The Atypical Family

a forced family

i just finished watching this drama and i'm honestly quite disappointed. my major complaint is that the characters, the story, the superpowers... everything felt forced.

the start is okay, if a bit slow, but after episode 4 the plot felt all over the place. they clearly wrote this story around "ML travels in time to save FL before she even knew him" but it seems they failed to write it in a way that felt natural. i didn't like the lead couple and the way they tried to make it seem like ML's family were her found family, because they never developed her character or her relationship with the family. they only showed her with ML's daughter and that was her most enjoyable relationship because they actually talked and interacted. the way she was introduced into the family was justifiable because she was scamming them, but there wasn't a middle point where we could see or understand why FL and the family connected, they just started loving her despite the scam plan and she just started to like ML out of nowhere (and viceversa). even the relationship with ML and his daughter felt empty because they never spent a lot of time together and their issues resolved way too quickly. they all felt like strangers living together, not like a family.

the most attractive point of this drama is the superpowers and somehow, despite being the focus of the plot, they feel like they're in the background. i could look past all the unexplainable powers and time travels if it benefitted the story; i'm never against suspending my disbelief and accepting what a story stablishes as part of its world, but you could remove the superpowers and the story would still make sense without them. you could honestly get more from the story if you think of ML's power as a metaphor for depression and not as an actual superpower.

i just couldn't connect with any character besides bok ina at times. i understand why people liked it, but unfortunately it wasn't a good drama for me. overall it falls short on its premise; neither the story, the characters or the relationships are enjoyable or sincere enough for the ending's message ("things won't be easy but you're not alone") to feel genuine. the soundtrack was nice though.

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Honestly I don't know what's worse

All the fatshaming in this kdrama that was so over the top or

The fact that the ML is an alcoholic who doesn't even care about his own daughter at all. They barely talk to the point she can't even open up to him about her problems and especially about her mental health. She clearly has depression and thinks that it's her fault that the mom died. He only tried to comfort her later on, which was super awkward to watch, and honestly he could still care more about her than he did at the end.

You know why he stopped drinking alcohol? Which was by the way completely unrealistic too because he was addicted to alcohol for YEARS but then stops basically over night completely. No, not for his daughter to finally start being a better father NO no, but for a stranger woman. Sure he doesn't stop because of FL right away, but still pretty soon and just for her.

Personally it pisses me off. I have depression myself, I know how hard it can be to take care of yourself when you go through a hard time but he is clearly depressed and alcoholic for over a decade. It's not normal. He should go to therapy. I get it's hard but you can't just not care for your own kid?? In the drama she is around 13 years old which means she is starting puberty so that's when a parent should be there during such an important age. ESPECIALLY when she only has one parent. But it's pretty clear from start til end that his parents raised his daughter, not him, otherwise the dynamics would be different.

His daughter has better dynamics with the female lead, from the start til the end, despite that she is a stranger to her. She is the one who comforted her when she needed it. Who listened to her. Who took care of her once she started living there. Didn't even see her dad cook for her at all, but she did. How comes a woman that they only know a few weeks/months cares more for his daughter than his own dad??

I honestly don't understand how so many people genuinely don't care about this part, it pisses me off and I will give a low rating because it's an important thing in this kdrama not just a side story. Just a big disappointment.

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One of the best things I have watched this year!

As I mentioned in the headline, this drama was one of the best things I have watched this year. The characters were all so well-written that I enjoyed everyone's story and never felt even a bit bored. Even the "bad" characters won my heart in the end because they weren't just plainly "selfish" and "evil." Watching Dahae's and Gwi-ju's families was incredibly fun.

Some people didn't really like the male leads because they seemed boring to them, but for me, it was the opposite. It was more of a slow burn, but I truly felt the chemistry and connection between the two leads. In some scenes, I was on the verge of tears because it felt so real. This drama had a good mix of fantasy and realism. It also showed us how everyone dealt with their own problems, like depression, different kinds of fears, and the feeling of being lonely and misunderstood.

