I spent the last few episodes of this show holding my breath. As the end approached, I began to worry. Where is this writer taking us? Is she taking us anywhere at all? I so wanted to have faith in her, but I also didn’t want to get my hopes up.

But that finale, and the way it brought everything together in my mind and in my heart, was… wonderful.

Is this an unpopular opinion? I’m not sure. I’m writing this completely free of anyone else’s thoughts. I’ve let myself ruminate over the show for about a day now. I knew how I felt the minute we saw the last frame, but I wanted to be sure. I went on a walk this morning, letting my mind wander, letting myself see the story from multiple different angles.

And I love it.

I love the idea that liberation is a long-term, even life-long process. It is not something that happens magically, without putting in real work. It is not a single moment, or a single person, that makes us change for good. No matter what we are liberating ourselves from–addiction, depression, self-hatred, hatred of others, anything–perhaps the most we can ask of ourselves is to try to find those few seconds of happiness and freedom at a time. When we find ourselves falling again, for days or months or years, perhaps the most we can do is be kind to ourselves and get back up and start over again.

When this show began, I never felt that the writer was building a world, but rather that the world had already been built and we were plopped down right in the middle of these characters’ lives. We leave their lives in a similar fashion, knowing that these characters have their entire lives ahead of them. We won’t be able to witness it, but we do have the hope that, little by little, they are all working their ways towards liberation.

The hardest thing for me to connect to in this drama was Gu, and his relationship with Mi-jeong. This I know is an unpopular opinion, because I watched as the show gained the popularity it deserved and they were the hottest topic of conversation. But when I saw them, I didn’t feel particularly happy or unhappy. It was the weak point of a show with a tapestry of characters with full, rich inner lives… but watching the finale was revelatory to me. Gu and Mi-jeong, despite their vastly different lives and their different issues, are kindred spirits. They understand each other on a foundational level, even with their differences.

I’m glad that this show has called Gu’s alcoholism for what it is. I also noticed multiple points in the story where characters make a point to say not to drink and drive, and it makes me wonder if the writer has personal experience with alcoholism–either first or second-hand. The show doesn’t romanticize his drinking, and it was good to see that his colleagues confronted him about it. I think this show’s discussions about therapy are interesting. I don’t think the writer is saying that therapy doesn’t work. Many people seem to think of therapy as a cure-all...

I’ve gotten into the habit of rating dramas once I’ve finished watching them. However, this drama feels like one that is beyond rating. I can’t give it a grade. It’s just… there. With its characters and its moments and its liberations. And though some may feel like they want a more conclusive ending, this drama was never about that. We saw a snippet of their journey, and were witness to every single character changing and improving themselves, and ultimately finding a sense of purpose, even lovability within themselves. And so show, I bid thee farewell. A standing ovation to all the actors and actresses: never has there been a more perfect example of casting and character. This would not have worked without them.

... 👀

ah, screw it...

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I have struggled and continue to struggle personally with some of the concepts brought up in this show; the feeling of being stuck in a deep mental pit and unable to get out, the fact that getting out is an excruciatingly slow process with many ups and downs and backtracks that make it feel like any forward or upward progression is non-existent. I understand that theme and that feeling very, very well.

But only a few times throughout the show, and increasingly less and less as it went on, did the show's attempt at this subject matter actually resonate with me, or make me genuinely feel something.

I did not feel comforted or seen or emotionally connected to the show. I did not enjoy it as any exploration of anything otherwise. I did not get anything out of it. I did not truly relate to the characters I on paper have much in common with.

I felt alienated, unnerved, disconcerted even, consistently for 16 episodes. I found the characters immensely inaccessible. And frequently, I wondered what this show was actually about or trying to say because it too often seemed to be saying nothing at all, despite all attempts at otherwise.

Because you see, those pieces that did or could have resonated with me, and those lines that every so often were said that at very least were almost true, were just that; pieces. Moments. Slices. Out of context and out of place, floating ideas, individual and independent impressions.

They were not pieces in a collective and cohesive whole, woven together to form an intricate narrative or induce an emotional catharsis in resolution. In fact, they had no resolution because they were not a whole.

//

The final idea that liberation is an ongoing process, that seeking and finding happiness or a contentment to carry on, is made of tiny, miniscule attempts every day- sir, I cannot express to you how much I understand this concept, I KNOW this idea very deeply in my soul- though I would not describe it in those words, thus probably altering or expanding their meaning- but nonetheless I KNOW this idea. The statement in and of itself is not bad either.

But I did not feel a... a release when this idea was announced in the final episode.
For 16 episodes I was constantly asking myself “what is happening, and why? Where is it going?.”
But when we got to the end, I did not feel that this statement had actually ANSWERED that.
Or rather, I didn’t feel that this conclusionary statement was actually a satisfying result of everything that had gone before.
There was no "ah yes so THAT'S what this was all about". Instead, I felt a contempt for how that result was played out, and, more importantly, for how we got there.

