A good adaptation, which allows us to admire once again the talent of Hwang In Yeop :)
PLOT: The FL is 7 years old (daughter of a widowed restaurant owner) when she meets the ML (8 years old) whose parents are shaken by the death 1 year earlier of his sister. A grandmother (who works for the FL's father, arranges 1 meeting for him, with 1 single mother of 1 boy (ML2) aged 8 years. This mother will run away (debts) and leave her son in the care of the FL's father. At the same time, the ML's parents divorce. The 3 children will be raised by the two fathers (FL's and ML's) , grow up helping each other to face difficulties and traumas, and try to build their adult lives.+++ Great actors (all), especially the 3 leads.
+++ Roughly realistic story, suited to the Korean context where family lineage is a priority.
+++ The characters are not black or white, but nuanced and well developed.
+++ Effective execution, without length.
+++ Korean OSTs (o^▽^o)
### Some characters (the grandmother, the ML's psychotic mother who needs therapy, the ML2's mother who feels extremely guilty, etc.) are excessive.
### The FL's father (with a kindness which borders on stupidity) does not exist in real life!
### What a vision of women !!! All mothers are selfish, intrusive, toxic. Only fathers save the world .... Who has written such a story ?
=> A good adaptation, which allows us to admire once again the talent of Hwang In Yeop :)
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PLOT: Qd la FL a 7 ans (fille d'1 restaurateur veuf), elle rencontre le ML (8 ans) dont les parents sont secoués par le décès 1 an + tôt de la sœur. Une gd-mère travaillant pr le père de la FL, arrange 1 rencontre pr le père, avec 1 mère célibataire d'1 garçon (ML2) de 8 ans. Cette mère va s'enfuir (dettes) et laisser son fils aux soins du père de la FL. //t, les parents du ML divorcent. Les 3 enfants vont être élevés par les 2 pères, grandir en essayant de faire face aux difficultés et aux traumas, et essayer de construire leur vie d'adultes.
+++ De super acteurs (tous), en particulier les 3 leads.
+++ Story à peu près réaliste, adaptée au contexte coréen où la lignée familiale est une priorité.
+++ Les personnages ne sont pas blancs ou noirs, mais en nuances, et bien développés.
+++ Réalis° efficace, sans longueur.
+++ OST coréennes (o^▽^o)
### Certains personnages (la gd-mère, la mère psychotique du ML qui a besoin d'1 thérapie, la mère du ML2 en hyper culpabilisation, ...) sont excessifs.
### Le père de la FL (d'1 bonté qui frise la bêtise) n'existe pas dans la vraie vie !
=> Une bonne adaptation, qui permet d'admirer une fois de plus, le talent de Hwang In Yeop :)
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Such a good drama
I liked it just as much as the original. Others wanted an exact replica of Go Ahead, but this turned out so great! I do love how they didn't include the little "love triangle" and gave Hae Jun his own love interest/story. The mothers on here were not as shrewd, but I liked that. and the little sister wasn't as annoying. It hit all the major points of the original, but added different aspects and made it their own. I would honestly re-watch the K-Drama more than the C-Drama. I would recommend to anyone who loves a good family drama with romance.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
My Aug 2025 recommendation
Long time this drama sit in my PTW, but thanx to Recommendation Challenge & 𝘿𝙚𝙚𝙥, I finally watch this drama…As usual, I’m not particularly fond of remakes, because I can’t help but compare them to the originals. And more often than not, I prefer the original—though there are a few exceptions. Turns out, this one is another exception.
Now let’s dive into the story…
This is the story of 3 children from 3 imperfect families who find comfort in each other and form a family of their own.
The story begins with Yun Jeong Jae (Yun papa), a single dad raising his only daughter, Yun Ju Won (JW). One day, he is introduced to a young woman through a matchmaking program. This young woman, Kang Seo Hyeon (SY), is also a single parent raising her son, Kang Hae Jun (HJ). Yun papa and SY are supposed to be a potential match, but things don’t go as planned. SY mysteriously disappears, leaving her son behind. Instead of abandoning HJ, Yun papa decides to raise him as his own, alongside his daughter JW.
Meanwhile, another family moves into the apartment above them — the Kim family. Kim Dae Uk (Kim papa), his wife Kwon Jeong Hui (JH), and their son Kim San Ha (SH). The Kim family moved after an unfortunate incident involving their late daughter, Kim So-jeong (SJ). SH accidentally caused his sister’s death, which has become a source of immense grief and tension in their family — especially for his mother, JH, who blamed SH entirely.
Unable to stand seeing how SH is treated at home, Yun Papa—moved by compassion—tells JW to befriend him and invites him over for meals. When JH can no longer endure her own bitterness — especially after seeing how happy SH thanks to JW, she decides to leave the family and move out, abandoning SH in the care of JW and her father.
And so, their unconventional “family” begins: two fathers—Yun Papa as the nurturing heart, Kim Papa as the quiet provider—raising three children: Yun Ju-won (JW), Kang Hae-jun (HJ), and Kim San-ha (SH).
