Korean Drama Spotlight: Family By Choice

A good romantic comedy or family drama is hard to come by these days. Sometimes, I feel we really need more light-hearted stories on screen. Something to make us laugh and unwind. What I watch often influences my mood. I’m sure I’m not the only one. If it’s a tense or serious film or YouTube video, I tend to become irritable or withdrawn. But when I watch a well-made romcom, I feel lighter, more cheerful, and life suddenly seems brighter. So why don’t we see more of this feel-good content anymore? In that sense, Family By Choice stands out. It’s exactly the kind of uplifting drama we need right now.

What’s It About?

Family By Choice tells the story of three individuals, a girl and two boys, brought together by unexpected circumstances to live under one roof. The girl’s father takes the boys in and raises them as his own. Over time, they develop a strong bond that transcends blood. It’s a touching reminder that love isn’t always defined by family ties. Sometimes, those closest to you feel distant, while strangers become your true support. This is the heart of Family By Choice.

Thoughts

Family By Choice is everything I look for in a feel-good series. It’s not perfect, but it struck a chord with me. The bond between the three main characters is simply adorable. What stood out most was how each of them retained their core personality traits even as they grew up. One boy remains the quiet, poker-faced introvert. The other continues to mask his pain behind a cheerful smile. The girl stays fiery, hyper, and full of energy. That kind of character consistency is rare in dramas and movies. Usually, we see drastic changes as the characters grow up, which is understandable, since life tends to shape our personalities. However, here, it was refreshing to see their core traits remain unchanged.

All three characters are incredibly funny and share great on-screen chemistry. I especially liked how the female lead is written. She’s strong yet not over-the-top, modern yet grounded, a layered character you rarely encounter on-screen. Jung Chae-yeon is absolutely adorable. This was my first time watching her in a drama, and I was genuinely impressed by her performance. Hwang In-Youp and Bae Hyun-Sung are brilliant too. They bring charm and depth to their roles. Special mention to the child actors. They were brilliant.

Though we often talk about a parent’s unconditional love, the series explores the painful reality that not every parent needs to be the same. Some can be emotionally toxic and too consumed by their own needs to truly see their children. In such cases, it raises an important question. Should a child continue the relationship for the sake of duty, or is creating distance necessary for mental well-being? The series handles this theme with great sensitivity.

Family By Choice is streaming on Viki. The series has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting roughly an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: Buried Hearts

I’ve watched nearly every series featuring Park Hyung Sik, and Buried Hearts was no exception. His screen presence and charisma are unmatched. There’s something about him that no one else can replicate.

What’s It About?

Buried Hearts follows the journey of an ambitious young man trapped in a web of lies, deceit, and greed. Caught between a shadowy past and a harsh present within the organization he serves, he struggles to find his way. At the heart of this turmoil lies a love so pure and unwavering that no one else can come between.

Thoughts

The series wasn’t as gripping as I had hoped, but I watched it till the end for Park Hyung Sik alone. He looked dashing, as always. His character in Buried Hearts has shades of gray. While I do miss the Park Hyung Sik from Strong Girl Bong-soon, this new version comes with his own unique charm.

I wish the love story had more layers to it. The pacing of the story was also quite slow, and I found my attention drifting after a few episodes. The supporting characters seemed to have more screen time than the main characters. Though this is commendable, I wanted to see more of the main leads.

The female lead’s storyline didn’t feel convincing, making it hard to root for her. Honestly, I just wanted Park Hyung Sik’s character to fall for someone else.

Buried Hearts is streaming on JioHotstar. The series has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting roughly an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: When Life Gives You Tangerines

I wasn’t planning to watch this K-drama, but the glowing reviews in some K-drama groups convinced me to give it a try. I had my doubts. Mainly because I haven’t been able to finish any romantic K-dramas lately. But I’m glad I took the chance, because it turned out to be an absolute treat.

What’s It About?

When Life Gives You Tangerines follows the lives of three generations of women, whose main struggles revolve around money, not men. Their hardships and resilience form the heart of the story. At its core, the message is clear: with strong support, you can weather any storm life throws your way.

Thoughts

The story is as bittersweet as the name suggests. Tangerines are generally sweet with a slight tang, but when unripe, they can have a hint of bitterness. Just like the layered emotions in the narrative of the series.

Struggle stories can be hard to watch, but When Life Gives You Tangerines somehow makes even the toughest moments feel bearable. The female protagonist’s poetic narration offers a gentle sense of comfort, reaching out to you, the viewer, and softly encouraging you to keep going just as the characters do in the series.

IU shines as the standout performer in When Life Gives You Tangerines, beautifully supported by Park Bo Gum and Kim Seon-ho.

The series explores the complex relationship between parents and children with deep empathy and emotion. I heard it’s based on a true story, and that might explain the raw, genuine feeling that runs through every scene. You don’t just watch the characters. You journey with them, as if they’re personally guiding you through their world.

This isn’t your typical lighthearted romance. It’s a slow burn, and you might find yourself tearing up in almost every episode. Normally, I don’t appreciate being made to cry. But for this family, I was more than willing to make an exception.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is streaming on Netflix. The series has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting roughly an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: No Gain No Love

Recently, I watched the Korean drama “No Gain No Love” on Amazon Prime. I was going through a Korean drama slump, so I was unsure if I would be able to complete the drama. However, the cute chemistry between the lead characters kept me going.

What’s It About?

No Gain No Love is precisely what the name implies – if there’s no gain involved, don’t expect any love.

