Completed
keylimepi
50 people found this review helpful
Oct 10, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Found Family

To start, for anyone who doesn't know, this is a remake of the cdrama Go Ahead, which I haven't watched myself yet so this will be interesting to watch with a spoiler free mind. I know a lot of people who've watched go ahead will have a lot of their own opinions! Edit: I also wanted to say that I really don't get the hate for this just because it's a remake - I watch both cdramas and kdramas, and I'm gonna be so honest, cdramas are like a palate cleanser for me. They're usually what I watch when I need something a little less serious, and something more light hearted (no I am not referring to historial/wuxia/xanxia cdramas - I know these are traumatic but I LOVE them). But in terms of the modern cdramas - NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE but in my opinion they're usually just a little too long and sometimes tell the story with a bit too many unnecessary side stories. SO yes, I suppose the original is a little more flushed out and has more moments to explain this and that and moments people found important - but keep in mind this is really only a 16 episode kdrama, we don't have forever to add more of these moments. And yes, there is an apparent difference in the acting between cdramas and kdramas, where I find that kdrama acting just has a bit more maturity and realistic emotion in theirs. While I do love dramas with silly and fun characters, sometimes it can be a little too much in cdramas which take away that level of seriousness and realism that I want to experience while watching dramas. So far I am loving Jung Chaeyeon's acting because she's genuinely such an endearing character and such an amazing actress. SO PLEASEEE PLEASE PLEASE STOP COMPARING HER SO MUCH TO THE ORIGINAL ACTRESS - OF COURSEE I DON'T EXPECT A REMAKE TO HAVE THE CHARACTERS ACTING EXACTLY THE SAME - let them each embody the character in their own way.

The first 2 episodes are really good and I really hope this becomes the healing drama I see it having the potential to be. The story starts with 3 kids, Yun Juwon, Kim Sanha, and Kang Haejun, all having lost someone from their family. They meet as little kids and due to some unfortunate circumstances, Kang Haejun's mother leaves him in the care of his aunt (who's still young and in university), and so Yun Juwon's father takes him in. They grow up together and have become one big family along with Kim Sanha's father. Right now they're showing their lives in high school, each growing up to become their own person. Yun Juwon is a cheerful headstrong character who loves her two (unofficial) brothers very much, Kim Sanha is a quiet, smart, and hardworking student who wants to get into med school, and Kang Haejun is a popular basketball player. Sanha and Haejun still seem to have some unresolved feelings and emotional trauma from their past, and I hope by the end of this we'll see that they get their closure. Thankfully we have Juwon who has always been by their side to cheer them up. You can tell how much they care for each other, although you also get the feeling that they aren't simply just siblings. Yes, there are some romantic undertones of course, but nothing obvious yet, and I don't believe this gets dived into until the future when they're all adults. Yun Jeong Jae (Juwon's father) is really the mvp for taking in two extra underlings to feed. I'm always a sucker for found family and this seems to be a really solid one. They care for each other, look after each other, and tease each other as if they were family all along. There's some foreshadowing already that they won't be able to stay by each other's side forever, and I believe they all reunite again when they're in their 20s, so hopefully the journey will end with them being as happy as they can be together.

In terms of their acting, they're all doing really well so far. Especially Jung Chae Yeon (Juwon), this is my first time seeing her act and I'm in love with her and her smile already. Hwang Inyeop is as dreamy as ever and seeing the way he stands up for Juwon gives me butterflies. It's about time he gets the girl! Bae Hyun Sung is also just a cutie patootie in this, the way he's so fixated on what Juwon thinks about him. Juwon's father, Choi Won Young is such a sweet and caring father. He has such a big heart, and I also loved when he played a father in Twinkling Watermelon.

Music has very feel-good vibes, and very suited for a coming of age drama. Loving this so far as well.

Really recommend for a light and cheerful watch!

