Family By Choice- Episodes 3-4
Hidden Secrets, Painful Choices, and a Test of Family Bonds
The emotional rollercoaster kicks into high gear in Episode 3 as we dive deeper into the complicated relationships that shape Hae-joon, San-ha, and Ju-won’s lives. The episode begins with a bombshell revelation: CEO Yang Dong-gu, the flashy head of Global Biz Partner, arrives at Hae-joon’s school and casually drops the news—he’s Hae-joon’s biological father. But the shock only deepens when Hae-joon learns that Dong-gu had no idea about him, thanks to Seo-hyun keeping his existence a secret all these years.
Before Hae-joon can ask too many questions, Dong-gu makes a quick exit, leaving only a hotel card behind, inviting him to meet later. Confused and hurt, Hae-joon has more questions than answers.
Meanwhile, Ju-won juggles school drama and emotional turmoil. She nonchalantly gathers the growing pile of love letters left for San-ha and Hae-joon, while her friend Park Dal discovers a love letter addressed to Ju-won herself. Ju-won’s confidence takes a hit when she learns she ranked 23rd out of 25 students, sparking a tense bus ride home where San-ha scolds her for her poor grades. Ju-won fires back, pointing out Hae-joon’s mediocre academics, only for San-ha to remind her that Hae-joon’s sports credits make up for it.
That night, Ju-won shares the news of her love letter with Jung-jae as they wash dishes at the restaurant. She declares her plan to work at the family restaurant when she grows up, but Jung-jae encourages her to dream bigger.
While Hae-joon stands outside the restaurant, troubled by the sudden appearance of his father, Jung-jae finds him—but their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Madam, who notes that Hae-joon is starting to look more and more like Jung-jae after all these years. It’s a small, heartfelt moment that reinforces just how much Hae-joon has become part of their found family.
Later, on the rooftop, San-ha encourages Hae-joon to open up about his feelings. Hae-joon admits he’s still grappling with the fact that his father has suddenly reappeared, stirring up old wounds about his mother’s abandonment. San-ha, who knows the pain of being left behind all too well, suggests they take a paternity test to confirm Dong-gu’s claim. In true brotherly fashion, San-ha lightens the mood by joking that Dong-gu is probably back just to harvest Hae-joon’s organs, earning a rare chuckle from Hae-joon.
The next morning, Ju-won and Dal launch an investigation into her secret admirer, following a group of boys around school with zero success. Meanwhile, San-ha takes Hae-joon to Yi-hyun’s office to dig up more dirt on Dong-gu. Yi-hyun reveals that Dong-gu wasn’t just a deadbeat—he stole Seo-hyun’s money while she was pregnant and married into a wealthy family, leaving her to fend for herself. The betrayal leaves Hae-joon reeling.
Back at school, Ju-won is furious when she learns the boys plan to take a trip without her, only to discover later that they’ve gone to meet Dong-gu at his luxury hotel. There, Hae-joon demands answers: Why did Dong-gu abandon Seo-hyun, and why reappear now? Dong-gu drops a selfish bomb—his wife’s family is freezing him out of their fortune, and without an heir, he needs Hae-joon to come to the U.S. and pursue a basketball career to earn him legitimacy. Disgusted, Hae-joon storms out.
The boys retreat to the beach, where Hae-joon vents his frustration over Dong-gu’s audacity. San-ha, ever the practical one, points out that Aunt Yi-hyun should have been upfront about Dong-gu from the beginning. Meanwhile, back at the restaurant, Dong-gu confronts Jung-jae, offering him a stack of cash as “payment” for raising Hae-joon. He coldly announces that he intends to take Hae-joon to the U.S. Jung-jae refuses the money, standing firm—Hae-joon is his son, no payment required.
Ju-won, sensing something is wrong, rushes back to the restaurant with Dal. They find Dong-gu gone, leaving behind a tense atmosphere between Jung-jae and Hae-joon. Jung-jae pulls Hae-joon aside and gently assures him that he won’t be sent away. For the first time, Hae-joon breaks down, confessing his fear of being abandoned yet again. Jung-jae holds him close, promising that he will never leave him, solidifying the unbreakable bond between them.