The drama's ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments created a unique viewing experience that was both entertaining and emotionally resonant. The cinematography and soundtrack were outstanding, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making certain scenes even more impactful. Additionally, the cultural insights the drama provided, portraying family dynamics and societal issues in a nuanced and authentic way, were commendable.

The supporting characters, especially the elderly family members, were particularly noteworthy for their depth and the wisdom they imparted throughout the series. Overall, "Atypical Family" stands out not just for its story but for the way it connects with the audience on a personal level, making it a memorable and must-watch drama.

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I almost dropped it but decided not to, and I was wrong.

The first three episodes were kinda interesting, but after that, it just got more and more boring. The only thing I actually liked about the show was how the female characters acted! That’s it. Everything else was poorly written, and seriously, the lead actor's performance? Ugh, it was so bad. This was my first time checking out a drama with Ki Yong, and I don't think I'll be back for more. His acting was just painful to watch—his reactions, his lines, those weird smiles he kept flashing, I ended up skipping like 80% of his emotional scenes 'cause they were just too cringy. Even the scenes with his daughter felt like they were written and acted badly. Honestly, most of the characters were badly written, but the lead? Such a loser dad and human being, zero charm in his character. And don't even get me started on that haircut—ugh!

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this drama. The story started off unique, but the way it ended was just a mess. The scenes were poorly written and made no sense, especially the ending—it was super bad. It's disappointing to see such shoddy writing in a drama in 2024. On the bright side, I really liked how the female lead acted. This is actually the second time I've watched a drama for her, and she really deserves to be in a hit drama and get more recognition.

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Must watch for Unique, Crisp Story & Flawless Acting | Mixed feels for Ending

This drama blends superheroes, con-artists, and time travel in a rom-com—a unique mix that works surprisingly well. Weekly episodes kept me intrigued with their perfect balance of plot, acting, short format, and music. Rated 8 (Great with Few Flaws) because the ending, while fitting the "atypical" theme, left mixed feelings.

➥ Strengths:
✦ Unique Story: Fantasy, romance, suspense, comedy, and heavy topics (trauma, depression, death, school bullying, body image) are all given proper attention with satisfying conclusions or hints for the future.
✦ Pace: Loving the short formats. Initial episodes build the foundation, then the plot picks up, giving answers and introducing new suspense/twists.
✦ Acting: Flawless. Main leads have natural chemistry. Supporting characters also shine, offering insights into their own stories/challenges/motives.
✦ Music: "Lee Sora’s I See You" is haunting and perfectly placed, adding to the drama's mysterious and atypical nature (Link Below)
✦ Cinematography: Aesthetically pleasing with well-blended fantasy effects. Visuals of characters' clothes, make-up, and settings are balanced and fitting.

➥ Weak Points:
Ending 5 Minutes: True to the atypical theme, but the implied conclusion leaves mixed feelings. Some may want a more detailed explanation, though the time jump is lovely to watch.

➥ Overall:
Highly recommend binge-watching this drama—a neat package of romance, suspense, superpowers, family/friend support, scams, comedy, time travel, and action. The cinematography and music enhance the viewing experience, making it a delight to watch!

➥ Links:
Main Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zazbv65uEVo
My Rating System: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo

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sigh, okay...

FIRST of all, jang ki yong what the hell? genuinely, what the actual fuck. alas, i'll come back to this question very soon.

second of all, can we leave time travel k-drama plots behind us? i think we got our fill, & we do not need to see it for another..decade, at least!
— to come back to the story, i think that the side characters of this drama really saved face. claudia kim's character, although amazing for a really long duration of the show, somehow gets a really whimsical plotline & development somewhere around the end of the season. some things just refuse to make sense, but the question that bugs me the most is why the lesbian erasure? you build up a genuine story that has a root, a heavy ass trunk && a crown and you throw it away...what for? to fit a heteronormative standard? sure, okay. fuck you though.

