My Golden Life

My first Family Drama .... and it did not disappoint

Suggested on Netflix and I have to admit, I dove into this drama without really any research and was hooked after episode 1.

I then realised there were 52 episodes!!! I almost gave up right then and there but finally decided to stick to it. (I usually never started a Drama that had over 16 episodes until COVID hit and I had more time).

One more Chaebol drama, but this world I could really relate to, they took their time and developed it well. With 52 episodes, there were many scenes that dragged on and I'm sure they could have wrapped it up in 45 episodes easily.

I think every character got the ending they deserved, however I am sure that after 52 episodes some could have been wrapped-up better, I felt they just crammed everything in the last episode.

All in all, It was certainly a new experience, but one I am willing to try again.

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Best ever

I have seen this drama years ago, and yet it's still the best family drama I've ever watched.
It was an emotional rollercoaster.. You have no idea how much I cried in this show.
If it wasn't so long, I've started rewatching it right now.

At the same time, the plot is very realistic, so you don't see all of these other coincidences you usually see in other dramas.

There is love stories as well, but as someone who lost his father in recent years, I could totally relate to how the father was feeling. The acting of the father in the story was amazing as well. I have no idea how he could convey so much through his facial expressions.

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This drama for me conveyed successfully two main ideas.

The first one was the fact that parents are aslo humans beings with emotions. We often forget about that ,because we lean on them so much as we are their kids .

The second idea was the fact that we should love ourselves before loving other people. A way to love ourselves is to pursue our dreams. This is what Ji an did by studying abroad in Finland. (It never too late to pursue our dreams)

For me the way that this drama conveyed these two main ideas is the reason why I liked it so much. Of course I also loved this drama because of Ji an acting and her dads also (For me they stole every scene they were a part of in this drama).

However , this drama isnt perfect. It has many plotholes . A lot of characters lacked dept , but like I said it portraiyed these two main ideas in a realistic way (and for me it makes up for all of the plotholes and lack of dept of some characters).

Ps: Is it just me or at the end of the drama (the last scene , in Finland) , it felt like I was watching a whole new drama. The main couple was so different (it truely felt like they wanted to start as strangers again and this time love without any obstacles from their families).

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I’m a sucker for family dramas

I cried way too much, but it was worth it.

Shin Hye-sun never disappoints. This is my favorite drama of hers . She made me hate her character for half of the drama.
And also her dad in the drama Cheon Ho-jin. I was happy to see him here because he is really a great actor! (Damn when he was running after that car, it broke me. )

Acting was great, but I think it could be better from some side characters..
Overall I liked the plot, but it had some unnecessary parts I would’ve skipped. Also towards the end I was hoping for more side character's story development, it felt rushed (to me).

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One of the best long length drama you can watch!

At first glance, My Golden Life storyline look similar to other drama in a similar genre. However, the way they make the story look interesting and can keep you engage for 52 episode can not be underestimated. Although some people will be put off as story unfold but I think if they make it the way most people expect the story turn out to be I don’t think that’s how the good drama should be. The story need to be predictable yet unpredictable for the drama to remain exciting through out.

I also want to give a huge thumb up to Shin Hye Sun. This is her first lead role in a drama and the role of Soo Ji An is very difficult to act as the character complexity is challenging while the way her character develop through out the series certainly challenge her acting spectrum which she executed perfectly. I can comfortably say that she is the goddess in acting and I am not surprise that when her last drama (Mr. Queen) was about to on-air. There were a lot of excitement around as people are eager to see how she fair in that drama (which she also execute that one perfectly).

I don’t want to write a lengthy review, all I can say is, if you like Drama, Heartfelt and Endearment type of series this is the one for you. If you like long length drama in general then this is also the one for you. Last but not least, if you love Shin Hye Sun or want to see how good this actress is then this drama is also the one for you.

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Honestly, one of the best family K-dramas. And trust me, I’ve watched a looooot of this genre.
Starting with the story—it was so good. I really liked the fact that, unlike other dramas, they didn’t drag out the “secret daughter” reveal. It was introduced quickly, and the story moved on smoothly.
I loved the chemistry between the main leads. They were so lovely, real, and intense.
I also loved both families—even the villains. You can understand them; even though their actions are wrong, you can clearly see their character development.
The depression/suicide arc was very well done and quite innovative. It’s rare to see a mental health storyline handled this well in a K-drama.
Unlike the majority, I actually liked the ending.
The second lead couple felt a bit off to me, especially the SML, but I got used to it over time.
The acting was overall really good. The Excellence Award definitely goes to Shin Hae-sun—I love her. But the main male lead, her parents, and her cute twin all did a great job too. The only one who was really lacking was the SML.
I highly recommend it. ✨

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Content warnings for this drama: suicide and depression

Of all the dramas I have watched, My Golden Life portrayed the most realistic depiction of how someone succumbs to depression through Jian's and her father's characters. Which leads me to say: Hats off to Shin Hyesun's acting! It was her acting alone that made me finish this drama. Chun Hojin, the actor playing Jian's father, also created a remarkable character with his subtle acting.

