This review may contain spoilers
The best Drama to wind up 2024, just go for it....
I watched Go Ahead which is the Chinese version of "The Family by Choice". I really Love FBC more than GA because there was certain scenes where I didn't like in Go Ahead eg. A slight love triangle between the 3, though many of them says that the 2nd brother did it out of desperation, there was a scene in bakery where 2ML looks intimately towards FL. It really didn't make sense to me. 2nd FL fell love with ML in GA. 2nd ML was left alone in GA. These are all the things I didn't like.When it comes to FBC, woah It was neat and ENDED IN ''PERFECTION''. The ending was so satisfying to me. The entire crew of FBC did a wonderful job in creating this Drama. The actors where carefully chosen to nail each role to the perfection. The Bromance between them was so indulging to watch, making us to think that we need that kind of family.
The emotions they delivered went straight to the heart. Hats off to the actors. I love them. I love FBC. One of the dramas to be cherished.
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In comparison... don't compare | When you should watch this
Disclaimer: I have watched Go ahead but will write this review so anyone can follow no matter their knowledge about the plot.In general, I recommend watching both versions, but it doesn't really matter where you start. If you really hated one of both, though, I won't recommend watching the other as the main parts of the plot stay the same. This isn't a romance drama. It is about family, growing up and redefining what family means to you while going through the process of finding a healthy way to cope with (your) struggles. The plot elaborates perspectives of people at different life stages, although young people of course are the main focus.
While the Chinese version is a lot longer and its plot felt more realistic, this remake managed to resolve or at least smooth out some of the issues I had with the Chinese version (some I didn't even realize I had until I saw this remake). It does come with its own issues though you will need to be able to overlook.
The fewer amount of episodes means, of course, they had to shorten parts of the plot and character development I would have loved to dive deeper into, but overall, it seemed like this version portrayed more of an ideal version of how things should be. Someone in the comments described this version as quite healing and I found that word very fitting.
While many people described the chemistry to be wearing off after the first couple episodes, it was the opposite for me. With the progress of each episode I could also feel each character grow just as their chemistry with each other became more and more apparent. The music was used so well to bring out the emotions of every scene and support the already great acting skills instead of overruling them. For everyone being hesitant, I want to reassure you to stay patient, watch the characters grow and rethink their (past) decisions just as you probably have done in your life, too. While I understand watching this can feel draggy, boring or frustrating to some people, I loved every step of their way.
What I also really loved were the comedic scenes that almost always lit up the atmosphere. The humour was just perfect to me and even though there were heavy scenes of course, overall, almost every episode had something to make me smile or laugh.
As I already watched the story twice in two different versions and liked both, I don't know what should indicate I couldn't watch it a third and fourth and fifth time.
So, as a general recommendation: Don't watch this if you want to watch a pure fast-paced, heavily dramatic romance drama. Don't watch this if family issues trigger you easily. And, of course, don't watch this if you hated the Chinese version.
But go watch it if you want something about family, something deeply emotional, something to make you smile or something to make you overthink your own idea of what defines a family. I for sure will go and call mine now.
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The ultimate k-drama remake
Family by choice started of decent, the elder-brother and second brother are kept the same except one thing that they changes, in go ahead the second-brother had no ex-girlfriend and was single however in family by choice he had one. Their might be some slight changes, but the characters are kept the same and the drama gets better each episode and has a lot of potential. Hoping to see the episodes progressing to a good standard, which I don't think will disappoint! Hwang-yeop is finally casted as the ML which I'm quite stoked about, he manages to play high school kid quite well!!Was this review helpful to you?
Not The Same As Go Ahead!
When I say it isn't the same - it isn't as great as Go Ahead at all!It's not bad, but nothing like it's Chinese neighbour.
I have seen Go Ahead maybe 3 times even though it has something like 46 episodes.
Going forward I will refer to Go Ahead as GA and Family By Choice as FBC.
With FBC it misses the humour that GA has when the children were young - even as teens and adults.
In GA, both boys were top students in school whereas the girl wasnt. One boy became a dentist, the other a chef/baker and the girl became a sculptor whereas in FBC it looks like one has become a doctor, one a dropout and the girl a cake maker.
Not sure about the dropout being a proper dropout just yet!
In GA, the one that became a dentist would supervise the girl with her homework at times and around episode 5 told her he was going to marry her someday. There was also this moment he didn't want her sniffing his bed and being in his room as he was starting to develop feelings for her so he told her off. The humour when they were teens in the original version was excellent whether at school, just with each other or at home.
