Heaven's Garden (2011)

I don't often review dramas on here but I think this one deserves one as I don't think many people watched it. I thought this drama was a real delight. I was interested in it through all of its 30 episodes - even though it starts slowly.

It's quite different from other kdramas in that it is episodic with small stories that start and end in a single episode and only a few storylines that carry over through the entire series. This means that grudges and misunderstandings never last for long (thankfully!).

It's focuses on four three-generation families in a mountain village and the main character is a woman who separated from her husband and now has to raise her daughter and his daughter-from-a-previous marriage single-handedly. Being all alone and without any money (her husband's company has gone bankrupt and left them with huge debts) she's got no choice but to go home to live with her father, who'd been opposed to her marriage from the start.

It's a drama about building bridges and redemption, how everybody can change and become a better person, if only you give them the chance and the opportunity to do so. And talk about your issues and work them out! Even when some of the problems have simplistic solutions, I still really enjoyed it as it's got its heart in the right place.

I loved the ending which was low-key but realistic and in line with the rest of the series (that's all I'll say about it as I don't want to spoiler it for anybody).

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Delightful, heartwarming family drama!

Rare find of a well produced, beautifully portrayed kdrama that spans three generations! The story evolves around the people in a tiny township and how they come together to make a profit by consolidating their land and their lives. The drama touches many aspects, situations and issues that each and everyone can relate to in terms of divorce, adoption, misunderstandings, generation gap, city & country living. The well cast young actors are brillant! Byung-do outshined the group and wise grandpa held the reins mediating work and family issues.
I am surprised with the low viewage. This is a really great drama for the whole family!

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