The Good Bad Mother (2023)

A masterpiece at it's finest.

Okay so I'm writing this like 10 minutes after the last episode and... oh my god... I was flooding with tears. I'm not kidding when I say that most of the episodes of this show or maybe even all, made me tear up or cry like a newborn baby.

Not gonna lie I was really skeptical about this drama at first because seeing a drama having only 14 episodes instead of the normal 16 made me scared for some reason, but episode after episode this drama just ate me whole. This drama got me thinking about it every single day of the week, that's how much I was hooked onto this show.

The story is perfect and filled with both the happy cheerful moments that put a smile on your face and the depressing heart wrenching moments that make you cry like the baby you are. The acting? Don't even get me started on the acting. Everyone on this show and I mean EVERYONE did an amazing job portraying their characters, especially Ra Miran and Lee Dohyun and I am expecting to see them nominated in this year's baeksangs because lord have mercy their acting was amazing throughout the entire show. The cinematography was fantastic, the writing and the dialogue were straight-up genius like man, I have nothing to nitpick on any aspect of this show. Everything was pure perfection at its finest.

To be honest when I reached episode 12, I was worried that they might mess up this ending due to how much episodes were left, but they really didn't. The last episode was filled with every emotion the show has made us feel thus far at that point and cranked it up even more to hit us with one of the most tearjerking endings ever.

As a wise person once said, all good things must come to an end, and as much as I hate that this drama is now done and finished, I loved this drama so much and I'll never forget about it. Thank you to everyone who participated on this show for giving us this masterpiece that I recommend everyone to watch at least once in their life. This drama definitely hit a Homerun.

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one of the more sensitive dramas

Of the hundreds of dramas I've seen (full disclosure - I'm addicted to Korean dramas of all types, action, historical, romance, political, comedy, etc.), this is a quality drama that is wonderfully constructed, it's one of the more sensitive dramas I've seen, it activates a wide spectrum of emotional feelings, there is a saying who says "There is no love in the world like a mother's love" and this, in my opinion, is the essence of the drama along with the question of what parenting/friendship/forgiveness is, a cast of talented actors
...a drama that is definitely worth watching ..warning..you need to equip yourself with a tissue..

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Masterpiece

'The Good Bad Mother' successfully blends elements of family, romance, and suspense to create a captivating and emotional viewing experience. With Its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and stellar performances, this drama manages to keep viewers hooked from start to finish. One of the strongest aspects of 'The Good Bad Mother' is its ability to portray the complexities of motherhood. The series also excels in its portrayal of human relationships. The chemistry between characters feels authentic and natural, particularly in the romantic subplot involving Kang-ho and Mi-jioo. However, while the series does an excellent job in creating suspense and emotional engagement, there are moments when the plot feels slightly contrived and predictable. Some twist may not come as a complete surprise to season viewers of the genre, but the strong performances and overall execution compensate for this minor flaw. In conclusion, I highly recommend this drama.

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A VERY BAD GOOD DRAMA

It's a good drama with a spectacular casts especially the character of CKH, LDH played his character so well that I forgot about his role in the glory which honestly I didn't like, I think the message the writers really wanted to convey was how the drama was just about the mother and son, how they finally got closure of the father's death years later and the #1 main thing that was denied to them which was justice finally being served and getting back to the two people that hurt them the most. It's all about a mother and son relationship.
Anddddd finally we also get to see the village head wife face for real which I was waiting for to see all through the episodes. It's a 10/10 but I think I'm most comfortable giving it a 9/10 ♥.

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The Good Bad Mother

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This Drama struck me as a cross between Extraordinary Attorney Woo for parenting theme, the quality / continuity of the story and Hometown Cha Cha Cha for the entertainment and warmth of the Village People. The story is not episodic like EAW and it's not as romantic, but it is a well written crime drama hidden inside the true story of a domineering mother forcing her will on her loving son. The sub stories demonstrate varying degrees of parenting failure. The Village people were a little quirkier than those in HCCC, especially the one mystery character, but they add a little comedy/charm to the otherwise dark story. I thought the title should more accurately be The Bad Mother. Even Young Soon admits that she never really learned to be a good parent but realizing that you have a flaw is half the battle. Almost halfway through the story I was thinking Kang Ho's actions were a little unrealistic and that I had to suspend my disbelief a bit too much, but it dawned on me that Kang Ho was a product of his environment, Mother. This becomes more obvious as the story progresses, so maybe I was a little slow. LOL.

There were a few twists in the story, but they were not over the top like some other K-Dramas. These twists were later explained by a flashback, where the missing bits get filled in and the character’s raison d'etre became clear. The way the story was woven together, showing the character’s evolution in relation to the other characters and themselves through a blend of action, romance, comedy and drama was truly excellent. The way the story builds to a climax is excellent, it seems a little slow to start, but the ending is worth it. Although this is not a Romance, I really enjoyed the romance, as it did not have any of the cliches and it had a satisfactory ending. There was a love triangle and a breakup, but the leads were 'fated' to be together, no matter how hard the parents tried to keep them apart. It was good to see a FL who knew what she wanted and was faithful to her Mister, although she did have a big investment in the outcome. The romance was also a good source of comedy, mostly at Sam Sik's expense.

