[Changing Tastes] I’m sorry for ever doubting you, family dramas
by javabeans
Father Is Strange
When initially planning out the theme for this month, I had family dramas on the mind; I’ve been gravitating toward them in the past year or two in a way that surprised me, because I’ve long been overwhelmingly a fan of 16-episode miniseries. Short and sweet, with just enough time to explore a central conceit, blow it up into conflict, resolve it, and move on to the next show. It was enough of a stretch to get into 24-episode dramas—50 hours were just too much commitment for a genre I’ve always thought of as less innovative, less exciting, and less engaging than the sexy miniseries format. I wanted the young, trendy, energetic stories of rom-coms, of the sort that careened from one hilarious shenanigan to another and launched Hallyu sensations.
But the more I thought of the reasons for the shift in my own watching tastes, the more I felt like it was a longer journey than simply a yearlong detour into family-weekender waters, and that ever since starting this site ten years ago, my tastes have been shifting. Partly it’s because I have more dramas under my belt now; I’ve dabbled in genres I hadn’t before, and found something to like in almost every category. Partly it’s also that I’ve grown up, and while the foibles of early adulthood make for cute rom-com hijinks, you start craving more diversity, more life experiences to live out vicariously through the beautiful people of dramaland. And partly it’s been that the very act of analyzing dramaland has changed the way I analyze it.
Ojakkyo Brothers
There’s something very distinct that changes in the way you watch a drama to recap it, and I have found that most of the time it enhances the viewing process—good shows seem even better when close examination reveals intelligent planning or thoughtful writing, for instance. On the flipside of that, of course, bad shows often come off worse under the added scrutiny; what you might gloss over in a casual watch becomes glaring when it becomes your job to describe in detail what’s happening. (Occasionally a bad show will yield the so-bad-it’s-funny type of recap experience, which is a much-appreciated way of turning something painful into something entertaining, but also sort of the white unicorn of recapping experiences.)
When I was the only writer running Dramabeans, my personal tastes in shows largely dictated what I chose to recap, but there was also a vague, mild sense of pressure that I ought to also cover shows that drew the most interest, that most people would be interested in following. I never picked up a show I felt I would dislike, but this approach did lead me down some rocky paths and terrible shows. I can’t say I’ve ever regretted a decision to watch or recap anything, and sometimes you learn the most from watching someone do something badly, pointing out in giant (figurative) neon lights what exactly not to do with a drama if you want to retain interest.
That said, the best part about having a staff is feeling freedom from that expectation; I feel satisfied knowing that there’s breadth of coverage without necessarily being obligated to provide it personally. Because there’s a huge difference between watching television because you want to, and watching it because you feel you have to! I consider it a privilege to be able to watch TV as a job, but let me tell you, it’s a depressing thing to have the strain of your job kill your joy for one of your biggest pleasures. Reclaiming that pleasure has been key (to keeping my sanity, and also keeping this site going).
Sons of Sol Pharmacy
But, back to family dramas, which prompted this whole ramble in the first place. There’s something incredibly comforting in the familiarity brought by a genre where so many of its offerings follow the exact same format, employ the same template of characters, and draw from the same pool of tropes and plot scenarios. People often speak of coloring inside the lines as though that’s a bad thing—as though the true picture resides outside of established lines. (Never mind that flouting discernible shape makes the resulting picture unintelligible!) But there’s skill in playing with rules and creating engaging narrative out of familiar stories, and nowhere do you see that more at play than in the tried-and-true weekend family format.
I find such a wild variance of quality within the family drama format that I can’t believe I ever painted them all with the same brush. Some are absolutely trite, tired, makjang-fests of dislikable characters and ridiculous plots, although one could say that of any other genre, really. Others are buoyant and charming, and manage to feel fresh even with all those familiar setups, and I’d argue that those familiarities deepen the sense of comfort we derive from these shows; we can feel safe within the confines of this genre and relax into the characters and everyday conflicts. And while family dramas are almost never without romance (often multiple romances, often one for every twenty- or thirty-something main character), I appreciate that they take the time to explore other types of love relationships, because not everything in real life is about romantic love.
