Right now, actor Kim Soo-Hyun is getting a lot of attention for the most popular K-Drama of 2024 so far, Queen of Tears, but one of the first dramas I noticed him in came out four years ago: It’s Okay Not to Be Okay.
On the surface, it is a beautifully melancholy romance between author Go Moon Young (Seo Ye-ji) and hospital caretaker Moon Gang-Tae (Kim Soo-Hyun), but, in fact, this drama is a celebration of embracing our individual flaws and talents, as well as a reminder that even those who suffer from mental illness or social illnesses are as valuable and beautiful as anyone.
It is also a nod to the caretakers, guardians, friends, and family of those with special needs, including adults on the autism spectrum. The acting is brilliant, and the well-crafted story swings from thrilling to sweet and funny to heartbreaking. Plus, the storybook art provided by concept artist Jamsan is a perfect mix of macabre and heartfelt.
The story’s central characters are the Moon brothers, Gang-Tae and his artistically gifted and autistic older brother Sang-Tae (Oh Jung-Se). There is a lot of significance behind their names. Sang, can refer to above or greater (Sang) ability or talent (Tae). Gang-Tae can mean great courage or strength (Gang). Forgive my loose interpretations, but you get the gist of it.
Now, there is a third “brother” we meet along the way: Mang-Tae. This one is more interesting. Mang-Tae is a little homemade rag doll Gang-Tae made to help catch, trap, and hopefully vanquish the nightmares of his older brother. Grandpa Mangtae (or the netbag grandpa) is part of Korean folktale warning children to be respectful and good towards their parents. You don’t want Grandpa Mangtae to trap you in his backpack and take you away. There are similar characters in many cultures that may seem familiar, from Krampus to La Llorona.
However, Mang-Tae in this drama, who becomes a bone of contention between the stubborn spirits of Sang-Tae and Moon Young, would rather trap your bad dreams. Since the drama first surfaced in 2020, a time when many of us were feeling lonely and isolated, Mang-Tae struck a chord with creative K-Drama fans, and even today you can find fanart and homemade items inspired by him on Etsy and other sites, along with YouTube DIYS and more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sACLxw7bDeA
Mang-Tae is a symbol of overcoming something many of us face: nightmares. I have suffered from nightmares and night terrors most of my life, and having a form of “nightmare trapper” might be just the thing to help ease these.
With May as Mental Health Awareness Month, I will show you how to make a very simple little It’s Okay Not to Be Okay inspired Mang-Tae doll to capture your own nightmares or fears.
All you need is some stuffing (poly fiberfill or rice is fine), felt, two buttons, and black thread. This is going to look like something tossed together by a young man comforting his brother, so you don’t need to be a master sewer.
Four pieces of felt and two buttons are the bulk of Mang-Tae’s body.
Grab four pieces of felt: one light grey, one dark grey, one mustard yellow, and one beige.
For the Head: Cut two identical little irregular rounded-edged squares from the beige piece, and include a little “neck” on one side. On one of the circles, sew on one black plain button eye and a smaller green button eye. Use black embroidery thread to sew a simple mouth. His little “grrr” look in the drama is cute, but you can make it just a simple black line is you need. Sew the two sides together, leaving a small opening at the “neck” area. Any simple stitch will work, and it doesn’t matter is if the thread shows.
Cut two identical squarish head pieces, with a little “neck” on one side. Sew on irregulars button eyes, add a mouth, and stitch the pieces together.
For the Limbs: Cut eight identical long pieces from the mustard felt with rounded ends. If you need a guide, a school ruler or tongue depressor works. Sew two pieces together for each limb, leaving one end open for stuffing. Fill each one then sew up the ends. Put them aside.
Cut eight identical strips from the yellow felt. Sew them together, but leave one end open to stuff them. Close up the open end and set aside.
For the Body: Cut two long trapezoid pieces. Sew the short end on each side of the neck opening of the head. Then, sew the arm pieces right under the neck on both sides. Sew each side of the body together leaving the bottom open. Sew the legs on the inside of either the back or front piece. Stuff the body and head, then sew across the bottom (leaving a little bit of a ruffly edge) to close up the doll. Use a red or black felt tip marker to draw some dots on the front of his body.
Cut two trapezoid pieces for the body, and sew the smaller end on either side of the head’s neck pieces. Sew in the arms right under the head, then down the sides. Sew the legs on the bottom, then stuff and close up the bottom piece.
That’s your Mang-tae. Now he just needs his accessory.
For the Backpack: Cut two squares from the dark grey and sew them together, leaving one end open. Unlike the doll, this is turned inside out, so you can’t see the stitches. Using a piece of the grey felt, sew a light grey band around the pack.
To attach the pack to the doll, cut two small strips of dark grey and tack one end the open top of the backpack. Wrap the strap around each doll arm and sew the bottom piece to the backpack. It is easier not to cut the straps first. Sew them to make them as tight as you need, then cut the excess ends off.
Place a little more stuffing or a cotton ball in the pack to help those nightmares land softly.
Cut two dark grey squares, and add a strip of light grey around the middle. Tack on some straps, and wrap them around the doll’s arms, cutting off the excess ends. Place a little cotton ball or stuffing in the pack to catch those bad dreams in a soft place.
Keep it by your bed to catch your own bad dreams, or give it to someone who needs a little sleep companion.
I hope everyone out there can have some peace of mind and body, and help everyone else on their journeys.
As it says in Go Moon Young’s own story The Boy Who Fed on Nightmares, sometimes bad dreams and memories might not be forgotten but they can be overcome.
“Only those with such (bad) memories buried in their hearts can become stronger, more passionate, and emotionally flexible. Only those can attain happiness,” she wrote. “So don’t forget any of it. Remember it all and overcome it. If you don’t overcome it, you’ll always be a kid whose soul never grows.”
“Only those with such (bad) memories buried in their hearts can become stronger, more passionate, and emotionally flexible.” We all need a little help overcoming our bad dreams sometimes. All images: Lisa Tate
