The Good Bad Mother

A second-chance at being a Good mother, but still ended being a Good Bad mother.

Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

I wanted to like “The Good Bad Mother’ and I did until I started losing interest towards the second half of the drama. In short, this drama has excellent acting from the youngest to the oldest. The mother/son relationship is the central focus and takes me on a rollercoaster ride. Unfortunately, the revenge plot lost me in the second half and I just don’t care for it anymore.

The title of the drama aptly describes what this show is all about. It’s tough to be a good mother. You want your child’s best interest but how you show your (tough) love and convey that message to your children are the most difficult part. We witness how hard Jin Young Soon (mom) tries to be the best mother she could be, after her husband passed away. As a single mother, she worked hard, cared for her son, ensured he had the best future as a prosecutor. But it was hard watching her executing her parenting plans. You can even say she’s an abusive mother. When she was given a second chance to do it all over again, she seized the opportunity to right the wrong and be a better mother. It was heartbreaking to watch her interaction with Kang Ho (son), when he expressed the same frustrations as not being able to choose what he wants, that he’s always pleasing his mother and doing what she asks him too. The shock and traumatic experience on Jin Young Soon’s face said it all. History repeated itself.

Despite a tumultuous relationship, there’s a lot of joy in this drama. It was lovely seeing an adorable Lee do Hyun. He might not be the most handsome actor out there, but every time I see him (no matter what role he plays), you can’t help but like him. He plays an excellent Choi Kang Ho and is a worthy partner to Ra Mi Ran’s excellent and heartbreaking portrayal of Jin Young Soon. The cast is full of veterans that we’ve seen in many Kdramas. Their acting skills are undeniable and make you love and hate them at the same time. The villagers are not as annoying as I worried, but a few of the side plots or characters don’t really contribute much to the general plot. I have to say, the kids are adorable! Such smartypants and they do provide some great comedic moments when the drama gets a little more emotional. Oh, how can I forget about the cute little pigs! It’s rare to see a drama about a pig drama and I like this uniqueness.

Unfortunately, the revenge plot is not exciting enough. We’ve seen enough illegal dealings by the two villains. There’s no suspense and them trying to kill and scheme against each other become repetitive and boring. I would have liked to see the amnesia go away sooner. Then the drama can focus on healing, rekindling romance, re-adjusting to new life, and better writing in revenge.

The romance is a very small part of the drama. There are some sweet moments. I just would have liked to see more complicated feelings from Lee Mi Joo when he met Cho Kang Ho again. I want more semi-avoidance, more confusion and more interaction between them. When the secret is out, their resolution is too quick and too anti-climatic.

I do like the ending after the trial. It was emotional and bittersweet. A fitting ending to a drama that gives us such an emotional rollercoaster ride. I can see why “The Good Bad Mother” is so highly rated, but it’s just missing the mark a little for it for me personally. I was going to give a solid 8.5 in the first half, but will end up giving this an 8.25 instead.


Completed: 6/7/2024 - Review #449

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my review

i’d have to say this drama was very heartwarming by the end. very satisfying ending—all patches were repaired and ended on a semi good note. i loved the idea of the mom and son repairing their relationship and just being together, that was very cute. i loved the bond between the moms in the village . there were a lot of really sweet moments as well as funny and SAD sad ones. the two little kids were SO CUTE. and the little girl??? SUCH A GOOD Actress. so cute. and ofc the two mc: dohyun and the mom did a great great acting job, made me feel like it’s real. this drama was so raw and heartfelt! just not my favorite honestly. i finished it tho. so that says something.

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too dense for it's own good

the first thing you must be aware of is the intensity of this story. if there was a darkness barometer, 1 being the darkest and 10 the brightest, this show is on 2. it's on 2 because they managed to put some light every now and then. don't watch if you are facing hard time.

2nd: the story is very complex, and the first 4 episodes are like 4 different movies about the same characters having something like a slip of dimension's experience. it's very unsettling. and then things come together and you start to understand what is going on. or do you?

