Drama Digest
Soul Mechanic tells the story of the psychiatrists at Eun Kang Medical Center, where they collectively believe in working towards the healing of their patients instead of treating them as medical cases. The series zeroes in on Dr. Lee Shi-Joon, who is happily engrossed in his eccentric world and fashioning his oddball ways into personalized treatments, is assigned a particularly difficult patient, a musical actress diagnosed with an intermittent explosive disorder besides BPD named Han Woo-Joo. Together, they ponder questions about happiness, anger, and their origin and figure out more than they had ever imagined they would.
The Feel-Good Part
Soul Mechanic has a beautifully written script that gently drives home several points about the complicated relationships people with mental illnesses have with themselves and the world around them. One of the most impressive things about this series is the fact that it treats mental illness so tenderly. K-dramas often veer on the edge of demonizing mental illness and people battling them, sometimes even going as far as turning them into villains. However, Soul Mechanic is a happy exception to this. It tends to every person with care and considers them individual “universes.” The subplots are intriguing, and they do not wander away from the main storyline either, thus keeping the viewer engrossed.
The Disappointing Factor
The main couple’s relationship is quite questionable. The doctor-patient romantic trope is really ubiquitous, but that does not make the dynamic ethical. A doctor, and more importantly a psychiatrist, pursuing a relationship with one of his patients, does point at an unhealthy power dynamic. The couple does not face too many repercussions either, and that manages to raise multiple eyebrows. The latter half of the series dredges slightly, and the resolution seems a little too easy considering the impressive build-up in the former.
In-Depth Analysis
Soul Mechanic is an important k-drama. The series tries its best to normalize mental illness and erase the stigma surrounding it as a concept. Making use of a beautiful score and a cast well endowed with the strongest acting chops, Soul Mechanic reinstates the importance of self-love and advises everyone to try embracing themselves as best as they can , in order to overcome or cope with the problems plaguing them.
Although it does have a few drawbacks, with the unethical relationship existing between the two protagonists, and the loose endings at the end, the series manages to pull through as one of the most impressive takes on mental illness in k-drama history, and a hopeful perspective on life that does not radiate toxic positivity.
Star Power
Soul Mechanic’s cast is an asset, and they embody their roles to perfection. Shin Ha-Kyun and Jung So-min essay their characters so well that it almost feels like real life in various parts of the series.
Overall Opinion
If you are looking for a light-hearted k-drama that leaves a lasting positive impression on you and imparts life lessons and comfort with ease, Soul Mechanic is definitely for you.