As for the main pairing, I strongly disliked the romance between Jian and Dogyeong, and I actually liked their open-ended ending. I can see why Dogyeong fell in love with Jian, but I can not see how Jian fell in love with him. Throughout the show, Dogyeong was selfish; he prioritized his feelings for Jian before listening to what Jian really wants. She continuously voiced her dislike to Dogyeong's advances because of his family yet he never respected her wishes for him to leave her alone. Until the end (though one could argue it was because of Jian's father's wishes), he bulldozed his way into Jian's everyday life.

The only pairing I liked was Jiho and Seohyun's friendship, which sadly didn't develop into romance. Their friendship grew naturally without any interference from their families.

This drama offers a cliché plot line, incomprehensive subplots, forgettable characters, so-so romances, and repetitive feuds between families. I picked up this one for Shin Hyesun, and I can confidently say that she carried this whole drama by herself. She definitely deserved that Daesang.

Unless you want to become a fan of Shin Hyesun or you already are, I would NOT recommend watching this drama. There are lots of family dramas out there that are much more deserving of your time.

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Most Angering show ever

The show is pure emotions may be too close to reality and thats why you start hating each character for stupid decisions. Mother role is too stupid who created 50+ episode mess . father is shown too pathetic and that drives a sorry figure for the guy who only followed his principles and did nothing wrong but was troubled at all places.
The most i hated was the character for main female lead who jumped for money , than troubled everyone and mostly cried in all 30 episodes so far . I dont know may be i hate her in particular she had same depressed world against her role in angel last mission too and even there i didnt liked her role.
People make stupid decision and then keep on crying for next all episodes for that which is practically close to how things work in real life. Thats why is said its too close to human nature and hence feels angry for seeing all yet you are hooked to this slow drama which started good and from mid turned to slow melodrama and sad figures .

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A good family drama

My Golden Life is a family drama and slice-of-life series that spans 52 episodes, but it never feels unwieldy. It has the comfort and familiarity of a daytime drama, yet the elegance and polish of a tightly made 16-episode K-drama. That balance is part of what makes it so impressive.

The writing is tightly woven, the acting is excellent, and the stakes remain consistently engaging. More importantly, it carries a thread throughout the story—one that is reflected in the journeys of multiple characters rather than being forced through one central message.

One of the drama’s greatest strengths is how quickly you feel at home with its world. The characters feel lived-in, layered, and believable. The world-building is warm, inviting, and deeply comforting. At the same time, it still knows how to inject just enough soap-opera tension and high-stakes twists to keep things entertaining.

All in all, I’d say this is one of the best family dramas to come out in a long time, and easily one of the stronger entries in the slice-of-life genre. It belongs in the must-watch conversation.

Now, personally, I’m very picky when it comes to slice-of-life dramas. I lean more toward escapist television, so I can be harsher on slower, realism-driven shows. That means it wasn’t entirely my personal cup of tea but that says more about my taste than the quality of the drama itself.I’ve had similar experiences with My Mister: not necessarily for me, but clearly exceptional.
And that’s exactly how I feel about My Golden Life.

Even though I dropped it, I can fully recognize that this is a fantastic, near-perfect drama that does what it sets out to do remarkably well.
Honestly, I fully recommend it for those who love family dramas.

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This begins so good till episode 20
Then boring and annoying as hell till episode 29
Then ok
Then monotonous
Then Comes the worst lukewarm end ever

What's bad about this drama

The writer insisted on filling it with lots of sulk and grief without need
*Each scene took too long without any events
Most of the women's character in this drama were the worst ever
*The grandfather was the worst
*The character development was weak except for the ML
*The writer insisted to make it impossible for the main leads to end up together
*Lots of sickness and vomiting scenes with no need
*Lots of crying with no need
*Repititive dialogue
*Repititive flashbacks
*Too long with no need,
they should reduce it till max 40 episodes
*As usual in long dramas, they should make the father die or anyone who makes you feel sad
as if it's a protocol in long dramas
*The 2nd ML's sister was really annoying for sometime
*the 2nd FL took toooooooo long to change her character
*The 1st FL character was annoying many times
Selfish and focused on herself only
Her feelings, her situation, her circumstances
And coward
Whenever the time she feels herself wrong she ran away instead of facing and saying sorry
Always blaming the ML
Her acting while she's supposed to be exhausted was the worst ever
She was nearer to be sleepy more than exhausted
The way she was talking with, made me feel I want to slap her many times badly
Many times she was stubborn more than a mule
*The second couple relationship was a little lukewarm
*After useless details through the whole drama
The end skipped a lot suddenly

What's good about this drama

*The ML'S character was the best ever
*The ML'S father and his best friend and his secretary they were really cute and good
*It had lots of fluffy moments
*Almost all men's characters except the grandfather were really amazing and cute
*It kept me hooked

In general it was good to watch once
It was something like Romeo and Juliet
In a modern way

Although I love Shi hoo so much
But this wasn't his best
But also still good comparable to other long dramas

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