On the walk home, San-ha shares the truth with Ju-won, who offers a thoughtful suggestion—maybe Hae-joon can meet his biological father occasionally, just like San-ha reconnects with his own aunt. Her words resonate with Hae-joon, who is visibly moved by her determination to keep their family intact, no matter the circumstances.
But the drama doesn’t end there. As Dong-gu returns to his hotel, he crosses paths with Jung-hee, who is back in town with her daughter, ready to introduce her to her older brother—San-ha.
That night, over drinks, Jung-jae and Dae-wook reflect on the chaos that Dong-gu’s reappearance has brought into their lives, knowing they’ll need to be stronger than ever to protect their family. Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Ju-won playfully teases the boys with her secret love letter, flaunting it proudly, adding a light-hearted touch to an otherwise emotionally charged episode.
Unresolved Wounds and Rising Tensions
Episode 4 delivers an emotional punch as the tangled web of family drama tightens around our characters. San-ha wakes up with swollen eyes, clearly devastated by the unanswered phone call from his estranged mother. At breakfast, he brushes off his emotions with a weak excuse about studying, but it’s evident that his past is catching up with him.
On the way to school, Hae-joon playfully tries to discourage Ju-won from entertaining the idea of dating the sender of her love letter. He even ropes in San-ha for backup, but San-ha remains silent, lost in his own thoughts. At school, Park Dal proudly announces that she has discovered Ju-won’s secret admirer—Joon-ho. Ju-won soon runs into the admirer, who boldly asks her out on a date, to the delight of Hae-joon and Dal. But while they cheer her on from the sidelines, San-ha is visibly uncomfortable.
Ju-won’s excitement fades during the date as she realizes that Joon-ho, though charming, is critical and controlling. When he makes a condescending comment about her being “too cheerful” for someone raised by a single parent, Ju-won’s pride takes a hit. She pushes back, asserting that she’s never lacked love, with two older brothers and two dads supporting her. Offended by his tone, she ends the date abruptly, telling Joon-ho never to contact her again.
That night, the family dinner is tense as Ju-won reflects on how the world constantly underestimates the strength of her chosen family. While Hae-joon praises Joon-ho, San-ha urges caution, a sentiment confirmed when Ju-won announces she’s done with Joon-ho. Dal is confused by Ju-won’s sudden change of heart, but Ju-won refuses to elaborate.
The emotional turbulence only intensifies when San-ha’s estranged mother, Jung-hee, shows up outside the school. Spotting her son walking with Ju-won, she steps out of her car, and San-ha reluctantly asks Ju-won to leave so he can speak to his mother privately. Jung-hee’s attempt to reconnect is fraught with manipulation—she claims she’s here to visit with her new daughter, So-hee, and offers a hollow apology for the years of silence.
Worried about San-ha, Ju-won drags Hae-joon to the restaurant to intervene, but Hae-joon insists San-ha needs to handle the situation on his own. As Jung-hee’s apologies turn into cryptic comments about forgiveness, San-ha, numb with frustration, tells her to stop calling him. The scene ends with San-ha crossing dangerously into moving traffic, prompting a terrified Ju-won to pull him back just in time.
San-ha, sensing Ju-won’s distress, tries to comfort her by taking her for food. Meanwhile, Dae-wook runs into Jung-hee while on patrol, and their conversation quickly spirals. Jung-hee drops hints about taking San-ha to Seoul, claiming it’s for his future. The mention of her “husband” and “her So-hee” is enough to set Dae-wook off, and he warns her to leave San-ha alone.
At dinner that evening, tension bubbles over as Hae-joon confronts San-ha about their mothers. San-ha reveals the deep-rooted pain of being blamed by Jung-hee for his sister’s death, asking Hae-joon not to envy his relationship with her. Hae-joon fires back, insisting Jung-hee is still his mother, but San-ha snaps, reminding him that family isn’t always a blessing—just look at Dong-gu’s sudden reappearance with ulterior motives.
Later, over ice cream, San-ha and Ju-won reflect on the uncertainty that plagues Hae-joon, who has spent years hoping his mother would return. Despite everything, San-ha reassures Ju-won that she is his real family, no matter what others say.
Meanwhile, Dae-wook offers San-ha some reassurance, telling him that Jung-hee won’t bother him again. Ju-won tries to coax Hae-joon into reconciling with San-ha, but their argument over family lingers in the air.