3rd: that's a very good drama. my 8 score is a little harsh, I was taken aback by the darkness of the story, it wasn't what I needed to watch right now, but I liked it nonetheless and found it addictive. so, if you like dark stories, or if you want to watch something more "serious" and less superficial, it's a great choice.
enjoy!

when to watch: this is not a story for relaxation after work. watch it on week-end, with friends.
audience: this is definitely not for under 18 audience. everything is hard and there is a lot of life's complex lessons, even for grown ups. let children enjoy this pearl after they grow old.

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WHAT AN EXCEPTIONAL CAST

I had been seeing good reviews of good bad mother for a while but didn't fel compelled to watch it because sometimes parents in asian dramas can feel so triggering in their 'i do this to protect you' self-righteouness and I didn't know if I could watch an entire drama revolving around that. But I was waiting for new episodes of my current WIP so i decided to give this one a go.
And boy was i glad i did! Yes at the core it was about a mother-son relationship but it was also sooo much more. This was such wonderful mix of family, drama, suspense, comedy and romance.
One minute I'm so sad, the other I'm angry, the next I'm laughing, the next I'm going awww. The whole village dynamic, the relationships, each character felt fleshed out and nuanced. No one was perfect and cookie cut out and that's what made it beautiful. How the mother comes to realise the damage she did, how the son realises what he was raised to do. The love story between the leads. The weird push and pull friendships. The adorable twins and their banter. Just perfectly done. I also really enjoyed the mi-joo and sam-sik scenes because they were such a doltish yet earnest duo whenever they worked together to do something. The Chemistry between the Mi-Joo and Kang-ho was amazing. This was the first where i didn't need to see too many lovey dovey scene to understand how deeply they cared for each other. Even when the other didn’t remember their history.
I wanted to shake the mother sometimes but I understood that it was part of her story. The actor playing the played it beautifully.

THE ML! GOOD LORD WHAT AN EXCEPTIONAL ACTOR. From the seemingly heartless and ambitious man to a heartbroken but determined man to a clueless yet earnest man he played his role so beautifully. He deserves all the awards.

The only reason why i 6 give it a perfect 10 was I think some more time should have been given to resolving things between Mi-Joo and Kang-Ho instead of rushing to the climax.

But all in all, watch this! You won't regret it!

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A rollercoaster of emotions

I think I experienced every emotion while watching this series. Sadness, shock, annoyance, anger, frustration, happiness and joy. It was a rollercoaster.

While I understand what the more negative reviews I found when looking at the entire picture it made sense the way this was written. I don't think the full impact of the ending could have been as powerful had it not. This show needs to be looked at in its entirety at the end to appreciate the rest.

While going through the series can be tough at points it all comes togther in the end. The viewer really needs to sit back and pay attention to the why's if they don't the ending won't be nearly as impactful because the character growth is immense, especially for the mother.

Yes, I did have issues with some things but not with what one would expect! My biggest issue was with the middle because it seemed a but unrealistic. I won't say more here I trust the viewer will understand what I mean as they watch it.

I think this show is definately worth the watch. Just remember keep an open mind and let the why's sink in!

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It's a little bit different than other dramas

Actually the revenge part isn't something new for kdramas, but the relationship between the son and the mother and the feelings behind it is whats new. I guess the west would think that the relationship is abusive and nothing is good about it, but even though the fact that I is really abusive, the east will understand the meaning behind it. Family is actually really important for us and this drama portrayed it well. eventhough the mother was wrongand the drama portrayed it as a "bad mother", the feeling behind it was so great, I am not saying that this is right thought. But we grew up in this, and we can't change anything about it, and we wouldn't leave our family at the very end. We all hated how they treated us when we were teens, but growing up we tend to understand that they are humans they make mistakes, and they love us still. And this drama portrayed this so well.

It's a burst of emotions all at once, eventhough the plot of the revenge was so mid, the feeling in this drama is what makes it on a higher level.