Edit: WARNING THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT A LIGHT AND CHEERFUL WATCH. IT IS ONLY OCCASIONALLY CHEERFUL AND SOMETIMES IT MAKES YOU WANT TO SHED TEARS OH MY GOD. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ALL THEIR FAMILIESSSS THEIR SITUATIONS ARE MAKING ME BAWL. UHMM I HOPE THEY ALL END UP SO HAPPY IN THE END FOR REAL.

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Completed
Disha Ghosh
69 people found this review helpful
Nov 6, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 10

it's worth of watching don't listen any one

As a kdrama fan and cdrama fan I really love go ahead series and I also looking forward to see this because in cdrama the whole series was 40 episodes so making it in a 16 episodes sound kinda tough but believe me this story just wow! awsome!

I know lot of people who watch the cdrama version they know what gone happen next and I also know that. But who cares that all I need those emotions that the characters face every one in that stroy has there own story and problems maybe that's why I love it soo much
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Ongoing 16/16
mich1007
41 people found this review helpful
Nov 9, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 2
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

am i the only one who cry aLOT while watching this series??

this is the first time i cry alot while watching kdramaa!!!😭😭😭 im on eps 9 & i cried on 4/5 out of 9 episode😭the acting really got me and idk about this drama that literally brings my chest to pain :( seing the struggle that the character went through really hurt me so much.

i know this is the remake of go ahead, i havent watch go ahead ( bcs its 40 freakin episode) but bcs of this series, i tried to watch & i think the korean version is better! the storyline is straightforward compare to goahead & the aesthetic of the drama is really great!

[EDIT!!!]
while waiting for new episodes to come out, i continue to watch goahead. the KDRAMA IS SOOO MUCH BETTER IN MY OPINION! the character of li jianjian is too childish imo. i might say the k drama is more realistic irl & i didnt cry a bit while watching goahead :/, even when the 2 brothers leave abroad.

in summary, LOVE that the Kdrama is more straightforward compare to the cdrama & i support the writer’s changes in the kdrama series :)

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Completed
Sanah_107
25 people found this review helpful
23 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

This remake didn’t get the memo.

First off, yes, I’m going to compare this to the original. Why? Because it’s a remake. Comparisons come with the territory—it’s like covering a hit song. If you can’t hit the high notes, people will notice.

The Korean version tried to capture the heart of the original but ended up feeling underwhelming and, frankly, unnecessary. The original Chinese version delivered on every level, which allowed its more frustrating plot points to be forgiven. This remake? It didn’t earn that grace.

What I Liked

The acting. Bae Hyeon Seong absolutely nailed his role, bringing nuance and charm to a character that could have easily felt flat. The rest of the cast did their best, but even strong performances couldn’t save a series that lacked emotional punch and coherence.

What I Didn’t Like

Sanha’s Mom: Overpowering the Whole Series
In the original, she was cruel and manipulative, but her role served a purpose. Here? She’s like an invasive species, taking over the entire show, making everyone miserable, and facing zero consequences. No remorse, no punishment, nothing. She just packs her bags, skips the country, and is probably off to destroy her daughter next (no way that poor girl grows up without serious mental health issues).

And the best part? Sanha never even gets to confront her! Instead, he spends his last scene on his knees, begging at her slammed door. What’s next—a thank-you card?

Dad of the Year (or Decade?)
How does a dad let his son rot in a toxic hellhole for 10 years? They live a few hours apart! What’s the excuse—bad traffic? His indifference is baffling, and it makes his character entirely useless. Sanha’s dad is like furniture in this show—he’s there, but no one knows why.

Forgiveness on Fast-Forward
Then there’s Hea Joon’s “forgiveness” scene. His mom abandons him for 20 years, and after a single chat, he’s ready to let it all go? That’s not an emotional breakthrough—it’s just lazy writing.

Romance? What Romance?
Most of the romantic subplots felt like someone flipped a switch and said, “Okay, you two are in love now.” No build-up, no chemistry, no explanation. Dal’s affection was the only one that felt remotely believable, while the rest were as random as strangers in an elevator deciding to get married.

