It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is one of the more memorable kdramas of recent years. Told in fairy tale fashion, it tells the story a broken pair. The princess is a children’s storybook writer with severe antisocial personality disorder, while the MC is a struggling nurse with a dark past. It’s no wonder that most of the quotes we curated are rather dark and somber.
However, if there is anything that this story has taught is, it’s that it’s okay to not be okay. And for us folks who were suffering from the pandemic at the time, they were exactly the words we needed to hear.
Moon Young Quotes
Hurtful, painful memories. Only those with such memories buried in their hearts can become stronger, more passionate, and emotionally flexible. And only those can attain happiness. Remember it all and overcome it. If you do not overcome it, you will always be a kid whose soul never grows. – Moon Young, The Witch from The Boy Who Fed on Nightmares, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
A fairy tale isn’t a hallucinogen that gives us hopes and dreams. It’s a stimulant that makes us face reality. The moment you realize that and accept your reality, everybody (will) be happy. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
If you take a family photo, you become a family. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
A trauma should be faced head-on like this instead of trying to soothe it from behind. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
I hate kids and animals. They are unreasonable, they whine all the time and they always beg for love. That is why I like them. They make me care for them because they are unreasonable. It is cute to see them whine. And because they beg for love, it makes me grow fond of them. Just like you. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Do not look up at the stars in the beautiful night sky. Look down at your feet that are stuck in a filthy sewer. The moment you realize and accept your reality, let’s be happy. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
I really grew up like a princess in this castle that my dad built. The life of a princess is more difficult than you can ever imagine. The ending is the only happy part. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
If you cannot erase it, you just need to cover it with something better. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Some things can’t be torn apart no matter how hard you try to do so. That is why obsession is noble and beautiful. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
If you want to be fashionable, you must be uncomfortable and stubborn. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
We go hand in hand. Like a bomb and it’s safety pin. I’m volatile, you’re patient. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
People are all hypocrites. we all live with a lot of hatred, but we act like that is not the case. After all, who is not flawless. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Who cares about destiny? If someone shows up when you need them, you call that destiny. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Stop pretending like it does not hurt. Stop pretending like you are okay. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Who cares if I walk all night or put on a strip show in the rain? Why are you getting upset? Were you worried about me? Are you upset? Does your heart ache? Do you…like me? – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
The one who neglects and turns a blind eye to the abuse is worse than the abuser. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Why is everyone so nice to me? I am not your family. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
You don’t need to try so hard. Just relax and be yourself. That’s the real Moon Sang-tae. – Moon Young, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Kang-Tae Quotes
Close your eyes when you can’t control yourself. Cross your arms like this and take turns tapping each shoulder like this. This will help calm you down. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Do you think I stay quiet because I enjoy getting hurt? I’m not going to hold it in anymore. I’m done doing that! – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
He loves her a lot. Sometimes, that’s why you must let someone go. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
I am done with being someone who is needed by others. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
I do not want Moon Young to suffer like this. So I hope she never finds out about this. I do not want her to be hurt. I do not want her to ever care about other people’s feelings. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
I have been tied up for way too long, so I forgot how to cut myself free. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
If living is hard enough to die, running away is the most comfortable. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Please count at least one to three before you do anything impulsive. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
When I see you smile, I forget everything else. The butterfly and even my mom. I forget everything else except the two of us. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Putting on a smile isn’t hard to do. It’s fine even when it’s fake. – Kang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Quote by Kang-Tae and Sang-Tae:
Sang-Tae: Hyung, do you know the fairy tale called ‘The Ugly Duckling’?
Kang-Tae: Yes. The other ducks are so mean to the little ugly duckling. They bully him because he looks different from them.
Sang-Tae: So he got really lonely and decided to leave his family, right? What do you think would’ve happened if the mother duck gave a lot of love to the little ugly duckling?
Kang-Tae: Then it would not have left.
Sang-Tae: If the adults embrace all their kids with the same amount of love, the ducks and swans can all get along and live together as one family.
