Early Access: My Liberation Notes Episode 1

Hi everyone!

Today, I thought I’d share my episode 1 notes on My Liberation Notes, because it’s turning out to be such a meaty watch that’s growing on me nicely. I was wondering if you’d like to join me? 🤗

These are my episode 1 notes, exactly as they appear on Patreon, ie, without screenshots (I’m saving those for the actual review).

I hope you all enjoy, and I hope you’ll consider joining us over on Patreon, for the rest of the discussions! ❤️

Episode notes:

E1. I hafta say, I find this first episode a little surprising.

Show is everything it said it would be – and yet, I find myself feeling surprised, because, first of all, it had never occurred to me, that the 3 siblings at the center of our story, would actually be commuting to work in the city.

For some reason, I’d had it in my head, that they were living and working in the countryside, and that’s why they were so desperate to leave, for the big city. Because they wanted to experience more of the world, and have a bigger life, in a manner of speaking.

It changes everything, really, that the 3 of them work in the city, and commute daily, to get to and from work.

No wonder they’ve grown tired; that kind of daily commute is no joke.

You have to leave extra early in the morning, when most people in the city are still probably asleep in their beds, and you have to leave work on time as much as possible, AND you have to get home later than most, particularly if there’s a work gathering that you need to attend.

That can really wear you down, over time, and I haven’t even taken into account the relationship issues that come into play.

Lee Min Ki’s character, listed as Chang Hee, is such a bundle of chaotic, perplexed energy. He’s so full of consternation at the state of his life, and he’s convinced that it’s because he lives in the countryside, that his relationship is on the rocks, and he likely won’t be able to get married.

I mean, he’s not completely wrong; his bluster about not having a car in which to kiss a girl, does have a ring of awkward truth about it. And, I’d imagine that if he’s always busy commuting to and from the city, that he wouldn’t have as much time to spend with his girlfriend.

At the heart of it, though, I think, is his blustery, angry personality. That’s not very attractive at all, and I personally think that this is the bigger issue, when it comes to his marriage prospects.

Although, he’s not wrong too, in thinking that his chances of dating and marrying a Seoul girl are limited, because of the fact that he lives in the “egg white” (such a fun analogy, I thought!).

And then there’s Gi Jeong, who’s pretty much just as angry and perplexed and grumbly as Chang Hee, at the state of her life.

From what I can tell, she also thinks that living in the countryside has ruined her marriage prospects.

When we meet her now, she thinks of herself as over the hill, and now regrets ever having been picky about men.

If drama convention holds in this drama world, I’d expect her to eventually have a loveline with Lee Ki Woo’s single dad character, Tae Hoon.

But, that’s the thing. I have no idea whether this is going to be a conventional drama world.

I’d kind of expected the countryside life to be rustic, but charming, in the vein of Racket Boys and Hometown Cha Cha Cha. Instead, there’s a lot less shine shown to us, about the country life.

In fact, what we see is dirt and hard work under the hot sun, with our family of characters harvesting leeks together on the weekend.

What a lifestyle to be born into, where you’re expected to pitch in on the farm on your days off, after dealing with long daily commutes all week. I can see why Chang Hee and Gi Jeong are as discontent as they are.

But then there’s Mi Jeong, whom I must confess I’m most drawn to, this first hour.

Mi Jeong’s quiet, docile and cooperative, and there’s nothing to dislike about her, really. She’s a hardworking colleague, and a daughter who works on the farm without complaint. And, she does tend to fade into the background, like one of her male colleague pertinently observes, when he thinks she’s not there to hear him.

I’m most drawn to the fact that Mi Jeong’s created an imaginary connection in her head, with her soulmate – whom she hasn’t even met yet – so as to cope with the mundane, exhausting and pedestrian nature of her life. Isn’t that so.. whimsical?

I like that glimpse that we get, of the dreamer within, underneath the unremarkable surface that Mi Jeong shows the world.

I don’t really know what Mi Jeong’s dealing with. Aside from the pressures of work, there also seems to be a loan that she wants to hide from her family. Who did she borrow that money for, I wonder?

On top of all this, I’m suitably intrigued by Son Seok Koo’s character, listed as Mr. Gu.

