Family by Choice 조립식 가족 [2024]

[Tofu]

Family by Choice 조립식 가족

 

Korean Title: 조립식 가족 / Joribshik Gajok
English Title: Family By Choice / A Prefabricated Family
Adapted From: Go Ahead (Chinese Drama)
Director: Kim Seung Ho (Previous work: Twenty Five, Twenty One and Joseon Attorney) 
Writer: Hong Shi Young
Network: jTBC
Episodes: 16
Release Date: Upcoming 2024
English Subtitle: 
Official Website: Namu Wiki

 

Synopsis:

It is about three people unrelated by blood who spend their teenage years together. They rely on each other while carrying the scars they received from their parents. It is a work that tells the story of familial love, romantic love, and friendship among those who have been reunited after ten years. (Credit)

 

This drama is the adaptation of the hit Chinese drama, Go Ahead.

 

 

 

 

[Tofu]

Cast.

Hwang In Yeop as Kim San Ha 

He will play Song Wei Long's character, Ling Xiao. 

 

Jung Chae Yeon as Yoon Joo Won

She will play Tan Song Yun's character, Li Jianjian. 

 

Bae Hyun Sung as Kang Hae Joon

He will play Zhang Xin Cheng's character, He Zi Qiu.

 

[Tofu]

Reserved.

[Tofu]

Reserved.

[Nohamahmoud2002]

Any viewers? 

[mademoiselle]

12 hours ago, Nohamahmoud2002 said:

Any viewers? 

I am watching, but didn't realise there was a thread.

[ktcjdrama]

I am watching too. I really enjoyed the original - Go Ahead. So I decided to check this one out. 

[mademoiselle]

Episode 1-4 Reaction & Commentary from Casts

 

I'm glad one of the fathers is played by actor, Choi Won Young. He's such a versatile actor. On the contrary, I can't unsee the other father as Taekie's Appa. LOL.

 

So far, I'm enjoying the drama and loving the relationships between the kids. Love how San Ha is protective of the other two, as well as how both boys are also protective of Joo Won. I liked the depiction of each kid's situation and perspective of their broken family relationship and trauma.

 

Episode 4 is a huge highlight for me because of the arguing scene between San Ha's parents. A mother who doesn't think she's in the wrong (how appalling), and the realisation that San Ha is hurting but still being considerate and didn't want to hurt his parents' further by telling them the truth. Another highlight is the ending scene between San Ha and Hae Joon. Love love love how San Ha blurted out his thought and then realised he shouldn't have... so much feels.

 

Tofu is watching as well, but she's slow and not sure if she'll finish the whole drama. Same with @SilverMoonTea. I'm hoping to lure @abs-oluteM into this since Abs likes Bae Hyun Sung.

 

[abs-oluteM]

@mademoiselle The thing is that all my oppas have dramas at once. I am about to have drama overload apart from spamming about JaeYoung non-stop. I just started Good Bad Dong Jae ( for Lee Joon Hyuk ) and I wanna watch my YeonWooJin oppa in Virtuous Biz. They are stronger oppa loves than BHS. Plus BHS is the 2nd lead here...my heart will break. 

[SilverMoonTea]

2 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

Episode 1-4 Reaction & Commentary from Casts

I'm glad one of the fathers is played by actor, Choi Won Young. He's such a versatile actor. On the contrary, I can't unsee the other father as Taekie's Appa. LOL.

 

So far, I'm enjoying the drama and loving the relationships between the kids. Love how San Ha is protective of the other two, as well as how both boys are also protective of Joo Won. I liked the depiction of each kid's situation and perspective of their broken family relationship and trauma.

 

Episode 4 is a huge highlight for me because of the arguing scene between San Ha's parents. A mother who doesn't think she's in the wrong (how appalling), and the realisation that San Ha is hurting but still being considerate and didn't want to hurt his parents' further by telling them the truth. Another highlight is the ending scene between San Ha and Hae Joon. Love love love how San Ha blurted out his thought and then realised he shouldn't have... so much feels.

 

Tofu is watching as well, but she's slow and not sure if she'll finish the whole drama. Same with @SilverMoonTea. I'm hoping to lure @abs-oluteM into this since Abs likes Bae Hyun Sung.

 

 

Now that you mentioned it, I do like that father CWY actor too. I remember him from drama Second 20's with Choi Ji Woo. Not sure if I will continue this because both oppas not really my cup of tea lols. I'm starting Doubt now and seems to be quite promising. 

[mademoiselle]

8 hours ago, abs-oluteM said:

@mademoiselle The thing is that all my oppas have dramas at once. I am about to have drama overload apart from spamming about JaeYoung non-stop. I just started Good Bad Dong Jae ( for Lee Joon Hyuk ) and I wanna watch my YeonWooJin oppa in Virtuous Biz. They are stronger oppa loves than BHS. Plus BHS is the 2nd lead here...my heart will break. 

That is not a lot of dramas. You can do it! 😆

I have yet to start Dong Jae...