Juwon: What Happened to Her?
Young Juwon was vibrant and full of personality, but her adult version? A shadow of her former self. She had one great moment confronting Sanha’s mom, but the writers snatched it away before it could mean anything.

Pacing and Storytelling
The pacing had two speeds: snail and chaos. Either nothing happened, or everything happened all at once. The narrative felt unbalanced and disjointed, as if the writers had no idea how to structure the story.

Missing the Heart of the Original
The worst offense? This remake forgot to be about family. The original had warmth, heart, and a genuine “found family” vibe. Here, that emotional core was nowhere to be found.

Family by Choice is a watered-down remake that lacks the bittersweet realism of the original. It felt like the writers forgot what made the original so compelling in the first place.

If you loved the original, skip this. If you didn’t watch the original, skip this anyway.

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Completed
chubstress
15 people found this review helpful
23 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0

Great watch! Go ahead with it ??

Good show! Don’t be swayed by those who want an exact copy of Go Ahead. I watched Go Ahead years ago and personally loved the family dynamics in the first half. However, I found the romance aspect disappointing and was put off by it. The post-time-skip part felt unnecessarily dragged.
In contrast, Family with Choice handled the post-time-skip phase much better—it was engaging and fun! I think your enjoyment of this show depends on how much you compare it to Go Ahead. Personally, I was disappointed with Go Ahead, so I approached this as a standalone series without bias, which helped me connect with the characters and the story.
I’ll write more when I have time, but overall, it’s a great watch! Don’t let comparisons put you off. This is an adaptation, and I found the changes refreshing and better, in my opinion. If you’re new to K-dramas or haven’t watched Go Ahead, I highly recommend giving this a try

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Ongoing 16/16
Purple Wisteria Coin Gift Award1
83 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 12
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 6.0

As a standalone I guess it's decent but as an adaptation I'm afraid it suffers greatly in comparison

The beginning of the drama had me full of hope for what was to come. I thought the director was spot-on with carrying over the “key events” of the story that were pivotal but giving a small touch of his take. Everything felt familiar yet different and I was glad that I relived the beautiful story again in a different manner. I found myself constantly smiling especially whenever the 3 kiddos appeared. I also had a great time noticing things that were adapted over but done in a different Korean style. There were things like the walk-up apartment and its staircase, the long uphill road from the noodle store to their home, the rooftop, and even a rather familiar house layout! Aesthetically, it was very pleasing. I also appreciate the easter eggs placed in the show like how now Hae Jun becomes the "acting" bf instead of the lady later on.

I am glad they got Choi Won Young (the cooking father) and Choi Moo Sung (the police father) to play the two fathers who to me are two of the story's most important characters. CWY as an actor exudes the same warmth as Hai Chao (C-Drama cooking father) and CMS has the same nonchalant vibe as He Ping (C-Drama police father). I usually like it when both of them play the father's role in dramas, really good at the role. Their chemistry throughout the show was top notch and I enjoyed their screentime together the most. Little Ju Won deserves lots of applause too and it’s a pity we only get to see her for such a short time. How can someone so young act so well?! While most of the cast carry similar vibes as the original and are all good actors in their rights, it was not the choice of the actors that was the issue here but the change of characterization that is my problem with the drama. That coupled with an uninspired change of script, unfortunately, the show fell off the cliff very quickly despite my strong bias in wanting it to succeed.

While it was preserving most of the original’s core, subtly you can see things changing in different moments. Some of them were done, understandably to fit the Korean landscape better but some of them were done simply as a result of being “different”. I get that every director wants to interpret a story in their own artistic manner and I don't think anyone would be satisfied in simply copying something exactly, and I can respect that. After all, it's an "adaptation" not a "copy". I also understand that this is a much shorter story with 16 episodes compared to the original length of 40. They had to remove certain characters from the story and make certain things more direct for the plot to advance in pace. However because of this, many of their characters and dynamics and significantly modified, especially the three siblings, something that I am not particularly a fan of. Many changes were made but whether it would turn out well and benefit the story for the better, is another story.