King’s Family
I grew up with an endless stream of family dramas playing in the household, but it wasn’t really until 2009’s Sons of Sol Pharmacy that I felt in one that sense of addiction and excitement that I’d only felt with miniseries before. It had the sprawling family that you saw in every other show of its kind, with multiple generations of relatives living under one giant roof, with four siblings at the center (four tends to be a popular number in this genre) navigating careers, family conflicts, and lovelines. But it also had that extra spark that made it a particularly cheerful, humorous experience, using its conflicts to move the story but not wallowing in them.
I guess you could say I’ve been chasing that high ever since, sometimes getting entangled in a series of mediocre shows in the process, though it always feels worth the effort when you stumble on an Ojakkyo Brothers or a Father Is Strange. It led me to this/last year’s more lackluster Father, I’ll Take Care of You (again with four siblings, multiple generations, and career and romance foibles—but lacking the spark), which is why following a writer from one show to another isn’t always a surefire bet. Another case in point: I found Three Brothers low-key charming and took up King’s Family from the same writer, which was probably among of the worst-written dramas I’ve seen, although it had the grace to be over-the-top nutty in a way that made it absurdly entertaining. (The writer’s next weekender, Our Gap-soon, was not so lucky.)
Father, I’ll Take Care of You
What makes these dramas such comfort food for me is because sometimes you want to be able to engage with something emotionally without necessarily straining to follow it intellectually. That doesn’t mean these shows are dumb, of course, but rather that they speak to a different source of gratification. I think there’s often an impulse to defend one’s choices, because we see taste as an indicator of discernment, or maybe even intelligence. (When really, taste is just taste!) Or maybe there’s that urge to label something a guilty pleasure before someone else has the chance to put it down, or to feel hurt when others don’t have the same warm reactions. I regret ever wasting time thinking along those lines, because life’s too short to make choices based on what other people might think of them, and I’m already busy enough trying to watch the things I want to watch!
Because that kind of thinking presupposes that we all watch television for the same reasons, to be challenged intellectually and stimulated by complex characters and thoughtful plots and Oscar-level performances. Really, though, entertainment is its own end, and we’re all free to define what entertains us as we see fit. There’s no absolute standard for entertainment; anything that makes me feel and react is something to be valued. If I could do any one thing with Dramabeans, it’s to empower us all to embrace what makes us happy and what we enjoy. Whether that’s brain-twisting complexity, insightful character developments, goofy romances, or family dramas that provide a cocoon of comfort and make you feel at home.
Father Is Strange
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51 Sweetiepie
July 4, 2017 at 5:15 AM
Thanks Dramabeans for getting me interested enough to check Ojakkyo Brothers. I would never have looked at it without your high rating and needless to say, I absolutely loved it! So much so that I wish there was a YT Channel on the main leads with just their scenes :D
Am really hooked to Father is Strange and can't wait for the next week and my weekly quota of addiction. I might get tempted to check out 'Sons of Sol Pharmacy' next.
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dfwkimchi
July 4, 2017 at 7:50 AM
I have started to watch Sons of Sol pharmacy last year when there is a dearth of dramas to watch during the week. I like Lee Pil Mo but seeing a very young Ji Chang Wook as the maknae son was a bonus!
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52 bogoshipda
July 4, 2017 at 6:14 AM
Thank you @javabeans for finally feature weekend family dramas in dramabeans!
Please watch "Yeah, That's How It Is". It is GEM!!!!!
Kim Hae Sook plays main role there and I love her sooo muchhhh!
Also Kang Boo Ja as Hea Sook's mother in law.
I love how they bond as the leading housewife of the house.
It's my best - no 1 in the family drama list.
Also Five Kids, to see Sung Hoon and Shin Hye Sun's characters loveline! Please give them some love!!! They are really cute.
And "Father is strange" is my recent favorite. I just can get rid of the scene in which the girls all sit down for showering their hair one time to rush to work and the mom coming to help them. Just so LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!
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risa
July 4, 2017 at 9:49 AM
Thanks for recommending Yeah, That's How It Is-- I'll definitely add it to my list. Kim Hae-sook bonding with her mother-in-law sounds delightful!
Sometimes I read a rec. for a drama and add it to my list, but end up watching it much later and forget who recommended it, then feel bad that I can't thank that person. So, thanks in advance!
