The Good Bad Mother

Resentment can run deep. Human emotions are complex and in this game of survival of the 'richest' and 'powerful', it is these abstract and intangible emotions that often suffer. You can choose to go with the flow or swim against the tides. Either way, there will be consequences. The new Korean show, The Good Bad Mother, is about these emotional sufferings and a chance to pause, reset and reconnect.

The initial episodes of The Good Bad Mother establish the backstory of our protagonist. Although focused primarily on the relationship between Young-soon and Kang-ho, The Good Bad Mother's biggest strength is its writing supported by extraordinary performances by Lee Do Hyun and Ra Mi Ran. The duo share a great understanding onscreen. Lee Do Hyun is a chameleon. Just a month back, he left viewers bewitched in The Glory and now, as a cold-hearted prosecutor, he is flawless. Ra Mi Ran is a delight to watch. Her switch from turning a 'bad' mother to being vulnerable is heart achingly beautiful.

The secondary but an integral part of the drama, Kang-Ho as a lawyer seeking justice for his father's death is an exceptionally written piece as well. Although he justice was served in the ultimate episode of the drama, it could have been more enticing. But nonetheless, The Good Bad Mother perfectly balanced a parent-child relation and a son's attempt to bring justice for what he and his mother were deprived of.

My Rating : 8.5/10.

The mother in question is played superbly by Ra Mi-ran who's husband, a pig farmer dies in suspicious circumstances and because of the lack of a proper investigation forces her son played by Choi Kang-ho to study to be a prosecutor to supply justice for the oppressed. She is cruel and makes him go hungry and cruelly punishes him if he is swayed by friends or she finds him drawing which he really enjoys. He qualifies but then turns against his mother and childhood sweetheart and associates with the people implicated in his fathers demise. Following a suspicious accident he reverts to a child and his mother gets an opportunity to mend their broken relationship and to correct all her wrongs from the past. It has a good story with top acting by the cast of the village where they live and even though they are poor their love and support for each other is warming.

That pretty much sums it up. I almost turned it off several times during the first couple of episodes. They were pretty depressing and I didn't care for the way things were going. It seemed very dark and, honestly, a little disturbing for a K-drama.

But with all K-dramas, you need at least a couple of episodes to decide if you like it.

By the third episode, everything starts coming together and you find yourself sucked right into the story. This has all the plot devices that make Korean shows so addictive. It's an emotional roller coaster.

You have the underdog battling a corrupt presidential candidate and a crooked business owner. You get several stories of people that overcome tragedy. You get major character developments, including the love stories and family relationships. Secrets are slowly revealed in a way that keeps you hooked. The show progresses at a decent pace, and it answers many questions earlier than a lot of other K-dramas.

You're going to see a lot of familiar faces from some of your favourite shows. The acting is incredible and the production work is top notch. You're also going to fall in love with the twins and maybe even want to adopt a pet pig. And yes, those kids steal the show.

Sure it has some flaws here and there, but don't they all? There were no major plot holes that stood out. I'm sure someone out there will tear this apart, but I was highly satisfied with it. Perhaps the whole injury/amnesia part of the story may become too unrealistic as the show progresses, but this is a K-drama, and they're good at allowing you to suspend disbelief.

Only problem is I hit episode 10 and realized that the whole series isn't out yet. Last time I got to enjoy/suffer waiting a week for new episodes was with Alchemy of Souls - you'll see a familiar face from AoS in here as well.

How the story plays out, I'm not sure. The last episode might be a masterpiece, or it may be the biggest flop of all time. Either way, I'm excited to finish the series. This is by far right up there with some of my favourites.

I highly recommend giving the first few episodes a shot. Good chance you'll become hooked before you realize it.

A series that contains countless life lessons from family, neighbors and more broadly, society,...

The series is a mix of 3 genres: drama, crime, comedy; it has acquired a good level in 2 genres of drama & crime and an okay level in comedy. This drama's biggest turning-point is impressive (although its circumstance is predictable) due to the emotion that key scenes associated with family affection brings.

But perhaps, what I and most viewers are most interested in is the acting of the cast. The way the two main actors portrayed the characters, expressed emotions & motherly love through each phase that are almost completely opposite of each other always made me admire after each episode. Not only that, the supporting cast such as neighbors, villains,... also did very well with a performance close to reality.

All the elements here are really good, as always, Korea has vert talented actors, writers ,directors.. etc.

Everyweek i was waiting for the episodes, today was the last one. Lots and lots of tears, but also there are laughs and smiling.. this magical way is led by kdrama.

Unfortunately, it is very hard for me to memorize all the names, but many thanks to every one in this drama, and i have to mention the cameo in episode 13, by this well known actor.

Now, i have that sad feeling after finishing a good work, they become part of your life.

I consider the kdrama a healing therapy , an amusement journey. Thank you for giving us these kind moments in my life.