Air Date: October 9 – November 27, 2024

Episodes: 16

Where to Watch: Viki

Genre: Romantic Family Drama

Starring: Hwang In Youp, Jung Chae Yeon and Bae Hyeon Seong

Three children who share the bond of having lost their mothers in some way, find themselves living together in a 2-story apartment house.  They are raised by two father’s who pool their efforts and resources to give the children the best family environment they can create.  The children grow and flourish in this loving family.  But at the time of the boys’ graduation, they are both called to leave behind their home and family, including their younger sister and dads.

Ten years later, the boys return home, thrilled to be back with their close-knit family.  But ten years is a long time and everyone has grown up in the time they have been gone.  And as each of the three of them share the journeys they have been on and the struggles they have experienced, they will try to rebuild the bond they have always shared.  

Kim San Ha lived through the trauma of watching his younger sister die right in front of him when he was still just a boy.  Because of that, and the fact that his mother always blamed him for his sister’s death, San Ha is sensitive and guarded.  But with his new “siblings” he slowly opens up and begins the process of healing. 

Hwang In Youp did a great job in this role.  He plays the quiet, introspective character so well and I really liked him in this drama.  His chemistry with both Jung Chae Yeon and Bae Hyeon Seong was touching.

Yun Ju Won is cheerful and energetic.  As a young girl, she is a whirlwind of sunshine, and as the only female in their house, she is doted on and protected.  As an adult, she is determined and hard working.  But her love always makes those around her feel valued and worthy. 

Jung Chae Yeon has a bright disposition that portrays this kind of character well.  I think she was well cast as the optimistic, if not sometimes a bit immature, younger “sister”.  I enjoyed her in this role and felt like it played well to her strengths.  

Yun Jeong Jae is Ju Won’s dad.  He cleans, cooks, and takes care of the kids while San Ha’s dad works long hours as a police officer.  Jeong Jae is kind and wise.  His love and support of the kids gives them the security they need to grow up well.  

I really appreciate that this drama presents so many kinds of relationships.  It takes the time to explore a multitude of familial and social structure and it handles each one with a special nuance.  Even things as passing as the relationship between Jeong Jae and his part time worker are presented as opportunities to show sincere affection toward those around us.  

The theme of food is used as focus in this drama and becomes synonymous with family.  The scenes of the family around the kitchen table reflect a warm-hearted and loving atmosphere.  And Jeong Jae’s love for feeding his children and his community through his restaurant is passed down to Ju Won who opens her own cafe, where she lovingly prepares decadent foods.  Even Hae Jun’s few memories of his own mom center around conversations about the foods he loves.  Also noteworthy is the fact that San Ha’s sister died technically because they didn’t have food, and it was the food provided by his adopted family that helped to heal his broken heart.  

I kind of felt like the secondary romances in this drama tripped along awkwardly and then just got thrown together at the end.  I did like that Hae Jun was honest with Dal in saying that it might take awhile for his feelings to catch up with hers. 

But I wish we had seen him fall a bit more.  I feel cheated out of the actual romance.  The same can be said for Jeong Jae and Hae Jun’s mom.  Yes, there were hints all along, but I felt like it would have been nice if their love story was a little more gradual and allowed us to enjoy it more.  

I loved the character of Hae Jun.  As his siblings said, he was the first to laugh and the first to cry.  In many ways, he was the heart of the family.  So I was a bit disappointed with the lack of personal story for him in the second half of this drama.  While his relationship with his mom was obviously important, I felt like the details of what he did during those ten years was kind of vague.  

Even once he came back, he seemed to lack any real direction.  While his modeling career obviously padded his bank account, I would hope he has new goals and dreams for his own professional future.  Even if it was just working with his dad at the restaurant, it would have given us some closure as to what his future might look like.  

‘Family By Choice’ gives us the sweet, happy ending that our characters truly deserved. First, both boys are able to forgive their moms.  For Hae Jun that means reconciliation.  But for San Ha, it is more of a closure, and ends with his mom and So Hui moving to England.  San Ha and Ju Won finally confess their relationship to the dads.  Surprisingly, Dad Kim is all for it, but Dad Yun takes a bit more convincing.  But he eventually comes around when he realizes their feelings really are sincere.  

Hae Jun finally realizes that he likes Dal and the pair agree to start dating.  It’s a slow start, but their relationship definitely has a promising future.  Hae Jun and his mom’s reconciliation opens the door for Jeong Jae to start his own romance, but Hae Jun’s mom is hesitant about stepping on Ju Won’s toes.  Luckily, Jae Won sees this and goes to her to apologize for her behavior as a child and ask Hae Jun’s mom to be her mom too.  

And so we have a beautiful wedding, although not the San Ha/Ju Won wedding some may have hoped for.  But clearly, that is coming.  For now, Jeong Jae and Hae Jun’s mom tie the knot, making many of their relationships official.  And once San Ha and Ju Won marry, the circle will be complete.  And San Ha’s dad is joining clubs and looking for his own life partner, so the family may grow even more in the near future.  

‘Family By Choice’ is a sweet romantic drama about love, friendship, and the bond of family.  Let me start by saying that I did not see the original Chinese version of this drama, which many fans seemed to prefer.  But I really loved this drama a lot.  It was funny, heart-warming, and well-told.  The chemistry with all of the cast was great, and while the romances were sweet, I loved it that all the other relationships were given equal screen time and weight.  

This drama does take its time, focusing more on character development and emotional depth than action.  Some complained that it felt too slow.  This is not a breezy light rom-com.  The topics of parental neglect and deep emotional scars are central to the characters and their personal growth.  And you may find yourself crying right along with them.  But I loved these characters and the precious relationships they developed.   I give “Family By Choice’ a 9 out of 10 ramen.

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