In FBC, the one that becomes a doctor, doesnt say anything about marrying her as teens and doesnt really do too much when she smells something different about his bed which is actually a pertinent moment in the original version. Although they all get along really well - it just isn't on the same level as GA.
When ten years elapses in FBC it seems like the boys have just gone for the weekend then returned as their hairstyles haven't changed nor their faces in age.
With GA they all transitioned from teens to adults which was believable and noticeable like 10 years really had passed.
The good thing about FBC is that it is only 16 episodes so will give you a taste of what the Chinese one is like, but it doesn't have the same depth or characters. One character missing is the one that became a flight hostess in GA.
In FBC, it seems like they are bringing two characters together that were never together in GA. Personally, I don't like that at all.
Another change is the real younger sister of the oldest male seems to be more mature and not so bratty in FBC compared to GA.
Overall, I prefer GA over FBC because of the characters, their stories and the unquestionable dynamics between all of them as well as close bonds - including the parents.
FBC made some obvious changes which shouldn't have been the case - like losing the humour and certain characters, for example.
Still recommended if you want something shorter than the original even if not on the same level.
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It’s different than the original
I really enjoyed watching GO AHEAD and when the news came out that they will be making a korean remake of the show. I was a bit sceptical. I made a decision early on to only watch it when it has finished airing all its episode. However, it keeps popping up on my FYP and it piqued my interest. The TIKTOK edits shows me some new scenes which i did not see in the original CDRAMA and I decided to watch it while it was still airing.And I did not regret it. While they do have similarities, I can’t ignore the differences they made on making it local and giving a fresh new air towards the show. I enjoyed the show as it has more build up of the characters feelings. It explains the reason their decisions clearly and are not making the viewers misunderstand or think too deeply on the plot.
It really differs from the CDRAMA, GO AHEAD!
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This review may contain spoilers
the only way to enjoy this show is to totally block away the chinese version from your mind. Watching this made me appreciate go Ahead even more. i know it couldn't have been easy to try to tell this story in 16 episodes but there were too many things missing. The periods where it felt like nothing was happening in the original spoke volumes!. Her waiting to hear from them, it being too painful for her to see them go away so she travelled to see relatives, her treating them like strangers(because they had become strangers). I was not a big fan of this translation of her yelling at them, i preferred the original. The mother wasn't some unreasonable idiot like she is portrayed in this one, her character was dumbed down and the essence taken away. she was a mother who carried around the guilt of leaving her child and blaming him and not knowing how to rectify this, she tried holding on to him in an unhealthy way which was exhausting for him and her, also her trying to set him up with someone else showed her yearning to build something ''new'' with him that didn't include their past. she coped by ignoring things(tearing up pictures of her daughter, leaving her marriage and child, trying to get him away from the girl who knew about their skeletons).
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I have mixed feelings about this one
The drama started off really fun, and I absolutely loved the concept of "you don't always need a blood bond to become a family." That message was heartwarming and had me excited for the rest of the show.But once the romance subplot kicked in, things started to feel a little... off. I get that San Ha and Ju Won aren't actually siblings—San Ha lived with his dad, and although they shared a sibling bond, he never really lived in Ju Won’s house as her brother. Still, I found it strange how the show started with Ju Won calling him "Oppa" in every sentence, and everyone around them referring to her as San Ha’s sister.
All her life, she saw him as nothing but her brother—and then suddenly, after his confession, she develops romantic feelings for him? That transition didn’t sit right with me. From San Ha’s side, I totally get it. He never gave off a strong "big brother" vibe, so his feelings made more sense. But from Ju Won’s perspective, it felt rushed and unnatural.
Honestly, I think I would’ve liked it better if the romance angle was left out altogether—or, if they were going to go that route, then they should’ve set it up from the beginning instead of leaning so hard into the whole “we’re one true family” message.
That said, I still enjoyed the series overall, and the ending was pretty satisfying in my opinion.
As for the acting... I wouldn’t say I was blown away. I adore Hwang In Youp and only watched this because of him—he’s incredibly talented—but his performance felt a bit underwhelming here, and that goes for the rest of the cast too.
All in all, it’s a drama with a great message at its core, but the execution—especially in the romance plot—might not be for everyone. Still, if you're open-minded and enjoy unconventional family stories, it’s worth a try!