I don’t think this show truly justified that being its final statement, in its execution and in how it told any of its story.

//

A fantastic example of this and why it bothers me so much, is Changhee’s narrative...

I hate the concept of open ending. But this one... I can accept but I still dont like it.

One of the best dramas of this year.
I will save this one together with My Unfamiliar Family and Misaeng.

I didn't love My Liberation Notes like everyone else. Gu was the only character I cared about because of swoony Son Suk-ku, but his gangster life was overdramatic for a slice-of-life genre, and his high-functioning alcoholism was unrealistic. He drank from the time he woke up to the time he went to bed filling his house with soju bottles to the point Chairman Shin had to stage an intervention, yet he could still run through the streets of Seoul and have coherent conversations with Mi-jung.

It would've been more realistic for Mi-jung to have dated someone boring like Tae-hoon or a loser like Chang-hee and friends. She still knows nothing about Gu, so the only way for her to find out would be when his hyung kidnaps her until Gu pays his gambling debt since hyung knows about Mi-jung after visiting their house. Did they not do anything besides hug and spoon with his place all to themselves?

Ki-jung and Tae-hoon's relationship is still as wrong as it was when it first started. Despite her I love you's and overly cheery texts, none of them look happy -- not Ki-jung, Tae-hoon, Yu-rim, and obviously Kyung-sun.

I was confused during Chang-hee and Hyun-ah's timeskipped flashback breakup. When did they even get together? Is Chang-hee going to sell his convenience store to become a funeral director? If he were taking out a loan to start a business, I wish he had taken over the convenience store in the first place. Even his part-timer knew sweet potato ovens would fail.

After a strong set of episodes last week the final two fell flat for me. Overall, I appreciated the acting and much of the dialogue in MLN but had issues with the storytelling throughout. It’s one of those dramas that I admire but don’t really like.

Last week I said that I wished the drama would address Gu’s drinking. Well, they did, but I don’t know how I feel about it. I know the whole worshipping thing was about listening and acceptance, but I can’t believe Mi-jung could listen to Gu’s tales of alcoholism and not react and still keep buying alcohol. I found their relationship so unhealthy. The ending was supposed to be hopeful with the coin not falling into the sewer grate and Gu leaving the bottle behind, but they made him such a misanthropic drunk that I just don’t believe he will actually change.

I’m so disappointed Gi-jung didn’t break up with Tae-hoon. She's the character I really didn't see grow at all. Liberation for her, in my opinion, would have been being okay with being alone. I’m relieved they didn’t rush into marriage after Gi-jung’s impulsive proposal but Tae-hoon wanting to wait until Yu-rim turned 20 just signaled to Yu-rim that Gi-jung doesn’t really matter. I know Gi-jung’s the “pick-up girl” but Yu-rim will never accept her, the sister will always be hostile to her, and Tae-hoon will never really put her first. How depressing.

I never rooted for Gi-jung to end up with her boss, but I liked their friendship and am disappointed he just disappeared. I was disappointed Mi-jung and Hyun-ah stopped interacting too. At least Chang-hee had a final conversation with his friends.

The new stepmom seemed nice. I liked her moment with Gi-jung watching the snow and when she told Chang-hee “You did well.” I’m glad the siblings seem to have a decent relationship with her.

I did like that the dad obviously paid enough attention over the years to know that Gi-jung cutting her hair meant man problems, and he tried to tell her that living alone was okay.

Chang-hee started as my least favorite character and ended as my favorite. I thought his arc was satisfying, albeit very random and underdeveloped. Most dramas don’t handle time jumps well and MLN was no exception. I was never invested in Chang-hee and Hyun-ah but having their relationship and breakup happen offscreen was poor writing. Everything to do with the business he started and failed at offscreen didn’t really land for me either. How did he even get the money to start it and how did he get the convenience store after that? I did think he had the best and most interesting growth arc though, and I liked that he finally found the right path for himself.

I liked see the Liberation Club again.

The scene with the coin falling and Mr Gu leaving the bottle seems pretty important to me. Any interpretation of that? (I have my own, but don't want to influence!)

I loved episodes 1-15. But episode 16 felt like attending an academic lecture on the author's 10 step program to liberation. In the earlier episodes, the characters didn't talk much, but we felt their emotions through their actions, their body language, looks in their eyes, there was a more organic emotional resonance and forward movement of the story. In ep 16, the characters talked so much, all mostly sitting down and staring at each other. It's like watching a series of therapy sessions. The viewers have worked hard to distill the liberation process eps 1-15, and we get it there is no fairy tale ending and life will be a continued process of overcoming obstacles. There really is no need to summarize everything and have the characters recite back to us in detail. I would have been perfectly content watching the characters' everyday life. The Yeom Family + Gu have completed a liberation cycle, it would have been nice to circle back to the first episode, them living everyday life, with its natural ups and downs. Instead, we get a gang fight the last ten minutes. And it's like Mr. Gu, if Goddess MJ cannot inspire you to get medical treatment for alcoholism, you are really hopeless. And MJ's character felt hollow the last episode, she lost her fierceness, edgy-ness, like this aura that's uniquely MJ is gone. After liberation, she became super sweet, somewhat bland, Saint MJ, like a different person.

