Family by Choice- Episodes 13-14
Love, Tears, and Shocking Revelations
Episode 13 brings a cascade of emotions, starting with Hae-joon’s mother’s heart-wrenching confession. She reveals to Jeong-jae, Ju-won, and San-ha that she killed someone, offering a painful glimpse into her past. Ju-won, ever the voice of reason, pleads with her to understand that Hae-joon deserves to know he wasn’t abandoned.
San-ha’s Unyielding Stand
Returning home, San-ha is greeted by a tense showdown as his mother and sister await his arrival. Hae-joon, meanwhile, heads to Ju-won’s house, seeking solace. Despite his mother’s relentless manipulations, San-ha remains resolute—he’s not leaving.
Later, Ju-won visits San-ha at the hospital, trying to be strong as she tells him she won’t stand in his way if he feels he has to go. San-ha, however, reassures her with quiet conviction: he’s staying. The emotional weight deepens when San-ha’s sister visits him, attempting to persuade him to return. Instead, San-ha helps her realize how toxic staying with their mother has been for her as well.
A poignant flashback reveals the root of his mother’s issues: her struggles are psychogenic, stemming from unresolved guilt over the loss of San-ha’s sister. She briefly acknowledges her role in that tragedy, but old habits die hard. When Ju-won arrives to see San-ha, his mother reverts to her controlling ways, sparking a fierce moment where Ju-won defends San-ha and asserts that he’s not going anywhere. The moment solidifies their bond as the two leave together, and San-ha makes a heartfelt confession of love shortly after stepping outside the hospital.
Breaking Down and Letting Go
Back at home, San-ha finds Hae-joon waiting. The mood shifts as Hae-joon confronts him about the sleeping pills he found, expressing frustration that San-ha hasn’t shared his struggles. The confrontation cracks open San-ha’s defenses, leading to a powerful scene where he breaks down and cries, finally releasing years of pent-up pain.
The next morning, Ju-won arrives to wake the boys and finds their apartment in complete disarray. Amid the chaos, San-ha pulls her close, and the two share a tender kiss before she heads back home.
A Breakfast Revelation
Later, San-ha and Hae-joon join Ju-won’s family for breakfast. Over the meal, San-ha bravely opens up about his struggles, reassuring everyone that he’s on the path to healing. In a poignant moment, he visits Hae-joon’s mother to tell her that Hae-joon deserves to know the truth—that he wasn’t abandoned. It’s a step toward reconciliation that feels both necessary and cathartic.
Hilarity Amid the Drama
The episode doesn’t stay heavy for long. A lighthearted drinking session with friends at the apartment turns comedic when Hae-joon suddenly remembers seeing San-ha and Ju-won kiss. He screams, convinced it was a dream, much to everyone’s confusion.
The hilarity peaks when Hae-joon heads to Ju-won’s apartment to retrieve something, only to stumble upon a reality he’s not prepared for. Just as San-ha and Ju-won are about to share another kiss, Hae-joon walks in and freezes, utterly shocked.
Secrets, Reconciliations, and a Bombshell Revelation
The penultimate episode of Family By Choice kicks off with a dramatic twist as Hae-joon reels from the revelation of San-ha and Ju-won’s relationship. His disbelief quickly morphs into anger, feeling excluded and abandoned yet again. The prospect of Ju-won and San-ha becoming a “real” family leaves him questioning his place in their lives. San-ha, upset by Hae-joon’s reaction, tries to explain that they’d never abandon him, but his words fall on deaf ears.
A Spiraling Hae-joon and Dal’s Unexpected Crash
As emotions swirl, Hae-joon takes to running to clear his mind, only to be followed by Dal, who, in her well-meaning attempt to check on him, hilariously crashes and ends up with a cast on her leg. Hae-joon, assuming Ju-won sent Dal to soothe him, brushes off her genuine concern. Yet Dal’s persistence starts to chip away at his defenses.
Meanwhile, Ju-won learns through San-ha that Hae-joon’s father had another child in the United States. This revelation hits Hae-joon like a gut punch, reigniting feelings of abandonment. Despite San-ha’s pleas for him to come home, Hae-joon chooses to keep his distance, leaving Ju-won worried and San-ha frustrated.
