The Good Bad Mother (2023)

A hard show to watch

I cannot say I enjoyed this drama. I watched it till the end because it had only 14 episodes . I do not think I could have watched more . I found it oppressive , unbearable at times , distasteful , and packed with too much melodrama . For a person ill with grade 4 cancer the Mother managed very well ( when you've had cancer you know you lack stamina and energy ) , to the point that I thought she must have been misdiagnosed . The Mother is driven in her mission , which is understandable , but the wild ways she goes about it , are most unpleasant . She is abusive ( the scene by the river made me physically sick , ) and her bouts of humiliation are shameful and corruptive . How her son Choi Kang-ho could have turned out to be so bright , and loving , does not seem to fit .
The other characters in the village are irritating , although they are meant to be unsophisticated , and good neighbours , which they prove to be , but they are more farcical than amusing . I could hardly relate to any characters except Mi Joo , and the twins are absolutely adorable from beginning to end especially Gi So Yoo as Ye Jin . What a wonderful actress ! I hope she sticks to acting. She was also in Unlock my boss and Our Blues keeping up the same high standards . However the cast was superb and congratulations to Lee Do Hyun who plays the two different Kang Ho so beautifully !

Leia Mais

There Is Nothing So Precious or Comparable to a Mother's Love

This is a series involving a mother who begins to realize that her “Tiger Mom” philosophy is not the way to be an effective, loving parent and that being “strong” doesn’t mean being abusive. I’ve encountered many “tiger moms” in my job as an ESL teacher, having worked in Korea, China, and Taiwan. The most abusive parents I have ever encountered are tiger moms and the moms of the West who treat their children with indifference. Both are forms of child abuse. Believe it or not, there are worse forms of abuse than just physical.

Unfortunately, in the case of tiger moms, these are parents who demand total, complete control. They will claim that it’s being a good, loving parent when nothing could be further from the truth. These are parents who map out their children's lives and deprive them of the ability to decide anything for themselves. In short, these are parents who live vicariously through their children. They use their children to feel better about themselves. Under such parents, children rarely have the chance to even be children.

Jin Young Soon is a widowed pig farmer whose son, Kang Ho, is born shortly after her husband’s death. She immediately decides that her son should become so powerful that nobody can hurt him. She already decides that he will be a prosecutor. He is forced to study at all hours, can only eat a certain amount of food because he might get sleepy and be unable to study, and he’s never able to go on class trips. When he breaks any of these rules, he’s soundly beaten to the point of severe bruising. When he uses some time to draw, his mother tears it up. When he plays on his computer, she throws the computer into the fire. Yes, at this point, she is a truly horrible mother. Such abusive tactics are born out of fear not love.

This series throws us a series of curveballs that might be challenging to predict, which is another reason why the writing is so taut and expertly written. Kang Ho in a final outburst to his mother, decides to leave her and find a way to increase his power by marrying Oh Tae Soo’s daughter and being adopted by Song Woo Byeok as his son—the local crime boss who is also Kang Ho’s father’s murderer. Of course, nothing is as it appears to be. The viewer is left to wonder if Kang Ho has really grown up so resentful of his mother that he is willing to consort with these horrific people. Oh Tae Soo was the prosecutor who swept Kang Ho’s father’s case under the rug and now has aspirations to become Korea’s new president.

We find out later down the road that everything was a ploy in an attempt to bring down Song Woo Byeok and Oh Tae Soo, except that it backfired and nearly cost Kang Ho his life. After his attempted murder, Kang Ho’s mind is reduced to that of a child, and his memories are lost. Now back with his mother, they are both given a second chance. Kang Ho’s chance is to recover and hopefully be able to finish what he started as well as mend the bridges he’s burned. For Jin Young Soon, it’s a chance to maybe be a better mother than she was before. Much of it is a bit of trial and error as Jin Young Soon still has much to learn about how to be a good parent. She still resorts to abusive tactics, but down the road, she finally realizes how her abusive methods have hurt Kang Ho as well as others around him.