I really enjoyed the characters in this drama, and I felt that they had good chemistry. I thought Ra Mi Ran was excellent as the domineering mother who cared deeply for her son but couldn't bring herself to let him lead his own life because of her own trauma and the need to have her son lead a better life than her and her husband. Lee Do Hyun was excellent in both of his roles as the determined prosecutor and as the ***********. I really enjoyed Ahn Eun-Jin as the 'childhood friend', I thought her portrayal as another bad mother and 'friend' was excellent. I have never seen this actress before; i see this is her first lead role in a drama. I digress, but I was really struck by her eyes; I might have to bring myself to watch Hospital Playlist. Yoo In-Soo was great as the hopeless thief, friend, bad son, and comic relief. Gi So-Yoo was priceless as the irreverent brat who was a copy of her mother and brighter than a lot of the adults.

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It's good but contains romance scenes

I was watching it with my family and trusting what drama list ganra and tags rates; but it was EMBARRASSING it was all good and comedy drama BUT; the romance scenes was really unnecessary and MDL should put it in the rates, also it’s melodrama it’s not just drama :,) it’s shincha shincha sad ahhh this kdrama not like the another kdramas because i had read before that the actor of kang ho character that he cried after the drama all done because it was different than the others.
The romance scenes about the couple mea jo and kang ho was really unnecessary :) I really was panicking when i see a romance scene and the remote most the romance scenes was left out ;,) ahh it’s okay all okay but please MDL if there’s something to do just write in the tags section the slight romance tag iwill appreciate that shincha.

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EVERY MOTHERS AND SON'S DAUGHTERS SHOULD WATCH

To be honest I kinda expected that this drama would make me cry a lot and is something that is very heartfelt and thats the reason why I chose to watch this.
The Story is very unique, I thought its gonna be like a drama for every youth or sons and daughters so that they would love and respect their mothers somethings like that but as I watch it, like Oh it is also a drama for Parents like, the drama shows what parents doesn't know about their child when they ask them to do this do that, be like this be like that,
There is so many realizations this drama offers, its indeed for parents and children to watch.
I Like the part that this drama portrays that in a village or provinces, there is indeed some people you can be with if you live on countryside where they are so so annoying and gossip peoples, but the good thing is , and this is the reality, those neighborhoods you have when you live on countrysides are the people who will help you in times of need and will treat you as if you were their family, and the grouo of villagers here is such a lovely in the eyes, they quarrel sometimes but love and care for each other overflows more specially when they have a member that faces difficulty in life.
This drama is rather warm and light in the heart, the moment you cry because of this drama and had realizations in your life, it really feels light in the heart.
The story on the bit end part is like rushed though, maybe because it is just a 14 episode drama.
I like the part where they revealed that it was Kang Ho that SeoJin and Ye Jin's long awaited father like real father , even I kinda had a hint but I liked how they made it to the bit climax part, that made me not bored watching because you are like always waiting for the revelation in each episode and if the revelation you are waiting for does not appear , you just keep watching the next episodes. The chapter and elaboration of story per episode is good.
All in all a very good Kdrama again that we will remember forever ❤️

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Despite all the possible tropes being present in this drama and the melodrama tagline, it is kind of a lightweight, heart warming drama.
I am a person, who loves angst so I went expecting a loads of that here. But after Kang Ho's accident, the drama leans onto a countryside comedy drama.

Mother-son relationship is the heart of this drama so if that's something you like then this drama is for you.
I really hated Young Soon's abusive tendencies though her own side was explained. Especially, not letting him eat, both as a child and as an adult. I hate how these kdramas push the narrative of 'tough-toxic'love' of parents.

Another thing I hated is the lack of focus on Mi Joo's character. For most of the part, she was shown as a foil to Kang Ho, and also a person for him to express his thoughts, his sacrifice, his world. I wanted the show to focus on her as an individual, her sufferings and sacrifices. The show glossed over it by scratching just the surface.

The Kids were cute, side characters were just that.
The mask lady grew on my by the end.
It was also nice to see how pigs domestication and comparison of pigs and human lives.

I think of this as a short drama version of the usual long weekend dramas which lasts for some 40 eps usually. All in all an average watch and not bad by any means, thought it could have been more.

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ahn eunjin as lee mijoo is everything to me

i was emotionally shattered when they announced that goodbye earth would be postponed until an unknown date (which now most likely would not be released at all lmaoooo) so my anticipation for the good bad mother kind of skyrocketed.
at first, i was a bit upset they didn't show us much about the high schooler days of our favourite trio and how their friendship developed throughout the years, but it's understandable as the main story started when kangho became a prosecutor anyway.
the good bad mother presents a heavy yet very important message about the relationship of parents and their children, children and their parents. it's a bittersweet story touching various walks of life, with brilliant chemistry and acting of all the casts. the jouri people remind me so much of gongsan (from when the camellia blooms), and yes, this is very very high praise (when the camellia blooms is still that drama for me).
ahn eunjin and yoo insoo's friendship dynamic might be my favourite thing about this drama. their behind the scene videos are so much fun too, i'm so happy that they're great friends now. lee dohyun is at the top of his game, it's really exciting to see him proving himself further and further. ra miran is an absolute legend i know eunjin was jumping outta joy having miran and her own name under one project. a very successful one, at that. the ost is meh but it's okay. overall a quite solid drama. also congrats on reaching the highest rating on wed-thu drama in jtbc's history, the one and only (2021) could only dream.

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