7 Therapeutic K-Dramas About Battling Mental Health Issues
A perfect blend of education and healing.
The topic of mental health has long been stigmatized on television, and there are not many shows that shed light on the issues that many people struggle with in real life.
Fortunately, in the recent few years, we have seen more and more projects that break down that stigma and help educate viewers about the disturbing theme. Besides, for those struggling with mental health issues, seeing them portrayed on screen often becomes a therapeutic experience.
Here are seven great K-dramas about battling various conditions and disorders.
Mad for Each Other (2021)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Hwi-oh is a detective with anger issues, Min-kyung is an eccentric woman caught up in her own delusions and compulsions. Though they are very different, their troubled backgrounds bring them together and they can't help but fall for each other. The romantic story is primarily a fun and light comedy, but the heavy mental health theme is executed perfectly.
Tomorrow (2022)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Jun-woong is an average young man who can't find a job. One day, an accident turns him into a half-spirit and he joins a team of Grim Reapers whose mission is to prevent people from committing suicide. As you can imagine, the drama deals with many emotional and touching human stories that are sure to make you cry.
Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023)
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to stream: Netflix
The heartfelt story focuses on Jung Da-eun, a nurse in a psychiatric hospital who does everything in her power to help the patients in her care. Despite its realistic portrayal of mental health issues, the drama has a balanced tone that is neither too dark nor too frivolous, and viewers loved that.
It's Okay, That's Love (2014)
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki
The show is primarily about an enemies-to-lovers romance between Jae-yeol, a bestselling author, and Hae-soo, a rookie psychiatrist who is passionate about her work and her patients. But the theme of mental health is woven throughout the story, as Jae-yeol suffers from OCD and other more serious issues.
Kill Me, Heal Me (2015)
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki
The protagonist of the drama, Do-hyun, is a rich heir who developed a dissociative identity disorder due to some traumatic events in his life. Now, with the help of Ri-jin, a first-year psychiatry resident, he's trying to get his disorder under control before one of his seven personalities takes full control of his body.
Our Blues (2022)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Where to stream: Netflix
The romantic slice-of-life drama follows the lives of different people in a tight-knit community on Jeju Island. Some stories are light and sweet, some are heartbreaking and emotional, but they all deal with human emotions and conditions, including depression.
It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Where to stream: Netflix
Various illnesses and disorders are the cornerstone of this K-drama. Gang-tae is a nurse in a mental hospital. On top of that, he takes care of his brother, who is autistic and has deep-seated wounds from the past. Moon-young is a popular children's book author with an antisocial personality disorder who slowly finds her way into the lives of the brothers.