The Atypical Family is the latest Korean drama to take over Netflix Singapore. Since it’s an ongoing drama, we’ve rounded up other titles with heartwarming stories and family-centric themes for you to check out while waiting for the next episodes to be released. With Mother’s Day celebrations taking place this weekend, it’s the perfect time for you and your loved ones to gather together for a K-drama marathon, yes?
Now streaming on Netflix: The Atypical Family
Will Chun Woo Hee bring Jang Ki Yong’s family closer or tear them apart? (Photo from: @jtbcdrama)
But first, here’s a quick rundown on the cast and plot of The Atypical Family. It stars Jang Ki Yong (My Roommate is a Gumiho), Chun Woo Hee (Be Melodramatic), veteran actress Go Doo Shim (Curtain Call) and Claudia Kim (Gyeongseong Creature).
It tells the story of a family with different supernatural powers. After Bok Gwi Ju (Jang Ki Yong) succumbs to grief and depression, he loses his power until Do Da Hae (Chun Woo Hee) enters the picture. Meanwhile, Do Da Hae wins the heart of Gwi Ju’s mother and gets “coincidentally” entangled in multiple ways with Gwi Ju and the other members of his family.
The show has the potential to be a hit fantasy drama. You can watch Episodes 1 and 2 of this 12-episode series on Netflix. Succeeding episodes will be out every Saturday and Sunday.
Now, let’s dive into the K-dramas to watch this Mother’s Day weekend and the quotes that put the spotlight on our supermoms.
Stream these 5 K-dramas about motherhood
1. Moving
“Worry is fleeting, and every parent ends up having to support their children. That’s what my mum told me once.” (Kim Bong Seok)
Moving bagged the Daesang or the Grand Prize at the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards in Korea this week. Like The Atypical Family, it has characters with exceptional powers too but lies on the darker side of the superhero genre. It contains themes of action, mystery, and politics.
One of the strongest aspects of this show is the portrayal of the mother-son relationship between ex-secret agent Lee Mi Hyun (Han Hyo Joo) and a kindhearted teenage boy named Kim Bong Seok (Lee Jung Ha). Mi Hyun is devoted to protecting her son from the hardships she faced in the past as a secret agent and hiding Bong Seok’s ability to fly from the rest of the world.
Stream Moving on Disney+.
2. Reply 1988
“Even when one is at the age to be a mum, one’s mother is always one’s guardian and even saying the word ‘mum’ is something that has the power to tug one’s heartstrings. Mothers are always strong.” (Sung Bo Ra)
Reply 1988 is one iconic slice-of-life K-drama. It’s well-loved for its portrayal of the ‘80s and the issues revolving around family, friendships, and growing up. It became the breakout drama for today’s popular stars such as Lee Hyeri (Girl’s Day), Park Bo Gum, Ryu Jung Yeol, and Lee Dong Hwi.
Aside from the strong bond among the main leads in the show, the relatable portrayal of the mothers of the neighbourhood of Ssangmun-dong shone as well. Ra Mi Ran, Sun Young, and Il Hwa (fun fact: these were also their names in real life!) were far from perfect, but each of them loved her kids in her own way and the neighbourhood’s children too.
Stream Reply 1988 on Disney+, Netflix, or Viu.
3. 18 Again
“I want to show our children how I keep trying and challenging myself. In the end, I’ll make it, and have them think of me as an awesome mom.” (Jung Da Jeong)
18 Again is based on the American movie 17 Again starring Zac Efron in which the main lead goes back to his teenage self. It’s stretched into a 16-episode series that revolves around the themes of youth, first loves, and strained family relationships.
It shows the courage of a teenage mum named Jung Da Jeong (Kim Ha Neul) who decided to give birth to and raise twins. She’s someone who juggles the roles of a wife, mother, and someone who wants to pursue her dream of becoming an announcer despite being labelled as “too old” for the industry.
Stream 18 Again on Netflix or Viu.
4. Hi, Bye Mama
“Stepmums are mums, too. But why do they have to be evil?” (Oh Min Jung)
Hi, Bye Mama revolves around the heartwrenching character of Cha Yu Ri (Kim Tae Hee) who became a ghost after a tragic accident. In her ghostly state, she watched her baby Seo Woo (Seo Woo Jin) grow up and her husband Jo Kang Hwa (Lee Kyu Hyung) fall in love again. Two years after his wife’s death, Kang Hwa remarries Oh Min Jung (Go Bo Gyeol), who becomes Seo Woo’s stepmum.
What’s beautiful about Hi, Bye Mama is its different depictions of motherhood. Min Jung was far from your usual wicked stepmother. Instead, it was easy to empathise with her selfless character. And of course, Kim Tae Hee’s portrayal of Yu Ri will tug at your heartstrings.
Watch Hi, Bye Mama on Netflix.
5. When the Camellia Blooms
“I was never a supporting role in someone’s life. I was always the lead actress.” (Dong Baek)
When the Camellia Blooms is a wonderful tribute to mothers, especially single mums. It bagged multiple awards at various awarding ceremonies. Gong Hyo Jin won the Grand Prize at the 2019 KBS Drama Awards while the show won the Grand Prize for Television at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
In the show, you can’t help but root for Dong Baek’s (Gong Hyo Jin) growth and happiness. She’s a single mum who raised Pil Gu (Kim Kang Hoon) while running a bar called Camellia in the tough town of Ongsan. Aside from facing the judgmental views of her neighbours for being a single mum, she has to learn to stand up for her budding romance with Hwang Yong Shik (Kang Ha Neul).
Watch it if you enjoy dramas with a blend of romance, comedy, and mystery. Plus, Go Doo Shim from The Atypical Family portrays the mother of Yong Shik in this show too.
Watch When the Camellia Blooms on Netflix.
(Cover photos from: @jtbcdrama)
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