Thank you for the recaps!
I was anxious throughout the last episode I thought something might happen to Mr Gu. I'm so glad the Writer didn't take that direction. I feel so proud of MJ for the way she handled her ex. In the past, MJ tried to convince herself she was the bigger person than those who abandoned her to make herself feel better but by the end of the drama it was clear that she has become a better person by overcoming her resentment. Mr Gu might not to quit his job and alcohol anytime soon but with MJ's support I believe he's already making better choices and taking small steps in the right direction.

Yay for the Liberation Club keeping in touch and starting up again. I like that the ending is realistic rather than the wrapped up prettily. Even if our characters have not quite achieved the liberation they set out to but they're closer than they were initially and better equipped with newfound self-realization to continue on their journey.

I thought when KJ cut her own hair she was getting ready to be on her own. At the beginning of the drama, I didn't understand why KJ was so desperate for a partner, as if that would be the answer to all her happiness. But then as the drama went on I realised her biggest source of unhappiness is her loneliness and crave for companionship. Realistically, rather than attaining happiness and liberation, issues formed as a result of her relationship with TH. But despite that KJ remained true to her aspiration to be a "pick up girl" and stayed with him. I think KJ has grown to be more acceptable of the idea that it's okay to be alone. Even though her initial motivation was to date anyone so she wouldn't be single, she chose to stick with TH despite the obstacles because she loves him, not because of her fear.

I'm happy for CH, his psychic feeling led him to a new path this time, one that'll likely bring new meaning and purpose to his life. I truly hope he finds someone who'll be there for him unconditionally. Going through loss and grief also changed Dad; he looked powerless and pitiful. I'm glad to see Dad's relationship with his children have improved and his current wife seemed to take comfort in her new life. What's considered burdensome and imprisonment to some might be comfort and security to another. How easy it was for her to pat CH on the shoulder and compliment him for doing well, something his own parents never did readily.

Kudos to the Writer for a truly wonderful, realistic portrayal of the monotony daily life and struggles we can all relate to. I love the cast and think they were all amazing in their roles. In our characters' words, some days you feel liberated, some days you're back to square one but I hope you'll find five minutes of peace each day and keep trudging on.

As peaceful and quiet as it enters, it ends. No fanfare whatsoever. This show uses no shocking effect to catch viewers' attention, it just slowly and slowly stole the heart. I love the juxtaposition, the irony, the quirky sense of humor, the symbolism, the characters's growth and characterization. Even Papa Yeom shows some growth 🥲 Perfect assemble cast, writing, and directing. I wish more drama writers and directors make drama this serious, it isn't just thing to fill the time slot.
My only complaint is... I know I complaint a lot 😅.... Where's Changhee and Mr. Gu reunion, writer ssi? I think he misses Mr. Gu as much as Mi jeong.
I am so relate to him when he says that he stopped saying what already on the tips of his tongue makes him feeling like he is a better person. Gawd, how many times I've been going through something like this, I wanted so much to talk trash my senior and boss who doesn't deserve any respect, I stopped my self because hey I'm better person so I move along and treat my junior better and become better senior. Hah.
Changhee is ❤❤ so wise

First off. What the hell is this kind of ending. Where is the closure? Where is the confrontation that was supposed to happen between Mi-jung and Gu? Why didn’t Chang-hee meet Gu as the series concluded? The guy could really use even his presence. He was broken, literally in all sense of it. He is dealing with a lot. He had really gotten so drawn to Gu so why, show? Why didn’t he meet his hyung, MLN? I have many unanswered questions and vexations and it ain’t fair. Still, I’ll vote this into my list of best dramas of the year.

That said. As Tae-hoon and Ki-jung unfolded this two episodes I was so happy I wasn’t too much in Tae-hoon’s ship. Man, she needs to leave that guy. It is too toxic for her. She has a heart of gold, a heart full of love and she doesn’t resist displaying this love. However, it both makes and mars her because Tae-hoon is too passive once his family comes into the picture. And the more Ki-jung made excuses for him the more I was sure they are not fit for each other at all. A significant nudge from him to keep his sister and daughter in check would have been nice. But no, he left her alone to fend herself against those two. This thing called relationship is a full two way street man. Even gentle lovers knows when they need to be active. He wasn’t at all. He might understand her love philosophy and all but he is totally underserving and unworthy of it. Even his second sister knows it is toxic at the moment and is trying to salvage it for him.
Seeing the Liberation Club once again is…nice closing. And Mr Park Sang-Min’s new look is…I like the new minted change.
And where is Boss Jin-woo? Not even a mention. I am waited for him to come sweep Ki-jung outta Tae-hoon’s hands but no, nothing of such. MLN you didn’t do me right.
I can’t tolerate a Mr. Gu phase-in phase-out IRL, but the portrayal here, I can’t remain angry for too long. I like the character q too much already, but not Chang-hee level. I would have loved some more stronger accountability, even if it is a civil conversation let the blades clang in the air. How she let him off the hook so easily because she understood him perfectly is unfair. Side note, when she called him adorable, I melted.
I really hope to come across a Mi-jung. There is no need for a façade or thick wall cause it’ll be broken or seen through. Just living the moment, be it enjoyment or not.
MLN is a show where even without worded scripts, you’ll still shine and make viewers feel for you. Chun Ho-jin and Lee Kyung Sung are vivid examples of that.
I’ll willingly give another 16 hours of my time as many times as possible for a re-watch. And if there is a second season, I will watch it, definitely and wholeheartedly. Anything for this well rounded cast. Anything for this liberating piece of art.

