When I say that this drama is a health hazard, I am not exaggerating. I started it feeling quite cocky. I was sure I wouldn’t be as affected or emotionally invested as most of the people who watched it. 15 minutes into the show and I already knew I was wrong big time. It seemed as if a ball of dread had permanently lodged itself at the base of my throat. Halfway in and I was clenching my fists in trepidation and finally as the credits rolled, so did my big fat tears. From then on to the last episode, my eyes didn’t find a dry moment. After I was done watching, my peepers were positively swollen, my head hurt from continuously staring at the screen, I felt nauseous because of sitting in the same position all day and I had to stretch out my entire body that felt sore.
In short: This drama will bring about a physical reaction in you and you still won’t regret watching it one bit. You can quote me on that.

I think the title of this show pretty much tells its entire story. “Mother”. The amount of importance this word holds. The responsibility, love and sacrifice that comes with it. How some women can never be worthy to embrace it while some own it and wear it as a second skin. This show highlights how much a mother’s actions can define a child’s life. How sensitive the stage of childhood is and ultimately, how family can transcend blood.

I haven’t watched the original so I can’t make comparisons but judging this drama on its own standing, I will say it was one of the most beautifully written, directed and acted pieces of production I have ever seen. No amount of praise is enough for the actors. I am not a fan of Lee Bo Young but she embodied her character perfectly here. Lee Hye Young, my favorite veteran actress once again brought forth a character I will forever remember and treasure and finally, the star of the show: 7 year old Heo Yool. I am still speechless at how a child so young could execute such a difficult character with such mastery and that also in her first role ever. I am going to follow her career throughout her life and I’m positive that she’s going to take the world by a storm and I can only hope she wasn’t scarred by playing the widely complex role of Kim Hye Na.

The drama comes with excellent dialogue and symbolism. It is also morbidly suspenseful, as in you desperately want to know what happens next but are afraid to find out at the same time. I really don’t have anything to complain about and the only reason I took one star back was because so many emotionally powerful things kept happening throughout the show that by the last two episodes, I was just spent and exhausted and my capacity to react had vanished which is why I watched the end with a sort of indifference.

However, I will say that even though the process is painful the drama ends with a sweet relief that we all earnestly wished for.

A must-watch.