7 hours ago, SilverMoonTea said:

 

Now that you mentioned it, I do like that father CWY actor too. I remember him from drama Second 20's with Choi Ji Woo. Not sure if I will continue this because both oppas not really my cup of tea lols. I'm starting Doubt now and seems to be quite promising. 

Who is in Doubt?

 

P.S. I have only found the mood to finish off Love Next Door's finale episode last night 😅. Glad I didn't just drop it, coz I came so far already.

[mademoiselle]

@gilaswan Try this?

[SilverMoonTea]

4 hours ago, mademoiselle said:

That is not a lot of dramas. You can do it! 😆

I have yet to start Dong Jae...

Who is in Doubt?

 

P.S. I have only found the mood to finish off Love Next Door's finale episode last night 😅. Glad I didn't just drop it, coz I came so far already.

Doubt have the senior actor Han Suk Kyu. The one become her daughter is unknown actress to me, but I found her quite charming and mysterious. I tried Seoul Buster too but this one not sure how I felt because it was too comedic. 

[mademoiselle]

3 hours ago, SilverMoonTea said:

Doubt have the senior actor Han Suk Kyu. The one become her daughter is unknown actress to me, but I found her quite charming and mysterious. I tried Seoul Buster too but this one not sure how I felt because it was too comedic. 

Had to look up AsianWiki for her filmography but I remember her role in Sweet Home. She's in a fair few other dramas I've seen before. Rather newish actress; not well-known yet.

 

I find that when Han Suk Kyu is not playing Kim Sabu, I have no desire to watch his dramas. Hahaha!

Edited October 23, 2024 by mademoiselle

[Alice Wonderland]

So far still liking the original more than this remake. But I still wanna see how they develop the story here.

[ktcjdrama]

On 10/22/2024 at 5:57 PM, mademoiselle said:

San Ha is hurting but still being considerate and didn't want to hurt his parents' further by telling them the truth.

Please explain what the truth is. Because I didn't get what he meant by it. Maybe I need to rewatch that bit. 

[mademoiselle]

6 hours ago, ktcjdrama said:

Please explain what the truth is. Because I didn't get what he meant by it. Maybe I need to rewatch that bit. 

The whole story isn't very clear to me, but the parents left them alone at home for 2 days, and he said there were no food left, and he didn't want to tell his mum this. He was seen trying to cook ramen and then somehow the sister died after.

 

I thought it is already the parents' fault for leaving them behind and worse, left them no food. He left this detail out, as to not burden his parents further.

 

Is it not the same as original?

[mademoiselle]

Episode 5-6 are just as good as the previous. Prepare some tissues.

 

San Ha's mother is so unreasonable, I can't with her!! From more arguments with the ex, it's revealed she had post-natal depression and from his perspective, he was working hard earning a living and hoping to make their life better, but she needed him to be home more etc. But all this does not justify leaving the children to starve so she could catch some breaths. All this also does not justify bringing new life into the world and not being able to give them love, attention, tender and care. They were two very irresponsible adults and were actually NOT ready to form a family is how I see it.

 

The scene where San Ha avoided the family for days and when he rejoins them at the dinner table was another tear-jerking moment. But it was all a good cry. On so many levels, he is more mature than the two, but at the end of the day, he's also still a child. I do wish his father could be a little bit more forward and loving towards him, but he's definitely showing us the typical Asian father who doesn't know how to communicate with his own son.

 

She is unlikeable for various reasons: one being her repeatedly bringing up San Ha is the reason of his sister's death, hurting him over and over again. Another is her criticising Joo Won's father's for not teaching the kids well. Does she and can she even redeem herself later on? I wish not. Some people is just not redeemable.

 

San Ha's sister was said to have died from suffocation. As to how, we still don't know.

 

Hae Joon's birthday scene was another tear-jerker for me. I could see from both perspectives. The aunt felt guilty and wanted to make sure Hae Joon isn't taking things for granted. But her actions inadvertantly gave Hae Joon pressure and made it difficult for him to become a real family, and that's what Joo Won's father felt and truly love him as his son. He treats/loves all 3 of them, even though, at times, it seems he is more considerate of the boys more than his own daughter (as she pointed out, LOL). And no doubt, that was his way of showing his love and tries to compensate what they already lack/crave.

 

And his mum, hmm, why is she not seeing him? I think C-version was she went to jail. But if she is out now, what is her reason of not meeting him? Was it because the aunt tells her he's happy there? Or she still is not financially capable?

 

I like Joo Won's friend, Park Dal. She's a cute girl. I guess in future, she'll pair with Hae Joon.

 

6 episodes down, I find the drama focus a lot more on the boys's than Joo Won. Is it the same in Go Ahead?

[ktcjdrama]

On 10/24/2024 at 3:31 AM, mademoiselle said:

Is it not the same as original?

In the original, the sister died because of walnuts that little ML gave her. I don't remember anything about them being alone at home for 2 days and left with no food. But parents both not home during incident. Mom forgot why, Dad at work as police.