I appreciate how MLN dealt with ep15's time skip and ep16's ending. After 3 years, we don't find the siblings magically all well after moving to Seoul. They're still struggling, with some faring better and some faring worst. This is very true-to-life. Relocation isn't a magical elixir, and you cannot physically run away from your problems. Likewise, the ending wasn't really an ending to the story, but just a point where the cameras stopped on the characters while they continued on living.

The highlight of both episodes was during ep16's Liberation Club reunion, when the HR lady said that on some days she felt liberated, but some days felt like she was back to square one, but looking back she feels like she's been liberated a little bit. THIS tiny exchange captured the essence of the show. Self-liberation is the journey of a lifetime, and the sum total of the work you do on a daily basis. It might not seem like you're getting anywhere, but when time compounds and you look back, you will feel like you've gotten somewhere.

Changhee: Changhee had the most beautiful and fulfilling character arc. Lee Minki's acting has been good throughout MLN, but he really knocked it out of the park in the last 2 episodes. When Changhee came on screen in ep15, you could just tell he had changed. You could sense the weariness and disenchantment in his eyes. He looked different and held himself differently. In ep16, he achieved a certain grace that reminded me of a priest. I'm glad that Changhee landed on his life's calling. You could do a whole spin-off on his new journey as a funeral director.

Gijeong: By far the most disappointing character development, bordering on infuriating. I was hoping that after her father's remarks, she would finally get the guts and dump Taehun, but she is so desperate to be in a relationship that she's willing to continue being a second-class citizen and give up parenthood to stay with that wet mop of a bf.

Mijeong: She was the sibling that ended up much better after the move to Seoul. She got a new job, found confidence in herself, made friends, gave up her grudge against her ex, etc. I think she will be fine no matter what.

I don't mind an open ending but for some reason I'm still to put my finger on, the last 2 episodes didn't grasp me as much as the previous ones.

Overall, it was a lovely drama that would no doubt make the list of favourites of 2022

Ps: It's a miracle that Gu didn't die from his alcoholism

I watched the ending with increasing dismay. Mr. Gu is a violent alcoholic gangster. Yes, he's in love with Mi Jeong and she's in love with him, but is that good? His job apparently includes serious misogyny and beating people in the description! No wonder he preferred to work as a carpenter and harvesting vegetables in the hot sun. Even though all the characters had open endings without resolutions, I wasn't as worried for them as I was for Mi Jeong. Even though I liked his character and thought he had a lot of depth and complexity, getting together with him is a scary open ending for her. But the narrative arc of the show is perfect. At the reunion of the Liberation Club, MJ says that identifying the problem is significant. Everything boils down to being the person who can say out loud, "I am here with you," who can pick up the severed head (of a rose!) who can live for herself and not to show that another person is wrong.

I liked the ending. I thought it was messy and chaotic. Ki Jung's relationship with Tae Hoon reminded me of OH Hae Young again( I hate that drama, ha) Their relationship doesn't make sense and is incredibly messy, but despite that, they love each other. I hated it in OHY, and now I don't hate it so much. The fact their relationship doesn't make sense to me is irrelevant, so long as it makes sense to them. Which I think it part of the point of the show, the relationships are meant to show that people with issues get together and thrive even when the people are better off alone. The same with Gu and MJ. He is the same kind of asshole as her previous boyfriend, but because she decided he was the one despite the unhealthiness of the relationship, she sticks with him. I think their dad's parting words to them was the reason for the season, it is okay to be alone. None of them except CH have realized that, and that is probably why he had more of a conclusory story than the rest. Thank you drama for being one of my faves.

A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose...., even decapitated and with no leaves. I love this writer's absurd humour, although I remain unimpressed by Ki-jung and Tae-hoon's relationship as well as his relationship with his sisters. Ki-jung is still her old self with her thoughtless and tactless rants in the restaurant.

Another turn into absurdity is Chang-hee finding his calling as an undertaker - so unexpected, but also a really good decision. He will be just perfect.