I don’t like how from the get-go San Ha is behaving more like a lover than a brother and how from this early the motives of many of his actions are out of romantic feelings and not brotherly love. That calm and composed, natural genius and reliable anchor of the sibling's character in the original got dumbed down into a typical K-drama love-chasing oppa. They made his character into this loverboy who is constantly chasing after his sister's attention. The amount of attention he spends on his younger brother and father(s) makes it feel like he is only here for Ju Won since day one. In the original, I didn't think of them becoming a couple until much later post-time-skip. This show got them behaving like lovers from the beginning which just didn't feel right to me. The complexity behind his collected nature as someone who carried the burden of being perfect because of the trauma of his past feels so insignificant now because of this loverboy character.

Hae Jun being as outspoken as San Ha and relying less on him was weird to watch and it turns me off whenever I see both the brothers fight and how often it occurs. That reliable elder-troublesome younger brother dynamic is missing and they felt more like friends rather than siblings. That whole sequence of his temporary departure and his fear of returning, later on, is much less impactful because it now contradicts his new character as someone capable of being self-sufficient. He is talented and popular in school and good-looking enough to make a fortune off modeling overseas. In the original, he was someone who always had uncertainty revolving around him as he was struggling with abandonment issues and was in a place where he never knew if he truly belonged. That sense of hopelessness and lostness, always wanting to prove his value in the family is no longer defining. He skipped an entire growth journey imo.

I don’t like how insecure Ju Won is about the siblings not having the same surname. In the original that would be the least of her concerns and she would beat the hell out of anyone who says they are not family. The 3 siblings do not even look like they believe they are family to begin with other than Ju Won. The 3 siblings also treat the opposite fathers as just “uncles” and don’t relate to them as the other “father”. In the original, it was never said but always strongly implied that this was a household where one assumed the father's role of providing money and the other took on the role of the mother, caring on a deeper level, providing food and warmth for the kids when they return home. It doesn't feel the same here, something is just missing.

The thing that I dislike the most is how the family-centric theme that was key in the C-Drama is not as present here and they introduced the romance way too early that destroyed some of the innocence of it for me. Many of the emotional scenes just don't hit the same. I get that the director wants this to be its own drama but I don't think he did a great job at trying to blend in his new with the original plot. I feel like the director missed the essence of the original. The decision in most of the change of characterization and the choice to omit certain side characters makes it almost seem like he never watched the original. Many of the events that happened in turn felt like they happened as a tick to the checklist of things that needed to be included in the adaptation. The show focused way too much on the blossoming romance between San Ha and Ju Won and the character development of the rest suffered in turn on top of the fact that the runtime is significantly shortened, making the whole thing feel so underdeveloped, incohesive, and rushed. I am unable to feel the bond between the relationships and that to me is one of the core of this story. The drama very quickly dwindled back into the typical K-Drama rom-com with the cliches.

The ending, blessed by the happy-ever-after fairy tied up all the loose ends quickly and randomly- I mean all of their major issues were solved in one and a half episodes simply by sitting down and talking it out. Years of grief and pain were resolved by suddenly deciding to be nice to each other and letting things go. It was not just this that felt rushed, even the romance formed between Ju Won and San Ha when he returned after 10 YEARS felt weird. One minute Ju Won was still deciding if she was going to forgive them and ease things back like before and the next minute they were already kissing. He barely started to chase after her! All of the romance in this show was pretty much the same too but I shall not elaborate further.

If you look at my watchlist you can see that I am very stingy in giving 10/10 because that is the value I want to give to the score. Only dramas that I truly love will receive the rating and Go Ahead was one of them. Go Ahead had such a chokehold of my life back then because of the many parallels I shared with the drama in my own life that I relate to. This was why I was so excited when I heard the news that it would be adapted into a K-Drama and directed by the same director for Twenty-Five Twenty-One; another one of my 10/10 dramas. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a decent watch but from the perspective of someone who has watched Go Ahead, I am fully aware of the potential this beautiful story holds and so far Family by Choice has not exactly lived up to the expectations that I had. New viewers if you do find yourself enjoying(or not), you can always tune into the C-Drama version to see a more "extended" work; damn I'm jealous!