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its fun yet can be serious when it needs too
genuinely one of my fav kdramas and I rewatch it a lot, sure the side couple were a bit boring but the main couple made up for that.the fl is quirky and cute but not enough to the point where you get annoyed. the ml is mature and serious but not in a nonchalant way. you can tell that he genuinely loves and cares for her. the two together are abousutly perfect.
also the family issues really stick despite being very far from the average person. you understand when Hae Jun gets mad at San Ha for not welcoming his mom with open arms, and you sympathize when Ju won is at the hospital in Seoul to visit San Ha and thinks San ha sees her as less than his biological family. and also when Ju won overhears that the two guys are going away after highschool and leaving her to be alone.
also for the people who were off put by the whole ‘foundfamily’ trope my general rule of thumb to see if it’s acceptable or bordering incestual behavior is if the two don’t consider eacother family.
in San Has case he never considered Ju Won as an actual younger sister the way Hae Jun did. he doesn’t call her things like younger sister or banter the same way as Hae Jun does, there’s a clear difference in the way the two treat her.
for Ju Wons case she did Consider him family once but after 10 years of not seeing eacother or talking regularly they grew apart. and added onto that is the way they left things when the guys left home. Juwon took it as confirmation that she’s the only one who consideres them as her brothers and from that point on she considered them as ‘people she used to be close to and live with’. also there’s a huge difference in the way she treat San Ha after he’s back.
anyway a fun show that also delves into the themes of complicated families.
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Not better than the original but swoony, fluffy and charming in its own way. Worth a watch.
Full disclosure, I have seen and loved the original Chinese series "Go Ahead" from which Family By Choice is an adaptation. Therefore my review and appreciation of this version of the story, is bound to be influenced by my feelings on the original drama. Overall, even if I prefer the original series, I truly enjoy this version of this found family tale. There are even things I think the South Korean version accomplished in a neater way. Not better, but like if you would put a pretty bow on things while the Chinese drama had a less fluffy vibe, much grittier, less rom-com, more slice-of-life. I appreciate they took another approach but I cannot say that I found it better. Just different.The South Korean series hits properly most of the beats of the original story, with some changes on storylines as well as quicker pace (which is unavoidable given that the South Korean version is made of 16 episodes of 1 hour while the Chinese version is made of 40 episodes of 45 minutes). There are some iconic elements of the original story that are missing which I found a bit of a shame but I appreciated some of the cuts they took on some of the side stories / characters. The main flaw of the story resides in its pacing : some traumatic events lived through by the characters felt too quick with the story moving on expeditiously and handling a bit too easily redemptions...Despite those flaws (which I must admit are linked to me comparing both occurrences of the story), the overall plot is still very good and I truly enjoyed the romance as well as the family arc. The trio of main characters are really likeable and form a trio that I loved throughout the full show. I will miss them for sure.
The casting was very good. I adore Hwang In Youp and I found him excellent here. He gave me butterflies in my stomach. His character felt to me like the heart of the story, even more than the heroine. She is of course key to the story and Jung Chae Yeon is super luminous in portraying her. It was my first time seeing her in a series and I will need to see her in a different role to which I'm less attached to form a clearer opinion on her acting. I was also happy to (re-)discovered Bae Hyeon Seong thanks to this drama. He did not leave me with a lasting memory from his support role in Hospital Playlist but here, he made a strong impression on me. The filial bond between him and his adoptive father is one of the best part of the series. Both actors playing fathers (Choi Won Young and Choi Moo Sung), as well as the child actress Oh Eun Seo are worth a shout out as they were amazing in those support roles.
The production value is really good. There are so many scenes that are mesmerizing, decors with flowers, pastel and bright colors participating in creating dreamy and romantic pictures. The soundtrack is really beautiful as well. There are a couple of songs that I will for sure keep listening to.
I would recommend this to people that love romantic story and found-family trope. If you enjoy protective, caring and ambiguous "big brother" character, you are in for a treat. The story is not without flaws and it pales a bit the comparison to the original drama...Still, it is worth watching if you enjoy rom-com with swoony moments, supported by a charming cast and solid production value.
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A Heartwarming Journey That Feels a Bit Rushed
Family by Choice is a warm, character-driven drama that leans heavily into the idea that family isn’t always about blood, but about the people who choose to stay. The story follows three individuals who grow up together under unusual circumstances, forming a bond that feels closer than most biological families. The drama is structured across different life stages childhood, youth, and adulthood which helps in showing how their relationships evolve over time.The strongest aspect of the drama is definitely the family dynamic. The relationship between Kim San Ha, Yun Ju Won, and Kang Hae Jun is the emotional core, and many of their moments together feel comforting and heartfelt. The father figures, especially Ju Won’s dad, truly stand out. His performance brings warmth, stability, and emotional depth that elevates the entire drama. The friendship between the parents also adds a grounded layer, showing how support systems are built through shared struggles.