— when it comes to our main couple, i simply couldn't see it. i didn't hate the entire con artist / rich clueless man trope, but it lost appeal as quickly as it earned some. mind you, i was extremely excited to see jang ki yong in another role, but this is potentially the worst role of his career. at the beginning everything's fine, and you're trying to overlook his responses because of his trauma & mental battles, but some things just get fuuucking old. and these writers dragged it so long; they sucked every drop out of the 'helpless dad' trope. grow a fucking backbone, you're not 12.
— and the prepubescent adolescent, ina, pissed me off! but alas, like father, like daughter. some therapy wouldn't hurt their wallets.

—quite frankly, to wrap it up...it was boring, predictable && extremely unreasonable. even the generous 12-episode format felt like too long. ew.

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amazing show

I think the atypical family is definitely in my top for 2024 because of the unique storyline and the incredible acting. The ending was perfect, although for some it may come across as too rushed for me it couldn’t have been done better. some parts are still left unknown for us, such as yi na when she is older but I don’t think this show needs a season 2. also to think that it only had 12 episodes, a s2 is very unlikely. I don’t remember being this excited for a show in a long time so that is why I gave it a 9.5/10 (okay so edit it has been almost 2 months and this show is still on my mind everyday, I’m definitely giving it a 10/10 not even lying it was so good)

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It had so much potential, but I can't accept the female lead at all.

The way she was at the beginning and throughout was disappointing. I'm on episode 4, and after reading the comments and confirming what I predicted was going to happen, I decided to skip everything and just watch the moments with the daughter. When I saw edits on TikTok, I thought the show focused mainly on her. Anyway, I don't care about the other characters. I started watching for the girl, and it seems I'll continue only for her.

Also, I'm frustrated—why did they treat the female lead like that in the family? In episode 4, the male lead tells her everything so easily! Do they (the family) not know how to be cautious of strangers? How do they know she won't steal from them? They know nothing about her.

So I "completed" it, though I won’t hide the fact that I skipped most of it after episode 4. I'm bitter about the female lead and their relationship. This show had a lot of potential, but I don't think it deserves the high rating it has. Most of the time, dramas on MyDramaList are rated accurately, but this one is one of those traps—you see a high rating and have high expectations. I've fallen victim to this many times, which is why I usually read some comments beforehand.

I wish the drama had focused more on the daughter, and that the male lead never fell in love again. There should've been someone to help him realize his mistake. Moreover, they could’ve added mystery. For example, maybe they never knew why his old wife died, and it turned out to be a murder. The family members could’ve been more interesting characters with more intriguing superpowers. I think you get my idea. This could have had action, mystery, and maybe even some romance between the daughter and the boy, with good interactions as they grow up.

Anyway, this might not sound perfect, but English isn’t my first language, so I can’t express myself properly. The 4.5 stars are only for the daughter:)

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My rating might have been higher with less episodes...possibly

What I loved:
-Park So Yi as Bok I Na. She is a terrific young actress, I've loved her in everything I've seen her in, and am looking forward to her growth as an actress.
-The youth romance of I Na. I would have liked to see more of them.
-Oh Man Seok's character of Gi Ju's father. What a calm, warm and lovely character.

What I didn't like (not in any particular order):
-I have liked Jan Ki Yong in other works, but I didn't think he did a good job here. He didn't look depressed, he looked drugged. I felt like he was just moving through the drama. I got no emotion from him.
-Chun Woo Hee looks just like Song Hye Kyo to me. Since I'm often not a fan of SHK, I struggled.
-The timeline was all sorts of a mess. For me, the fact that she was there showed that she survived in the past. No matter how they tried to explain it, it didn't make any sense to me.
-Did the ML and FL hate each other IRL? They had absolutely no chemistry with one another and didn't like each other for so long, I never bought them as a couple.
-Can we talk about amazingly bad haircuts of Gwi Ju and Grace?
-The weight loss story for Gwi Ju's sister. We see some of her struggle, but her massive weight loss was overnight.
-Pretty much all the characters other than the couple I mentioned. Her family (and she) were awful! I get that they were swindlers, but I never really saw them turn around until the last episode. Same for his family. I just didn't like them.
-Repetitive, repetitive, repetitive script. Enough with the flashbacks.

For me (please remember, this is just my opinion), I was extremely disappointed in a show that I was so looking forward to watching.

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