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Completed
Berbox Kay lee Zona
17 people found this review helpful
Oct 31, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.5

EMBRACING FAMILY BEYOND BLOOD


"Family by Choice is a heartwarming drama that beautifully explores the theme of chosen family. The story revolves around three individuals who come together, each carrying their own past wounds, and through their shared journey, they begin to heal. As an adaptation of the popular Chinese drama 'Go Ahead,' Family by Choice adds its own charm to the narrative, making it a unique experience.

The storytelling is light and relaxing, yet it tugs at your heartstrings with serious topics like abandonment, depression, trauma, and loss. The pacing is fast enough to keep you engaged without feeling rushed, allowing you to enjoy each character's journey step by step while avoiding any drag. The acting is undoubtedly good, and the dialogue is well thought out, relatable, and, of course, heartwarming and emotional.

Overall, Family by Choice is a great drama. However, I've noticed that opinions about it can vary significantly between those who have watched just the Korean version and those who first experienced the Chinese version. It seems that many viewers become biased against remakes, often expressing their opinions through harsh criticism rather than constructive feedback. Some viewers might dismiss the remake simply because it doesn't evoke the same feelings as the original, which I find unfortunate.

My friendly advice is this: if you watched the original, give this adaptation a chance. If it doesn’t resonate with you, that’s perfectly fine—just stop watching. For those who are experiencing this story for the first time, you’re in for a treat without any comparisons clouding your appreciation. I do recommend checking out the Chinese version as well since it has a lot of depth, but for this review, I encourage you to block out the noise, try Family by Choice for yourself, and see if you love it. It truly is a good drama."

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Completed
ifnsilva
14 people found this review helpful
23 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Family By Choice is a masterpiece. Everyone should watch it!

You guys... I don't know how to start this review because I'm so excited, sad, happy and a lot of other emotions for what I just saw it. I like Go Ahead (the chinese version of this show) so much, but I have some questions about it. And I feel like here they "fixed it" everything that I think that would be better for the story, in general.
IT WAS SO GOOD! FBC was a beautiful, thoughtful, well-written story. This "dysfunctional" family is something that, since the day one, you'll be rooting for it.
I am gonna start with the dads, my precious dads, that made a H3LL OF A GOOD job here! Their chemistry is hilarious! They became everything for me. They helped each other to raise these three kids, despite with everyone would say about it, and caring less about bad opinions. They're great. I love them so much.
About them, the leading characters of it. We are talking about my favorite trio: Kim Sanha, Kang Haejun and Yoon Juwon. These three... oh my God! I felt like in the chinese version, they lost some of the beautiful friendship between them. and in here wasn't the case. They like each other. They care about each other. They would do anything for each other. That was marvelous! Haejun finding a family with Sanha, his brother by soul, and in his little sister Juwon was so good for him! I LOVE THIS BOY SO MUCH lol. Sanha is the most responsible, caring and awesome man that anyone could have in your life. His love for Juwon is beautiful! They complete each other. Despite his awful, d1sgusting, self-centered mother (I don't like her since go ahead, it's so difficult for me her scenes, that woman is pure evil) he's really come though and became this awesome boyfriend for juwon, a beloved bother for Haejun and perfect son for his dads. He deserves the world.
Now I have to talk about Juwon. This girl... OMG! She's my everything. The first difference that I realize from ch version is that girl there... I don't know, it missed a lack of something on her. Juwon is completely different. She's fire, she's brilliant, she's have everything. When she's grow up and made about her life something so beautiful to see, it brings her to light! She was so dependent of her older brothers, and when happens what happened she became another person! In several episodes I was really proud of her. She became a mature woman. Her growth was magnificent.
I like when, in here, they bring more of the family good feeling all the time. These three kids and the dads (not romantic related) are a family. Period. No one can't be counterpoint to this. And this message that we had to be with people who love us despite that we had blood related or not, was the purpose here.
Family by Choice is a beautiful show. It worth to watch so much! BRAVO!