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53 dfwkimchi
July 4, 2017 at 7:41 AM
I started watching family weekend dramas with 'You who came unexpectedly' in 2012 and have watched all the family dramas on KBS since then with the exception on Bluebird House which I abandoned half way through. I also one another weekend drama that is on either MBC or SBS along with the one on KBS. (Disclaimer: I do not have afliation with any of these broadcasting stations.).
Lucky for me these dramas are available for viewing right about when I am having my morning coffee on weekends (around 7am CT) or sometimes while catching up on housework or gardening in the backyard (thank God for strong wi-fi signals). I will typically watching Raw in the mornings and then view again with English subs later in the afternoon or evening. This has been my usual weekend routine for the last 5 years. I truly enjoy having 'the family' at the house!
Sometimes with the longer family shows, the characters have a chance to develop a little more subtly and topics get explored a little more deeply.
Sometimes Saturdays can get really busy with dramas if I am also watching a Fri/Sat one.
Currently watching My Father is Strange, Good Thief, Bad Thief and The Best Hit.
My Father is Strange is great show! I watch this first.
Good Thief, Bad Thief is entertaining. I started watching for Ji Hyun Woo and Kim Ji Hoon but got drawn in to the plot. It is a hoot to see JHW in many disguises and the family of hodge podge folks (family is not just blood theme) under 1 roof is fun to watch and the modern Iljimae theme is another plus!
I find that family dramas show a very good slice of Korean culture and life and I have enjoyed a majority of them. Definitely will continue to watch them.
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54 jaderjy
July 4, 2017 at 8:39 AM
"Partly it’s also that I’ve grown up, and while the foibles of early adulthood make for cute rom-com hijinks, you start craving more diversity, more life experiences to live out vicariously through the beautiful people of dramaland."
- THIS. Excellent write-up JB! You explained so well what was in my mind too but couldn't put into words! In addition to craving more diversity, I think my tastes have changed with age 'cos somehow ennui and realities of life have made me look at things in not-so-rosey tinted glasses so I prefer the characters and stories now to have more depth and be more human and flawed ❤️️ Not that I don't enjoy the usual rom-coms and fantasy dramas
With that said, my first EVER exposure to kdrama and family dramas in general was actually the very makjangy Temptation of Wife and Miss Mermaid (aka Irene) by Jang Seo Hee ? For some reason she seemed popular on our local TV and they were dubbed to our language. I was like wth is this but found myself watching to see what happens next ? That strange addictiveness of makjang..lol.
That was also the last time I watched any. That and commitment issues cos I want a guarantee that at least most (if not all) of the 50hrs I'll spend will be enjoyable. But Father is Strange is already on my deck to watch cos of the great reviews about it here, and I think I'll check out some of the recommendations in this thread too! Five Children and What Happens to my Family seem like the most common ones
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55 loveblossom
July 4, 2017 at 10:11 AM
Great article, javabeans!
I still have not tried any family dramas after many years of kdrama-watching. I've hesitated mainly due to the length. There's always been a different, shorter drama I wanted to watch instead. My attention span is really short too. x3 And it would be super disappointing if the ending was not satisfactory after spending 50 hours on a drama.
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56 kakakash
July 4, 2017 at 10:12 AM
Nice. The way I see it, its entertainment. And it needn't be more than it is, and if it is, then great.
I watched my first family drama this year and that was What Happens to My Family/What's With This Family. This show made my gut twist from the pain of laughing hard and continuously literally in episode, from seeing myself in the beautiful and nuanced characters, and from disgust and dread during darker times. Honestly I'm surprised I enjoyed and looked forward to it all through the whole. damn. 53. hours. It is and will remain at the top of my list of dramas to recommend to people who are up for the challenge with five shining stars.
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57 myheartisomg
July 4, 2017 at 10:29 AM
"There’s no absolute standard for entertainment; anything that makes me feel and react is something to be valued." - this speaks to me on a spiritual level. I spent years feeling bad about myself for not being as cool as the people I tried to surround myself with. All the visual artists and minimal techno DJs, experimental poets and armchair analysts of my twenties who sought out complex, difficult entertainment which I understood but didn't enjoy. I feel so much better after actually allowing myself not only to love, but also to value and esteem dramas and other forms of entertainment in which earnest, heartfelt emotion is nothing to be ashamed of.