The acting overall is solid, but one thing that didn’t fully work for me was the teenage phase. I found it a bit hard to believe them as actual teenagers, especially Ju Won. Her mannerisms and delivery felt a bit too mature at times, which made those early years slightly less immersive. San Ha gets some leeway since his character is written as more emotionally reserved and mature, and Hae Jun manages to bring in expressive energy that fits better, but Ju Won’s portrayal in that phase didn’t completely convince me.
When it comes to character arcs, there are both strengths and gaps. San Ha’s quiet pain and internal struggles are present, but not explored deeply enough. His trauma, especially involving his mother, feels like it needed more space and conversation. Similarly, Hae Jun’s storyline with his biological father and parts of his past are introduced but not fully unpacked, which leaves a sense of incompleteness.
The romance is another mixed area. While the main couple does get a happy ending, the shift from a sibling-like bond to romance feels rushed and not entirely convincing. The emotional buildup, particularly from Ju Won’s side, could have been handled with more depth. In contrast, Hae Jun and Dal’s relationship feels more organic. You can see the gradual development of feelings, hesitation, and acceptance, which makes their arc more believable and satisfying.
One thing the drama does well is keeping things relatively clean and focused. It avoids unnecessary love triangles and doesn’t rely on forced drama, which makes it an easier and more pleasant watch. The pacing is generally smooth, and the time jumps feel natural, though the shorter runtime means some slice-of-life moments and deeper emotional beats are sacrificed.
Visually and tonally, the drama is comforting. It balances emotional scenes with lighter, everyday moments, creating a soft and easy viewing experience. The themes of belonging, support, and chosen family come through clearly, and there are definitely moments that hit emotionally, especially those centered around home and parental love.
In conclusion, while Family by Choice stands well on its own as a heartfelt and comforting drama, the comparison with Go Ahead is almost inevitable. The original has the advantage of time and depth, which makes the emotional arcs feel more layered and immersive. That said, this version still has its own charm and is definitely worth watching. If you are primarily a K-drama viewer, you will likely enjoy this take for its pacing and tone. And if you are curious about the story in a more detailed and emotionally expansive form, then Go Ahead is absolutely worth checking out as well.
Personally, I watched this almost 1.5 years after finishing Go Ahead, which really helped me see it with fresh eyes and appreciate it for what it is rather than constantly comparing. Both versions offer something valuable, and honestly, both are worth experiencing in their own way.
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Better than the original. But just by a bit.
Beware, it’s going to be long and with spoilers!So my test-retest reliable but I liked just a bit more the Kdrama so I gave another half point. Below will be my comparison between this version and the Cdrama.
The cons: They didn’t spend much time around their younger days and I loved it much more than the modern ones. I understand that the Cdrama was much longer but IMO they lost all the beauty of how they became a one big family. In the Kdrama they suddenly started sort of living together, and without the prior knowledge I might’ve been confused.
Their modern days wasn’t done perfectly either. It was fun watching them going between the apartments in the Cdrama and practically living all together again, but here it felt less like that, and they missed the whole thing of how they became neighbors again at the first place !
Another problem is the familiar faces of actors who are usually doing villain roles and suddenly you got to believe they’re the sweetest dads in the world. So I’m sorry but I liked the dad there more. And the Mom was much more savage here. It was painful to watch her scenes.
The pros: Real life age of actors! Seven was older than the guys, especially ML and it showed. I’m happy In Yeop was older, so I could’ve felt the chemistry more.
Also I liked that unlike the Cdrama where Seven was the glue between them, here it felt like In Hyup was the one. So he really felt like the protective older brother. He has done a terrific job.
Her friend was much integral part of the story and it was interesting they left her with the same character as she grew up and didn’t make her go against her mom like in the Cdrama. It showed much more what a sensitive and beautiful on the inside woman she is. It emphasized the growth of the 2ML (who, as he should, didn’t want the FL, even for an instance -unlike the Cdrama).
