Family by Choice

Picked up this drama as the plot line seemed quite engaging. Although I have never the highly rated and nostalgic original, I knew that this would be a great watch. The story is pretty self-explanatory and throughout the series we are introduced to both some very unlikeable and likeable characters, various issues surrounding family, health, social status, pride etc. Seems like a typical good ol' Korean drama. I really loved the cast at the beginning as well, but towards episode 8-9 I really dropped the engagement and wasn't looking forward to Wednesdays as much as I used to at the beginning when this first aired. Both couples just did not have any chemistry at all, so it was slightly hard of a watch. Safe to say it has been done and dusted, after this maybe it is actually worth watching the original and comparing the two, although I would assume my opinion would remain the same as most fans of this drama.

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Everything I hoped it would be

I love this kdrama.
The two main leads were so cute and I really loved their family by choice so much.
Sometimes it was a little boring but the good acting and the chemistry of both couples made up for that.

I liked the fact that kang hae-joon did not fall in love with yoon joo-won and that they stayed brother and sister throughout the whole drama, which is not common in kdramas.

I would have liked to see a little bit more of park dal and kang hae-joon and him falling in love with her/ him being head over heels in love with her.

I absolutely loved park dal and she is one of my favorites characters in this drama.

The actors were so good. They carried this drama and really put a lot of feeling in it.

I really enjoyed watching this kdrama and for me it's become a new comfort kdrama.

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Stress-Free Watch But It's Missing Something

My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.

I had been putting this one off, but I finally got around to watching it. I needed something calm to watch while I was sick.

Acting/Cast: The little kids were perfectly cast. They were great. The little girl in particular is such a good actress (Oh Eun Seo; 오은서). It's kind of embarrassing that the child actors outshined their older counterparts... Really, I would have preferred to watch the entire drama with just them. It's not that the older actors were terrible...it's that the younger ones were just so much better and more enjoyable to watch. Well, I really didn't like Kim San Ha's actor, Hwang In Youp (황인엽). He was great in True Beauty, but anything I've seen him in since, I haven't like him at all. In this drama, he had this odd way of speaking...like a certain cadence to his voice as if he's constantly trying to be soothing. It's annoying and real people don't talk like that. The female lead was okay...not as bad as I thought she might be. The brother was a little much. The chemistry was lacking between everyone (except the child actors of course). The dad was likeable most of the time, but he had reactions sometimes that didn't make sense. His blank stare face is too still, by the way. Whenever he would do that, I would think the video had frozen. 4.5/10

Writing: I wish they would have gone back and forth between the present and the past throughout the course of the drama. I thought they were going to do that since the child actors were so good. Apparently, that's done in the original...at least that's what I've heard. The writing keeps the characters as angelic as possible, which makes them feel inauthentic. It makes for a stress-free watch, however. The storyline is interesting, it's just that it feels like something is missing. Someone had said that this version has been stripped of the charm that the original has. Maybe that is what's missing - the charm. On a positive note, I'm glad that the writers didn't try to redeem all of the "antagonists". That was nice. I have an issue with feel-good dramas giving redemption arcs to people that don't deserve it. This drama handled it well. 5/10

Direction/SFX/Music: The OST is actually pretty decent. There is a song on it by Kim Feel that I like. The pacing of the drama is good. The vibe of the drama felt nice in the beginning, but it quickly lost that along the way. 5/10

Entertainment Value: I was kept entertained throughout the entire drama and the ending was satisfying. However, I've found that the drama is not memorable for me. Maybe it's because the characters didn't feel genuine or maybe it's because the drama was too smooth-sailing - no crazy conflicts. The beginning of the drama, though, was really good because of the child actors. I love the scene of them getting into a street brawl. That was the best scene in the drama. I'm sad because the rest of the drama wasn't like that. It was a bit when the female lead was trying to get people to think she was crazy in high school, but it was short-lived. 4/10

Overall, I gave this drama a 4.5/10. I compared it with Welcome To Samdal-Ri, which I had scored a 5.5/10. Both dramas are family dramas with so-so conflicts. However, I really loved Welcome to Samdal-Ri's cast of characters. They had a ton of charm and chemistry. Therefore, Family By Choice has scored a little bit lower for me.

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Home is where your family is.

Title: “Family By Choice” – better title than the original

Story:
I tried watching the original version but it's so long. So I cannot compare this to that and I’ll be reviewing this alone.

I love the relationship between the whole family, it's warm and cozy. I also liked how it was always clear that the ML had feelings for the FL from the start and that is so important for me because if ML sees FL as a sister, that’s just weird. I also loved that this is not a love triangle and there is no point in the story that it was. There is a good dynamic in the family and everyone has their own purpose.