They grow up together, bound by love rather than blood. JW always refers to HJ and SH as her brothers, and they fiercely defend each other against anyone who speaks ill of their unconventional "family".
When they reach high school, JW gains another ally in her best friend, Park Dal (PD), who always stands by her against the whispers about their unconventional family.
Things get complicated when SH’s mother (JH) suddenly returns, this time bringing along her new daughter, Jung So-hee (JSH). The situation worsens when JH is involved in an accident that kills her new husband and leaves her with a leg injury requiring long-term physical therapy. Leaving SH with no choice but to take on the responsibility of caring for her.
At the same time, HJ faces a shocking revelation: his biological father, Yang Dong Gu (DG), is alive. DG had abandoned HJ and his mother years ago to marry into a wealthy family. But things didn’t go as he had hoped — he never had another child. Now he wants HJ back, hoping to groom him as his heir. But this means HJ would have to move to the US.
At first, HJ was completely against the plan. He doesn’t want to leave Yun papa or their family. But with the financial burden of pursuing university looming over him—and with a friend’s encouragement—he finally agrees to take advantage of DG’s offer—not for the inheritance, but to secure his future at a university in the US
So, as their senior year ends and university life awaits, both HJ and SH face the reality that they will have to go their separate ways from their unconventional "family" and leave JW behind.
At first, they all do their best to keep in touch. But as time passes, their communication grows less frequent. Before they realize it, ten years have flown by. One day, HJ and SH suddenly return to their small hometown.
At first, JW feels awkward meeting them again — familiar faces, yet distant connections. But slowly, they fall back into their old rhythm, rediscovering the warmth and comfort they once shared. However, beneath the surface of those old bonds, new feelings begin to emerge—especially between SH and JW.
For SH, who has always found comfort and security in JW, his feelings have long grown into something more than just that of a sibling. And now he now wishes to explore something more than a sibling bond.
Now the question is: What will JW’s answer be to SH’s feelings? If the feelings are mutual, how will their family react — especially Yun papa and Kim papa?
That's pretty much the story without giving any more spoilers. Now the difference between 2 dramas… I’ll try to keep it spoiler free…
The difference:
* After watching the Korean version (FBC) the first obvious difference is the romance between JW & SH with Li Jian Jian (JJ) & Ling Xiao (LX). After watching this, it became more obvious Go Ahead (GA) romance is so weird & forced. Especially when LX kinda forces his way a little bit into JJ.
* The way FBC portrays SY as a more loving mother than GA is leaving a bigger impact. From early on we can clearly feel & see how much SY loves HJ, it’s kinda not believable if she just leaves HJ behind for no reason. In GA, He Zi Qiu (HZQ)'s mother feels more detached, not as loving as here.
* SH’s mother is painfully b*tch in both dramas. But here, she’s more tolerable. FBC put more into her perspective, in GA, I don’t really understand why LX’s mother is so toxic, and doesn’t want to let him go. With a little of her perspective from here, I think I understand her better.
* No unnecessary friend drama. In GA, JJ at one time had problems with both of her friends. Sometimes yeah that’s just added unnecessary screen time…
* The feeling of Yun Papa & SY is more subtle than in GA. We can’t really see that Yun Papa is mesmerized by her & falls at the first sight when they met back then. It's just like they just added this story cause in GA they ended up together, so it's just 1 tiny detail they can’t change.
* The way they make JW the one pursuit bakery than HJ is also better & makes a little sense. The one that has a sweet tooth is the one pursuing making cake, better then one just learning to please the other, like JJ & HZQ.
Overall this really interesting intake of the remake of Go Ahead…. Happy to watch this… ^^
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This Chinese Remake is Really Really Good in Its Own Right!
The Chinese remake, Go Ahead, was one of my most Favorite Chinese Dramas, so I was going into watching this Korean version with prejudice. Remakes more often than not are usually not that good. However, what a pleasant surprise!!!Even knowing the overall storyline, the Korean's did a Fabulous job making this drama their own. Great cast, great acting, intense emotions. I love these type of warm family dramas vs those where everyone is busy stabbing each other in the back.
Highly recommend, I look forward to rewatching the drama again in the future along with the Chinese one.
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its a slow burn, but you gonna love it
the story it's diferent than other kdramas. For that i give a 10 or 10 because it's not the same cliché so i love it. I think that is a little bit dificult to see because it isn't a traditional show. It's slow but so pretty. I love the chemistery with the actors (I love so much hwang in yeop and the fact that finally give him a oportunity in a show). Also with the development im so happy because as i said isn't fast and explain so good the life of the characters. The unique thing that i want is more episodes with the actors in love, because there are because they are a few. In short i love this kdrama so muchWas this review helpful to you?
Faster but Just as Strong: A High-Quality Remake That Fits Everything In
Family by Choice is a great drama with a strong story. Compared to the original Chinese series, which was much longer and more detailed regarding the characters' lives, this version had a lot to cover in a shorter time.Even though it was only 16 episodes way shorter than the original it actually did more with its time than expected. While it couldn't dive as deep into every single detail, it successfully fit every essential aspect of the story into a tighter plot. The production quality was top-notch, and the cast was perfect. It’s a rare remake that manages to feel complete and impactful despite the shorter length!