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Though not as good as Go Ahead, it's still a good adaptation worthy of watching
“Family by Choice” should be my last completed drama in 2024 and I’m glad I am ending my drama year on a happy note (but via a rocky journey of emotions). If you don’t know, this is an adaptation of the very popular and beloved Chinese drama “Go Ahead”. I will try to review “Family by Choice” as an independent drama and also in comparison to its predecessor.Drama reviewed on its own:
Objectively, “Family by Choice” is a great drama. It has a little of everything that would appease different audiences. At its core, it’s about family and especially the new and lovable found family. This family of five was formed due to some unfortunate circumstances. But they are full of love, adoration and care. It’s not easy when two children were abandoned by their mothers at a very young age. The drama follows their healing journey into adulthood, and this journey isn’t easy. You need to prepare for an emotional roller coaster, as you will cry for them as they endure pain, laugh with them as they celebrate successes and smile with them as they find their romantic partners.
I enjoy the acting of the cast very much, especially, Hwang In Youp. I’ve seen most of his dramas but it’s in “Family by Choice” that I realize he has grown to be a great actor. His portrayal of the broken soul, San Ha, is spot on. I want to give him a hug every time I see him, and want to shake some sense into him and his mother, as he suffers under her emotional abuse and manipulation. Playing opposite him are Jung Chae Yeon and Bae Hyeog Seong. Both are great and the three of them have excellent chemistry together as siblings. I have to say, I quite like this portrayal of our female lead Jun Won. I love her sunny disposition and beautiful smile. No wonder she’s the light in San Ha’s dark world. There is no question in the acting ability of the veteran cast, especially the two lovable fathers. Let’s not forget the 3 adorable kids who started the drama with a bang! I actually wish they stay longer than just one episode.
This shorter version is able to fit in all the major plots of the original drama. The pacing is good, the main characters are endearing and the ‘villain’ is just as hateful. The drama is able to hold my attention for the full 16 hours, and I was not bored once, even though I already know how the story goes. I do have two criticisms: San Ha and his mother’s relationship took up too much screen time in an already-shortened version. As much as I appreciate the depiction of mental health issues, I would have liked to see his mother less and have that storyline resolved a lot sooner. It seems like this black cloud looms over everything for way too long, thus, making the drama a little less enjoyable. I’d rather see Hae Jun’s mother more. This long plot took away precious time from other characters that I enjoy. Secondly, though the romance is better than the original version, I want to see a longer and more believable transition of feelings on Ju Won’s end. She went from going in shock, to denial, and acceptance way too fast. The realization of her feelings happens too abruptly.
Comparison to “Go Ahead”:
The best part of “Go Ahead” is seeing the formation of the found family. The Chinese version spent a considerable amount of time showing us the kids' everyday life at home (not just at school) and how the two fathers take care of them in different ways. If you mention “Go Ahead” to those that saw it, they would comment without a doubt that the two fathers are the most MEMORABLE and adorable father duo in dramaland. The Korean version doesn’t give off the same vibe. It’s a watered down version, and this is the most disappointing thing about this drama.
The romance in “Go Ahead” is quite controversial. Many don’t like the perceived ‘love triangle’, because it does such a good job in showing us sibling love. Luckily, the romance in “Family by Choice” is written way better without too many icky feelings. From very early on in the drama, there are already many subtle hints and looks by San Ha, showing he has feelings for Ju Won. It also helps that Hae Jun’s declaration of marriage is obviously for a different reason. I also found Hwang In Youp and Jung Chae Yeon look much better as a couple. They have good chemistry as siblings and also as lovers. In contrast, Seven Tan’s character is way too tomboy-ish and young, thus the romantic pairing with Song Wei Long doesn’t quite work. In another romantic comedy, their height difference could be adorable. But in “Go Ahead”, with the backstory of growing up as ‘siblings’, this couple can give off uncomfortable icky vibes. Unfortunately, in both dramas, I have the same criticism of a poor transition of feelings on the female lead’s part.
I will still recommend viewers to watch “Family by Choice” whether you’ve seen the Chinese version or not. It has its own unique charms with great pacing and excellent acting. However, it doesn’t get as high a rating that I gave to “Go Ahead” (9.0) because I am missing screen time of the super lovable fathers.
Other random observations:
1. Actress Kim Hye Eun who plays San Ha's mother, has so much botox that it's distracting. Her forehead is so shiny as well!
2. Really excellent acting by the kids
3. Love seeing Ju Won (FL) stand up and defend her oppas against both mothers.
Completed: 12/30/2024 - Review #532
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