An older business woman gives birth to her first child and checks herself into a luxury birthcare center, created to teach and pamper new moms.  But what she finds there is a grueling schedule of endless breastfeeding and a social caste system that, based on her age, experience, and future plans, leaves her at a severe disadvantage.  But as she gets to know the other mothers at the center, she learns some valuable lessons, not only about herself and her new role as a mom, but also about the struggles and doubts that all new mothers face.  

Yoon Park as Kim Do Yoon

Kim Do Yoon is Hyun Jin’s husband.  He is over the moon about the prospect of becoming a dad, and he jumps into the role with full enthusiasm.  While Hyun Jin is still chasing after potential clients for job, Do Yoon is attending pre-natal classes and reading how-to books on parenting.  But once the baby is born, he struggles with where he fits into this new family dynamic and how to weather the constant mood changes of his once emotionally stable wife.  Luckily for him, he meets a wise mentor along the way who gives him some valuable advice and keeps him company through the early days.  And as he watches his wife gain her footing, he begins to find his own way through the important new role of fatherhood.  

Kim Do Yoon is the perfect, loving and supportive husband.  He is kind and patient through all of the changes happening in his life.  His enthusiasm and stability are the counter to Hyun Jin’s doubts and fears.  And even when Do Yoon feels out of his depth, he faces his uncertainty with a positive and a proactive attitude.  Yoon Park is such a sweet and charming actor, and I think he fit this role so well.  Although I wish we had gotten a bit more scenes with him,  I understand that at the end of the day, this drama is about motherhood rather than parenthood.  Regardless, I loved the calm, peacefully feeling Yoon Park brought to his scenes, and I liked the quiet chemistry he shared with Uhm Ji Won.

Choi Ri as Lee Roo Da

Lee Roo Da is the young rebel of the birthcare center.  She is a single mom who insists on doing things her way, regardless of the peer pressure from the other mothers.  The father of her baby is the son of the center’s director, and although he wants them to get married and settle down, Roo Da isn’t so sure she is interested in marriage.  

 ♥ “Dad”mance

The cute bromance between Do Yoon and the more experienced Yang Joon Suk was fun to watch, and also served a more serious purpose.  The role of a new father can be vague and overwhelming for many.  Having Joon Suk there to offer his wise advise, not just about the new baby, but also on the changes happening in his wife, gave a bit of insight into the challenges faced by new fathers.  While this perspective is not the purpose of this drama, it was nice that they did take a bit of time to reference the unique challenges men face in this situation.

 ♥ Faces of Motherhood

I loved that this drama tried to incorporate many different kinds of mothers.  It really helped to emphasize the point that, in truth, there is no single way to be a “good” mother.  Each woman’s journey is different, as is each child’s need.  I have heard some complain about the kinds of mothers not included, but I think they did the best they could within the range of mothers commonly found in Korea.  For me, I am more concerned with commending them for the range of characters they did show, and the realistic approach they gave to each of them.  

Dads

So, I know that not all dad’s are hands-on when it comes to dealing with a newborn, but I thought it was a bit weird that, aside from the 2 leading women, we don’t see the other fathers at all.  Again, it’s not like I expect them at the mom’s side for every scene.  I mean, I get it that most of them are probably working.  But it seems like we could have seen them in passing a least a little bit.  It just struck me as odd to not cast them at all.  

Park Yoon Ji

Although it is a tough subject, I appreciated that they even brought in a mom who had suffered loss.  Her story, alongside the other mother’s, was truly heartbreaking, and in the end, I don’t think any of the other moms blamed her for the emotions she was experiencing.  I think Yoon Ji’s experience was a painful reminder to all of them that life is precious and having their babies at their sides is worth all of the inconvenience and discomfort they may feel now.  But because Yoon Ji’s story was so unique and important, I wish they would have finished it a bit stronger.  After her story comes out, Yoon Ji just quietly disappears and that’s the end of it.  It would have been nice to see a clearer conclusion, and as difficult as it is, maybe just the tiniest glimmer of hope in  her dark situation.

I’m not sure that there is much conclusion to explain when talking about the end of this drama.  Through the course of the show, each mother learned about what kind of mom they wanted to be for their child and gained the confidence to leave the shelter of the center.  And in the midst of it all, they developed a strong bond that will allow them to count on each other through the many milestones of motherhood.  Hyun jin decides to keep working after all, Roo Da decides to at least consider marriage, and Eun Jung decides to be more clear about her expectations of her husband.  We see each mom go home to their own homes and families.  We see that all the moms are still in touch with each other and their friendship is going strong.  And back at the center,  Director Choi escorts a new potential guest into the facility as the cycle of new moms continues.