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Definitely in my top 10 for the year!
I just finished watching, and OH MY GOSH it was SO GOOD! I understand that it's a remake, and I haven't seen the original so I can't make comparisons, but I absolutely loved this drama! The acting was outstanding! The story was interesting. The music...well, not so much, but it didn't make me want to turn it off, so that's a plus. It seemed through most of it that if I wasn't laughing or smiling ear to ear, then I was crying...but I cry every time the actors do, so make of that what you will. The family was unrealistically heartwarming, but I don't watch dramas such as this expecting realism. It's a "possible but not probable" storyline, so it's not too far out in left field. I absolutely adored all of the mains and most of the side characters. Definitely worth the watch!Was this review helpful to you?
Best drama of 2024
Most surprising drama of 2024!! Not a single doll moment. I usually don’t watch youth stories, but this is one of the most heartwarming drama I’ve watched. Every single episode I was screaming how much I loved them.Every single character was a gem in this story and they all pulled it off with amazing acting. Little boy Heajun and adult Heajun made me cry the most. How can a character be so pure. OST was so on point and beautiful. Don’t hesitate watching this. It’s not just a youth drama, it’s a life drama which embraces your heart.
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Love and family. What more do you need?
If you’re like me and you care about warmth, emotional intimacy, found family, quiet devotion, and romance that grows naturally instead of being shoved down your throat, this drama is absolutely for you.I came into this not expecting much beyond something “nice,” and it completely wrecked me in the best way. This is one of those dramas that feels like you’re not watching characters — you’re living alongside them.
LIKES
— The warmth. I don’t even know how to explain it properly. It’s the kind of warmth that settles into your chest and stays there.
— The sibling dynamic is unbelievably real. Their chemistry is so natural it genuinely feels like you’re watching actual siblings grow up together.
— I love how the male lead is written. He’s not cold, not standoffish, not emotionally unavailable. He’s kind, observant, worried, gentle — and that alone already sets this drama apart.
— The way romance is handled is so respectful. When he likes her, he’s straightforward. No games, no dragged-out nonsense, no dramatic internal monologues.
— The female lead is emotionally generous. She loves her friend, supports her, welcomes her into her space
— The forced proximity turning into neighbors was such a natural progression, and I loved how quietly that tension built.
— The emotional arcs hit hard. The dad breaking down, the boys leaving, the separation — I cried for hours.
— The transitional episodes were devastating in the best way. They didn’t rush the pain or sanitize it.
— The ending made complete sense. Everything came together naturally, not conveniently
DISLIKES
— I did wish the romance picked up a little sooner. Around episode 8, it briefly felt like it was slowing down.
— The chemistry, while good, wasn’t explosive — I wanted just a tiny bit more intensity between them.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This drama feels thought out. Every choice feels intentional. Nothing feels wasted. It’s rare to see a story that balances romance, family, grief, and healing this well without losing its emotional core.
I genuinely can’t rate this lower than a 10/10.
Maybe a 9.9 if I’m being picky — but emotionally? This was a perfect watch for me.
This is one of those dramas that reminds you why you love K-dramas in the first place.
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Amazing storytelling and lovable characters
I feel like many of the harsh reviews are coming from fans of the original Chinese version. I have never seen it. So to me all I saw when i watched this was 16 episodes of amazing story telling about an unconventional family. I love them so much. I loved all the developments in the show, the twists and turns that reveal more about the characters and how they are interconnected. I loved the acting, the cast, the beautiful town it's set in. Family by choice is one of my favorite shows, but I think this might be one of those divisive gems that you either love it or you think it was just okay. The cast alone and the characters make it worth watching, but the writing is what I really loved about it, how everything perfectly comes together. I wish this family was real because they made me want to believe in a world where people can come together like that regardless of circumstances.Was this review helpful to you?
Relationships Matter
This series is a thoughtful exploration of how people deal with trauma. The children at the beginning of the series are adorable and they demonstrate a child's perspective of how they react to trauma. We see them as teens and adults as they work out their more mature perspective and try to grow past their hurt. The dad, played by Choi Won-young, is the emotional anchor of the characters . Kim Hye-eun's character is horribly toxic--I hope people don't think that the son's repeated reception of abuse is the "right" path to take with an abusive parent. Neverthless, the interaction felt real and was well acted.Overall, this series is heartwarming, brilliantly acted, and well-paced. It's one of my all-time favorites--I highly recommend it.
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Very Recommended!!!
I don't know why most of you doesn't like this drama. Because, when I watched it, in my opinion it is much better then the OG (doesn't mean I don't like the OG). This drama seem more realistic and understandable, so I dont't feel like this is a incest, because they always said from the start that they aren't a REAL family. That 2 brothers also have a different gestured form the start, like the romance gesture and sibling gesture. Also, you have to reminded that they already separated for 10 years. ITS A LONG TIME!!! they also get awkward after a long time bcs of that.Was this review helpful to you?