Jin Young Soon and Kang Ho live in a small, remote farming village made up of some of the quirkiest and most delightful characters you’re ever likely to encounter! Son Yong Rak (Kim Won Hae) is the village head, and this actor has a true gift for comedy. Having seen him in several other series, I smiled as soon as I saw him because I know how good he is! He’s married to a very odd, woman who is always wearing a facial mask and has a knack for saying things at the worst times.

Jung Gum Ja (Kang Mal Geum) is Jin Young Soon’s best friend and ironically has a daughter (Mi Joo) who was born at the same time as Kang Ho. Mi Joo is Kang Ho’s love interest, and it’s very heartbreaking how he leaves her in order to pursue his goal of taking down Song Woo Byeok and Oh Tae Soo, because he believes it’s too dangerous for her, but of course, he doesn’t tell her that. Little does Kang Ho realize that Mi Joo’s twins, Ye Jin and Seo Jin are, in fact, his children. This was one of the few parts of the story that wasn’t a surprise. By the way, Gi So Yoo (Ye Jin) and Park Da On (Seo Jin) are delightful little performers! What talent these two have! I enjoyed their scenes together so much, and I was amazed at how good they are!

Lastly, we have Sam Sik, who is the dimwitted son of Jin Young Soon’s neighbors. He falls in with bad crowds, gets thrown into jail, and ends up indebted to a loan shark. He’s also in love with Mi Joo, even though she has absolutely no feelings for him at all. Yoo In Soo does a fantastic job playing the funny but not very bright Sam Sik who is always in some kind of trouble. However, his heart is usually in the right place which makes him likable despite his obvious flaws.

Performances are outstanding across the board—in addition to the great performances already mentioned above—Ra Mi Ran (Jin Young Soon) is incredible, but frankly, Lee Do Hyun gives us a mesmerizing performance as Kang Ho, especially during his depiction of Kang Ho with a childlike mind. Lee Do Hyun deserves every accolade.

The series is an endearing story about the mother/son relationship, on the one hand, but it’s also a fantastic thriller as well, as we are left to wonder after the first episode, how the despicable Song Woo Byeok and Oh Tae Soo will finally be brought to justice. We also learn why Kang Ho is such a great prosecutor as he devises a perfect plan to trap them both. Kang Ho’s biggest mistake at the outset of the series is that he tries to do everything himself. The second time around, he knows that he can’t tangle with these two criminals alone. He needs help, and he gets it. And perhaps, that is one of the essences of the series: everyone needs help, even mothers as Jin Young Soon also realizes that Kang Ho’s recovery wasn’t just due to her efforts but to everyone in the village who helped.

We have a heartfelt ending in which Jin Young Soon finally succumbs to her stomach cancer, and she leaves a beautiful letter for Kang Ho, apologizing for being such a horrible mother and declaring that she will do better next time. Her last wish is to be his mother again in another life.

As children, it’s often a painful realization to know that parents aren’t perfect. There is no manual or book to help. They make mistakes. A good parent admits to their mistakes and helps their children to understand that. The best parent is one who provides their child with the freedom to be who they want to be, as well as help them create and cultivate the tools and wisdom to make the best choices for themselves. But then again, children obviously make mistakes too, and parents have to learn to be understanding and compassionate as well as to let them know: I’m always here for you if you need me.

This is a beautiful series that confirms that there is nothing so precious or comparable to a mother’s love. Make sure to let your mothers know how much you love and appreciate them.

Leia Mais

A breath of fresh air

Aside from being streamed on Netflix (yay) - which is so convenient, this drama is very enjoyable to watch. The story is just right, very relaxing and easy to watch, yet it draws you back every episode.

I gotta praise all the actors who play magnificent jobs at portraying their characters, especially Ra Mi-Ran and Lee Do-Hyun. While Ra Mi-Ran's acting is not surprising to be that excellent, Le Do-Hyun micro-expressions are so superb as he's able to convey the emotions down to the last bits of details.

However, aside from all the greatness of the drama, the production and directions still a tad lacking in a way - as there were some off-key cut scenes that kind of feel awkward in a way, which affects the scene's entire flow. Maybe it's just me being overly fuzzy, nevertheless, the drama was a great watch and very worth-it.

As titled, it really was a breath of fresh air in terms of k-drama in 2023.

