This review may contain spoilers
Unexpectedly good.
To be completely honest, I started watching this drama solely because of IU and Yoo In-na, despite it being a 50-episode family drama — which is quite rare for a K-drama. I didn’t expect to get so emotionally invested, but surprisingly, I did. This turned out to be one of the heavier melodramas I’ve watched, and it really left a mark.
Let’s start with the pacing. It was actually well-balanced and moved steadily forward, keeping the storyline engaging. For me, the point where the drama really hooks you is around the middle, when Soon-shin’s hidden identity starts to unravel layer by layer. From there, the plot gets more intense and satisfying, especially toward the end.
This was IU’s first acting role, and while you could sense the "newbie" aura, she delivered a pretty solid performance. Her emotional scenes, in particular, were quite impactful. However, the standout actress for me was definitely the one who played Soon-shin’s biological mother. Her performance was so powerful, she could easily make your blood boil — a true veteran in her craft.
The supporting cast was generally good, though naturally, some performances were weaker than others. What stood out most was the character development of IU’s character, Soon-shin. Kudos to the writer for showing such a strong and meaningful transformation — from a timid girl with low self-esteem to a more mature, self-assured woman.
Now, moving on to areas that could have been better: I think the introduction of Soon-shin’s biological father was poorly handled. Once we find out she isn’t the biological daughter of the Lee family, the show just drops the fact that she’s someone else’s daughter without properly developing that storyline. It felt lazy and underwritten. Personally, I would’ve preferred if they made her the illegitimate child of someone we already know — even if that made the father a flawed character. At least that would have felt more grounded and compelling. If they wanted to introduce a new figure, they should’ve done it in a more unexpected, meaningful way.
Also, I wish the drama had spent more time on the biological mother’s redemption arc. She abandoned her daughter, manipulated her, and tried to control her future. That damage deserved a deeper exploration. It would’ve been more satisfying to see her truly work for forgiveness and redemption instead of brushing over it too quickly.
All in all, if you’re looking for a drama packed with emotional weight, twists, and strong character arcs, I’d definitely recommend this one. Just be ready for a long ride — but one that’s worth taking.
Let’s start with the pacing. It was actually well-balanced and moved steadily forward, keeping the storyline engaging. For me, the point where the drama really hooks you is around the middle, when Soon-shin’s hidden identity starts to unravel layer by layer. From there, the plot gets more intense and satisfying, especially toward the end.
This was IU’s first acting role, and while you could sense the "newbie" aura, she delivered a pretty solid performance. Her emotional scenes, in particular, were quite impactful. However, the standout actress for me was definitely the one who played Soon-shin’s biological mother. Her performance was so powerful, she could easily make your blood boil — a true veteran in her craft.
The supporting cast was generally good, though naturally, some performances were weaker than others. What stood out most was the character development of IU’s character, Soon-shin. Kudos to the writer for showing such a strong and meaningful transformation — from a timid girl with low self-esteem to a more mature, self-assured woman.
Now, moving on to areas that could have been better: I think the introduction of Soon-shin’s biological father was poorly handled. Once we find out she isn’t the biological daughter of the Lee family, the show just drops the fact that she’s someone else’s daughter without properly developing that storyline. It felt lazy and underwritten. Personally, I would’ve preferred if they made her the illegitimate child of someone we already know — even if that made the father a flawed character. At least that would have felt more grounded and compelling. If they wanted to introduce a new figure, they should’ve done it in a more unexpected, meaningful way.
Also, I wish the drama had spent more time on the biological mother’s redemption arc. She abandoned her daughter, manipulated her, and tried to control her future. That damage deserved a deeper exploration. It would’ve been more satisfying to see her truly work for forgiveness and redemption instead of brushing over it too quickly.
All in all, if you’re looking for a drama packed with emotional weight, twists, and strong character arcs, I’d definitely recommend this one. Just be ready for a long ride — but one that’s worth taking.
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