I also liked Gu and Mi-jung as a couple and the fact that Gu is fully conscious of his alcoholism and its ugly sides and is clinging on Mi-jung for dear live. She has a unique way of showing him ways to beat his demons, they really are soul mates. Was chairman Shin aware of all the money Gu has stuffed in his wardrobe?

Mi-jung is just a beautiful person. And very lovable.

Best drama I have seen in a long while.

It's been a while since I posted, but reading the recap made me want to share my thoughts. I was most pleased that Mr. Gu was still on this side of the world , as it were, by the end of the epi. I watched the last few minutes with baited breath bc I fully expected him not to be. His next move is to check into a hospital/rehab center. He needs major help and I fear he would have seizures from alcohol withdrawal if he tried to stop on his own.

Mi-jung is the clear "winner", if there is such a thing. She made the deliberate choice to address what was wrong in her life, reflected on it and set about to solve it. Her methods were unconventional, for sure , but I feel that was needed to get out of the rut in her life.

Chang-hee is gets second place. He did a great job in paying off the debt, making sure his father was able to move on comfortably with this new relationship, etc. He did not actually solve his relationship issues. I felt that pairing him with Hyun-ah was wrong from the get go. They understood each other as friends and helped each other in tight situations, but that doesn't always mean love. They were 2 very different people, seeking very different things. Hyun-ah also has a lot that she needs to work on. I was not expecting it to workout for them. As for his chance to become a funeral director, I see it with a slightly different spin. Idk if Palliative Care exists in Korea (forgive me if it does) but that's where I see him finding the best fit. He provides comfort to those in their final stages of life. He sits with them, helps them feel at peace and not alone. There is a place for him to help those in their final moments, not after.

Ki-jung has learned the least and therefore gets third place. She just rants mindlessly and learns very little. Her best attempt to change her life was to approach Tae-hoon but very little else happened after that. She didn't address the issues with the sister or the daughter, just hid from them. Teenagers are moody AF, but as a parent Tae-hoon needed to take more control of the situation. He was always apologetic to his daughter and sisters , always felt guilty and let them run all over him. At some point, he needed to assert himself more. The relationship with TH and KJ went nowhere because neither of them took actual steps to make it better. Nothing was ever confronted, addressed or discussed.

I was sad that mom died. She loved her family and gave her all for them. It bothered me that dad just remarried "because he's not strong enough to live alone". That's all she was to him, a caretaker . I hate that for women, in general. Dad made them all live a hard life and imposed his rules on everyone. In the end, he was the weakest one. I'm sure I am projecting....oh well.

My Liberation Notes...

A show that makes me want to try harder to understand other people. A show that makes me be patient.

Just like the Liberation club rules, I don't feel like telling people how to live or comforting them.

I like how dude Gu and Mi Jeong only listened and shared. Mi Jeong never told dude Gu to stop drinking, but she shared with him some of her ways to cup with life "seconds of happiness".

I like how no matter what Chang Hee said, his friends didn't treat him like some crazy dude. He was always talking about his spiritual relationship with time (or life) and they always listen to him. Did they believe him? Who knows. But they didn't judge.

The liberation club could've been a club were people gives you life advices, telling you everything you're doing wrong, everything you need to change, everything you should be grateful about, etc. But instead it was an individual journey where you were you had the question but you also were the only one that could give you the answer. If you're the one that has to live with that answer, I think it's only fair you're the one searching for it, since you'll know which one is the best for you.

Well Ki Jeong... It didn't matter what she said people were always ready to attack her. Like that time she was talking about being 50. Ki Jeong said nothing wrong. Asking yourself what are you going to do at X age is one of the most normal things in the world. She wasn't even talking about other people, she was talking about herself. But everyone looked at her as if she deliberately tried to hurt those women feelings. But she was only being honest about her experience with life.
I like that she kept true to herself and her unique view of the world till the end. Even if she didn't meet the right people (I don't like that family for her), I think she did a great job searching for what she wanted and needed. She was 100% sincere, and that's amazing. I've NEVER seen someone acting like that in a romantic relationship.
Ki Jeong is a character that really makes me reconsider a things I've said and think about relationships.

I also love how Mi Jeong kept learning about herself. Sometimes because of a situation or feeling we get fixed in a particular view of ourselves that isn't actually accurate. I remember when she said she didn't like anyone (especially her siblings) but she was always acting like she cared about them. I can't stop thinking when Ki Jeong amnesia plan failed and she came home crying and Mi Jeong also started crying. That was so sweet. I also like that the show made pretty clear Mi Jeong wasn't alone. We see Mi Jeong asking dude Gu to worship her, when there were many people that supported her and acknowledged her awesomeness. Mi Jeong couldn't recognize who she was and what she had because she was having a hard time and was immersed in that pain. I love how she was so radiant after the time jump. I like how she's accepting herself and her life...

I may get flamed for writing this, so let me start by saying I really did enjoy watching MLN. I loved its uniqueness and explorative spirit. Everything about it oozes talent, and it will probably win some awards. However...after taking some time to step back and objectively process what I had seen, I feel rather like I had been (happily) hypnotized for 16 episodes.