At school, San-ha confronts Joon-ho, making it clear that he won’t tolerate anyone treating Ju-won poorly. When Joon-ho hints at Ju-won’s “cheerful” facade despite her mother’s absence, San-ha finally understands why Ju-won has been so upset lately. As tensions simmer, Hae-joon gets into a physical altercation with a teammate at basketball practice. San-ha intervenes, setting aside their differences to address a more urgent matter—Ju-won’s growing frustration with the people around her.
The boys’ confrontation with Joon-ho quickly becomes the talk of the school, and Ju-won rushes to intervene. She scolds Hae-joon for grabbing Joon-ho by the collar, brushing off the conflict with her characteristic humor. But Hae-joon warns Joon-ho to stay away from Ju-won, leaving no room for misunderstanding—he’s fiercely protective of his sister.
As if the day weren’t eventful enough, Jung-hee makes a surprise appearance at Jung-jae’s restaurant, this time with her daughter, So-hee, in tow. She encourages So-hee to call San-ha “oppa,” but the little girl, sensing the tension, shrinks away in fear. San-ha’s frustration boils over, and he asks Ju-won to take So-hee outside while he deals with his mother.
Hae-joon arrives just in time to witness the confrontation, shocked by Jung-hee’s return and San-ha’s hostile reaction. He tries to reason with San-ha, urging him to be more understanding toward his mother. But San-ha, overwhelmed, lashes out, declaring that they’re both just boys who were abandoned by their mothers. The raw truth of his words leaves Hae-joon speechless as the episode ends on a heavy, emotional note.
DramaZen's Opinion
Episode 3 brings a perfect blend of tension, heartache, and humor, diving deeper into the emotional complexities of our characters. The sibling bond between Hae-joon, San-ha, and Ju-won grows stronger, even as external forces threaten to tear them apart. With a sprinkle of humor and heart, Family By Choice continues to deliver a compelling narrative, leaving us eager to see what lies ahead for this unconventional family.
Episode 4 of Family By Choice delivers a powerful exploration of the complex emotions surrounding abandonment, forgiveness, and the meaning of family. With raw and emotional performances, this episode deepens the character dynamics, especially between San-ha, Hae-joon, and Ju-won. The tension between them feels real and palpable, making it impossible not to root for their reconciliation. The arrival of Jung-hee and her manipulative attempts to reconnect with San-ha add even more layers to the narrative, making this episode an emotional rollercoaster.
As the bonds between the trio are tested, Family By Choice expertly navigates themes of betrayal, healing, and love. With unresolved conflicts and lingering questions about what family truly means, this episode sets the stage for even more emotional depth in the episodes to come. This isn’t just a drama about growing up—it’s about learning to let go, forgive, and fight for the family you choose.
San-ha is shaping up to be the ultimate “mother hen,” always keeping a watchful eye over Hae-joon and Joo-won. His nurturing instinct kicks in full force when he learns about the cruel comment Joo-won’s date made. He doesn’t just let it slide—San-ha takes it upon himself to dig deeper and reassures Joo-won that he and Hae-joon can only feel okay if she’s okay. But Joo-won isn’t just on the receiving end of care; she fiercely protects San-ha too. She stands by him through every emotional storm and literally saves his life during his brush with the infamous “Truck of Doom.” There’s definitely a deeper connection simmering under the surface between these two. San-ha’s lingering glances at Joo-won this week are impossible to miss, and I can’t wait to see if those subtle moments develop into something more in the coming episodes.
One of the standout highlights for me this week was the dynamic between the two dads. Watching them co-parent these kids in the most endearing, chaotic way is an absolute joy. Both dads had to face emotional landmines as they tried to help the boys confront their complicated family issues and figure out what they truly want. In typical dad fashion, they dealt with their stress over soju sessions, supporting each other in a way that only two seasoned partners-in-parenting can. It’s a heartwarming bromance, showing that family isn’t just about blood—it’s about being there for each other through every twist and turn.
With the pace of the story picking up, I’m both anxious and excited about what’s coming next. It feels like we’re standing on the edge of a cliff, waiting for the next emotional bombshell to drop. But I have faith that no matter what drama explodes, this chosen family will hold strong and face it together. I’m fully invested now, and I’m rooting for these characters with everything I’ve got.