A Prefabricated Family

Absolutely worth one's time. It has a lovely heartwarming vibe throughout the whole series. It is about family love and warmth, family nostalgia, loving unconditionally and what a great parent looks like. But what I loved the most was the characters. Such wonderfully written characters, not perfect but loving, accepting and empathetic. The father is a lovely figure, Juwon (the daughter) is a bundle of joy but with self growth, Sanha represents the pain caused by toxic parents, and then there's my favorite, Kang HaeJun. What a deep character, and what a stunning performance did Bae Hyun Sung give. The pain, the love, the smile, the tears. He's in my heart forever. Thanks for this drama, honestly.

An interesting drama about an unusual family headed by a widowed restaurant owner and his daughter who take in two children after they are both deserted by their mothers. The father of one of the boys also joins the group and the story shows their closeness as children and then due to family circumstances their drifting apart to be reunited later. It is based on a Chinese series "Go Ahead" and follows the original quite closely. It does handle the romance side better but overall I prefer the flow and story and interactions of the original. That does not detract from the fact that this version is still enjoyable and worth a watch.

Family by Choice is a heartwarming drama that beautifully explores the theme of chosen family. The story revolves around three individuals who come together, each carrying their own past wounds, and through their shared journey, they begin to heal. As an adaptation of the popular Chinese drama 'Go Ahead,' Family by Choice adds its own charm to the narrative, making it a unique experience.

The storytelling is light and relaxing, yet it tugs at your heartstrings with serious topics like abandonment, depression, trauma, and loss. The pacing is fast enough to keep you engaged without feeling rushed, allowing you to enjoy each character's journey step by step while avoiding any drag. The acting is undoubtedly good, and the dialogue is well thought out, relatable, and, of course, heartwarming and emotional.

Overall, Family by Choice is a great drama.

I've been a huge fan of actor Hwang In-yeop ever since I saw him play the second lead in the hit K-drama "True Beauty." I've also watched his other works, such as "Why Her," "18 Again," and "The Sound of Magic." As for the female lead, Jung Chae-yeon, I recognized her from the K-drama "Golden Spoon." I also know Bae Hyun-sung, who played the character Kang Hae-jun in K-dramas like "Hospital Playlist," "Our Blues," and "Sweet Home" Season 3. Honestly, the stellar cast had me hooked from episode one.

I won't be comparing this to the Chinese version, "Go Ahead," since I haven't seen it. This drama was so good! After seeing the thumbnail with two boys and one girl, I expected a messy love triangle, but it was so clean and straightforward! The bond shared by the three main characters was emotional and heartwarming to witness. It was such a breath of fresh air.

The only sad thing was that we only had four episodes of San Ha and Ju-won's dating era. The story primarily focused on repairing broken familial relationships, which meant that the second leads, Hae-jun and Park Dal, didn't get as much attention. Still, I enjoyed their cute little love story on the side. I love how the complicated familial relations were portrayed. The leads had electrifying chemistry right from day one, and I honestly loved the writing. The dialogues were well crafted and effectively conveyed to the international audience.

I'm so happy to finally see Han Seojun get the girl, lol! I'm sad that it ended yesterday. It was definitely worth the wait and watch. Don't miss out on this one! Thank you for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful day.

I started Family by Choice for Hwang In Youp, and I fell for him all over again! His portrayal of Kim San Ha was absolutely breathtaking-his emotions, depth, and presence made me love him even more. Every scene he was in felt real, and I couldn't take my eyes off him!

But beyond In Youp, this drama had everything. The story was an emotional rollercoaster-heartwarming, heartbreaking, and funny in all the right moments. The bond between San Ha, Hae Joon (Bae Hyun Sung was AMAZING), and Joo Won was so touching. It proved that family isn't just about blood, but love, loyalty, and unwavering support.

From powerful performances to stunning cinematography, Family by Choice is hands down one of the best K-dramas of 2024. If you love heartfelt, emotional, and realistic storytelling, this is a must-watch! You won't regret it!