KDrama : My Liberation Notes

Episodes : 16

Released : 2022

Leads : Son Sukku, Kim Ji Won, Lee Min Ki, Lee El

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Unlike other posts I have done before, for this drama I wish to only write about each character's liberation from my point of view.

In no particular order :

Yeom Eomma (Kwak Hye Suk)

Personally for me it is horrifying to think that her liberation came in the form of her death. She was sad and tired till the end. It is heartbreaking to think someone left this world in such a state. Similar to HyeonA's ex boyfriend who was sick and suffered for a long time and Chang Hee's last words was go with peace. I imagined Chang Hee who was also the last person to be with their mother had whispered the same words to her. Eomma, go with peace and don't worry about anything. I will take care of dad.

  

Yeom Abeoji (Yeom Je-Ho)

Their father said to Gu, I thought I was the one taking care of them. Turns out they were taking care of me. He said to his children in the end, I am weaker than you. I think he meant to say he is someone who constantly needs someone by his side though on the outside it may not seem like it.

In my opinion, he remarried for the liberation of his children. This was they can leave and live their life without having to worry about him. Vice versa, he worries about them less. He is finally letting go of the hold he's had on them all these years. That is also part of his liberation. 

Yeom Siblings

The siblings leaving Sanpo is part of their liberation. They are now free from the long commute, the hard labour farming, the hiding and tiptoe around their parents, and the restriction of time because they had to catch the last train home. 

Them living together in Seoul is natural. They have always been together. They had just lost their mother. For the first time, they are leaving the place they call home. It can be overwhelming and lonely to stay alone in a foreign city.

Yeom Gi Jeong

 

I cannot say much about Gi Jeong. I stopped watching her scenes after episode 12 or 13. Whenever it is just her scene without her family, I skipped through. So I will not attempt to say anything about her character or her development. She was one character that I could not connect with and could not get through.

Yeom Chang Hee

Chang Hee's liberation is when he realise he has the ability hold himself back from talking about something. Chang Hee started as someone who always crosses boundaries and talks endlessly. He always has something to complain about, at times oversharing things and people were forced to listen. But he soon realises that silence can also be liberating and peaceful.

 

His other liberation came when he allowed life to show him where he needs to be. He mentioned a few times about how like a psychic his legs carry him to where he needed to be. At first he thought he walked into the wrong lecture hall, but just like everytime he was there when someone passed. It was where he is meant to be. 

Yeom MiJeong

MiJeong's first liberation was when she decided to not hate on Gu no matter what happens because before that she hated everyone. She decided that he is her one exception. She will support him, accept him and not cling on him. When Park Sang Min asked Is that possible? For MiJeong, it did not matter. She just needed that one person to be her hope, a light.

When she decided to open her heart for Gu, I think it allowed her to also open space for others. She is brighter at her new company, she keeps in touch with her hoobae who always took her side, she meets with the Liberation Club members with a smile.

MiJeong's other liberation is when she let go of her hatred towards others - her ex boss, her fake friend and her ex boyfriend. When she left her old company, she let go of her thoughts of her ex boss and her fake friend but she still held on to the hatred she has for her ex. Using him to direct all her anger and frustration. At first it was justified, but later on it became a habit. The day she received an apology from her ex and him paying her back, it was a relieve that she no longer need to hold on to that hatred. That she can finally let it go. 

Gu JaGyeong

The little girl holding the elevator door is 7 seconds of happiness. His coin did not fall into the drain. That might be 3 seconds of happiness.

He decided then to leave his new bottle aside because he wanted to fill up his 5 minutes a day sober. In the morning, when the people and voices comes to him he meets them with a smile and welcome them. He is letting go of guilt and hatred that comes with his job.

That is part of his liberation.

Gu's liberation is also acknowledging he is an alcoholic and that it is taking a toll on his health.

Gu's liberation is him allowing himself to be with MiJeong. He said he wanted a clean break, he said he regretted calling her because he has always been "one" but in the end, he chooses to be two. For someone who has always been alone he fears commitment, he also fears what MiJeong will think of him since there is another side of him when he is at work.

The 10 session talk is like comitting by not comitting. He fears for her, for the person that he is. This way I think, it takes away the burden of having to be something he cannot. 

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My Liberation Notes is an unfinished project. Hence the abstract ending. Nothing is conclusive. Take it one step at a time, focus on small happiness and fill up your 5 minutes a day and liberate yourself piece by piece.