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58 juti
July 4, 2017 at 10:54 AM
Ah Smile you, Ojakkyo brothers and now Father is strange... What I like the most is the family bonding time! Between siblings, between generations and even between not strangers... In Father is strange, the grandmother got me with her scenes with Min-ha and Joon-hee... It's so touching to see people warming up to one another ^^
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59 Mel
July 4, 2017 at 8:23 PM
JB!!! I love you more!!! I initially didn't want to get pulled into the LONG dramas but, I almost always have been rewarded for investing my time in watching them. Most of the dramas you've liked, I have watched and enjoyed them. Right now, Father is Strange is so much fun. I love how most conflicts are resolved within a few episodes instead of many, many more episodes. I'm hoping eventually that you will have someone do recaps of longer dramas!!! ... Some of these dramas have had future super stars like Sons of Sol Pharmacy had Ji Chang Wook, 2008 My Precious You had Song Joong Ki as well as Choi Jin Hyuk, I'm always a fan!
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60 Leira Pagaspas
July 4, 2017 at 9:09 PM
I love Father is Strange.. I never thought I'd get into it. But I love it and I love the dynamics.I got into it because you guys love it and watch it. I also watch You're Too Much. And I wanted to drop that drama and I want it too end because its too much fighting in one drama from the Grandmother to the daughter in law to the scheming grand daughter in law the saving grace is Kyung Soo and Hyun Joon and Haedang
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61 Gabobobobo
July 4, 2017 at 10:59 PM
I am always interested with family drama, but usually drop it in the middle because lack of time/commitment or the story got boring over the time. The only family dramas that I got to finish are YooNa's Street and Smile You. Seeing how people rave on Father is Strange made me wanna continue this show!
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62 haylin14
July 5, 2017 at 2:24 AM
I watch family drama from time to time because of it's endearing story about family but I only watch KBS family drama because it's less makjang for me. I tried to watch Wonderful Mama of SBS because of my love to Park Bo Gum but I skip other episodes because it's too dragging. For now, currently watching Five Kids and what can I say, love it! And off to watch another one before the year ends.:)
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63 librarynerd
July 5, 2017 at 5:48 AM
I've never finished a family drama before but recently I've been watching All kinds of daughters-in-law and finds it quite charming. I'm also watching Flower of the Queen and though it has some flaws I enjoy it.
Our Gap Soon though is such a waste of SJR and KSE's chemistry that I got mad and couldn't finish it.
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64 ramonathepest
July 5, 2017 at 7:52 AM
I hope JavaBeans or GirlFriday or someone on staff sees this:
Based on the comments, I an not alone, how can I tell if a drama that I binge-watched later was a "daily" or "weekend" drama?
Do they air during the day like our soaps? Or evenings?
What if it's long but not a daily or weekend (e.g., Six Flying Dragons)?
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65 mai09
July 5, 2017 at 8:43 AM
Ojakgyo Brothers, Unexpected You, My Daughter Seo Young, What Happen to My Family are my favourites..
Now watching Father is Strange..
I can't wait for this coming Saturday..
Actor Ahn :)
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66 CC
July 5, 2017 at 10:37 AM
My favorite 50 episode drama is Family Honor.
A must watch drama...
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67 maris
July 5, 2017 at 12:13 PM
Top 3....A+++++
All about my mom
What happens with my family
Ojakyo Brothers
Others....A+++
Mama
Seoyoung, my daughter
House of bluebird
Older productions when I first started k-dramas.......A+
Creating destiny
Smile you
You will not regret watching them... :)
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68 divyrus
July 5, 2017 at 2:33 PM
I miss your writing JB. Its the main reason I kept coming back to the blog for no reason at start before I fell deep into world of kdramas.
And I loved everything about this post! We love what we love!! We love what makes us happy!!!
I guess am not in the stage of enjoying family shows yet, I might eventually find my way to this!
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69 Dani
July 5, 2017 at 7:42 PM
Comment was deleted
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70 Dani
July 5, 2017 at 7:43 PM
Family dramas drive me crazy. I rarely see them and mostly when they have already finished airing, I even fast forward some of the same-old-same family drama with the elders.
