Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Family by Choice, which just wrapped up its beautiful run and left viewers with all the warm feelings you could ask for in a family drama.
Family by Choice premiered on October 9, 2024, and concluded on November 27, 2024, with 16 episodes aired weekly on JTBC. Each episode runs approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, giving viewers plenty of time to dive deep into this touching story of chosen family bonds. Based on the Chinese drama “Go Ahead”, this Korean adaptation brings a uniquely heartwarming perspective to the concept of family that goes beyond blood relations.
This youth romance follows two men and one woman who aren’t blood-related but treated each other as family during their teens, exploring how they reconnect after 10 years apart. The drama perfectly balances comedy, romance, and family elements, creating a viewing experience that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly genuine. Many viewers have compared it to the beloved “Reply 1988” for its heartwarming portrayal of family bonds, and honestly, that comparison couldn’t be more accurate.
A Beautiful Story of Three Hearts Finding Home
The story centers around Kim Sanha (Hwang In Youp), Yoon Juwon (Jung Chaeyeon), and Kang Haejun (Bae Hyeonseong), who despite not being biologically related, share an incredibly close bond. The trio spent their adolescence raised by Juwon’s father Jeongjae and Sanha’s father Daeuk, creating an unconventional but loving household that becomes the foundation of their entire world. When circumstances force them apart, their reunion 10 years later brings both joy and complicated feelings that challenge everything they thought they knew about love and family.
The narrative beautifully explores how chosen family can be just as powerful, if not more so, than biological connections. What makes this drama special is how it doesn’t rush into the romantic elements but instead takes time to rebuild the foundation of trust and understanding between these three characters who have grown and changed during their separation.
Kim Sanha: The Protective Heart
Hwang In Youp delivers a nuanced performance as Kim Sanha, the character who carries the weight of protection and love for his chosen family. Sanha’s journey from a carefree teenager to a man who’s learned to guard his heart is portrayed with remarkable depth. His evolution throughout the series shows someone who’s afraid of losing the people he loves most, leading him to sometimes push them away to protect himself from potential heartbreak.
What’s particularly compelling about Sanha’s character is how In Youp manages to convey his internal struggles without making him seem weak or indecisive. Instead, we see a man grappling with the complexity of loving someone who was once like a sister to him, while also dealing with his own abandonment issues and fear of disrupting the family dynamic that saved him as a child.
Yoon Juwon: The Steady Center
Jung Chaeyeon brings warmth and strength to Yoon Juwon, the emotional center of this makeshift family. Juwon’s character represents stability and unconditional love, someone who never stopped believing in the power of their bond even during the years of separation. Her journey involves learning to stand up for her own feelings while maintaining the harmony she’s always prioritized in their relationship.
The chemistry between Chaeyeon and her co-stars feels authentic and lived-in, which is crucial for a story that depends on viewers believing in these deep, complicated relationships. Juwon’s growth from the peacekeeper to someone who can voice her own needs and desires creates some of the most emotionally satisfying moments in the series.
When Past Meets Present: The Reunion That Changes Everything
The most emotionally charged aspect of Family by Choice comes when these three adults must navigate their reunion and confront feelings that have evolved over time. The drama handles this delicately, showing how childhood bonds can transform into something deeper while still honoring the family connection that brought them together. This isn’t just about romantic tension; it’s about three people who must redefine their relationships while preserving what made them special in the first place.
The series excels in showing how shared trauma and love can create bonds that survive separation and time. The reunion scenes are filled with unspoken understanding, old inside jokes, and the kind of comfortable familiarity that only comes from truly knowing someone. Yet there’s also awkwardness, growth, and the recognition that they’re different people now.
Success on JTBC
Family by Choice has earned an impressive 8.7 rating on MyDramaList from nearly 30,000 users, proving that audiences connected deeply with this heartfelt story. Critics have particularly praised Bae Hyeon Seong’s performance, noting how he brought nuance and charm to his character, while the entire cast received recognition for their authentic portrayals of complex family dynamics. The series is available for streaming on multiple platforms including Viki, Viu, and TVING, making it accessible to international audiences who have embraced its universal themes of love, loss, and the families we choose for ourselves.
The Perfect Comfort Watch for Found Family Lovers
If you love stories about chosen family, second chances, and the kind of love that transcends traditional definitions, Family by Choice is the perfect series to binge on JTBC and streaming platforms. This drama proves that the most powerful families aren’t always the ones we’re born into, but the ones we choose to build with people who truly understand our hearts.
Why This Drama Will Warm Your Heart
Family by Choice reminds us that home isn’t a place but the people who love us unconditionally, making it an essential watch for anyone who believes in the power of chosen family and second chances at love.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 16 (completed)
Platform: JTBC, Viki, Viu, TVING
Release Year: October 9, 2024 – November 27, 2024
Current IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Family
Status: Completed series
Main Cast: Hwang In Youp (Kim Sanha), Jung Chaeyeon (Yoon Juwon), Bae Hyeonseong (Kang Haejun)
Supporting Cast: Choi Won Young, Choi Moo Sung, Kim Hye Eun