Family by Choice- Episodes 7-8
Tensions Rise and Hearts Entwine
Episode 7 of Family By Choice delivers a whirlwind of emotions, from heartfelt moments to intense confrontations. It opens dramatically with San-ha pulling Ju-won to safety from a ledge, an awkward silence between them lingering as they head home. San-ha's forced bravery falters when he finds his father, Jung-jae, painstakingly washing his school uniform by hand—a poignant reminder of their financial struggles.
Stricken with guilt, San-ha pleads with Jung-jae to prioritize his health, while Hae-joon shares the startling news that his estranged mother has returned. The tension crescendos as Hae-joon sobs quietly, burdened by unresolved feelings about his family.
Secrets and Schemes Unfold
The next day at the noodle shop, Jung-jae crunches numbers when Dae-wook remarks about the temporary peace brought by Jung-hee and So-hee’s departure to Seoul. The two reflect on the mysterious absence of Hae-joon’s biological father, Dong-gu, who suddenly reappears, urging Hae-joon to follow him to the USA. Amidst the emotional turmoil, Hae-joon faces basketball tryouts with a university scout observing. Dong-gu beams with pride as the coach notes Hae-joon’s unmatched skills, but his joy is fleeting—his selfish motives soon come to light.
Crushes, Confessions, and CSAT Drama
Meanwhile, Ju-won throws herself into making good-luck talismans for San-ha and Hae-joon ahead of their CSAT exams. The stress of these pivotal tests, however, weighs heavily on everyone. Hae-joon humorously relies on blind luck, marking identical answers on every question, while San-ha takes a more measured approach.
After the exams, the group gathers for a celebratory barbecue. Ju-won’s accidental burn prompts San-ha to rush her downstairs, his concern betraying deeper feelings he tries to suppress. On the rooftop, Hae-joon opens up to Dal about his mother, revealing a rare vulnerability. Touched, Dal reassures him but deflects her own emotions about her unspoken crush on San-ha.
Family Ties and Future Decisions
As the night unfolds, San-ha and Dal share a heartfelt conversation about the fragility of friendship and the risk of unrequited love. San-ha reflects on how his feelings for Ju-won might disrupt their family dynamic. Meanwhile, at the bus stop, a heated call with his mother’s family leaves San-ha shaken. Jung-hee pressures him to pursue higher education in Seoul, but he remains resolute about staying close to home.
The next day, academic achievements are celebrated. Both San-ha and Hae-joon earn praise for their exam performances, but they resist the idea of leaving their small town. Basketball brings a brief respite, with Hae-joon shining in a victorious inter-school match. Yet the joy is short-lived as Dong-gu reappears, stirring chaos.
Confrontations That Cut Deep
Dong-gu’s harsh words at the noodle shop ignite fierce emotions. He accuses Jung-jae of holding Hae-joon back from greatness and waves brochures from prestigious U.S. colleges in his face. Jung-jae, though hurt, vows to support Hae-joon’s dreams. Dae-wook’s anger boils over as he defends Jung-jae, who raised Hae-joon selflessly after being abandoned by his biological parents.
Outside, Dong-gu’s confrontation with Hae-joon turns bitter. Hae-joon staunchly defends Jung-jae, rejecting Dong-gu’s manipulative plea to move to the U.S. As Dong-gu threatens Jung-jae’s livelihood, Hae-joon draws a line, vowing to protect the only father who’s ever truly cared for him.
A Shocking Twist
As the episode closes, San-ha, Hae-joon, and Ju-won share a quiet moment under the stars, discussing Hae-joon’s decision to stay with their family. But the peace is shattered by a late-night phone call. San-ha learns that Jung-hee has been in a car accident, and her second husband tragically didn’t survive. The episode ends on this devastating cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager for the next chapter.
A Battle Between Duty and Desire
In Episode 8 of Family By Choice, emotional stakes soar as the characters grapple with love, loss, and life-altering decisions. The story opens with Dae-wook and San-ha rushing to a hospital in Seoul, where Jung-hee’s brother informs them of her critical condition. Jung-hee is set to undergo surgery, but her frail heart raises concerns. Adding to the heartbreak, Jung-hee’s husband—So-hee’s father—did not survive the accident.
Relief and Responsibility
By morning, relief floods in as the doctor announces that Jung-hee’s surgery was successful. San-ha texts Hae-joon the good news but remains heavy-hearted as he visits his bedridden mother in the ICU. Her frailty strikes a deep chord, prompting San-ha to make a bold decision: he tells his uncle he’ll stay in Seoul to care for So-hee until Jung-hee recovers.
Dae-wook privately advises against taking on a burden that isn’t his, but San-ha stands firm—he feels a duty as the only family So-hee has left. Back in the countryside, Dae-wook relays the news to Jung-jae, who can’t help but wonder why San-ha would shoulder this responsibility after all the hardship Jung-hee has put him through. Ju-won, missing San-ha terribly, grows anxious about his ability to cope.