Park Hae-yeong’s writing was unique and (at times) brilliant, but with hindsight I cannot shake the analogy to the fable of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. The writing was unique and seductive, but so was the Emperor strutting around naked. His "invisible" clothes were of course insubstantial and non-existent, not unlike a script filled mostly with stream-of-consciousness dialogue that never really changes, only gets repackaged and spoken again. No one dares tell the Emperor
(or each other) that they really don't see his clothes (or a fabulous script); it is much easier to applaud and over-hype what the people pretend to see.

Maybe it was just my poor eyesight.

Giving My Liberation Notes a close and happy ending would go against of what if this drama is all about. Life is an endless struggles and those struggles will only end the moment one passes away. In life sometimes your up, sometimes your down. At times you know where your going but stumble down and then veer away of your direction. With these writer Park Hae-young did not give us a conclusive ending but combine different options.

Some characters finally found their purpose thought not what they expected (Changee), some take the step to start a new beginning (Mr. Gu), others are hopeful (Mijeong) while some are uncertain (Gijeong).

These what makes up Life. The uncertainties, the new beginnings, of being hopeful and finding ones purpose.

This drama is beautiful at least for me.

Very shortly, because I have to go to sleep. This is one of the weirdest shows I have ever watched.
But hey! Lee Min ki broke my heart in different times and I was mesmerized by his looks and thoughts and rants...
Honestly, the best of this show was Lee Min ki's character.
I would watch again only his scenes...

The Gu's mafia world was boring and stressful for me. I wouldn't enjoy the company of such people in the real life, who would say, I can enjoy them in dramaland???

Thank you @quirkycase for your timely and succinct recaps. How many times have I smiled and nodded while watching this drama? Too many to count. I am smiling while reading the many wonderful Beanie comments, both for and against. It takes a strong drama to stir up so many varied opinions.
Like My Ahjussi , there was a very strong thread of Buddhist thinking woven into this drama. When characters behaved irrationally I thought, "That's just how people behave in samsara". The rules of the Liberation Club are the same as those of the practice of loving kindness, which begins with the self first. Taking time to acknowledge the little moments of beauty and fleeting seconds of contentment is an actual form of daily practice. Finally, when MJ empties her heart of hatred for her ex-boyfriend, she is actually making room for more peace, happiness and light in her world.
Sincere gratitude to writer Park Hae-young for allowing us to enjoy a real slice-of-life drama with a cast and crew capable of pulling it off.

This drama is just... not it for me.

I really tried, but the show has been off kilter since the beginning and ended just as bumbling as it arrived. The pacing was totally inconsistent; it started off (painfully?) slow to -- I think -- bring us into the countryside pace of life, then sped up in the middle, slowed down, then picked up, and ended somewhere in the middle.

And while the characters each had qualities that I could see in myself or those around me (who hasn't been unsure in life, love, work, friends, and/or family), there was a disconnect in how that plays out in real life.

The time jumps were abrupt, the best parts were glossed over (all the quirky friends and coworkers disappeared in the middle), and things just *happened* that we were supposed to accept with no real explanation.

I'll try to remember the good parts -- there really were some here and there -- but overall, good riddance!

I took to this show gradually and my increasing appreciation for it benefitted from watching parts of each episode, stopping them to reflect on or do other things and then coming back to them. The emotional crescendos were rewarding as well as at times painful but unforgettable. I wish series like these are seen by a wider foreign audiences who have now arguably come to expect ‘variations on a theme’ approach to Korean shows a la Squid Games. I came to discover Korean films relatively independently of another’s influence a number of years ago but am still a neophyte to KDrama in comparison to many of you who have spent years watching them. Watching KDramas has been a trip as on the one hand, it - inevitably and inherently - is only capable of providing some insights into a vibrant, complex and still traumatised country slowly emerging from a recent history of colonialism, imperialism and brutal authoritarianism. And, on the other hand, like any art form the best of it is capable of encouraging us to engage with the better angels of our nature as well as enriching our imaginations. Just don’t end up believing the Hallyu mythology that Korean men in RL are ridiculously good looking and tall magical creatures with high emotional intelligence and endless capacity for self-sacrifice.

MiJeong did not liberate, she became an unrealistic saint at the end. Almost like the HR lady who always had the happy face on; no matter how horrific Gu’s condition is, MJ will always have a happy face in the relationship, like nothing bothers her. I get the message of accepting someone for who they are, and they have to voluntarily seek help, but carrying on a romantic relationship with Gu like nothing is wrong, and her heart is filled with love? What has Gu done for MJ? Everything he has done, taking her to eat etc., is just normal boyfriend stuff. He only contacted her when he was on the verge of collapse. MJ risked her life to save him, gave him unconditional love, if that’s not enough to propel him to get help, he is hopeless. He can barely manage to keep himself afloat, and to rekindle a romantic relationship with MJ? What an a-hole.
MLN’s first 15 episodes are some of the best kdrama, or even drama period, I have ever seen. Ep 16? Director, writer, what have you done to our lovely, fierce, uniquely MJ MJ?

