Why Yeom Chang-hee is One of The Best Characters in K-dramas
(and how we can learn from him)
My Liberation Notes, which is currently available on Netflix, depicts the story of three siblings who are caught in a rut in their life with no way out. They’re all lost and lonely, unable to sustain vibrant social lives due to their remote location, yet it’s clear that they desire more. Throughout the pilot, each of the siblings wonders what their life would be like if things were different: if they lived in town and weren’t continuously discarded due of their remote location, if they could open their hearts to love, and if their finances were different. They’ve been living like this for as long as they can remember, but when we meet them, it appears that things are finally coming to a head. My Liberation Notes gets off to a slow start with overlong pilot.
I understand why during the first 5 episodes, this series showing a rather low rating compared to other series like 2521 which was perceived very engaging from episode 1. With that being said, this is a series that most relatable for me. This series talks about nothing but also about everything. This is THE SERIES of 2022. A bold statement, I know, but I learned a lot, I cried a lot and I healed during the process. It’s a realistic drama that deals with real-life situations. It depicts the hardship of feeling alienated and unable to do anything while everyone else appears to be progressing.
We all have happy moments, but sometimes we feel as though they aren’t enough. We aren’t unhappy, but we are unsatisfied with our lot in life. The picture of sentiments and interactions with oneself is also emphasized in this drama. As a result, the characters’ monologues or dialogues are significant. The majority of them are about life’s purpose, one’s existence, self-esteem, and self-acceptance. As a result, they may serve as motivational quotes for everyone.
Kim Ji-won, Lee Min-ki, and Lee El lead the casts as three grown-up siblings in the South Korean countryside. These protagonists have arduous daily travels to and from Seoul, the capital city, as well as bleak marital chances. Mr Gu, who works for their father and lives in the cottage next door, is played by Son Suk-ku. Chang-hee (Lee Min-ki) zigzags about the city managing convenience shops, while Mi-jung (Kim Ji-won) and Ki-jeong (Lee El) both work in offices. They all return home to Sando, a little village outside of Seoul, at the end of the day. It’s so far away that they have to split the cab fare home on evenings and stay out past the last train. Gyeonggi province surrounds Seoul. Seoul is like the rich yolk surrounded by Gyeonggi’s boring egg white, as one of Chang-hee’s ex-girlfriends puts it.
Each of the members of this quartet found solace in their own unique way. Ki-jeong sought it through marriage, anxious for someone to cling to before the harsh winter set in. For Chang-hee, fleeing meant ensuring his financial security. Mr Gu rummaged in the bottle’s bottom for his. Those three characters instantly sought refuge, reacting to their circumstances and surroundings, but Mi-jung was the most violent. Her philosophical outlook shaped who she was as a person. She was driven by a desire to discover and achieve personal emancipation.
While Kim Ji-won’s Mi-jung and Son Suk-ku’s Mr. Gu dynamics received most highlight from this series, I’d like to put Lee Min-ki’s character, Chang-hee, to the spotlight. This character, in my personal opinion, is the heart of this series. Chang-hee is, without a doubt, best work of Lee Min-ki as an actor so far. So I’d like to point out several reasons of why Chang-hee is really the heart and soul of this show. Hence, spoiler alert!
Yeom Chang-hee is the middle child and only son of the family. He’s the chattiest amongst the three siblings. He spits the first thing crosses his mind. He’s loud and snarky. I honestly couldn’t imagine better cast to play Chang-hee than Lee Min-ki. Chang-hee appears to have difficulty keeping relationships. This is largely due to the stigma associated with where he lives — or rather, where he doesn’t, as no one seems to know where Sando is. But it’s partly due to his fiery temper, which is fueled by his dissatisfaction with his social and geographical situation.
At the end of the series, there’s no doubt that Chang-hee’s character is the one who has the most satisfying liberation. Just like in real life, there’s no such thing as happy ending at the end of this series. Everything is just open-ended. Open to new interpretations — open to new opportunities.
While he’s short-tempered and talk a lot, he’s a devout son and brother with big fluffy heart.
Having a father who is difficult to communicate with makes Chang-hee difficult to argue. If his opinion is not in accordance with his father’s thoughts, the two of them often get into arguments. Even Chang-hee sometimes raised his voice to his father during heated arguments. Even though oftentimes he doesn’t get along with his father, he still shows his respect. For example, when his mother died, Chang-hee stayed and lovingly accompanying his father. He even said “I Love You” to his father. And turns out, he’s the one who set his father up with his new wife.
The siblings’ relationship isn’t shown to be picture-perfect; they rarely speak directly to one another. However, their affection for each other is evident in episode eight, when Chang-hee agrees to an idea to save Ki-jeong from disgrace on Ki-jeong’s request. Mi-jeong is seen crying after watching her sister in bodily anguish in the following scene.
Chang-hee is the voice of reason and a good listener.
When Ki-jeong pour her heart out and tell him about her relationship, he listens attentively and calmly. They don’t even talk about it but he knew something’s going on when he saw her new hair. Call it brotherly instinct or whatever, but he paid attention for sure. While he’s also facing several serious problems, it does not make Chang-hee turn a blind eye to hear the complaints of those closest to him. Therefore, he is the type of person who can be used as a place to vent. He also doesn’t provide a solution if it’s not asked for and he also a great secret keeper.
He radiates kindness with the way he thinks, talks and acts.
Chang-hee even willing to make some sacrifices for others — for the person he knows little about. The way he ponders about life are reflected on how he lives at the moment. He can be very whiny at times — but most of the time, he’s a great brother. When the family finds out Mi-jeong has a debt in the bank, Ki-jeong was furious while Chang-hee tried to see from Mi-jeong’s perspective and show compassion.
He also always try to spend his time with his good friends and even let go off a good business prospect to be there for his friend on his deathbed. He chose his friend over his business. He knew what matters more. And that speaks a lot to what kind of person he is. He has a good heart.
Give 110% on everything
He’s been dying to get words of affirmation from his parents for a long time. And he finally got it from his dad’s new wife, albeit unexpectedly. But he didn’t make a big deal out of it, in a good way. He’s been struggling to contain his feelings, sadness and anger — on how things don’t go as he planned but at the end of the day, he accepts his fate and will continue to give his best effort in everything he does. He paid off all of the debts. He managed to get a place in Seoul. He has better relationship with his father.
Has a faith on himself
One example, when he made the decision to quit his job, which must have been carefully thought out. Even though this made his parents nervous, Chang-hee still doesn’t regret his decision. Chang-hee was also grateful because he was the first closest person to find her dead mother. He thought what if at that time he was still working. He always welcomes whatever that comes toward him with wide open arms. Nothing is a coincidence and there’s no right time for him. He knows that he is blessed in every moment of his life.
Chang-hee finally seems to find his calling ㅡ to become a funeral director after witnessing four deaths. Being by the side of those who died and were dying, he is happy to take such path. It might be not as glamorous as other jobs — and maybe he’s not achieving his old dream — to become rich. But his soul is the richest by the end of this series.
He was mostly seen as the comedy reliever by being the childish one during the first half of the series but he turned out to be the wisest among the Yeom siblings. He ended up being the glue of the family to reassure their dad, despite the treatment he received from him. He has a gift that few people possess. He is unfazed in the presence of death, able to give those in their last moments comfort and closure. And this gift calls to him so many times until he finally realizes his profession.
He was a mountain all along. He felt like a real human being who is trying so hard to maintain the warmth in this cruel world, and that’s my type of people, I love him.
