Drama Digest
Through the daily commutes between the sleepy village of Sanpo and the hustle-bustle of Seoul city, the drama portrays the everyday lives of the three Yeom siblings- Gi-jeong, Chang-hee, Mi-jeong and their search for fulfilment and meaning. Desperate to fill up the emptiness in her life, the youngest sibling Mi-jeong turns to their mysterious neighbour Mr. Gu, a heavy drinker who is burdened with his own secrets. In her late thirties, the eldest Gi-jeong is single and craves to be loved, wandering in search for someone she could connect with. The middle child Chang-hee struggles with his unrealistic dreams of becoming rich and living up to the status quo.
The Feel-Good Part
The drama beautifully captures the contrast between rural and big city life. The characters carry unusual realism and depth and just as easily could be someone you meet in the transit on your way home from work. The workplace interactions are true to life. Unlike the usual kdrama tropes, this one doesn’t try to gloss over the quiet desperation of ordinary living with over-the-top drama and romance. Even the budding romance between Mi-jeong and Mr. Gu is a slow burn and a journey in its own right. Finally, the club started by Mi-jeong- The Liberation Club brings the series to a full circle.
The Disappointing Factor
The series is a slow-paced slice of life and is not for an audience that enjoys edge-gripping tension or big-time cliff-hangers. Its genuine portrayal of ordinary everyday life, the uncertainties that plague it and the lack of humour could be disappointing to some. The drama derives its strength from making the main characters relatable which is a totally subjective opinion and depends on the one watching.
In-Depth Analysis
It does a great job of portraying the shared desire to escape from their small village and the unfulfilling lives of the three siblings, even though escape has a different meaning for each one of them. Gi-jeong thinks it’s love while Chang-hee struggles for money. Mi-jeong feels that simple love wouldn’t be enough to break through the mundane stupors of her life. Hence, when she asks Mr. Gu to ‘worship her’, what she really desires is to instil faith back in both of their lives and she wants him to take that leap along with her. The club that she initiates in her office is also symbolic of that same desire for liberation. The different plots inter-weave to narrate a story that is equally beautiful and tragic.
Star Power
The chemistry between Kim Ji-won and Suk-ku Son shines through in every scene they share. Lee Min Ki, Lee El, Lee Ki-woo deliver authentic performances and give dimensions to their characters. This k-drama is a good example of a story that puts its spotlight on its characters and their individual paths to liberation.
Overall Opinion
My Liberation Notes doesn’t just tell you a story about these characters, it makes you root for them, share their miseries and dreams and experience the highs and lows of ordinary lives through them. It’s a must-watch for someone who enjoys the slice-of-life genre.