I was hesitant and curious about this drama after hearing all the hype about the writer. I felt like I had to like it after the first two episodes. Then I did fall for the show and enjoyed the dialogue and quirkiness. But my interest started to wane these past few weeks. Not sure when it started exactly. I think I wasn't convinced by Ki Jung's and Tae Hoon's romance. There wasn't a resolution to the issue of her and his kid. No bonding, no changes. They didn't have to be best friends, but I wanted to see some sort of improvement or growth. Tae Hoon didn't look like he was in love with Ki Jung mainly until the end.

Chang Hee's arc was great. His scenes were surprisingly my favorite in the finale.

I liked Gu's and Mi Jung's relationship as is. I wasn't expecting a happy-ever-after for them. Their relationship was the most interesting out of the three 'romances'. Had the most chemistry. They leaned on each other in their own way. Not the healthiest relationship, but they were different from typical ones we usually seen in kdramas. All three siblings actually had imperfect relationships.

I really thoroughly & enjoyed this show. It was such a pleasurable experience & I identified with a lot of aspects of the show & with MiJeong (who was my favorite character).
Some fave standouts to in these last 2 episodes with me: 1. The HR lady saying that sometimes she felt liberated, sometimes partially liberated, & sometimes not at all. Which is so true, to how we constantly develop & grow, but also regress/stay the same as inidividuals 2. Gu making very clear to MiJeong know that no matter how their future turned out, that he really likes her so she knows that there was never any doubt 3. MiJeong's journey as a whole <3 4. The Liberation Club restarting! 5. I loved Gu going back to pay his hyung's debt [i thought this was super clear that was what happened] & the symbolism callout of the bird on the coin to the birds in ep 10 & him picking up the coin that he'll eventually find his liberation ending with MiJeon & that ep 10 scene is their future.
Things I didn't like: My least favorite thing & the only thing that really bothered me was GiJeong & Taehoon's relationship. They are just not a good fit at all & the symbolism of her being a pick-me up girl with the rose is a bad thing imo & just symbolizes to me that she's going to be stuck in an unhappy relationship forever. However, with Taehoon admitting he didn't change & wanting to try again with the club restarting might be a hopeful note for their future that they'll both get better, but it wasn't enough for me to believe he actually would [felt like a false symbol]. I would have preferred she actually find her happiness realizing she didn't need a guy to begin with. I would have also liked to have seen Gu actually quitting his job to solidy the symbolism of the coin/bird scene mention above. Him paying back his hyung's debt is great, but won't mean anything if he can't get out of his toxic environment & showing he's always going to regress. I know he obviously doesn't bc of the symbolisms in the show, but I wanted just one more scene on him starting to take the steps necessary to change. Overall though, I was super pleased with the show.

I think this drama should have more episodes, like 20.

The time jump was interesting but I needed more after that. There were so many things that could have been adressed like Chang-Hee and Mr Gu's reunion!

Mi-Jeong : I think Mi-Jeong's liberation came when she finally got an excuse and her money from her ex. When she met Mr Gu, she decided to act differently, she was the strongest one in their relationship. It helped her. She started to become more open, more bright and "light" with people. But with her ex, she was the weakest, the one who couldn't get her money back, she did nothing except calling him. The wedding was a really bad idea, screwing their pictures was petty. At the end, it's her ex who gave the last part of her liberation.

Chang-Hee : I thought it was his own debt he paid, not his father one, because he failed his business. I'm happy that he found his path. I was sad for his relationship with Eun-Ha, I thought they were good together but it looked like she was not alone for nothing...

Ki-Jeong : I think it was the character I never understood. She was like two different characters when she was with her family, doing the least in the chores, being mean with her siblings and when she was with a potential man, super sweet, comprehensive... I think I liked her the most with her boss, she was herself strong and honest. Her relationship with Tae-Hoon was a disaster because of his family, he failed her by accepting her daugher and sister's behavior. I understand that he was the kind of people who can't confront others but for her, he should have done it.

Mr Gu : Mr Gu wasn't really a gangster, his job was to collect money from clubs but no drug or gambling. It's sad he came back for the worst guy. At least, his boss was serious and forced him to work on his alcohol issues. But seeing a psy, it's not enough if you are not ready do to the work and if he/she's not the good one for you. Mi-Jeong and Mr Gu were each other good person. They could say everything to each other without being judged or marginalized. They just clicked with each other when they needed someone. Now, he has big job to do for alcohol issue but he looks ready to confront it.

It was a good drama and I will miss it on the week-ends!

I spent a lot of time simply basking in the aftermath of this drama's beautiful finale eps. An unorthodox ending that poignantly reflected real life self-searching process: A lifetime journey with no tangible finish line.