An ambitious woman, Son Hae-yeong, decides to enter into a fake marriage with a younger man, Kim Ji-uk, to claim office benefits. The man has his own share of secrets that he needs to safeguard from Son Hae-yeong.

Thoughts

I adored the chemistry between Shin Min-a and Kim Young-dae. Their pairing appeared fresh and different, accentuated by Shin Min-a’s perfect comedy timing and Kim Young-dae’s boyish charms.

Surprisingly, the series is bold in the sense it navigates different characters commonly unexplored in family-oriented Korean dramas. You have the leads indulging in mature, flirty conversations at the start, a departure from the usual cutesy romantic lines we are subjected to. Then, you have a writer who authors erotic books. Plus, there’s another couple engaged in an unconventional love story. The effort is commendable.

The newness of the characters aside, the story could have been written better. The plot is predictable and drags in the later episodes. However, the superlative performances save the series. It was Shin Min-a’s show through and through.

Another grievance is the considerable effort to portray the lead actress as someone younger than her age. Shin Min-a is 40 years old, whereas the character in the series is around 32-33. The smoothening filter felt overdone. Despite that flaw, the chemistry still worked for me, unlike “The Idea of You”, which had a much older character, played by Anne Hathaway, falling for a flirtatious, BTS-que boy band singer, played by Nicholas Galitzine. As long as the story and the chemistry make sense, the age difference does not matter. In “The Idea of You” the chemistry nor the story was convincing enough, but in “No Gain No Love” it was.

No Gain No Love is streaming on Amazon Prime. The series has 12 episodes, with each episode lasting roughly an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: Gyeongseong Creature

Gyeongseong Creature captivates you with every frame. The intricate storytelling, excellent performances, and impeccable cinematography hook you from the start.

I completed Season 1 the day it was released on Netflix. I did not leave a review on this website even if I enjoyed it as laziness got the better of me. When Season 2 was released, I knew I had to watch it, but I thought of taking it a bit slow and spread it over the course of a week so I would not spend too much time glued to my couch. However, once I started, I couldn’t stop, and I binge-watched it in a day. This, in short, gives you an idea of how I felt about the series.

What’s It About?

Gyeongseong Creature, as the name gives away, is a creature born in the labs of power-hungry monsters. Their sinister motive makes them more repulsive and horrifying than the Najin they created. The first season, which starts in 1945 during the late stages of the Japanese occupation of Korea, explores this origin story in detail. The second season takes place in a free Korea, where the evil elements are still at play.

Thoughts

Season 2 isn’t as perfect as Season 1, but it still has much to offer. Park Seo Jun and Han So Hee shine in both seasons. Special mention to Claudia Kim, who played Lady Maeda. She portrayed the character with such finesse that you cannot help but admire and loathe her at the same time. I also liked the new character in Season 2, Seung-Jo. Like Lady Maeda, Seung-Jo is a complicated character with many layers. His angelic looks contrast his duality.

Once I compeleted the series, I couldn’t help but relate it to the current world. We aren’t even remotely close to what is shown in the drama. Yet, you can’t help but consider the possibility of this absurdity getting executed in a smaller, intangible capacity in the wrong hands. In their pursuit of power, some leaders may be willing to sacrifice lives to achieve their goals. If a time comes when leaders cease to distinguish between right and wrong, how will ordinary civilians cope? Gyeongseong Creature offers a thought-provoking message in that sense.

Gyeongseong Creature is streaming on Netflix. The first season has ten episodes, and the second has seven. Each episode lasts roughly an hour.

Korean Drama Spotlight: Itaewon Class

It has been a while since I completed a Korean drama. I fell into a slump after watching Doctor Slump (pure coincidence). I am not exactly sure why. It is not that I didn’t start any new ones. I did, but I never completed them. I was probably missing the crackling chemistry I witnessed in the first few Korean dramas, or it was K-romance fatigue. I’m unsure. However, finally, that dry spell has been broken.

I had been holding back on watching Itaewon Class because I wasn’t sure if it would be my cup of tea. I’m happy to report I enjoyed it. The good reviews are justified.

What’s It About?

An ambitious ex-convict starts a new pub in the busy streets of Itaewon with the main motive of seeking revenge. The series focuses on how he and his loyal staff work together to fulfill the seemingly impossible dream of beating the best pub in town.

Thoughts

I am convinced Park Seo Joon is the best Korean actor out there. I am yet to feel underwhelmed seeing his performance. He not only handles the nuances of his characters perfectly, but his understated charisma has the power to keep you hooked. Itaewon Class is no different.

However, the main star for me in Itaewon Class was Kim Da-mi. Her character is beautifully sketched, a total badass woman who doesn’t resort to the stereotypes of the “modern woman” we see on the big screen. Usually, in new-age cinema, a woman of today is depicted as someone promiscuous and flippant. But in Itaewon Class, the female characters have different shades, they aren’t black or white, they are all sorts of grey. Kim Da-mi plays someone who is, in her own words, a “social psychopath,” yet she feels deeply for her boss and his painful past.

Soo-ah, played by Kwon Nara, is ambitious and a go-getter who does not believe in making sacrifices, such as leaving her cushy job to maintain relationships. She has a “my way or the highway” aura about her, yet she’s soft. Ambitious women are often portrayed in a villainous way, but kudos to the writer for showing how a woman can follow her dreams and still be vulnerable, and that it’s okay if she wants more.

It was interesting to watch such multilayered female characters in a series because it’s not something I often come across in Indian cinema.

Itaewon Class is streaming on Netflix. It has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting over an hour.