However since this is shorter with only 16 episodes, I felt that there are parts that are just a bit rushed. When the boys came back after years, understandably the FL felt hurt, awkward, and angry. I just wished she rebelled longer HAHAHA. Also, the FL and ML romance was so rushed. Especially when FL realized her feelings, I mean she liked ML as a brother and did not have any malice but it was so easy and quick for her to like him back as a man??? And also, I just hate ML's mother. She is the worst character with no redeeming quality, and with everything she did from the start to end, nobody did something. Both the ML and his father may have said something but they just let her be that evil. Also, Hae jun forgives so easily. Like even with those reasons, he was still abandoned without explanation. The ending was good and it makes sense. I love that they all find a way for them to be a real family not just by choice but also on paper.

Acting/Cast:
All are good actors and were able to give justice to the characters. I am not a fan of the main leads though, I just can't see any spark. I really like Kang hae jun with Dal, they have good chemistry and he is just so cute!!!!!

Music:
I don’t remember so I guess not memorable HAHAHA

Rewatch Value:
I probably will not watch again but I think for others It can be a good rewatch as it is light and warm and has a lot of funny scenes.

Overall:
Overall I really liked this drama. It is warm, emotional, with good comedy and a good message.

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A Heartwarming but Surface-Level Take on Family

I aim to keep my reviews concise and spoiler-free, focusing on the key points. I also watch every episode without fast-forwarding to provide a fair perspective.

From its first few minutes, the drama establishes a cute and lighthearted tone despite tackling some heavy themes. While loss and hardship shape the characters' journeys, the core message revolves around the meaning of family rather than dwelling on tragedy. The introduction is carefully paced, gradually revealing each character’s personality, relationships, and aspirations through short but impactful backstories.

The performances are strong, with a special mention to the child actors, particularly Oh Eun Seo, who steals every scene. The OST is light and catchy, complementing the overall feel of the show.

As the story progresses, the sibling dynamic emerges as the standout element, with well-written banter and heartfelt moments. However, not all scenes are as well-executed; for example, some subplot comes off as forced and overly obvious. The visuals, while polished, feel a bit too clean and artificial, lacking the rawness that could have made the emotional moments hit harder.

Midway through, each character faces resurfacing challenges that force them into difficult decisions, exploring trauma and its ripple effects on those around them. However, as the episodes pile up, too many dramatic events occur in quick succession, making it hard to stay fully immersed in the story. Some time skips and character choices also feel unrealistic, especially for certain characters who had no clear reason to do what they did.

There are also familiar drama clichés, that make some conflicts feel predictable rather than emotionally gripping. The relationships, whether familial or romantic, often lack depth, staying on the surface despite the serious situations the characters face.

Overall, the drama could have benefited from a tighter runtime and a more grounded tone. It spreads itself too thin between romance and family themes, making it difficult to form strong attachments to the characters. Had it focused more on the core family aspect, it might have left a stronger impact. While it remains a warm and easy watch, it never reaches the depth or emotional intensity it aims for.

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incredible dads and moms... who probably should not be moms

so wholesome and fun. it was able to pull of my heartstrings but also made me laugh. just that classic kdrama feeling. the found family dynamics are amazing. what an incredible father we have here. the dad and haejun's story?? yeah that is probably my favorite part of the story. the relationship dynamics between the three main characters are so fun to watch. not gonna lie, there's a part of me that did not want a romance between any of the main 3 so naturally, i was way more invested in dal and haejun's story (like i would watch a drama between those two for sureif the kdrama gods would cast them again together). not that i don't adore sanha and juwon together but i was kicking my feet in the air for dal and haejun dumdum ass lol. anyway, in the end, the romance isn't the highlight of story anyway.

sanha and his mom's story? heartbreaking and also, rage-inducing, my goodness. honestly, i like that they didn't really give her a redeeming arc. like, yeah just go away. i don't know if haejun's mom and juwon's dad ending up together was necessary tbh (part of me thinks she got away with abandoning her son a little too easily oop) but, i'll just let it go. my little compaints here and there but overall, i had a great time. so emotional and very entertaining. that's my family!!!

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Off with a Bang, Out with a Dang

It’s been quite a while since I watched my last K-drama, The Impossible Heir, which I dropped at ep 4 because of the lackluster plot and unreasonable characters. Hence, I started avoiding K-dramas for months until I noticed Family by Choice at MDL. FYI, Family by Choice is a Korean remake of the much-loved slice-of-life drama Go Ahead. Previously, I’d watched Go Ahead but could only withstand 9 episodes so far. I was curious of what Family by Choice could do, therefore I decided to bite the bullet and give it a go.

Family by Choice’s plot doesn’t stray much to that of Go Ahead’s. It tells the story of unrelated-by-blood 3 siblings (Yun Juwon, Kim Sanha, Kang Haejun) who find solace on each other’s company and become parts of a found family alongside Juwon and Sanha’s dads. I see that they’ve toned down Juwon’s tomboyish attitude and made her look more girlish while the boys are no different with the OG version’s. For Go Ahead’s watchers, I’m sure you know about the boys’ toxic mothers and how much emotional impact they’ve caused on their children. However, in this version, they don’t seem to care much about it and make it looks like a normal family conflict (thank God Juwon isn’t jealous of Sanha’s new half-sister). Also, in the OG version, Park Dal (Juwon’s bestie) has a crush on both boys, but she’s only interested in Haejun here (so no toxic third wheel, which is a breath of fresh air for love triangle’s haters).

