This review may contain spoilers
It's a feel good series
I hardly ever write reviews, but I had to make an exception for this one.
I watched It’s Beautiful Now after a long hiatus from the K-drama scene. Honestly, K-dramas had become a bit too predictable for me, but because I’m a sucker for family dramas, I decided to give this one a shot.
How did it go? Well, it started great. Engaging, warm, and full of that nostalgic family charm. But somewhere around the middle, things got draggy and repetitive, and I found myself pushing through rather than enjoying it.
Let’s talk about Mi Rae. I don’t think she was the best fit for this role. Her performance lacked the emotional depth that a mature relationship arc needed. She numbed the chemistry with Hyun Jae, and sadly, what should’ve been a swoon-worthy romance ended up feeling... frustrating. Some of the blame also goes to the writing. Mi Rae started off as this sweet, relatable character, but once the relationship kicked off, she became elusive, insecure, and emotionally immature — not what you’d expect from someone who supposedly helps couples in their 30s navigate life. That inconsistency made it hard to root for her.
Hyun Jae, on the other hand, is a good actor. But his scenes with Mi Rae became so tiring that I began fast-forwarding through them. He was honestly more compelling when he was emotionally distant. The moment he fell in love, it felt like he lost the edge that made him interesting.
Now, let’s talk about the real stars — Hae Jun and Yoon Jae. Their chemistry? Effortless. Natural. Everything about their storyline worked, and to me, they stole the show. Funny enough, even though they’re in their 40s, I looked forward to every scene they shared. That’s how it's done!
As for Soo Jae and Yu Na... let’s not go there. Something was off, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Whatever it was, their chemistry didn’t work for me at all. I skipped their scenes without guilt. I found the elders’ storyline more emotionally engaging than theirs.
The show could have been much tighter. 50 episodes was a stretch. A clean 30 would have been perfect. It lost momentum midway and never quite regained it. The writing just didn’t sustain the magic it started with.
That said, there were still things I loved. Mi Rae’s mum? A beauty to behold. Her scenes with her father in the later episodes were warm and tender. I appreciated that she chose to retain the name of her adoptive parents and cared for her mum till the end — that was a lovely touch. Her father’s devotion to his wife also warmed my heart. And Mi Rae’s grandmother, who annoyed me at first, eventually grew on me. She wasn’t overbearing — just real. And honestly, isn’t that what family is?
The bond between the families is what gives this drama its glow. That warmth, that closeness — it's the glue that holds the series together.
But I have to ask:
Do Koreans always lose their kids in family dramas? 😅
90% of these shows revolve around a long-lost child, a parent searching, or a surprise sibling. It’s getting a little predictable, and I believe writers can and should explore deeper, more diverse family themes.
Still, It’s Beautiful Now ends well. It’s enjoyable, especially if you’re into big ensemble family dramas. But for me? Nothing beats My Father Is Strange and Five Enough. Those are still the gold standard.
I watched It’s Beautiful Now after a long hiatus from the K-drama scene. Honestly, K-dramas had become a bit too predictable for me, but because I’m a sucker for family dramas, I decided to give this one a shot.
How did it go? Well, it started great. Engaging, warm, and full of that nostalgic family charm. But somewhere around the middle, things got draggy and repetitive, and I found myself pushing through rather than enjoying it.
Let’s talk about Mi Rae. I don’t think she was the best fit for this role. Her performance lacked the emotional depth that a mature relationship arc needed. She numbed the chemistry with Hyun Jae, and sadly, what should’ve been a swoon-worthy romance ended up feeling... frustrating. Some of the blame also goes to the writing. Mi Rae started off as this sweet, relatable character, but once the relationship kicked off, she became elusive, insecure, and emotionally immature — not what you’d expect from someone who supposedly helps couples in their 30s navigate life. That inconsistency made it hard to root for her.
Hyun Jae, on the other hand, is a good actor. But his scenes with Mi Rae became so tiring that I began fast-forwarding through them. He was honestly more compelling when he was emotionally distant. The moment he fell in love, it felt like he lost the edge that made him interesting.
Now, let’s talk about the real stars — Hae Jun and Yoon Jae. Their chemistry? Effortless. Natural. Everything about their storyline worked, and to me, they stole the show. Funny enough, even though they’re in their 40s, I looked forward to every scene they shared. That’s how it's done!
As for Soo Jae and Yu Na... let’s not go there. Something was off, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Whatever it was, their chemistry didn’t work for me at all. I skipped their scenes without guilt. I found the elders’ storyline more emotionally engaging than theirs.
The show could have been much tighter. 50 episodes was a stretch. A clean 30 would have been perfect. It lost momentum midway and never quite regained it. The writing just didn’t sustain the magic it started with.
That said, there were still things I loved. Mi Rae’s mum? A beauty to behold. Her scenes with her father in the later episodes were warm and tender. I appreciated that she chose to retain the name of her adoptive parents and cared for her mum till the end — that was a lovely touch. Her father’s devotion to his wife also warmed my heart. And Mi Rae’s grandmother, who annoyed me at first, eventually grew on me. She wasn’t overbearing — just real. And honestly, isn’t that what family is?
The bond between the families is what gives this drama its glow. That warmth, that closeness — it's the glue that holds the series together.
But I have to ask:
Do Koreans always lose their kids in family dramas? 😅
90% of these shows revolve around a long-lost child, a parent searching, or a surprise sibling. It’s getting a little predictable, and I believe writers can and should explore deeper, more diverse family themes.
Still, It’s Beautiful Now ends well. It’s enjoyable, especially if you’re into big ensemble family dramas. But for me? Nothing beats My Father Is Strange and Five Enough. Those are still the gold standard.
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