Leia Mais

Pulls at your heart strings

A slice of life drama that almost doesn't feel as one so it's perfect for those who dislike this kind of genre or feel like it won't appeal to you. You'll be surprised!

The story is about a mother who first loses her husband and farm and raises her son alone is then forced to look after her adult son all over again when an accident not only debilitates him physically but also sends him into his childhood mentally. This plot might feel depressing but the beautiful way in which it is presented, it actually has more light moments than you would expect. And one of the reasons is the naughty twins and their little interaction with Kang Ho. The series is not trying to get you to cry but to show how people live and enjoy life despite their circumstances. We also get two unlikely funny characters that work for the bad guy and their scenes make you laugh.

As the title suggests, there are many moments where you feel that Kang Ho's mother is horrible to her son, both during his childhood and when he is unwell. But you also understand why she is the way she is. And with their interactions you understand the bond between these two characters which you fully feel towards the end of the show.

There is also a revenge plot taking place but it is not the focus of the series. It's just enough to keep you hooked till the end. Though there isn't much romance, you certainly won't be starved.

I picked up The Good Bad Mother for Lee Do Hyun and am glad I did. The show is quite uplifting and beautiful. I have not yet been disappointed by the project Lee Do Hyun picked that I chose to watch. He manages to become each character in such a perfect way. A man of many many talents! So if for no one else, watch it for his portrayal.

Leia Mais

A not bad but very good drama

Admist the title, I know that it has its purpose.

The first episode I've seen sets up the story very well. So far it provokes so many feelings and it's hard to truly find anything wrong with it so far. Lee Do Hyun is an amazing actor and is the main reason I am watching this, I find the man has no faults and is a pure soul, I support him in everything he does.. so this drama is the same for me. Although I won't be shy to point out its faults.

What I like about this drama is the setup, as that is all there is for the first episode. The characters are fully effected by the setup that has been done, and that leaves Lee Do Hyun's character, Kang Ho, resentful towards his mother for treating him harshly. There is no gaps as to why she treated him as such, she kept her husbands life work and wants more for her son. It is pretty straightforward but the acting is done so well that you don't need solid explanations that are in your face. So Kang Ho is incredibly resentful, and he fulfills her wishes, but there seems to be a twist. I like the cliffhangers at the end and its just interesting to me.

The characters are likable, but gladly they are human and have faults. Lee Mi Joo might be a sore spot for this drama, but she has her own backstory with her family that I hope she isn't fully put into a girlfriend spot, or someone that just liked Kang Ho. As of now they have had their time together, and I think she is a good friend to Kang Ho, who hasn't really got to make any friends of his own. She is interested in him because she was young and they shared the same birthday, sort of a hopeless romantic like they share some fate together. It is child-like, but I can see a more adult relationship between the two of them as the story really unfolds.

Unfortanely I am iffy about their relationship and the closure that comes to it. I don't like Mi Joo for lying about her kids not being his, I think he deserved to know. I think she is immature and their relationship is immature. I don't know Kang Ho that well other than himself being in his injured state. I think the drama spent too much time with him like that. I understood that it was to show him and his growth with his mother, but not a lot of that happened while his mind was all there and that frustrates me. The plot with the legal stuff moved too fast because of this. I liked the comedy, but at times I was feeling it was out of touch at times.

The revenge plot fell flat entirely, but I don't believe that is what this drama was going for.

With Kang Ho being left in the state he is after his accident, it is both touching and heartbreaking. The main selling point of this show is the mother and son relationship- I won’t pick it apart as I could for a while.. it’s just really good and wouldn’t be able to be that way with bad writing- and acting. So the acting is amazing (as expected). What I again see as a sore spot is Mi Joo and Kang Ho developing a romantic relationship. With things as they are I don’t see it being ok because Kang Ho is really underdeveloped mentally atm. I hope and pray to god it stays on the route it is going, that being mother and son relationship growth over any romance.

Again. What was there I wasn't too fond of.

Finishing up this drama I can confidently say that the highlight is the mother/son relationship. I also give the drama credit for going through with the storyline of Young Soon having cancer. Still I think it was dumb for that to come up, to me it was to give Kang Ho a reason to 'grow up'. I wanted to see them truly reconcile and see their relationship as mother and son more while he was an adult.

