Seo Yea Ji's Dramas: The Mixed Reception of 'Eve' and Reappraisal of 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' and 'Save Me'

Actress Seo Yea Ji's drama appearances are currently being re-examined. Her 2022 comeback drama 'Eve' garnered significant attention but ultimately received critical reviews from viewers and critics alike due to its excessive intensity, awkward direction, and lack of narrative coherence in its revenge plot. A survey of 200 entertainment industry professionals revealed an overwhelmingly negative assessment of the series.

'Eve' depicted the story of Lee Ra-el, who, after losing her family to corporate greed, spends 13 years preparing for revenge and infiltrating the LY Group. However, many criticized the drama for its sensational scenes disrupting the narrative flow and the protagonist's overly conspicuous styling hindering immersion. In contrast, 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay', aired in 2020, was broadcast in over 190 countries and received acclaim for its unique healing romance between a psychiatric ward caregiver and an antisocial children's book author, starring alongside Kim Soo Hyun. Additionally, Seo Yea Ji's portrayal of Im Sang-mi in the webtoon-based cult thriller 'Save Me Season 1' was praised for her intense and emotional performance, which heightened the drama's immersive quality.

Bloggers regard 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay' as a 'legendary' drama that continues to offer deep emotion and resonance even six years later, commending its healing message and sophisticated direction. For 'Save Me', they noted that Seo Yea Ji's desperate and realistic emotional portrayal dominated the entire work, completing the realistic horror of the cult theme. Thus, Seo Yea Ji's acting prowess receives varied evaluations depending on the project, with her past works continuing to attract viewer interest.