Family By Choice review: Is the JTBC release worth watching?

Family by Choice, directed by Kim Seung-ho, premiered on October 9, 2024, and is streaming on Rakuten Viki. The 16-episode K-drama stars Hwang In-youp, Jung Chae-yeon, Bae Hyun-sung, and Choi Won-young. It is an adaptation of the 2020 Chinese series Go Ahead.

The story follows three teenagers who, despite having no blood ties, form a family-like bond to overcome life’s struggles. After enduring difficult childhoods and spending years apart, they reunite as adults, facing unresolved emotional wounds from their past.

The last two episodes of Family by Choice were released on November 27 and provided fans with a happy ending. After being apart and then together, the characters finally make peace with their pasts as they decide to stay a family.

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Family by Choice review: A wholesome, engaging drama

The plot of Family by Choice takes us through the journey of three characters, Yoon Ju-won, Kim San-ha, and Kang Hae-jun, who come together to live under the same roof after adversity strikes the latter two. The actors do a decent job of portraying their respective characters.

A roller coaster of emotions, the drama has viewers wishing well for all the characters, maybe except Jeong-hui, San-ha's mother, who constantly makes life difficult for him. Meanwhile, Jung-jae's character as a loving, understanding, and kind father is well portrayed by Choi Won-young. His rare, unconditional love for the three children has won fans hearts and respect.

Ju-won, a chirpy, good-natured girl without a mother but a loving father, is overjoyed when San-ha and Hae-jun come to stay with her. Ju-won is constantly trying to keep her family together, and her equation with San-ha and Hae-jun becomes an anchor for the story as they go through a period of separation and then meet again.

San-ha, abandoned by his mother as a kid and blamed by her for the death of his younger sister, finds comfort in Ju-won as Jung-jae decides to take him in. The introverted character suits Hwan In-yeop well as he struggles in silence while looking out for the ones around him, like Han Seo-jun in True Beauty. While Ju-won and San-ha's romantic arc might seem awkward at first, they develop into a sweet couple later.

Hae-jun is a happy child whose mother leaves with a promise of coming back but does not. He feels the need to pay back Jung-jae for all that he has done, though the expression of this thought only upsets Jung-jae.

The drama delves into each character's psyche and provides a reason behind their behavior at a given time. Using long dialogues and conversations where the characters portray their innermost fears keeps them vulnerable and strong simultaneously. Without any over-the-top drama, it does just enough to keep the viewers engaged and empathizing with the characters.

The story of Family by Choice, though unconventional, is well-written and does not allow the viewer to feel disconnected at any point in time. As a slice of life, it gives the right amount of importance to every character and their struggles. The audience will be moved to laugh and cry along with the characters. The ending of the series will have the viewers feeling satisfied.

Overall, Family by Choice is worth watching if one is looking for some comfort. As it deals with the role of a family, everyone watching will be able to find some catharsis as they watch the characters overcome situations and be there for one another through it all.

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Family by Choice is available for streaming on Rakuten Viki in select regions.