The actress of the mother and the son did a very very very good job at portraying the emotions so well. I am not going to forget the other members of the village, it felt so homey.

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It's chaotic and that's why you should watch it.

Everyone has already listed the best and worst of this series so I won't do that. Instead, I will tell you this - if you want to see the most humane story that could describe people, their actions, emotions, and choices, give The Good Bad Mother a chance.

Some may say this series is trying to justify lousy motherhood, but truthfully, nothing is black and white. We, humans, go through various circumstances in our life that affect the way we react. So, instead of seeing black, let's focus on the shades of grey and maybe we would get better at healing ourselves and others around us.

I am not trying to justify abuse here or bad behaviour towards kids; I am just saying, don't forget mothers are also human and are prone to making mistakes. And this series perfectly depicts how events that unfold in one's life can completely change the course of their future.

Most people watch dramas and movies for entertainment but you can learn a few lessons from this one that could actually prove to be useful.

Lastly, Lee Do Hyun did the most commendable job in this series with his acting skills. His role as Kang Ho will always stay in my heart...❤️😍

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It's not "the thought that counts" but "our actions that show who we really are"

As series about an abusive parent, it lacks a bit of self-awareness. The mother is mostly bad and horrific with very little good and redeeming qualities. During the story she does reflect a bit and becomes remorseful about certain things but we as the audience see that it happens only in her head - even when she regrets her past actions, she does not learn from them, she literally does not learn anything from her past mistakes.

* In the past she is very strict and overbearing with her son's education (and overall life), in the present her methods for his rehabilitation are very strict and overbearing (to take away the food when he can not control his arms, to dump him in the lake when he can not stand up).

* In the past she burns almost everything that shows his love and accomplishments for drawing, in the present she burns almost everything that shows his work and accomplishments as a prosecutor (carrier path chosen by her).

* In the past and in the present she makes all the decisions for him, in other words she is not raising a son, but a submissive, accommodating robot, to do and be as she dictates. It is called out only once or few times but very briefly, and she never apologises for taking away a lot of agency from her son. (She does, however, apologise for other things on few occasions, which is commendable).

The main message of the show now reads as "mother is always right" no matter how psychotic or abusive. It would have been more believable, if the son hated his mother more, and would come to realise that along the hate there was also love, only AFTER he found out that she was dying. Better yet after her death. (Death and end of things are good drives for introspection).

In my eyes, mother was too glorified and judged too little for her terrible actions towards her son, because as much as we would like to believe that it's always "the thought that counts" it is actually "our actions that show who we really are".

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An Emotional Masterpiece

“There’s a saying, ‘A mother can replace anything in this world. But nothing can replace a mother.'” – Mr. Son

"The Good Bad Mother" is an absolute masterpiece! From the very first episode, this captivating drama leaves a lasting impression. The perfectly balanced pace keeps viewers engaged, with never a dull moment. The meticulous storytelling ensures every scene contributes to the emotional impact.

At its heart is the intricate relationship between a mother and her son. Kangho's character development is a tour de force, showcasing his growth, joys, traumas, and love for drawing. Youngsoon's flawed yet vulnerable portrayal evokes empathy. The well-rounded, relatable characters are a rare feat.

The supporting characters shine individually, contributing to the tapestry of emotions and genres. The exceptional acting immerses you in the story, with special mention given to the adorable twins. Their talent and potential are remarkable.

This show explores the depths of imperfect motherhood, sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring bond between parent and child. It's a triumph in storytelling, acting, and emotional impact. Prepare for a journey of love, forgiveness, and a connection that will stay with you. Bravo to the entire team behind this exceptional drama!

