Following its release on Netflix in the summer of 2020, information about the second season of It's Okay to Not Be Okay has been scarce. This K-drama series follows the journey of two orphaned brothers, Moon Gang-Tae and Moon Sang-Tae, as they form a bond with children's book author Ko Moon-Young. Through their relationships, the three characters navigate healing and personal growth, with mental health being a central theme in It's Okay to Not Be Okay. Screenwriter Jo Yong revealed that her own experiences dating a man with a personality disorder inspired the show's premise, showcasing her compassion and understanding in the script.
Season 1 of It's Okay to Not Be Okay was widely praised for its portrayal of individuals with mental illnesses and neurodivergent traits. The show consistently topped the list of the most influential TV dramas for five weeks, as determined by social media discussions tracked by Nielsen Media Research (via HanCinema). Despite its popularity, evident by its exceptionally high IMDb user rating, the decision to renew It's Okay to Not Be Okay for a second season remains uncertain. It is still unclear whether the show will continue its captivating narrative.
It's Okay To Not Be Okay Season 2 Is Not Confirmed
It is highly unlikely that there will be a second season of It's Okay to Not Be Okay, despite its critical acclaim and strong viewership numbers. Unlike American TV shows that often continue for multiple seasons, K-dramas typically aim to tell a complete story within a single season. Although there have been exceptions with shows like Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead, most K-dramas adhere to this format.
In line with this tradition, It's Okay to Not Be Okay wraps up most of its narrative threads by the end of season 1. The show resolves the mystery surrounding the mother's death, ensures the brothers receive justice with the killer being imprisoned, and concludes the love story with a satisfying ending. Given this comprehensive conclusion, a second season of It's Okay to Not Be Okay would be unnecessary.
It's Okay To Not Be Okay Season 2 Release Date
Despite an unlikely season 2, audiences could predict a release date for the second season of "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" based on information from the first season. The Korean TV channel tvN first shared table-read photos with the website Naver on May 8, 2020. The show then proceeded to release its first episodes on June 20, 2020, following a staggered release schedule. Given the swift turnaround for the first season, it is reasonable to anticipate that the second season of "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" will be released shortly after its production companies, Story TV and Gold Medalist, announce the continuation.
It's Okay To Not Be Okay Season 2 Cast
If the show returns for a second season, the main trio of actors would be reprising their roles. Kim Soo-Hyun would continue to portray Moon Gang-Tae, the caretaker at the psychiatric hospital. Oh Jung-Se would play the role of Moon Sang-Te, Gang-Tae's older brother who has autism. Seo Yi-Tae would act as Ko Moon-Young, the children's book author with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Additionally, Jang Young-Nam is expected to return as Park Haeng-Ja, Moon-Young's mother who was incarcerated at the end of the first season of It's Okay to Not Be Okay.
Other supporting characters who have the potential to make a comeback are Park Gyu-Young as Nam Ju-Ri, Gang-Tae's co-worker and nurse who secretly harbors feelings for him. Kim Joo-Hun could reprise his role as Lee Sang-In, the CEO of the publishing company that releases Moon-Young's books. Furthermore, Kim Chang-Wan could continue portraying Oh Ji-Wang, the director of the psychiatric hospital where Gang-Tae is employed. The inclusion of these characters in a possible second season of It's Okay to Not Be Okay would add depth and enhance the storyline.
It's Okay To Not Be Okay Season 2 Story Details
If It's Okay to Not Be Okay is renewed for a second season, the focus is expected to shift towards Moon-Young's journey in dealing with the emotions and grief triggered by Haeng-Ja's imprisonment. While Moon-Young appears to have found closure, the process of healing is not a straightforward one. It is likely that she will continue to experience long-term symptoms stemming from the trauma caused by her mother's time in jail. Furthermore, the stress she faces may lead to a resurgence of symptoms related to ASPD.
In season 2 of It's Okay to Not Be Okay, Jo Yong is expected to delve deeper into the characters' struggles with mental illness. The worsening of Moon-Young's condition would not only impact her, but also affect the emotional well-being of Gang-Tae and Sang-Tae. As the show has been praised for its sensitive portrayal of mental health issues, it is anticipated that the brothers will grapple with the retraumatization and the resurgence of their past losses, despite justice being served.