Experts believe that the Korean series is a healthy coping mechanism that enhances new levels of happiness. K-dramas are hallmark romantic flicks taken to the next level. They are more passionate, emotional, and traditional in nature.
Being a second-generation Korean American made Jeanie Y. Chang feel different from everyone else, especially at school. Chang is a licensed marital and family therapist (LMFT) who specializes in assisting couples in providing appropriate emotional and physical support to their children. For more information click here
The COVID-19 wave was deadlier in many ways than the one that washed over us last year. Dealing with the mental health storm produced by the lockdown, sickness, and exhaustion was difficult for me. I am continually writing this story, but I am also in counseling for pre-existing difficulties. It may be draining and soul-sucking at times.
Korean dramas are tremendously popular all over the world for their over-the-top emotional and romantic tales. In true millennial fashion, these shows address important and often controversial topics like mental health. This has led to the normalization of mental health in everyday conversations, which is a significant shift in a society like South Korea.
Watching k-dramas that deal with mental health issues in a compassionate and non-alarmist manner helps one accept their own struggles and be able to talk about them with others.
Here is our list of the finest mental health k-soaps, complete with drama, romance, and other elements for when you need a haven and a breakaway:
It’s Ok to Not Be Ok
This show is about Moon Gang-tae a young guy and a famous children’s book author who both battle with mental health concerns. While dealing with their own mental health issues, the two fall in love and assist each other heal. Based on the works of Ko Moon-young, who suffers from an antisocial personality disorder.
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” addresses numerous mental health issues sensitively and emphasizes that there is no “correct” way to cope. This popular program depicts the various aspects of mental health, the realities of being the main caregiver, and coping with the prejudices accompanying such issues.
It’s Ok, That’s Love
Jang Jae-yeol, a best-selling author and RJ, and Ji Hae-soo, a psychiatrist, are the subjects of this episode. While the two first quarrel, they quickly find solace in each other as they open up about their own tragedies.
“It’s Okay, That’s Love” does an excellent job of normalizing mental illness. It makes mental health issues more of a part of the story than the main focus. This helps dispel many myths regarding living with mental health difficulties.
Kill me, Heal me
The condition of dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is examined through the eyes of a man suffering from it. The program depicts his battles with managing his condition and a romance while trying to keep one step ahead of his haters to avoid detection.
It uses humor and drama to demonstrate how a person with this illness behaves. Another program, “Kill Me Heal Me,” does a good job of addressing the numerous facets of coping with a dissociative identity disorder.
Good Doctor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8yI8KQGwKg
Park Si-on, a pediatrician with autism and savant syndrome, enters the cutthroat world of medicine and tries to be a successful doctor. The show depicts his path of being misunderstood, battling prejudice, and eventually initiating acceptance talks with other characters.
“Good Doctor” is an award-winning television series about a man who has high-functioning autism. It exposes the flaws and fallacies surrounding the illness while normalizing it to illustrate that life with autism is not always how it is depicted in the media.
Sky Castle
A look at the poisonous relationships, stress, and mental health issues that come with living a life of affluence. Four wealthy families harbor dark secrets, strained relationships, and lofty goals. Children are put under intense academic and social pressure by their parents and friends.
In addition, the show discusses the long-term impacts of social media, social media, and social media use on the mind and body.
Heart to Heart
Cha Hang-do is a clever young woman with acute social anxiety who avoids leaving her house until essential. She consults Go Yi-seok, a psychiatrist, in the hopes of overcoming her fear and meeting the guy she loves.
“Heart to Heart” is a Korean drama that smoothly incorporates the hardships of anxiety and other mental health issues into the plot. Go Yi-seok, the main character, has his own set of mental health challenges and strikes an unusual connection with the main character, Shin Dong-Hyeon.
Hyde Jekyll, Me
This is another show on dissociative identity disorder. Gu Seo-character, jinn’s Jang Ha-na, accidentally crosses swords with a young woman. The young woman falls for him despite being unaware of his mental health issues.
While the show is filled with drama and romance, it also highlights mental health issues. “Hyde Jekyll, Me” demonstrates that the difficulties associated with such an illness are handled without being preachy or only utilizing it as a cliche.
The Universes Star
This is another show on dissociative identity disorder. Gu Seo-character, jinn’s Jang Ha-na, accidentally crosses swords with a young woman. The young woman falls for him despite being unaware of his mental health issues.
While the show is filled with drama and romance, it also highlights mental health issues. “Hyde Jekyll, Me” demonstrates that the difficulties associated with such an illness are handled without being preachy or only utilizing it as a cliche.
Our Blues
It stars Han Ji Min, Kim Woo Bin, Lee Byung Hun, Shin Min Ah, Cha Seung Won, Lee Jung Eun, and more well-known actors. It is situated on the beautiful Jeju Island and depicts the different real-life issues that people face.
This series covers a wide range of subjects and challenges, including disability, despair, single motherhood, and even abortions. Another discussed topic is adolescent pregnancy and how the two adolescents decide to keep their kids. Although it was just a minor portion, it demonstrated that it is possible to lead a life while pregnant as a teenager.
Extraordinary Attorney-Woo
Woo Young Woo (Park Eun Bin) is a brilliant lawyer with autism. She has been able to memorize legal texts since she was a child, which has led to her working as an adult at a law company. She begins a romantic relationship with a coworker named Lee Joon Ho (Kang Tae Oh).
Woo Young Woo portrays an early woman who is diagnosed with autism at a young age and has an IQ of 164. This type of story and awareness has shone a spotlight on South Korea’s autistic community. Autism is a problem that must be pushed to the forefront of social debates in society, and this is a modest start in the right direction.
That concludes our list of the finest Healing K-dramas!
What are your thoughts on the list? Have I included any of your favorites? Or have I overlooked any must-see dramas? I’d love to hear from you, so please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
I will be reviewing new programs based on your recommendations in the near future. Stay tuned!
Great work!
Looks interesting will definitely watch them, thanks for recommending
Good!!👍
I didn’t know the weird obsession of the k dramas but here I am starting out watching them after reading this article
This will surely help me to binge watch the next show 🫡
Nice!!
To the point!
My current escape is Song Joong-ki ‘s Reborn Rich :”)
Well Done, appreciate it
Nice one!!
This looks so intresting, have a list to rely on for this winter. Thank you Bhavya!
Love every K drama here! Thank you for the lists, I will watch this during winter holidays ☺️
One I would recommend as well is Hometown cha cha cha.