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Completed
linxminx
18 people found this review helpful
Oct 24, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5
This review may contain spoilers

A Tale of the Most Adorable Blended Family

Just finished this delightful Kdrama. It was a really good!! I really don't have any negative things to say. I loved it from the start clear through to the ending. There really wasn't a dip in the middle like some dramas have. There are the usual Kdrama cliches, but they weren't that exaggerated, so everything stayed realistic for the most part, and they even made fun of some of the cliches which just made the storyline that much better. (I especially loved the two police officers doing the romantic dip....lol). It is just the sweetest story. There are two storylines that carry this drama through to the end. The relationship of the 3 main leads, San ha, Ju won, and Hae Jun. The entire drama, the story of how they watch out for each other, are there for each other, accept each other for who they are is so strong, and the actors make it believable. The three had chemistry, so their interactions were seamless and realistic. It's not hard to imagine these three are really siblings. The second storyline was the commitment by both the fathers to make a stable home and family life for their three kids. Their dedication, love, and sacrifice was so heartwarming.

Congratulations to the cast and the entire production crew on this drama. It was just so fun to watch! I'm sad it had to end, but it is one I will definitely revisit. I highly recommend this feel good drama.

Posted after 6 episodes:
Blended families have history, have tragedy, have baggage. That doesn't mean they can't come together and be the most wonderful family to each other. This is the tale of people who have gone through loss, heartache, even unfairness and injustice, but came together to love and nurture each other.

I just finished episode 6, and I'm glued to this amazing story, and bemoaning that I have to wait until next week for the next two episodes to drop. The cast is incredible!! Especially the actors playing the 3 main roles as pseudo siblings to each other. I hope it remains as heartwarming as it is now, and doesn't fall into Kdrama cliches, exaggerated plots, and overacting in order to make it to the magical 16th episode.

If you're looking for a really good series to watch, try this. I highly recommend it.

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Ongoing 16/16
Suji
36 people found this review helpful
Nov 7, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 5
Overall 2.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 2.5
Music 1.5
Rewatch Value 1.5

Remake?.... sorry but maybe we didn't need one!

Q: What's a remake? Answer: cutting out the most important scenes, hiding the emotions, making a realistic drama seem unrealistic :D

I understand it's not easy to remake every episode or dialogues just like the original one but this one is pure nonsense.
1. More than half of their childhood scenes are missing. Their childhood part, how they stood up for each other and never let anyone behind play a major role in building their relationship's foundation. Without this, there's no point in calling them a family.

2. In the original story, all the 3 leads have equal screen times, priorities and affection for each other. In the remake you can clearly see the that the FL is biased towards Sanha. For ex: when they both decide to leave, the FL doesn't shed a single tear for Kang Hae Jun, just asks him "will you come back?". I mean...is that all for a sibling you've lived together for years?

3. In the original story, FL is suppose to be a happy go, cheerful and healing personality (both when she is young and adult) which is also why the 2 boys always feel indebted to her.. but here omgggg I have no words literally!! in the last 10 episodes i have only seen her smile for like 3-4 times max. She has the same poker face in every scene, always either frowning or annoyed lol.

4. The 2 fathers chemistry is also just ok compared to GA. All the characters lack depth, quality and insufficient history behind.
Another funny part is that they all look the same even after 10 years lol. Not even a single strand of hair is different than how it was 10 years ago.

Overall, you cannot even say "inspired by" because most of the inspiring scenes from GA are missing in this remake. Totally disappointed with the selection of the cast as well. WRT acting, except for Choi Won Young and Hwang In Youp, the others are just doing an okok job with their role. The FL casting has gone totally wrong! Everything feels rushed and is performed for the sake of it. So both the head and the tail of the story is missing.

