Family by Choice

7.9
20241h 10m

Production

Logo for HighZium Studio

A youth romance about two men and woman who aren't blood related but treated each other as family during their teens and how they meet again after 10 years.

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: [TEASER] Family By Choice | Hwang In Youp, Jung Chae Yeon, Bae Hyeon Seong | Viu Original

[TEASER] Family By Choice | Hwang In Youp, Jung Chae Yeon, Bae Hyeon Seong | Viu Original

Thumbnail for video: [3차 티저] 함께 자라는 동안, 마음도 자랐다 | 〈조립식 가족〉 10월 9일(수) 저녁 8시 50분 첫 방송!

[3차 티저] 함께 자라는 동안, 마음도 자랐다 | 〈조립식 가족〉 10월 9일(수) 저녁 8시 50분 첫 방송!

Seasons

16 Episodes • Premiered 2024

Despite not being biologically related, Kim San-ha, Yun Ju-won, and Kang Hae-joon share a close bond with each other. The trio spent their adolescence raised by Ju-won's father Jeong-jae and San-ha's father Dae-uk, who did their best to give them a happy childhood as they healed from past trauma. Upon reaching adulthood, however, San-ha and Hae-joon sought out their biological families, leaving Ju-won behind. Ten years later, the five members of their found family reunite, but things aren't the same as they used to be. Ju-won holds some resentment after feeling abandoned by San-ha and Hae-joon, while the two boys are struggling with new romantic feelings for Ju-won and their own familial issues.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 1: Ju-won, San-ha, and Hae-joon Meet

1. Ju-won, San-ha, and Hae-joon Meet

A family of three moves into the Oryun Mansion Complex, and Ju-won meets San-ha, the brother she always wanted, for the first time. Despite Ju-won's eager wish to get to know him, San-ha has trouble accepting her due to his family's situation. Meanwhile, San-ha's father meets Kang Seo-hyun, a single mother with a son named Hae-joon.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 2: One Family Name

2. One Family Name

After growing up together as a family, Ju-won, San-ha, and Hae-joon go to high school together. San-ha and Hae-joon are hot with the girls, causing Ju-won to deal with the onslaught of requests from the girls to deliver their love message to them. Meanwhile, Ju-won longs to live under one family name through adoption, which the others think is absurd. Later, Hae-joon catches a suspicious man taking photos of him.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 3: Two Fathers

3. Two Fathers

A man visits Hae-joon at school and reveals that he is Hae-joon's birth father. Although Hae-joon is initially speechless, he feels relieved to learn that his father has not abandoned him. To find out more about his father, he and San-ha talk with Aunt Yi-hyun to gain insight into his father's character before meeting him in person and uncovering the reasons for his sudden return after all these years.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 4: An Unwelcome Visitor

4. An Unwelcome Visitor

Ju-won feels exhilarated about going on a date with a boy who is good-looking and smart, but she soon gets disappointed by what he says to her. San-ha and his father are upset by an unwelcome visitor who reminds San-ha of memories he doesn’t want to recall. A surprise present from Hae-joon’s biological father brings about a conflict between Hae-joon and his colleague.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 5: Hae-joon’s Birthday

5. Hae-joon’s Birthday

With Hae-joon’s birthday around the corner, San-ha and Hae-joon get into a big fight. To help them reconcile, Ju-won plans to take them to a rail bike. However, many misunderstandings develop as Ju-won collapses from a cold, and rumours between Dal and Hae-joon spread at the school. Meanwhile, everyone gets ready as Yi-hyun plans to join the birthday party.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 6: Visit from Hae-joon’s Mom

6. Visit from Hae-joon’s Mom

Hae-joon’s mother, Seo-hyun, unexpectedly visits Yoon’s Kalguksu to repay her debt, leaving Jung Jae puzzled as to what to do with it. Meanwhile, So-hee goes missing after leaving home to meet San-ha. Her disappearance reignites the unresolved conflict between Moo-sung and Jeong-hee, resulting in San-ha's decision to distance himself from the family.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 7: The Basketball Game

7. The Basketball Game

Hae-joon finds out that his mother had come to pay back her debt, but did not stay long enough to see him. After CSAT, misunderstandings between San-ha, Ju-won, Hae-joon, and Dal build up as they are clueless about each other’s true feelings. Meanwhile, Hae-joon’s birth father watches his son’s basketball game and suggests he study further in the US.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 8: Leaving the Countryside

8. Leaving the Countryside

San-ha stays in Seoul to look after his step-sister while his mother recovers from surgery. Ju-won goes to Seoul alone to surprise him without telling the rest of the family. Meanwhile back at home, Jeong-jae collapses from overworking, scaring everyone, especially Hae-joon, who makes up his mind about going to the US.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 9: A Decade Later

