Bad Family

Cast:

Kim Myung Min
Nam Sang Mi
Hyun Young
Park Jin Woo
Kim Hee Chul

Who would ever thought to create a fake family composed of 8 members? It is not impossible in TV and fun game shows, especially when the concept intervenes with the brewing popularity of reality TV shows. When I first bought the DVD of this series, I was hesitant to immediately watch it, for the cover shows 7 people wearing black suits and black shades, looking all mean and ruthless. They can be estimated as hooligans who do secretive and dangerous deals to acquire money.

The first scene is set at home, the family gathered round and greets a cute little girl named, Na Rim. As soon as the little girl left the house, they started mocking, arguing and yanking out dirty words to each other. Then a tall, lean man ordered silence. There are elder people around him yet he disregards using honorifics in addressing them (Korean people give much respect to the elderly).

The scene shifted to another family, this time 7 placid and caring members, but still with the young kid, Na Rim. Then an unfortunate accident happened leading to the death of 7 members. The only survivor of the tragedy is Na Rim, who was compelled to be saved by Oh Dal Gun (the tall, lean and authoritative man in the first family mentioned), when he was on the run from the tail of other gangsters.




So which family is which, whose family is whose? Na Rim, surviving the accident, lost her memory. The doctor suggested her uncle that she should not be allowed to gain knowledge of the tragedy. So with his genuine care, Na Rim was placed in the care of a family that she thought she really had. What she doesn’t know is it is a fake family (courtesy of the threatening and persuasive power of Dal Gun). All she knows is that they’re her real family: greedy mother, clueless father, dancing grandfather, unhygienic grandmother, rascal uncle, rebel elder brother and a raucous elder sister.

I’ve likened the setting to that of the Pinoy Big Brother, getting along with strange housemates ilk. The 7 other members of the family do not have good relationship with one another. They fight, argue, ridicule and despise each other everyday. The only person that gathers them round is the pitiful Na Rim, whose kindness, sweetness and fragility, have touched their dainty and despondent hearts. I’ve realized that life, indeed, is a big and long mystery. People never run out of secrets to tell, stories to share, good and bad memories to treasure and get rid of. Each member of the fake family had their own “spotlight” or chance to reveal their concealed shells. There are always reasons behind one’s trait, a history behind one’s demeanor. And not just like a family, but as human people, they try their best to fill up the void and heal the wounds of each other. Na Rim’s presence in the plot is the keystone to everyone’s lives. Each one of them regressed into their dark pasts and empathized with how cruel fate had struck an innocent child’s life: Dal Gun and Yang Ah both lost their parents. Gong Min (elder brother) is not really rich. He was just adopted by his grandfather. Ji Sook (mom) lost her only daughter because of an accident. The grandfather has not been married yet. Jo Gi Dong (father) lost his family in Canada because his wife betrayed him. The grandmother divorced her husband.

Park Jin Woo and Nam Sang Mi

There are a lot of tear-inducing moments that make me realize how essential each family member is: the 60th birthday of the grandfather, the grandmother meeting her dying ex-husband, the grandfather and uncle talk, Na Rim gaining her memory and the fake family’s farewell to Na Rim.

On the other, no matter how many times I’ve cried and adored this unusual drama, there are also flaws, the not so good and awkward scene and factors to take note of. I’m not saying that they absolutely counteract the good and positive aspects of the drama, in fact, they’re just quite a few for one not to be swayed by, but just be aware of:

1. The character of the market announcer which reminds of the fight announcer in the Japanese anime, “Ghostfighter”.
2. The luscious Hyun Young’s cheesiness and overacting reminds me of Cindy Kurleto.
3. Ha Joon Soo’s drastic liking of Kim Yang Ah
4. The ending for Dal Gun’s boss/brother
5. When the 3 women (grandmother, mother, sister) joined the market singing contest.

On the contrary, there are a lot of comedic moments not to be missed. They perfectly balance the off side and dramatic tinge of the series. It was really hooking to learn that the family must be at home every 9:00 P.M. for the family picture taking (as ordered by the real uncle). Here are the other fun parts of the drama:

1. Dal Gun’s way of proposing “I love you, marry me”
2. Dal Gun’s trademark expression “Do you want to smell dirt?”
3. The pizza is divided into 8 slices, one for each member
4. The alien character of Super Junior’s Kim Hee Chul (the elder brother).

This drama is a wholesome treat for family viewing. There are a lot of lessons and values to be learned. Too bad, the title and the actors aren’t that enticing for many people to notice (since Korean drama are being honored and liked for the love story and good-looking cast).