 

What I don't get from this "secret/truth" is that, like you mentioned, how is it any worse having no food at home, when leaving two little kids alone at home for 2 days is already bad enough. So I really don't get how this "truth" will make the parents "regret" after finding out later, which I believe will be mentioned later. Anyway, the one who truly must regret is the mother. Father already made it clear it's not ML's fault. What is different, the mother here demanded ML to ask for her forgiveness, don't remember this point in the original though. I can tell you what is the same though, both the step-sister are annoying and entitled, urgh!

 

[mademoiselle]

@ktcjdrama Ah, then I think it is the same as the original. I remember seeing snippet of walnuts in K-version too. But at the moment it's just flashes/snippets, so initially, I thought maybe the gas was the cause of her death since San Ha was trying to cook ramen. But last week's episode mentioned she died from suffocation, so choking on a walnut might be the cause.

 

5 hours ago, ktcjdrama said:

What I don't get from this "secret/truth" is that, like you mentioned, how is it any worse having no food at home, when leaving two little kids alone at home for 2 days is already bad enough. So I really don't get how this "truth" will make the parents "regret" after finding out later, which I believe will be mentioned later. Anyway, the one who truly must regret is the mother. Father already made it clear it's not ML's fault. What is different, the mother here demanded ML to ask for her forgiveness, don't remember this point in the original though. I can tell you what is the same though, both the step-sister are annoying and entitled, urgh!

 

Yeah, I get what you're saying. I believe what San Ha did is not to add more guilt onto the parents. I somehow think the Mother is in denial and refuse to acknowledge she is the one at fault.

 

I don't know the details between ML and his mum in the original. I just know his Mum doesn't treat him well, and he has depression later. Ugh, do you mean to tell me his step-sister will grow up to be spoilt, not that she's not already. At the moment, I am alright with her behaviour because she is still young, and don't know any better. This reason will not be valid once she's grown. By the way, I don't actually understand why she'd seek so much attention from a brother she's never known/met. Like mother like daughter because San Ha's Mum acts entitled, too. LOL! Like the whole world owed it to her. So disrespectful and condescending. The actress is doing a good job being hateful.

[ktcjdrama]

1 hour ago, mademoiselle said:

Ugh, do you mean to tell me his step-sister will grow up to be spoilt, not that she's not already. At the moment, I am alright with her behaviour because she is still young, and don't know any better. This reason will not be valid once she's grown. By the way, I don't actually understand why she'd seek so much attention from a brother she's never known/met.

In Go Ahead, yes, even in the grown up part, she is spoilt and very 不懂事. 

Me too, and a brother who is clearly not welcoming at all. Must've been brainwashed by the mom. 
Seems like we're only looking at different cities in K-version, whereas in the original, he relocated to Singapore to care for his mother.

 

[mademoiselle]

Kim Feel - All Our Days

This OST by Kim Feel stood out for me. Sharing...

 

We're now at episode 10 with San Ha confessing he likes Joo Won. Look forward to seeing how things pan out for them again after the 10 years time jump.

 

Since there are only 6 episodes left, I'm inclined to think Hae Joon's love line with Joo Won would not happen, and it would be with Park Dal instead.

[mademoiselle]

Episode 11-12

 

I like that the K-version omitted the love line between Hae Joon and Joo Won because Park Dal and Hae Joon's love line is so cute. I really like Dal and hope she can be free from her mother and Hae Joon would fall for her soon.

 

Joo Won and San Ha's love line developed quite quick. It didn't seem too abrupt, though, because the love line was set up quite earlier on in the show. While Hae Joon also struggles with his relationship with foster Dad and his birth mum, I empathise with San Ha a lot more because of his personality where he swallows all the bitterness that horrendous mother threw at him. I'm also not happy how meek his father is when it comes to confronting his ex. I really wish he can man up to protect San Ha. In this case, I feel Hae Joon is in a better position than San Ha in the sense that Ahjussi really loves him as his son (both just need to get over that barrier) and his mum loves him, too.

 

[ktcjdrama]

On 11/10/2024 at 5:03 PM, mademoiselle said:

Since there are only 6 episodes left, I'm inclined to think Hae Joon's love line with Joo Won would not happen, and it would be with Park Dal instead.

From the beginning, I never get the feeling that Hae Joon will have any love line with Joo Won. This K-version made the love line quite clear, also because Park Dal never having any crush on San Ha. The C-version also actually never really ventured to that second love line (if I remember correctly) but I did keep guessing whether it will happen or not. 

 

Yeah, I like this OST too 

[mademoiselle]

@ktcjdrama Are you up-to-date? It's clear in this week's episode that Hae Joon doesn't like Joo Won romantically. He has more scenes with Dal too. I am really fond of this actress named Seo Ji Hye. I just checked her filmography, errr, she was in My ID is Gangnam Beauty! I don't remember her in there. The first time I noticed her was in My Perfect Stranger.

 

Really? I'm surprised there's no confirmation in C-version. The C-dramas I have watched so far always have multiple love lines for main couple, second and even tetiary couples. I often had to FF because I couldn't care much about the second and tetiary couples.

 

I hope this version confirms the love line for the second leads. Too cute not to! San Ha and Joo Won is a given, so I'm not even expecting, but these two cannot just tease and hint with open ending.

 

P.S. Are you watching Brewing Love?