With that said, I really enjoyed Ojakkyo Brothers back in the day. And at the present I'm watching Father is Strange, but only because Lee Yoo-ri's character is the best.
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71 Rawrmels
July 6, 2017 at 6:51 AM
My favorite family drama is Wonderful Days! With Lee Seo Jin, Kim Hee Sun & Taecyeon
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72 Josephine
July 7, 2017 at 7:40 AM
I think what people miss about family dramas is that they are meant to be watched nonchalantly. That is, when people exclaim that there are "too many episodes, no one has the time" they are meant to be watched mindlessly during/after dinner. For me, family dramas are endearing because you can build a long-term relationship with these characters and their antics. It's almost...less about plot and more about characters. It's like seeing a friend at the end of the week. That's how the viewing experience is for me, at least. Like seeing a friendly face and mostly knowing how the arc of the episodes and series will go does not detract from the experience. Love family dramas.
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73 Nanda
July 7, 2017 at 11:44 PM
I never realize I watched over 10 weekend dramas. Haha I always needed a break. Like if I watched all about mom, I didn't watch 5 children. I wasn't going to watch Father is strange but it was really good!
My favorites are My Husband got a family (you who rolled in unexpectedly), My daughter Seoyoung and currently airing Father is strange.
I love-hate all about mom and what's wrong with my family due to certain part of the story.
I find wolgyesu tailor shop and wonderful days tolerable but bluebird house really boring.
Lee soon shin and wang family is makjang fest. I don't really remember lee soon shin but I remember hating I wasted my time on it.
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74 a_fan
July 8, 2017 at 4:57 AM
Five Enough is the most enjoyable family drama I watched.
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75 littlebluecat
July 8, 2017 at 5:52 AM
I'm proud to say that I first stumbled upon Dramabeans when I tried to find recaps for Ojakkyo Brothers, the first family drama I watched diligently. I would first watch the live streaming and wait until the recap came out. Wow never thought it was like 5-6 years ago. Then, there was no family drama that attracted my attention and I only watched what was on KBS World from time to time. Now, I pick up family drama again because My Father is Strange is a GOLDEN!
Anyways, thank you Dramabeans for all these years.
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76 B101Avil
July 8, 2017 at 1:05 PM
when I first started with kdrama it was because of family drama on Netflix, then I found about the short ministries and completely switched over. Then I found what happened with my family ( marathon it for two days straight) and I'm now slowly making the switch back to them
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77 light
July 9, 2017 at 1:21 AM
My Daughter Seo Young was the one that hooked me to good weekend family dramas. It was repetitive but the emotional hook caught my heart line and sinker. I had a shaky relationship with my father myself hence the connection. Wang Family was super makjang but very fun to bitch about certain characters. Ojakgyo Brothers? I watched for the sweet maknae couple. I didn't finish that one though. Father is Strange to me is the best so far. Makjang yes but almost all issues are realistic and it was engaging to hear and see the writer trying to give a better sense of what marriage, children, parenting are like for people young and old. Weekemd dramas delve deep into what love after marriage and living with family in everyday life are like. It is not just fluffy romance and 'fated'. It feels comforting to know that my my ideas about marriage and love and family is almost a reflection of what is being explored in Father is Strange. Character development is such fun when done slowIy. still love a good love story in a regular drama (been so long that I like a particular one in kdrama) but I really need it to be believable for me to connect with the story. I used to tolerate bad acting in a romance. Now I can't stand it. I have no time for forced love/acting.
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78 Ashablue
July 9, 2017 at 7:55 PM
Father is Strange was such a good show. Usually i'm turned off by family dramas because of the sheer length of episodes. But this was such a comfortable watch.
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79 Mariamawangja
July 9, 2017 at 10:09 PM
Family's Honor was what did it for me. That drama was amazing and the cast just Phenomenal. The secondary couples are so fun and engaging, since then i am always watching the weekend family dramas. I like some of the Daily dramas also but my first love in Kdrama would always be my 50-60 episode weekend dramas.
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80 lolita
July 22, 2017 at 9:00 AM
Yep, I also used to doubt family dramas … until I stumbled upon "Five Children" and proven wrong … ? Yay for family dramas! ?
Currently enjoying "Father is Strange" … ツ
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