This week delivered the much-anticipated conclusion to Family by Choice, and while the series wraps up with heartwarming resolutions, a part of me yearned for a deeper emotional resonance after investing so much in these characters’ journeys. Let’s delve into the final episodes, 15 and 16, and explore how the drama concludes.
Family by Choice: Episodes 15-16 (Final)
In a delightful twist, my prediction from the previous week was delightfully wrong. Dad Kim wholeheartedly approves of San-ha and Joo-won’s blossoming romance. However, Dad Yoon’s reaction is quite the opposite, initially resistant to the idea. This surprised me as I expected Dad Yoon to understand that both San-ha and Joo-won are mature individuals capable of navigating a relationship, even if it were to end – a fear he seems to harbor, believing it would shatter their family dynamic.
Adding fuel to the fire, San-ha’s mother emerges as an unexpected obstacle, actively trying to sabotage the budding relationship between our main couple. In an uncomfortable encounter, she confronts Joo-won, planting seeds of doubt about the genuineness of their feelings, dismissing it as a “delusion” and urging Joo-won to end things. Thankfully, her interference backfires spectacularly, achieving the opposite of her intention and inadvertently strengthening the couple’s bond.
Family by Choice: Episodes 15-16 (Final)
Joo-won, rattled by San-ha’s mother’s words, inadvertently breaks through Dad Yoon’s emotional wall. She questions him about his love for her deceased mother, seeking reassurance and understanding of “real” love. Dad Yoon’s heartfelt explanation of his feelings for Joo-won’s mother provides Joo-won with the clarity she needs. She realizes that the profound emotions Dad Yoon described mirror her own feelings for San-ha. This touching moment serves as a breakthrough for Dad Yoon as well, enabling him to finally grasp the depth and authenticity of San-ha and Joo-won’s relationship.
Empowered by this realization and Dad Yoon’s newfound acceptance, Joo-won embraces her relationship with San-ha wholeheartedly. The couple exchanges those precious three words, solidifying their love. Another visit from San-ha further melts Dad Yoon’s remaining reservations, and he fully embraces their relationship. San-ha’s mother’s attempt to disrupt their romance ironically paved the way for smoother sailing for the couple and crucial understanding from Dad Yoon. Unfortunately for her, her meddling had the reverse effect, strengthening the very bond she tried to break.
San-ha’s mother, a consistently difficult character throughout the drama, concludes her arc with a whimper rather than a bang. While I anticipated some form of acknowledgment of her harsh treatment of San-ha, her storyline ends abruptly after San-ha confronts her about her interference. She leaves for the UK, offering no apologies or real resolution. Her departure feels somewhat anticlimactic, leaving a desire for a more satisfying conclusion to her narrative.
Family by Choice: Episodes 15-16 (Final)
Meanwhile, Hae-joon continues his journey toward happiness, marked by a heartwarming reconciliation with his mother. Their rekindled bond is genuinely touching, with his mother encouraging him to rediscover his passion for basketball, recognizing it as a source of his joy. It’s heartening to see their relationship circle back to its initial warmth and support, mirroring their dynamic from the beginning of the series where his mother always championed his happiness.
However, Hae-joon remains remarkably oblivious when it comes to Dal’s affections. Despite Dal’s confession in the previous episode, Hae-joon confronts her, questioning her ten-year delay in expressing her feelings. A flustered Dal, attempting to backtrack, claims her confession was impulsive and expresses regret. Hae-joon, in a frustratingly dense response, declares he will disregard her confession and continue to see her as a “less important” younger sister compared to Joo-won. This interaction is a textbook example of romantic obliviousness.
A disheartened Dal, spurred by her friends, ventures back into the dating scene, agreeing to blind dates. Her date, in a fun cameo appearance by Song Geon-hee (Lovely Runner fans, rejoice!), happens to be at Joo-won’s café. Joo-won and San-ha, ever the supportive friends, hatch a plan to ignite jealousy in Hae-joon and make him realize his true feelings for Dal. They orchestrate a “friendly” basketball game with Dal’s date, where San-ha strategically plays poorly to highlight Hae-joon’s athletic prowess – a sweet gesture of friendship and matchmaking.
Another heart-to-heart conversation ensues between Dal and Hae-joon. This time, Dal takes charge. Fueled by frustration and a tearful, honest conversation with her overbearing mother, Dal sheds all inhibitions and openly expresses her feelings to Hae-joon.
Finally, the penny drops for Hae-joon. He confesses that he does like Dal, though “not as much as she likes him yet,” and tentatively suggests they start dating. While it’s a relief they finally get together, Hae-joon’s subdued reaction feels somewhat underwhelming. The excitable, puppy-like Hae-joon we’ve come to adore is missing in this pivotal moment. Their official pairing is a welcome conclusion, but the romantic payoff is a tad disappointing.
Family by Choice: Episodes 15-16 (Final)
The drama beautifully concludes with our trio meddling in Dad Yoon’s romantic life. It’s revealed that Dad Yoon harbored feelings for Hae-joon’s mother since their blind date twenty years prior, and the feelings were seemingly mutual. However, Hae-joon’s mother is now hesitant, maintaining a distance from Dad Yoon.
In a humorous interlude, Dad Kim witnesses Dad Yoon and Hae-joon’s mother in an embrace and hilariously reenacts it with his work partner, confirming to the trio that there are definitely sparks flying. Even the romantically inept Hae-joon recognizes the mutual affection, showcasing just how obvious their feelings are.
Family by Choice: Episodes 15-16 (Final)
Joo-won, piecing things together, realizes that Hae-joon’s mother’s hesitation might stem from Joo-won’s childhood aversion to her during their first meeting – a memory that has always weighed on Joo-won’s conscience. In a poignant scene, Joo-won visits Hae-joon’s mother and tearfully apologizes for her childish outburst. She expresses her heartfelt desire to have Hae-joon’s mother in her life, even asking if she could be her mother. This scene is incredibly touching and perfectly encapsulates the drama’s central theme: Family by Choice. It’s about choosing who you want to love and embrace as family, regardless of blood ties. This moment is pure heart-melting warmth.
Joo-won’s heartfelt plea provides Hae-joon’s mother with the reassurance she needed. She confesses her feelings to a stunned Dad Yoon, expressing her willingness to learn to be a good wife and mother to a daughter. Dad Yoon, initially speechless, finally responds, declaring his feelings and proposing they navigate life’s joys and sorrows together. Their rekindled romance after two decades is genuinely moving and provides a beautiful, mature love story that complements the younger couples’ journeys.
Family by Choice: Episodes 15-16 (Final)
The final moments of the show offer glimpses of heartwarming happiness. Joo-won and San-ha’s relationship progresses, earning them playful scolding from Hae-joon (with Dal loyally by his side). Dad Kim embarks on a quest for love, joining various clubs (currently a singing club) and even catches the bouquet at Dad Yoon and Hae-joon’s mother’s sweet wedding, hinting at his own romantic future. The wedding itself is a beautiful culmination, providing a heartwarming happy ending for Dad Yoon and Hae-joon’s mother after their long-delayed romance.
Overall, Family by Choice is a drama I will genuinely miss. The characters are endearing, the writing is thoughtful, and the acting is superb, making it easy to empathize with nearly every character’s struggles and triumphs. The ending is fitting and satisfying, though I confess I wished for certain storylines, particularly San-ha’s mother’s and Dal and Hae-joon’s romance, to be explored with a bit more depth in the final week. Ultimately, my only real criticism is simply wanting more from this lovely drama.
Family by Choice: Episodes 15-16 (Final)
RELATED POSTS
