[HanCinema's Drama Review] "You Raise Me Up" Episode 2

Despite being an eight episode drama, it's only at the end of the second episode of "You Raise Me Up" that we finally get to the actual premise. The successful urologist Roo-da will prove that the lowly Yong-sik isn't a loser, and that he can't be a loser, because he was her first love. The ironic narcissism embedded in that seemingly noble goal exemplifies Roo-da's character- a prideful person who simply doesn't understand Yong-sik in the present day.

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This much is clearly set from the beginning. Despite being a urologist who deals with erectile dysfunction all the time, Roo-da reluctantly admits to her younger sister Roo-ri (played by Lee Ji-won-V) that she interprets Yong-sik's erectile dysfunction as a personal failing. This assumption on Yong-sik's part is what's destroying his self-esteem. We can't even really argue with Yong-sik's internal monologue about being a failure if even his own doctor thinks erectile dysfunction makes him less of a man.

And the story from Yong-sik's perspective continues to go to some fairly dark places. Yong-sik has one goal in life, passing the civil service exam, which he has repeatedly failed. Lacking a girlfriend, Yong-sik attempts to relieve stress via masturbation- and now can't even do that anymore. Yong-sik is then inevitably betrayed by his psychiatrist Ji-hyeok- who really should have realized Ji-hyeok was in a fragile state of mind.

Ji-hyeok is an odd character in general. Though an obnoxious and inconsiderate boyfriend, Roo-ri seems to comfirm that Roo-da is either unwilling or unable to meaningfully challenge him. This leads to an odd dynamic where Roo-da won't even say that Ji-hyeok is a bad boyfriend. She just fantasizes that other men out there might be better. Roo-da's lie about the brilliantly successful Yong-sik may have been unintentional, but the fact that she thought Ji-hyeok would find it persuasive at all underscores how Roo-da hasn't been emotionally honest with herself when it comes to her own superficiality.

It's interesting that "You Raise Me Up" was written by a woman, Mo Ji-hye. Despite the two principal male characters being common negative stereotypes, both are treated with quite a bit of sympathy and humanity. It's Roo-da whose outlook is most directly criticized. Her beliefs about men are simplistic and even hypocritical. What's more, she's becoming Yong-sik's damsel in shining armor- a plot development that could either be a learning experience for her, or just plunge Dong-sik even deeper into unflinching depression.

Review by William Schwartz

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"You Raise Me Up" is directed by Kim Jang-han, written by Mo Ji-hye, and features Yoon Si-yoon, Ahn Hee-yeon, Park Ki-woong, Kim Seol-jin, Choi Dae-hoon, Kil Hae-yeon. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2021/08/31~Now airing, Tue on WAVVE.