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[2019 Year in Review] The ME movement


Extraordinary You

By Justme

I like to think that a combination of dramas and life experiences lead me to who I am today; the cumulation shaping me, for better or for worse. This year has been a big one for me, between graduating, getting a diploma, and deciding to pursue higher education, I have become what society would call (against my better judgement) a “professional adult.”

You’d think having had 4 years of university under my belt, along with a past anxiety-related breakdown, I’d be ready for what a higher education degree and professional life would throw at me, but boy was I wrong. All those years of self-work that I put effort into were destroyed within a few days to weeks. Deadline here, life obstacle there, backstab here, health scare there. Against your better judgement, when too many things happen at once, you lose yourself in the race of life. Everything crumbles down and you realize you’re no longer happy anymore.


Be Melodramatic

Introspection was necessary. Dramas and writing have always been my sanctuary and escape to sanity. So while last year I compiled useful tips for myself – and others – on how to watch dramas, this year I felt it was crucial to go back to the basics and to see what 2019 dramas taught me to work on – myself.

Be aware when something isn’t working out and act out on it.

This year I found myself falling into patterns that I had already fallen in before. I let myself be pushed and pulled, Let myself put the “wants” of other before my own needs. This leads you down a never-ending rabbit hole of crying, misery, and disinterest. Like Eun-jung in Be Melodramatic, you need to take a step back and realize what is happening. In a moment of self-awareness, Eun-jung realizes her coping mechanism for her husband’s passing was not healthy. Realizing how lonely and sad she really was, she called out to friends and family for help, and they were quick come to her aid. It takes a certain courage to realize you’re not happy, and it takes even more courage to decide to take the initiative to change.


Be Melodramatic

Don’t let negativity influence you.

It was A Beautiful World’s Sun-ho that said it so movingly in one of the best drama scenes this year: “You know what? If you’re brave enough to kill yourself you can do anything. So you must live. You need to keep going. Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.” Like a bad cold, the negativity virus is easily tractable. Being constantly put down can eventually warp your reality and mindset. You are capable of seeing past this. You’re worth more. If you’re brave enough to go into such a dark hole, you are also capable of getting out. Be positive. Be good. You matter. Don’t give up.


A Beautiful World

Become aware of your faults.

In a moment of weakness, obliviousness, or maybe simply out of spite, it’s possible you’ve hurt a person or two, whether intentionally or not. You need to take the time to understand other people’s perspectives and admit to your mistakes when in the wrong. Lee Ki-hoon in Class of Lies starts out as an arrogant, insecure high school kid with an obsessive crush on his schoolmate Jung Soo-ah. Understanding his true feelings and how selfish he was, he lets go of his ego and tries to uncover the truth behind Soo-ah’s passing. Yes, I know what he attempted to do to Soo-ah is not pardonable. There are certain things that cannot be forgiven. Learn to grow past them and walk away despite any shame of your past.


Class of Lies

Forgive yourself too.

Hotel del Luna’s Man-wol lived most her life with resentment. To keep it brief, she resented herself for having fallen in love Chung-myung and for being, what she felt, the ultimate cause of her best friend’s Yeon-woo’s demise. Resentment can make you blind to the things around you and make you unable to move on. We are usually quick to forgive others but we often forget to forgive ourselves. Do not be so hard on yourself. It takes effort to love yourself and Man-wol took that step forward to be happy.


Hotel del Luna

Be unapologetically you.

Some personalities are loud and your voice may get lost in the din. This doesn’t mean your opinion is any less worthy than another person’s. No one can love you if you cannot even love yourself. Veronica Park in The Secret Life of My Secretary came off as loud, annoying and selfish at the beginning of the series. However, as the series went on, you could see she was just being herself and never actually hurt anyone despite her flamboyant ways. Be confident without being arrogant and people will come to respect you, just like Gal-hee learned to respect Veronica Park.


The Secret Life of My Secretary

Cherish the little moments.

The Light in your Eyes’ Kim Hye-ja tells her son that while she had experienced her fair share of tragedy, she had lived a complete and fulfilling life. The hardships she faced made the small tender moments that much more special. She learned to give up on her regrets and cherish the present so as not to lose what was left of herself. Learn to let go of your hardships so you can truly see the blessings you do have.


The Light in Your Eyes

Take charge, go!

Between realizing she had a terminal heart condition and was living in a manhwa world, extra character Dan-oh in Extraordinary You had a lot going against her. Despite it all, Dan-oh remained resilient and decided to choose her own fate. Accepting that she couldn’t change everything, she made due with what she could. In between Stage scenes, she treated herself by doing what she wanted with the people she cared about, without ever sacrificing her integrity. Sometimes we can’t have control over everything, but when you do, do what you want and treat yourself. Because you’re worth it.


