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Family by Choice korean drama review
Completed
Family by Choice
0 people found this review helpful
by mads6375
9 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 9.5
Story 10.0
Acting/Cast 10.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers
I'm not going to lie, but I didn't think that this drama would beat Go Ahead just because of how short it is in comparison. But, I actually loved the pacing of this drama. It didn't drag at all, but everything was able to get covered really well. Since I watched Go Ahead before, I knew the plot before coming into this drama. However, I was still deeply moved by some plot points and I definitely shed a few tears. Overall, I LOVED LOVED LOVED the dynamic between the 3 siblings, it was so sweet and just refreshing to see.

A little note about the actors. Jung Chae-yeon who plays Juwon is genuinely so beautiful and pretty. I love her hair, it's so healthy and shiny throughout the whole drama. Hwang In-yeop genuinely might be the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. Like, gorgeous as in, model he's too pretty gorgeous. Also, when he cries, he's such a pretty crier. His facial structure is just so symmetrical and perfect, with those high cheekbones when he smiles. Already though, I really liked the child actors that portrayed these 3 characters when they first met. I also love Hwang In-yeop. I think he portrays the older brother vibe so well. When he first showed up to fix his little sister's tie, his deep voice and playful vibe got me hooked onto his character.

Ok San-ha's mother is actually evil. How can you blame your neglected child for the death of your other neglected child? He was just trying to feed her since the mother was nowhere to be found. And the way she dares to tell Juwon's dad that he raised them bad, when she fully ABANDONED HIM. How is the mom still blaming San-ha for everything? Her own daughter ran out by herself and somehow it's San-ha's fault again, when the mother was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. She gets me so aggravated omg.

Also, I love the dynamic between the 3 of them: they understand each other so well. Especially, San-ha and Juwon: San-ha can instantly tell how Juwon is feeling by her facial expressions. You can't hide anything from them. "You must be okay for Hae Jun and I to be okay." Dang...all these kids are really dealing with deep emotions and conflicts because of their mom. The emotions are acted out so well in this drama.

I think San-ha realized he started falling for Juwon in episode 5 after she defended him: "Only good things happen around Kim San-ha." The way he replayed all of their good memories together where Juwon helped him.

I love Juwon's dad. He is the sweetest, kindest, and most considerate person. He views all 3 kids as his own and is able to provide them with the best environment and life possible.

When Kim Sam-ha started crying after being out in the rain and realizing the care that everyone has for him, I lost it. This is his real family, blood or not blood-related. And then when they all took turns caring for him when he got a fever. ughh...I just love this found family.

Yup, Kim San-ha is officially a goner after she fell into his arms while trying to walk on the wall. I love how he protected her fall and her head though. Poor San-ha. He has to go through so much in life and be mature about it to deal with it himself. He deserves to have a support system like he does through Juwon's family. Yoon Juwon is really Kim San-ha's safe place. Whenever he is going through something, it is Juwon that he turns to for comfort and vice versa. Hae Jun is so understanding towards his dad's situation. Their relationship is beautiful.

The way that Hae Jun forced himself to go to America through his birth dad's money, so that his real dad could relax a little and not have to worry about paying for him. Whoo! Episode 9 broke me down. When they were all mad at each other and Juwon said one line about how they are not real family, since both brothers are leaving to go be with their real families. Then, I broke down even more when San-ha and Juwon were at the cafe and San-ha promised to be with Juwon forever after he came back from Seoul.

Kim San-ha's confession was the cutest thing ever. He was so worried that she would go on a date with someone else. "Give me a chance because Yoon Juwon is my entire world"!!! AHHH...I'm melting. Bro the way that San-ha still knows what Juwon is feeling without her saying it. He knew that she has feelings for him too, even though her mouth is saying otherwise. So, he took initiative!!! Why do all K-drama kisses happen under or near a tunnel? (Scarred from 2521) When Junwo was eating and tried to be more polite about it, I loved how San-ha said "Eat how you normally do. I like it when you eat healthy." This shows his care for her and how comfortable they are with each other.

OMG...why is the mom still doing the same things on EPISODE 13? There is no way she is still calling San-ha selfish after he gave up 10 years of his life to care for her. I did love when Juwon stood up to San-ha's mom though. Someone honestly needed to. When Juwon said: "I don't like it when you suffer, it breaks my heart" And then San-ha said I love you after, you could really feel their endless support for each other no matter what. Juwon truly makes San-ha a better person, as he instantly expressed a little bit more about the struggles he was facing with the whole family to be more vulnerable and not hide anything. Also, I love the part where Hae Jun sees San-ha and Juwon almost kissing, with San-ha just looking more annoyed than anything that he was interrupted.

I'm so glad that Hae Jun and his mom were able to make up, he really deserves that support and relationship back in his life. Yesssss...Dal and Hae Jun at the very end. I'm so glad that Hae Jun's life is picking back up again, he's genuinely so soft spoken and has such a pure heart.
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