Lighthearted Misunderstandings and a Hilarious Reconciliation
Amid the tension, there’s room for humor as San-ha’s father visits him at the hospital and mistakenly assumes Hee-ju, a colleague, is his girlfriend. This playful misunderstanding spreads to Jeong-jae, and the dads delight in the idea that their kids are finding happiness.
Later, San-ha picks up Ju-won from work, only to find Hae-joon waiting at home with an absurdly detailed list of dating rules for San-ha to follow. What begins as a comic confrontation ultimately leads to reconciliation, sealed with a laugh-out-loud condition: San-ha must address Hae-joon as “hyung-nim.”
A Heartbreaking Confrontation with Hae-joon’s Mother
The drama intensifies when Hae-joon spots his mother meeting with her lawyer. Unable to hold back any longer, he confronts her, finally airing the pain and resentment he’s carried for years. Both mother and son break down in a raw, emotional moment before Hae-joon walks away.
Word of the encounter spreads, but Hae-joon remains unreachable. Seeking advice, San-ha calls on Dal, whose heartfelt suggestion pushes Hae-joon to revisit his mother and demand answers. What follows is a gut-wrenching confession: she explains how an accident on her way to pay off debts landed her in prison for six months. Ashamed of her criminal past, she chose to stay away, believing it was best for Hae-joon to live a normal, happy life without her.
With Jeong-jae by his side, Hae-joon unpacks years of feeling abandoned and finally begins to heal. The episode reaches an emotional high as the family—including Hae-joon’s mother—gathers for a meal together, a moment of tentative unity that feels both earned and heartwarming.
Confessions and Flustered Feelings
Later that night, Hae-joon stays with his mother, while San-ha and Ju-won find themselves hilariously flustered about being alone together. Their blossoming relationship takes center stage, adding a tender layer to the emotional rollercoaster.
The following day, Dal drops a bombshell of her own, publicly confessing her feelings for Hae-joon at a bus stop before fleeing in embarrassment. Hae-joon, ever the gentleman, quietly drops off medicine for her at Ju-won’s house, leaving viewers rooting for their romance to finally take flight.
The Bombshell Revelation
As the episode winds down, the three musketeers—Hae-joon, San-ha, and Ju-won—visit their parents. This time, San-ha and Ju-won drop the ultimate bombshell, finally revealing their relationship. The episode ends on this cliffhanger, leaving viewers buzzing with anticipation for the finale.
DramaZen's Opinion
This week’s episode wraps up with a heartwarming and hilariously awkward lunch at Dad Yoon’s restaurant. The musketeers—Ju-won, San-ha, and Hae-joon—have gathered to deliver some big news: Ju-won and San-ha are officially dating! With Hae-joon’s blessing (earned after an adorably funny performance from San-ha), the couple decides it’s time to tell the dads.
But of course, the dads are one step ahead. Already convinced that the kids are seeing someone, they launch into a passionate discussion about how it’s time for everyone to start dating and planning weddings. Their playful banter sets the stage for San-ha’s bold moment. With nerves of steel, he stands up, clears his throat, and drops the bombshell: he and Ju-won are together and want the dads’ blessing.
What a mic-drop way to end the week! With the finale just around the corner, it’s hard not to feel bittersweet about saying goodbye to the characters who’ve made us laugh, cry, and cheer from the very beginning.
But questions still linger:
- Hae-joon has finally found closure with his mother, but will he and Dal make things official? (Fingers crossed! 💕)
- Will San-ha’s ever-scheming mother return to stir the pot one last time? (Absolutely. She never misses a chance.)
- And most importantly, how will this new relationship change the family dynamic?
One thing I’m not worried about is the dads’ reaction to Ju-won and San-ha’s relationship. Let’s face it—these two are the heart and soul of the family, and their support is practically guaranteed. Watching them beam with pride (and maybe tear up a little) will be the cherry on top of this beautiful story.
As we head into the finale, the mix of romance, family, and just enough drama promises a perfect send-off for the Family By Choice crew. Let’s savor every moment while we can!