At first, the childhood and teenage years of the 3 siblings are very captivating and I really love their interactions. The way they support and heal each other is just so, so heartwarming that I nearly shed tears for them. Nevertheless, nearing the end of the show, their adult years start to drag here and there, and I quickly lost interest. To be honest, I stopped until ep 14 but still marked it as completed since I don’t want to drop shows anymore. I know there’s no point in watching the final episode anymore because it’s going to be an HE and them reunited once again as a family.

I have no comments on the acting, though – everyone seems to be doing fine with portraying each character’s complex emotion, a very crucial aspect when it comes to slice-of-life drama.

If you’re into slice-of-life and found family theme, you can try this out and it’s shorter compared to the OG version so that you won’t waste much of your time (the plot is similar, anyway). Good luck and happy watching!!!

Memorable quotes:
'Everyone is special in their own way' - Yun Juwon

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They did a good job re-creating it but could have done better

Having watched Go Ahead (the Chinese original), I found it a fun and refreshing experience to revisit the same story through a Korean lens.

The plot remained largely faithful to the original, but this version felt less overwhelming emotionally—which I appreciated. The pacing was smoother, and the 16-episode format made it easier to digest without dragging out the trauma or family conflicts.

I think what pulled many of us in was twofold:

The fondness for the original Go Ahead—a deeply loved, emotionally rich story about found family.

The presence of Hwang In-youp, whose casting added curiosity and star power. He brought a quiet strength to his role and really grounded the emotional moments.

Overall, while it didn’t hit quite as deep as Go Ahead, “Family by Choice” still offered a heartfelt, comforting take on the same themes—with its own charm.
Overall it was a fun experience watching them both with different lenses

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Conflicted.

NOTE: I haven't watched Go Ahead prior to writing this review.
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This drama starts off strong with its first two episodes, grabbing your attention with engaging characters and a plot that promises an emotional and meaningful story. The chemistry between the cast is great, and the relationships they build feel real and relatable at times. It looked as though the series was going to explore what family really means and how love and support can create strong bonds, even without blood ties.

However, things take a dip in episodes 3 through 9. The pacing varies, and the story starts to drag especially when San Ha's mother and Hae Jun's father begin to try and re-enter their lives. The way the producers executed their returns felt rushed and disjointed. Instead of building up emotional weight of their return, their parents came into the picture almost consecutively. There's never a time where Hae Jun's father crosses path with San Ha's mother which is very unrealistic considering how many times they all went back to convince them. This pacing made the emotional moments feel shallow, as I didn’t have enough time to truly feel the impact of their return. When the emotional parts finally came, they didn't have the same impact they could have had because the buildup felt so slow and tedious. The pacing made it hard to stay engaged, and I found myself losing interest in what could have been a really touching story.

Fortunately, the drama picks back up in the final episodes. The pacing improves, the plot becomes more interesting again, and the characters finally start to get back on track. The themes are explored more deeply, and by the end, it feels like the story comes full circle with a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, if you can push through the slow and frustrating parts, the emotional payoff in the final episodes makes it all worth it. The cast was well chosen, the rest of the plot was done well and the script was the best it could've been…it's just those 6 episodes that just make me want to rip my hair out.

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GIVE THIS A TRY, YOU NEVER KNOW!!

If you are pondering whether to watch this or not, give this a try!!
I loved the C-drama version of this drama so much that I didn't want to get disappointed watching it, but this became my comfort drama, there are a few things different from the Chinese version in the Korean version:

(i) No 2nd ML who comes btw the main leads (I don't consider Kang Haejun as the 2nd ML), the Chinese
version had like 2nd ML liked the FL too, here 2nd ML considers her as a sister only, which doesn't make it
complicated and there were no annoying SFL in this drama.

(ii)The younger sister of the ML here is not as clingy as the one in the C version and is respectful of the ML's
choices, which I appreciate here.

(iii)2nd ML has a pairing in the end! (we do not have to suffer from the 2nd ML syndrome yaaayyyyy)

(iv) ML here is orthopaedic but there it was a dentist all in the end, they are all doctors lol. FL here is a
baker, where she was a sculptor.

the first three points made me like this version but of course, it's your choice to like this or not. I would recommend this drama if you like heartwarming families coming together as one drama. I would recommend this drama to the people who didn't like the C-version too. One thing I wish that was there in this drama was that I MISS THOSE CUTIEPIES IN EP 1, really wish that they could have been in a few more episodes...

*Families are not about who's related to whom, but rather about who cares for you and shares your woes and joys!*
this is what popped into my mind after completing this drama.

Thank you for taking the time to read my yapping, it has been a while since I wrote reviews so bear with me...

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