This drama did drag at times and there were unnecessary parts. It's no masterpiece or anything, but there are glimpses here and there.

Leia Mais

Just……

This is the first time ever that i have written a review on an unfinished as of yet drama but I am so moved by Lee Do Hyu‘s performance in this show that i felt i had to comment now. My God, his ability to portray such heart wrenching emotions with just a look is mind boggling. I am left drained at the end of every episode by what ive just watched, go from laugh out loud to crying my eyes out each time its a really remarkable performance from him.I love the quirkiness of the other characters especially the face mask queen Park Bo Kyung-she’s hilarious. Generally speaking its a really well made, well acted and well produced gem of a show, don’t know what your equivalent of the Oscar’s is in Korea but Lee Do Hyu is a prime candidate for best actor.
I will update this review upon the drama’s completion

Leia Mais

my review

i’d have to say this drama was very heartwarming by the end. very satisfying ending—all patches were repaired and ended on a semi good note. i loved the idea of the mom and son repairing their relationship and just being together, that was very cute. i loved the bond between the moms in the village . there were a lot of really sweet moments as well as funny and SAD sad ones. the two little kids were SO CUTE. and the little girl??? SUCH A GOOD Actress. so cute. and ofc the two mc: dohyun and the mom did a great great acting job, made me feel like it’s real. this drama was so raw and heartfelt! just not my favorite honestly. i finished it tho. so that says something.

Leia Mais

A rollercoaster of emotions

I think I experienced every emotion while watching this series. Sadness, shock, annoyance, anger, frustration, happiness and joy. It was a rollercoaster.

While I understand what the more negative reviews I found when looking at the entire picture it made sense the way this was written. I don't think the full impact of the ending could have been as powerful had it not. This show needs to be looked at in its entirety at the end to appreciate the rest.

While going through the series can be tough at points it all comes togther in the end. The viewer really needs to sit back and pay attention to the why's if they don't the ending won't be nearly as impactful because the character growth is immense, especially for the mother.

Yes, I did have issues with some things but not with what one would expect! My biggest issue was with the middle because it seemed a but unrealistic. I won't say more here I trust the viewer will understand what I mean as they watch it.

I think this show is definately worth the watch. Just remember keep an open mind and let the why's sink in!

Leia Mais

It's a little bit different than other dramas

Actually the revenge part isn't something new for kdramas, but the relationship between the son and the mother and the feelings behind it is whats new. I guess the west would think that the relationship is abusive and nothing is good about it, but even though the fact that I is really abusive, the east will understand the meaning behind it. Family is actually really important for us and this drama portrayed it well. eventhough the mother was wrongand the drama portrayed it as a "bad mother", the feeling behind it was so great, I am not saying that this is right thought. But we grew up in this, and we can't change anything about it, and we wouldn't leave our family at the very end. We all hated how they treated us when we were teens, but growing up we tend to understand that they are humans they make mistakes, and they love us still. And this drama portrayed this so well.

It's a burst of emotions all at once, eventhough the plot of the revenge was so mid, the feeling in this drama is what makes it on a higher level.

The actress of the mother and the son did a very very very good job at portraying the emotions so well. I am not going to forget the other members of the village, it felt so homey.

Leia Mais

It's chaotic and that's why you should watch it.

Everyone has already listed the best and worst of this series so I won't do that. Instead, I will tell you this - if you want to see the most humane story that could describe people, their actions, emotions, and choices, give The Good Bad Mother a chance.

Some may say this series is trying to justify lousy motherhood, but truthfully, nothing is black and white. We, humans, go through various circumstances in our life that affect the way we react. So, instead of seeing black, let's focus on the shades of grey and maybe we would get better at healing ourselves and others around us.

I am not trying to justify abuse here or bad behaviour towards kids; I am just saying, don't forget mothers are also human and are prone to making mistakes. And this series perfectly depicts how events that unfold in one's life can completely change the course of their future.

Most people watch dramas and movies for entertainment but you can learn a few lessons from this one that could actually prove to be useful.

Lastly, Lee Do Hyun did the most commendable job in this series with his acting skills. His role as Kang Ho will always stay in my heart...❤️😍

Leia Mais