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Never a dull moment

I loved way more about this than I didn't.
The very few gripes are honestly not worth mentioning.
Fabulous cast, many actors/tresses I love, all of whom played their characters so well.
It is quirky at times; the character of
Young-rak's wife is totally off the wall. I loved her! Her outspokenness made for some really funny scenes and, at times, not low level discomfort too.
I so felt for Kang-ho and as his story was revealed, thought him so brave. Lee Do-hyun portrayed him excellently.
There were many scenes that made for a tough watch. How cold, heartless and thoroughly evil some of the characters were.
Those were tempered by opposites, however, and that prevented this drama from becoming overly melodramatic and depressing.
I completely disagreed with the methods of the Mother in question. Yet I still liked her character; she was forced to toughen up, make sacrifices, cope alone, keep going and work her arse off. However, for me that didn't excuse her dictatorial approach toward her son as a child, or actions that bordered on abuse. Nothing can excuse some of the things she did. Yet I still couldn't dislike her.
Her character seemed to mellow through the story and her capacity for forgiveness, on several occasions, I found a bit unbelievable, but given her circumstances at that point, I did get it. She also repeated one of her previous mistakes regarding another character, which disappointed me, but she came through in the end.
Kang-ho's behaviour, I thought was out of synch at times, with what his character's age was supposed to have reverted to, but, I could care less. He had me in bits on numerous occasions.
I also loved Mi-joo. What a great young woman, with real strength of character. She never played the victim and was so tenacious. I really liked the relationship she had with her twins, too.
In fact, all the village women in this drama were tough in their own ways really.
Life wasn't particularly easy or a bed of roses, for any of them.
The men were funny, capable, but rarely the bosses ;)
Sam-sik was a conundrum for me... I loathed, liked, was amused and shocked by him, in turns. Drove me nuts.
The foreign character, Andrea, was weirdly likeable. I wasn't sure at first. The way he spoke was odd at times (and not when he was practicing his Korean), but then I find many of the foreign characters represented in K-dramas to be a bit odd in general. He helped out a lot though and wasn't insignificant. How they interacted together was lovely.
Plenty of suspense and a terrific watch. I never got bored, was pleased with the ending and so enjoyed the actors, who really made the story shine.

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Enjoyable but frustrating watch

I have mixed feelings about this drama. Although I thought the drama was an enjoyable watch, I don't think I was completely satisfied by the story at the end of it. I could not tolerate the mother most of the times esp when she was making such bad parenting decisions, although I know the drama is literally called The good bad mother. Sometimes it was so harsh to even watch those scenes, I would skip it. But other than that, I really enjoyed Kangho and Mijoo's story. Mijoo was my favorite character in the drama, along with the twins.
The acting was top though. Both Lee do hyun and Ra miran did so great.

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Embracing Motherhood, Forgiveness & Redemption

This drama had me hooked from the start and took me on a wild emotional ride.

First off, let's talk about Seo Eun-ji, played by the amazing Lee Ji-eun. She brought so much heart and realness to the character. As a single mom, she faced all kinds of struggles, but her love for her child never wavered. It hit me right in the feels, man. I was rooting for her every step of the way. (and hated her at the same time initially)

The show really dives deep into the ups and downs of motherhood. It shows you the sacrifices moms make and the unbreakable bond they have with their kids. It made me appreciate my own mom even more, you know? It's a reminder of the love and strength that mothers have.

But it's not just about motherhood. "The Good Bad Mother" also tackles forgiveness and personal growth. It's all about second chances and learning to let go of the past. Seeing the characters evolve and find redemption was powerful stuff. It made me think about my own life and the importance of forgiveness in moving forward.

Now, I gotta be real with you, there were a few things that could've been better. Some side characters could've had more depth, and a couple of plot points felt a bit rushed. But you know what? Those things didn't take away from the overall impact of the drama. It still hit me right in the heart, man.

"The Good Bad Mother" is a drama that tugs at your emotions and leaves you reflecting on life. It's a reminder of the power of love, the strength of motherhood, and the possibility of redemption. If you're looking for a heartfelt journey that will have you laughing, crying, and cheering, this is the one for you. Get ready to feel all the feels, my friend.

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