From Show’s synopsis, I knew, coming into this watch, that he’d have an air of mystery about him. However, I wasn’t prepared for the fact that he really barely speaks, at all, if he can help it.

That just makes me all the more curious to know more about him. Where’s he from? What’s his story? Why doesn’t he talk much? Why does he drink so much?

I’d been looking forward to the connection sparking between Mr. Gu and Mi Jeong, because that’s in Show’s synopsis, but had wondered how that was going to happen, with the way they’ve been studiously avoiding speaking to each other, this episode.

So, it seems like a great catalyst, that Mi Jeong’s worried enough about that letter in the mail regarding her loan, that she’d approach Mr. Gu, and ask him to retrieve that letter for her while she’s at work, so that her parents won’t see it.

Ooh. Approaching the mysterious stranger, with your biggest secret, that you don’t even want your family to know about? Well, yes, that’s surely going to galvanize some kind of connection between you, whether you like it or not, to which I say, yes please, bring it on!

All in all, this was a solid first episode, and even though I’m not in love with Show or its characters yet, I’m reasonably confident that Show will continue to draw me in, given a few more episodes.

*This show is being covered on the VVIP Early Access (US$20) Tier on Patreon*

To view episode 1 notes in Patreon, along with everyone’s comments, you can go here!

You can find my Patreon page here, where episodes 1 through 5 notes are already available. Just look for the tag “My Liberation Notes” or click here.

Episode 6 notes will be out on Saturday, 7 May 2022! I hope you’ll consider joining us!

It’ll be a way to have fun, and support me at the same time? ❤️

PS: For more information on what the Patreon experience is like, you might like to check out my Patreon update post for May, which you can find here!

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manukajoe
manukajoe
11 months ago

I am LOVING this show. 3 more eps to go. It’s totally my bag. I don’t know how I rate it against Misaeng or My Mister or Goblin etc, since it can seem a bit aimless, but the moment to moment is magical.

I laughed so hard in Ep 10 but I think they missed an opportunity there.

Camerawork is so interesting, and some of the shots are rather weird in an amusing way.

manukajoe
manukajoe
11 months ago
Reply to  manukajoe

It’s a pity the OTP is boring. But I love the others.

manukajoe
manukajoe
1 year ago

Hi all. I abandoned the group watches in favour of this. I love it so much, especially Lee El who I know from Goblin. Augh it is so moving. Also Lee Min Ki is much better here than he was in Beauty Inside.

KS
KS
1 year ago

Hi Fangirl

Thanks for sharing your Patreon notes here on the blog. I’m seriously thinking of joining you on Patreon.

This show is turning out to be nothing less than Fantastic. It’s really well written, acted and directed. I’m truly loving it. Looking forward to your full length review of it in due time.

Son Seok-Koo is doing a terrific job as eccentric Mr Gu. This reminds me of his character ‘Director Hey’😀 from Be Melodramatic. He was superb even in that small role.

Hopefully see you soon on Patreon.

Timescout
1 year ago

Yeah, commuting to work sucks. Mine only takes about an hour but it’s “trains, planes and automobiles”… well, actually a bus, a train and the metro with some walking at the end. And I’m so tired of it.

This feels like a drama to watch djrimg my summer vacation.

Timescout
1 year ago
Reply to  Timescout

* during * dang it! Accidentally pressed ‘send’ again. This is why I don’t like commenting on my phone. 😄

Snow Flower
Snow Flower
1 year ago

This show makes me imagine Chekhov and Faulkner drinking soju in the Korean countryside on a hot summer night while listening to minimalist piano music.

Snow Flower
Snow Flower
1 year ago

Mr. Gu, who are you???

seankfletcher
seankfletcher
1 year ago
Reply to  Snow Flower

Fabulous show all round, and I am enjoying it far more than Our Blues.

There have been a couple of shows over the last 12 months that have shown the more rustic side of life, even in the urban areas.

As Snow Flower says – Mr Gu who are you?

My favourite character though is Gi Jeong and I have my fingers crossed each time she is on the screen – she is formidable at work, very clever. However, she is just all at sea.