Jealousy and Heartache
Determined to see San-ha, Ju-won sets off alone to Seoul, where a bittersweet encounter unfolds. At the hospital, Ju-won sees San-ha with So-hee, who calls him “oppa,” sparking a pang of jealousy. The realization that she and San-ha aren’t truly siblings hits Ju-won hard, and she leaves without meeting him.
Meanwhile, Hae-joon uncovers Ju-won’s lie about her whereabouts when he bumps into Dal. He confronts her upon her return, scolding her for not managing her phone battery, his worry thinly veiling his growing feelings.
Shattered Hopes and New Burdens
Back at the hospital, Jung-hee wakes to the devastating news of her husband’s death. Overcome with grief, she curses her fate, wishing she had died instead. San-ha’s attempts to comfort her are futile, and the doctor delivers another blow—Jung-hee has lost the use of her legs.
Jung-hee’s brother pressures San-ha to move permanently to Seoul to care for her and So-hee, leaving him at a crossroads. He tries reaching out to Ju-won for solace, but her phone remains out of reach. Despite his inner turmoil, San-ha attempts to brighten So-hee’s day by celebrating with a small cake, even as his mind wrestles with the weight of his decisions.
Hae-joon Faces His Future
Back in the countryside, tragedy strikes again as Ju-won and Hae-joon find Jung-jae passed out at the noodle shop. Rushed to the hospital, Jung-jae’s health takes center stage. Yet his stubborn insistence on working long hours to support Hae-joon’s future drives a wedge between father and son.
Conflicted, Hae-joon confides in Suk-hoon, who urges him to seize the opportunity to move to the USA and use Dong-gu’s wealth to his advantage. Suk-hoon’s pragmatic advice—work hard abroad, earn money, and repay Jung-jae—sinks in. That night, Hae-joon resolves to follow Dong-gu to the States, promising Jung-jae he’ll ease his burdens from afar.
Homecomings and Heartbreak
As San-ha returns from Seoul, he’s greeted warmly by Ju-won, who runs to hug him, and Jung-jae, who lovingly prepares his favorite meal. But the warmth is short-lived. On the rooftop, Hae-joon reveals his plans to leave for the USA. San-ha, shocked and hurt, counters with his own intention to move to Seoul to care for his mother.
The brothers’ disagreement boils over, with San-ha accusing Hae-joon of abandoning Jung-jae for the privileges of his wealthy father. Hae-joon fires back, suggesting San-ha is prioritizing Jung-hee over the family that truly supported him. Their heated argument crescendos just as Ju-won arrives, overhearing the devastating truth: both San-ha and Hae-joon plan to leave her behind.
A Heart-Wrenching Cliffhanger
The episode concludes with Ju-won standing frozen in shock, grappling with the realization that her closest bonds are slipping away. As the family faces an uncertain future, viewers are left breathless, wondering if this fractured unit can ever find their way back to each other.
DramaZen's Opinion
San-ha’s desperate attempt to sway Hae-joon tugs at the heartstrings as he pleads, “What will people think if you abandon Dad Yoon after he raised you as his own?” It’s not manipulation—it’s raw, unfiltered fear. Fear of losing the only family they’ve known, fear of the divide their decisions will create. The truth is, neither San-ha nor Hae-joon wants to leave, but they’re both shackled by obligations they feel powerless to ignore.
These episodes were an emotional gut-punch, leaving us clutching our hearts as we hope—beg—for healing in the boys’ futures. Not just for them, but for us as viewers, because the pain they endure feels all too real.
Our sweet Ju-won seemed to sense this rift long before it fully unfolded. Her solitary journey to Seoul to cheer up San-ha ended in quiet disappointment. She saw him, from a distance, happily interacting with So-hee after their mother woke up. Instead of interrupting what she perceived as “real family” time, Ju-won turned away, her insecurities whispering that she didn’t belong.
And now, as she overhears the boys’ painful conversation, Ju-won’s heartbreak is undeniable. “You’ll both go to your real family?” she asks, her voice trembling. Her shattered expression as the credits roll marks this week’s devastating cliffhanger.
The stage is set for the boys to leave, potentially for years. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, watching this makeshift family—so full of love and hope—crack under the pressure of their so-called “real families.” They were happy. They had built something precious. But their pasts have come to claim them, threatening to unravel everything they worked so hard to create.
What lies ahead is a ten-year hiatus that promises to transform them all. But will the boys come back healed—or more broken than ever? And what of Ju-won? Will her hurt turn to anger, leaving her unwilling to welcome them back?
With the show reaching its halfway mark, the story pivots to the adult portion of the narrative. While the promise of growth and resolution keeps us hooked, there’s a lingering ache for the happy family moments that seem so far out of reach.
This week was a heart-wrenching ride that left us yearning for light in the darkness. Please, Show, give us some joy to cling to. These kids—and our poor hearts—can’t endure much more pain. Let this fractured family find their way back to each other, and let us heal alongside them. We’re rooting for their happiness as fiercely as we’ve felt their sorrow.