Quotes by Sang-Tae:
It’s better to kiss than to fight. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Be polite. If you are polite, you will not get scolded as much. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Because you are pretty. You are pretty, you eat well. It is nice how you like Gang Tae for who he is even though he has nothing to offer. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Being busy isn’t a bad thing. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
I will feed you, okay? You are not feeling well today, so it is okay to be fed like a baby. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
If I give all my stuff to people who need them, what about me? What will I have left? – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
You can never go out once you are trapped in the past because you cannot even see the door. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Is being different something to be afraid of? – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Liars are bad. Only bad people lie. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
You shouldn’t be embarrassed about being sad. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
It’s rude to just say sorry without even looking the person. If you want to apologize for something, you have to look at the person and say it. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Your body is honest. When you’re in physical pain, you cry. But the heart is a liar. It stays quiet even when it’s hurting. Then, when you’re asleep, you finally weep and whimper like a dog. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Overspending is a sin. Make sure you don’t overspend. – Sang-Tae, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Director Oh Quotes
Everyone is good and bad. We all live with both traits. – Director Oh, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
As long as one person stays strong when the other person falls down, you guys will never fall down together. Try your best to stay strong. – Director Oh, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Being together torments you. But if you break up, it’s be equally painful. If both opinions feel like death, wouldn’t it be better to suffer together? – Director Oh, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Only those who have suffered truly understand suffering. – Director Oh, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Do not make the same mistake I did and try to run when you cannot even walk. When you are tired, get some rest. When you are sad, go ahead and cry. It is okay to take a break. Then one day, there will surely come a day when you will be able to run again. – Director Oh, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
People stick together because they’re weak. We lean on each other like this. That’s what makes us human. Will you ever be human? – Director Oh, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
The first step is always the hardest. But once you take the first step, things will get easier from then on. – Director Oh, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
More Quotes From The Kdrama
It’s always those who are weak that act all tough. Since you’re so weak, you can’t just walk away from weak people. You want to lean on them, and vice versa. That’s why weaklings are attracted to each other like magnets. So you’d better stick together. You weakling should join forces and stick together. Then you guys will become invincible. – Jae-Soo, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Do you know how I have managed to stay close to him all these years? By having no idea of what goes on in his mind or how he really feels. You see Gang Tae is an expert at hiding his feelings. He never really opens up to anyone. Nothing good will come out of prying and forcing him to share his feelings and thoughts. All you can do is to be there for him and try to comfort him quietly. Being by his side is enough. – Jae-Soo, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
If you want to make people around you happy, you have to find your own happiness first. Being selfish is not always a bad thing. Try to only think about your happiness when things are too stressful. It is okay to do that. – Joo-Ri, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
The law of the total number of misfortunes. I heard we all have a set amount of happiness and misfortune assigned to us. If their lives have been filled with misfortune assigned to us. If their lives have been filled with misfortune up till now, it means only happiness awaits them. – Joo-Ri, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Love is all about patience.
When you are talking about people, you should never number them like that. You can cherish and care about people in different ways. Think about the different kinds of yellow. Even the same color can take different names depending on its chroma. The same goes for human emotions like affection. Fondness, hatred, love, friendship, and lust. They are like a rainbow.
Adults can’t always be right. We make mistakes until the day we die. – Soon-Duk, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
You shouldn’t stop people from doing what they want or liking someone. Plus, it’s impossible. – Soon-Duk, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Back then even when parents hit their children, everyone thought it was okay because it was considered as a way of disciplining kids. But that is child abuse.
Being around him is like taking a breath after being underwater too long, clear, expansive, and life-affirming. She loves pressing her nose into his neck and breathing in deep.
Do not be stubborn when things do not work out. You need to learn to try other things.
Even if you are psycho, that is okay.
Even parents cannot fully understand their own child.
I have been living alone all my life. People like me are not able to live among others. It is better to be secluded.
I have something to say to you tonight. I will give, everything to you. I will give you my heart full of love. If it is for you, there is nothing I cannot do. I will present you the stars. The whole universe.
Moon Young, you cannot live by yourself anymore. Because now you know how it feels to feel warm at heart and have a full stomach. So just admit it. That you are just a little kid who wants to be loved.
Obviously, he has never had a chance to whine or complain to his parents. He got so used to just putting up with things and keeping it all inside. Then one day, he realized he has become an adult. But he is still a kid inside, so how would you understand his feelings and thoughts?
Usually, bad memories last longer in the heart.
When someone has autism it means they shut the door to the world.
You see, a happy ending is what matters most.
Your mouth can tell lies but those eyes cannot.