Family by Choice (2024)

Found Family

To start, for anyone who doesn't know, this is a remake of the cdrama Go Ahead, which I haven't watched myself yet so this will be interesting to watch with a spoiler free mind. I know a lot of people who've watched go ahead will have a lot of their own opinions! Edit: I also wanted to say that I really don't get the hate for this just because it's a remake - I watch both cdramas and kdramas, and I'm gonna be so honest, cdramas are like a palate cleanser for me. They're usually what I watch when I need something a little less serious, and something more light hearted (no I am not referring to historial/wuxia/xanxia cdramas - I know these are traumatic but I LOVE them). But in terms of the modern cdramas - NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE but in my opinion they're usually just a little too long and sometimes tell the story with a bit too many unnecessary side stories. SO yes, I suppose the original is a little more flushed out and has more moments to explain this and that and moments people found important - but keep in mind this is really only a 16 episode kdrama, we don't have forever to add more of these moments. And yes, there is an apparent difference in the acting between cdramas and kdramas, where I find that kdrama acting just has a bit more maturity and realistic emotion in theirs. While I do love dramas with silly and fun characters, sometimes it can be a little too much in cdramas which take away that level of seriousness and realism that I want to experience while watching dramas. So far I am loving Jung Chaeyeon's acting because she's genuinely such an endearing character and such an amazing actress. SO PLEASEEE PLEASE PLEASE STOP COMPARING HER SO MUCH TO THE ORIGINAL ACTRESS - OF COURSEE I DON'T EXPECT A REMAKE TO HAVE THE CHARACTERS ACTING EXACTLY THE SAME - let them each embody the character in their own way.

The first 2 episodes are really good and I really hope this becomes the healing drama I see it having the potential to be. The story starts with 3 kids, Yun Juwon, Kim Sanha, and Kang Haejun, all having lost someone from their family. They meet as little kids and due to some unfortunate circumstances, Kang Haejun's mother leaves him in the care of his aunt (who's still young and in university), and so Yun Juwon's father takes him in. They grow up together and have become one big family along with Kim Sanha's father. Right now they're showing their lives in high school, each growing up to become their own person. Yun Juwon is a cheerful headstrong character who loves her two (unofficial) brothers very much, Kim Sanha is a quiet, smart, and hardworking student who wants to get into med school, and Kang Haejun is a popular basketball player. Sanha and Haejun still seem to have some unresolved feelings and emotional trauma from their past, and I hope by the end of this we'll see that they get their closure. Thankfully we have Juwon who has always been by their side to cheer them up. You can tell how much they care for each other, although you also get the feeling that they aren't simply just siblings. Yes, there are some romantic undertones of course, but nothing obvious yet, and I don't believe this gets dived into until the future when they're all adults. Yun Jeong Jae (Juwon's father) is really the mvp for taking in two extra underlings to feed. I'm always a sucker for found family and this seems to be a really solid one. They care for each other, look after each other, and tease each other as if they were family all along. There's some foreshadowing already that they won't be able to stay by each other's side forever, and I believe they all reunite again when they're in their 20s, so hopefully the journey will end with them being as happy as they can be together.

In terms of their acting, they're all doing really well so far. Especially Jung Chae Yeon (Juwon), this is my first time seeing her act and I'm in love with her and her smile already. Hwang Inyeop is as dreamy as ever and seeing the way he stands up for Juwon gives me butterflies. It's about time he gets the girl! Bae Hyun Sung is also just a cutie patootie in this, the way he's so fixated on what Juwon thinks about him. Juwon's father, Choi Won Young is such a sweet and caring father. He has such a big heart, and I also loved when he played a father in Twinkling Watermelon.

Music has very feel-good vibes, and very suited for a coming of age drama. Loving this so far as well.

Really recommend for a light and cheerful watch!

Edit: WARNING THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT A LIGHT AND CHEERFUL WATCH. IT IS ONLY OCCASIONALLY CHEERFUL AND SOMETIMES IT MAKES YOU WANT TO SHED TEARS OH MY GOD. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL THEIR FAMILIESSSS THEIR SITUATIONS ARE MAKING ME BAWL. UHMM I HOPE THEY ALL END UP SO HAPPY IN THE END FOR REAL.

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This remake didn’t get the memo.

First off, yes, I’m going to compare this to the original. Why? Because it’s a remake. Comparisons come with the territory—it’s like covering a hit song. If you can’t hit the high notes, people will notice.

The Korean version tried to capture the heart of the original but ended up feeling underwhelming and, frankly, unnecessary. The original Chinese version delivered on every level, which allowed its more frustrating plot points to be forgiven. This remake? It didn’t earn that grace.

What I Liked

The acting. Bae Hyeon Seong absolutely nailed his role, bringing nuance and charm to a character that could have easily felt flat. The rest of the cast did their best, but even strong performances couldn’t save a series that lacked emotional punch and coherence.

What I Didn’t Like

Sanha’s Mom: Overpowering the Whole Series
In the original, she was cruel and manipulative, but her role served a purpose. Here? She’s like an invasive species, taking over the entire show, making everyone miserable, and facing zero consequences. No remorse, no punishment, nothing. She just packs her bags, skips the country, and is probably off to destroy her daughter next (no way that poor girl grows up without serious mental health issues).

And the best part? Sanha never even gets to confront her! Instead, he spends his last scene on his knees, begging at her slammed door. What’s next—a thank-you card?

Dad of the Year (or Decade?)
How does a dad let his son rot in a toxic hellhole for 10 years? They live a few hours apart! What’s the excuse—bad traffic? His indifference is baffling, and it makes his character entirely useless. Sanha’s dad is like furniture in this show—he’s there, but no one knows why.

Forgiveness on Fast-Forward
Then there’s Hea Joon’s “forgiveness” scene. His mom abandons him for 20 years, and after a single chat, he’s ready to let it all go? That’s not an emotional breakthrough—it’s just lazy writing.

Romance? What Romance?
Most of the romantic subplots felt like someone flipped a switch and said, “Okay, you two are in love now.” No build-up, no chemistry, no explanation. Dal’s affection was the only one that felt remotely believable, while the rest were as random as strangers in an elevator deciding to get married.

Juwon: What Happened to Her?
Young Juwon was vibrant and full of personality, but her adult version? A shadow of her former self. She had one great moment confronting Sanha’s mom, but the writers snatched it away before it could mean anything.

Pacing and Storytelling
The pacing had two speeds: snail and chaos. Either nothing happened, or everything happened all at once. The narrative felt unbalanced and disjointed, as if the writers had no idea how to structure the story.

Missing the Heart of the Original
The worst offense? This remake forgot to be about family. The original had warmth, heart, and a genuine “found family” vibe. Here, that emotional core was nowhere to be found.

Family by Choice is a watered-down remake that lacks the bittersweet realism of the original. It felt like the writers forgot what made the original so compelling in the first place.

If you loved the original, skip this. If you didn’t watch the original, skip this anyway.

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