Here Are 5 Multi-Generational K-Dramas For Your Next Binge-Watch
From recent dramas ‘Hi Bye Mama!’ and ‘Sky Castle’ to the classic ‘Boys Over Flowers’—meet the strong and sassy female family figures we’ve come to admire!
More than the highs and lows of wholesome k i l i g comes a factor that plays very well into the Korean drama landscape—the family, particularly the matriarchs. There is a certain kind of strength that the female family figures play in most of these drama series, especially since they play a huge part in the shaping of the stories of the leads we cheer on and the impact they have on the protagonists’ (and even the supporting characters) development.
We love our eomma and halmoni, so let’s pay tribute to these strong and sassy figures in these K-Dramas!
5 Multi-Generational K-Dramas For Your Next Binge-Watch
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Hi Bye, Mama! (2020)
They say a mother’s love is eternal, and this show takes that to heart literally. Cha Yu-Ri is a devoted and loving wife whose love story with her husband began after they caught each other’s eyes in three whole seconds. They spent loving years together until a car accident took her way and she is forced to see her daughter grow up as a ghost, and to see her husband re-marry, much to her chagrin.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Hi Bye, Mama! (2020)
But when Cha Yu-Ri is miraculously given a second life and re-integrates herself into earthly normalcy, she sets out to make things right. This K-drama touches your heart in more ways than one, mainly because the viewer is given two perspectives on how different mothers love, and how they learn to love in more ways than one.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Boys Over Flowers (2009)
While this K-adaptation of original Taiwanese series Meteor Garden is more about love triangles than motherhood, this was the series where strong mother (and grandmother) figures came to play in the story. Gu Jun Pyo, the spoiled heir to Shinwa Group, lived his life under the watchful eye of his controlling mother whose love language was more logical than emotional.
Photo Credit: KBS
Boys Over Flowers (2009)
His entitlement and way of showing love stems from a lack of emotional maturity and it is clearly seen when compared to his love interest Geum Jan-Di, whose family is not as well-off but is more than complete in terms of emotional development. Over time, he learns to love from the heart, and is further encouraged from his grandmother and older sister.
Photo Credit: KBS
Was It Love? (2020)
This new K-Drama gem is a bit similar to Reese Witherspoon’s Home Again where a divorced filmmaker has three different men stay in her home to zany results, of course. But the difference here is that the lead protagonist has a preteen daughter who she and her mother raised together.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Was It Love? (2020)
Noh Ae Jeong is a filmmaker and single mother who has been without a partner for 14 years. She re-ignites her love life the second time around when four different men come into her life. A love square is underestimating this complicated story, but at the core of it, is a story about a woman rediscovering who she is along the way.
Photo Credit: Netflix
Sky Castle (2018)
This satirical take on Korea’s upper echelon hits home, mainly because it carries issues that are similar to some Philippine families. ‘Behind every child’s success is the family’ is the main thesis of this show as it talks about these elites ruthlessly competing for their children’s success at the expense of other people.
Photo Credit: JTBC
Sky Castle (2018)
Mothers whose children get into college are thrown a party and while they may not be the main suspects behind this bloody game, it is important to point out the impact that previous generations have on the current ones and that personal development always starts from within the family unit.
Photo Credit: JTBC
Strong Girl Bong-Soon (2017)
Super-strong powers are shared among the women in the family and Bong-Soon is no exemption. But at the slightest misuse of said strength, the powers are taken away.
Photo Credit: JTBC
Strong Girl Bong-Soon (2017)
While the plot is more love story than family, it is important to note the multigenerational impact Bong-Soon carries throughout her life. While her powers make her stand out and do good, it’s not easy lifting (literally) sometimes.
Photo Credit: JTBC
The best part? These K-dramas are all available to stream and binge on Netflix. We'll definitely be adding these to our watchlist for when we want to spend quality time with our eommas on family TV night!
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