9. A Decade Later

Ju-won is shocked to find out both San-ha and Hae-joon have made up their mind to leave for Seoul and the US. Feeling a part of the family will be missing, she can’t help but cry. Jeong -jae also feels bad sending the boys away and feels empty in heart. Ten years passed, San-ha and Hae-joon came back as two grown-ups.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 10: Awkward Reunion

10. Awkward Reunion

San-ha and Hae-joon come back on Ju-won’s birthday after ten years. Though they haven’t seen each other for years, unlike what Ju-won had imagined, she feels indifferent about their return and is not happy to see them. Meanwhile, the family finds out a shocking truth about Hae-joon at Ju-won’s birthday celebration.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 11: San-ha’s Confession

11. San-ha’s Confession

San-ha’s sudden confession startles Ju-won. While she tries to deny any romance between them and stay as siblings, she is overcome with mixed feelings. Hae-joon jokingly suggests getting married to Ju-won, upsetting San-ha. Meanwhile, a surprise visit from Seo-hyun shocks Jeong-jae as an unexpected turn of events takes place.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 12: A New Start

12. A New Start

San-ha and Ju-won finally confirm their feelings for one another. However, they soon become worried about how to break the news to their family and friends. Meanwhile, Hae-joon tries to pay back Jeong-jae for everything he has done for him, but some misunderstandings develop as Hae-joon’s source of money is revealed.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 13: San-ha Having Insomnia

13. San-ha Having Insomnia

Hae-joon finds out that San-ha is struggling with insomnia and taking medication. So-hui comes to visit San-ha alone without telling Jeong-hee and asks him to stay with her and Jeong-hee. Dal keeps trying to hide her feelings for Hae-joon. Meanwhile, a big secret between Ju-won and San-ha is about to be revealed by none other than Hae-joon.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 14: Unchosen, Unloved, Alone

14. Unchosen, Unloved, Alone

Hae-joon is filled with a deep sense of betrayal as he watches San-ha and Ju-won on the verge of kissing, struggling to understand how Ju-won could accept San-ha as a boyfriend. He’s haunted by the fear that, like everyone else before them, they too will eventually leave him. Meanwhile, though he knows where his mother is, Hae-joon watches her from a distance, and each glimpse only fuels his growing hatred for her.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 15: San-ha Getting Hurt

15. San-ha Getting Hurt

Everyone is happy with San-ha and Ju-won dating, except one person. San Ha gets hurt and rushed to the emergency room and even Jeong-jae and Dae-uk hurriedly come to check on him. Hae-joon decides to play basketball again. Dal is deeply disappointed and devastated. Meanwhile, when Ju-won is alone at her bakery, an unwelcome visitor comes to see her.

Still image for Family by Choice season 1 episode 16: Someone for Everyone

16. Someone for Everyone

San-ha can't wait any longer. He approaches Jeong-jae and requests his approval to be with Ju-won. Ju-won and Hae-joon try to work some romantic magic between Jeong-jae and Seo-hyun while Dal goes on a blind date, as suggested by Jae-eun. However, Hae-joon doesn't like the idea and doesn't let his chance go. Meanwhile, Jeong-hee plans to move to the UK with So-hee.

Cast

Photo of Hwang In-yeop

Hwang In-yeop

Kim San-ha

Photo of Jung Chae-yeon

Jung Chae-yeon

Yun Ju-won

Photo of Bae Hyeon-seong

Bae Hyeon-seong

Kang Hae-joon

Photo of Choi Won-young

Choi Won-young

Yun Jeong-jae

Photo of Choi Moo-seong

Choi Moo-seong

Kim Dae-uk

Photo of Seo Ji-hye

Seo Ji-hye

Park Dal

Photo of Kim Hye-eun

Kim Hye-eun

Kwon Jeong-hee

Photo of Baek Eun-hae

Baek Eun-hae

Kang Seo-hyun

Photo of Min Ji-a

Min Ji-a

Kang Yi-jyun

Photo of Youn Sang-hyun

Youn Sang-hyun

Lee Jun-ho

Photo of Ha Seo-yoon

Ha Seo-yoon

Do Hui-ju

Photo of Lee Jong-hyuk

Lee Jong-hyuk

Yang Dong-gu

Photo of Oh Eun-seo

Oh Eun-seo

Yoon Ju-won (Child)

Photo of Shin Seo-Woo

Shin Seo-Woo

Kim San-ha (Child)

Photo of Choi Jae-yoon

Choi Jae-yoon

Kang Hae-joon (Child)

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