Extraordinary You

 
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Great lessons, @justme! And congrats for getting another piece published! I hope these lessons take you to where you want to go!

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Thank you for ready and supporting me ally <3

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What a beautiful, personal piece @justme. Thanks so much for sharing it.

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too much credit given to me here ^ thank you for reading!

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Beautiful, from the heart! Tank you.

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This was so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing with us.

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Dang, that part about Be Melodramatic and A Beautiful World made me cry

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This article is sure to bring healing to others, just as it did for me. To learn to forgive and love ourselves, to embrace the little moments, and be brave enough to face the past, to let go and move on, I'm thankful for the life lessons K-dramas have spoken to me. The "solace and escape to sanity" - nicely put as you have given a word to my feelings. Thanks for a beautifully-written piece! Building self-worth is not an easy task but it'll change things only for the better. Keep being your bright and beautiful self and I hope 2020 will be a treat for you!

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I am so so so so touched it brought healing to you. We got this!

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“Sometimes we can’t have control over everything, but when you do, do what you want and treat yourself. Because you’re worth it.”

This is something I’m working on. It’s sometimes too easy to let family responsibilities and work take over.
Lovely essay. 💕

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One moment you think you're in control, and the next you've lost it. We have to keep reminding ourselves we matter. Thanks for quoting me! <3

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I've been having a really difficult time in life too. I am also going through a time of transition and getting very lost. @justme Your words have greatly comforted me. I forgot how much these dramas taught me this year, but you reminded me and now they have renewed my strength. Like Man-wol, I will forgive myself for mistakes that were actually out of my control. Like Sun-ho and Dan-oh, I will keep working hard and trust that I will be led in the right direction. Thank you for this wonderful piece of writing!

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I'm touched that his helped you too. I wrote this when I felt down a bit for myself too. It helped me organize the key elements I need to regain strength in myself. Fighting!

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This is such a touching piece @justme. Thank you.

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Thank YOU for reading.

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Thank you for you text, @justme !

We had great characters this year :)

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YES! We did! Female characters were major this year and while I felt like I should write about them, Im sure someone will so I decided to go with the heart.

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Really beautifully written JustMe! :)

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Thank you for writing this beautiful article and sharing with us. 🥰

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Great piece! Thoughtful and inspiring. Thanks @justme. 😃

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@justme I am proud of you. You were brave enough to go on that journey to happiness in 2019 and you decided to share your struggles with us. My road to happiness is also a work in progress, and some of your wise words perfectly resumed what I had to learn. I completely understand how tough it must have been for you. Thank you for giving us all strength to keep moving forward! Keep your head up and yell if you ever need some cheering (up)! 😉 ❤️

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I'm glad these words gave strength to you because that's the goal behind them. It helps reorganize your thoughts when you get lost deep in yourself. Let's move forward together! Hwaiting!

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Thank you for these words. A perfect way to wrap the dramas for 2019.

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ooooufff «perfect» too much credit there^ Thank you!

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Great insights @justme! Looking forward to another article from you <3

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This is fantastic, Jus! I'm glad this year you were able to build a better you--or, a better perception of you. I didn't see a single one of these dramas but you make me want to.

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Also, you've been missed! <3

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(Awwwnnn I keep telling myself to make time for you guys but I keep forgetting -- it's on the back of my mind). and GIRL, for YOU to say I sparked interest for you in a drama is a great honour!

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"If you’re brave enough to go into such a dark hole, you are also capable of getting out." That one definitely hits home. Thanks for such a thoughtful write-up.

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It is both sad and touching it hits home for so many people along with me.

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The fact that kdramas made you want to make an effort to take care of yourself more is a beautiful thing.

Also, well written!

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Thank you @justme for sharing , love you

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Thank you for sharing. This was truly lovely and so very hopeful.

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@justme What a nice piece. I love your life lessons/tips here, and love even more how dramas and stories can be their source. XO

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This comment put a huge smile on ky face. Thank you for reading !!!

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Such beautiful and inspiring words!

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Very well written @justme , thanks for sharing your insight. Reading your essay cheer me up and I love the reference of Melo Suits Me very much, that drama's gold! May 2020 be a fabulous year for you

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And to you! I'm glad it brought you joy

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"Some personalities are loud and your voice may get lost in the din. This doesn’t mean your opinion is any less worthy than another person’s."

I love this ☝️ @justme

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So I'm not the only one who feel that way! <3

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No, you're not. As an introvert I really love that statement because sometimes I do wonder. So thanx 🙂

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