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Completed
robinheim57
10 people found this review helpful
23 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Great show

I just finished the series, it came highly recommended by a kdrama group that I am in. They were not wrong. I loved everything about this show. I recommend it because it's not like a lot of shows, I loved how the actors interacted all the time. They just did such a great job portraying their character. I really want to leave a review but I don't have 200 more characters to fill the page so that I can share my review. Let's just say I loved this show so much and think it's such a great watch!!!!!
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Completed
Sunshine17130522
33 people found this review helpful
Oct 20, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 5
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 1.5
This review may contain spoilers

Go Ahead in Kdrama land

This review is an ongoing reflection, likely influenced by my personal bias against remakes, particularly K-drama adaptations. I’ve never been a fan of remakes, and I hold a special place in my heart for Go Ahead, which makes me cautious about this remake. However, I decided to give it a chance, especially after seeing the cast, particularly Hwang In Youp as the lead.

As of episode four, here are my thoughts:

What I Appreciate:
• The similarities to the original Chinese drama, like the noodle shop, the store's placement, and the open rooftop.
• The female lead's character is more upbeat and cheerful a bit more feminine, a difference from the Chinese drama. I love that she also knows what she wants.

Challenges I’m Facing:
• The shift in genre: This remake leans more toward fun and comedy, aiming for a rom-com vibe. I read an article indicating that it will focus more on romance than family, which disappoints me. Given the title "Family by Choice," I hoped for a stronger emphasis on familial bonds, but it doesn’t feel like a family dynamic so far.
• In the original, Tan had a more tomboyish personality and treated the boys like brothers, which added to the family feel.
• The foreshadowing of Tan’s love for hard candies and the male lead’s eventual career choice.
• The opening song: As I mentioned in my brief review of Go Ahead, the opening song was a highlight for me, something I looked forward to in each episode.
• The length of the K-drama: Condensing the depth of 40 episodes into 16 inevitably leaves out many beloved details, resulting in a loss of emotional build-up and relationship development.

I’m trying to approach this series with an open mind, but I know I’ll likely compare it to the original. So far, I’m not loving it, leading me to rate it 5/10. There are many elements working against it, and I'm struggling to find aspects I enjoy in this remake.

Update 12/6:

Here’s my final review after watching the series. The first half was really disappointing. It felt like a copy without the emotional depth. I actually made a whole list of what they did wrong as I watched each episode as it aired. I was crying, feeling sad, and seriously considering dropping the show before it ended. I was going through a whirlwind of emotions and didn’t want to continue. However, I pushed through because I wanted to see the ‘romance.’

Shockingly, the second half felt like they rewrote the show to give it a more K-drama feel, with the romance twist. Honestly, I think they should have gone in this direction from the start, but I understand that they were trying to establish a backdrop and create familiarity for fans of Go Ahead, hoping they would either enjoy or learn to appreciate this remake.

Here are some points I genuinely enjoyed about the series:

• The FL defending the ML during the mother visit. She stated to the mother, she only ‘loaned’ him back to his mother for ten years because they were family, but now he belongs with her; a flashback to when they were young and he was given away. I’m glad they cleared up this misunderstanding much faster than in the Chinese drama. With only 16 episodes, the pacing felt nice.

• I appreciated how they made it clear that the second lead brother wasn’t trying to marry FL out of romantic interest, but because he wanted her to have the family name – what she always wanted! In the C-drama, this misunderstanding wasn’t cleared up until later. Plus, FL friend never switched over to liking the ML, which I’m grateful for. I’ve always had a soft spot for the second lead, and it felt like they really played into that here. I was genuinely affected during the episodes when they unraveled his thoughts. My favorite line from him: "Why does everyone abandon me?" Honestly, I think the writers were listening to my thoughts because that scene made me follow Steven Zhang as an actor.

To conclude, for the first time, this is a remake that’s not bad. It’s still not the best, but it served its purpose. This is how Go Ahead might look in the “K-dramas world”

Rating: 7.5. It’s a series I probably won’t rewatch because it doesn’t give me the same emotional satisfaction or sense of family and slice of life that the original did.

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