But just like what Mi-jung said, finding out the root of their problem is already half the battle won. And isn't it remarkable how these people managed to do that during the upheaval of their monotonous lives? On the outside, there might not be much changes in their lives. But that painful yet liberating process has changed them enough on the inside to view their lives differently. A significant change of perspective that finally opened them up for the myriad of possibilities the world offered them. Now, they are ready to walk towards their happiness, even if the said happiness doesn't look exactly like what they imagined for themselves before.

Having read all the comments here, I can’t help but think “HAVE WE BEEN CONDITIONED BY THE DRAMAS THAT WE WATCHED”?

The most obvious example is the truck of dooms when everyone holding their breath thinking Gu will get hit any time. Please remember truck of dooms is not a real life phenomenon, but a kdrama device to sensationalise the plot. Not every drama has to use that device to spice up the drama.

Next is the disapproval of KJ-TH romance. Is there a rule that a main character must go through some personal growth to become a better person? Must a romance lead to happily ever after? I totally agree the view that KJ in Ep 16 is still largely the same KJ in Ep 1, except she has a boyfriend who does like her though bound by his frustrating family circumstances. Is this an improvement in her circumstances? I don’t know the answer but the point is that there are people who never change - maybe KJ is one of those.

Then should MJ lecture / stop Gu on his alcoholism? She should perhaps but I don’t think their relationship has progressed to that point yet. While MLN covers about three years of the life of those characters, MJ and Gu are still very much at the infatuation stage as the two actually don’t have much time together based on what we see.

This perhaps boils down to one question - what’s our expectation of a drama? What constitutes a good or bad drama? And can we liberate ourselves from what we have been conditioned?

I don't have much to add, but I wanted to say that I was very worried these episodes would let me down (I'm looking at you, 25/21). Part of me hoped for some magical resolution that would lead to great joy for all the characters, and I wanted that because I loved all these characters (with some exceptions) to varying degrees and simply wanted them to be fully happy. But such an ending, however well done, would have been a wrong fit for this show. A terrible tragedy would have been equally wrong. So I didn't know what to even hope for. In the end, what we got was perfect, imo.

Gu and MJ have never and will never have a conventional relationship, but they clearly love each other and most importantly, neither is trying to hide, sabotage, or obscure that fact. That's a pretty big achievement for both of them. I also didn't think MJ was passively accepting or enabling Gu's self-destructiveness. She knows that her loving presence in his life is literally the only thing that keeps him going right now. That doesn't mean she believes his drinking and misery should continue, but that she accepts and loves who he is right now enough to give him what he needs to want to change. I think her acceptance of his "let's talk until there's nothing left to say and then we'll move on" showed us that although that's not what she may want, she is at peace enough with herself and her love for him that should he make the choice to leave her or wallow in misery she'll still be able to live her life without hitting rock bottom. In fact, when she told him that he was the man who won't ever let her do so, it's clear the same goes for him.

And frankly, I was glad the writer finally made it clear that Gu does have a major drinking problem that will take time and work to fix. Just because the story ends without us seeing all that time and work doesn't mean it shouldn't or won't happen. I definitely believe Gu has made that resolution to stop being so self-destructive and try to find a way to live a happy life with someone he loves. Whether he will succeed or not isn't clear, but for him to be hopeful enough to make that choice was enough for me.

I also ended up loving Chang Hee's arc. It was heartbreaking to see his relationship with Hyun-ah end, but since we never really saw them together in any significant way throughout the show, the fact that they don't find true love together wasn't devastating. I was proud of him for finally moving away from talking and complaining into living his life in the way he wants.

I didn't love Ki-jung's arc, largely because her growth ultimately seemed to be stymied by Tae-hoon's inability to stand up to his sister and learn to parent without filtering everything through his own personal guilt. I also found it odd that even after three full years--which is a long time--the dynamic between all of these people hadn't changed even slightly. I'm not sure that's entirely believable, even though the...

After reading the comments here, I am truly amazed on how diverse the viewing experiences and the reactions to this drama. In my case, I have watched this mostly at 1.25x speed. There were simply just too many lingering shots, pauses, long walks, staring , silent eating, and brooding scenes which are a minute or two longer than my patience. I know it was an artistic choice made by the director, and there were indeed some wallpaper-worthy , fantastic shots. As to the writing , maybe I had too high of an expectation due to the writer's previous work but I expected a cohesive story, with a start and an end. Instead, I think I watched a documentary of the Yeom's family, peppered with a lot of quotable quotes here and there. Did I like it? No - though there are beautiful parts, especially the acting. Did I hate it? No - there are beautiful parts, especially the acting. Will I watch it again? No - the beautiful parts had to remain beautiful in my memory.

Lovely.

I have a lot of thoughts about this show, but I'm lazy to write so...
Loved the Yeom siblings and I would love to see more of them being siblings. The siblings dynamic was so nice, they shoud show us more.
I didn't care about Gu. He had too many scenes where nothing happend, I just felt bleh. I don't know, I didn't connect with him.

The actors were great, diretor was great and the writer was great. 10/10.