The acting is great, with each of the actors given a chance to shine. There are some intense disagreements and fights here too, typified by Chang-Hee shouting in frustration at his father about his inability to accept him for who he is. ..
The camera work in this series is great, with some particularly well-shot shots that stand out. One in particular stands out, showing Mr Gu lying down in a room full of empty soju bottles. It’s a great way to show off the camera work.
My Liberation Notes is a brilliantly written K-drama that is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated series of the year. Despite its slow start, the series quickly turns into an unstoppable juggernaut as it progresses. JTBC has done a great job this year with their programming, and My Liberation Notes is no exception. This series is essential for fans of K-drama, and should be watched immediately.
