# Family by Choice

Family by Choice (Korean: 조립식 가족) is a 2024 South Korean television series based on the Chinese drama Go Ahead by Shui Qianmo and Wang Xiongcheng. The series is written by Hong Si-young, directed by Kim Seung-ho, and starring Hwang In-youp, Jung Chae-yeon, Bae Hyun-sung, Choi Won-young, and Choi Moo-sung. It aired on JTBC from October 9, to November 27, 2024, every Wednesday at 20:50 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING and Netflix in South Korea, on U-Next in Japan, and on Viu and Viki in selected regions.

## Synopsis

Family by Choice tells the heartfelt story of Kim San-ha, Yoon Ju-won, and Kang Hae-jun, three individuals who, though unrelated by blood, forge an unbreakable bond during their teenage years. Raised under the devoted care of Ju-won's father, Yoon Jeong-jae, who owns a Kalguksu restaurant, and San-ha's father, Kim Dae-wook, they grow up together as family. Despite the absence of their mothers, the two fathers create a nurturing and joyful environment for the trio. However, circumstances pull San-ha and Hae-jun away from their close-knit family, forcing them to part ways. A decade later, the three reunite, uncovering long-buried memories and rekindling the profound connections that shaped their lives.

## Cast
### Main

* Hwang In-youp as Kim San-ha
    He is the most popular boy at school, along with Kang Hae-jun. He may come off as cold and sometimes says hurtful things without meaning to, but deep down, he's warm-hearted and always looks out for his "siblings." Secretly, he has feelings for Ju-won.
* Jung Chae-yeon as Yoon Ju-won
    She is the heart of her family, radiating positive energy and joy to everyone around her. Her family feels happiest when she is happy, and her cheerful spirit is the glue that binds them together.
* Bae Hyun-sung as Kang Hae-jun
    He has a personality as clear and bright as sunlight and is the most popular guy at school, alongside Kim San-ha. Goofy yet grounded, he brings a sense of lightness to those around him while maintaining a quiet sense of responsibility. Grateful for the sacrifices made by Ju-won's father, he strives to work hard to become someone capable of repaying that kindness, hoping to alleviate some of Jeong-jae's burdens.
* Choi Won-young as Yoon Jeong-jae
    Ju-won's father. He owns a small noodle restaurant (Kalguksu) and always seems to understand the kids' feelings without them saying a word. He works hard to ensure they have everything they need and especially cares for Hae-jun like his own son.
* Choi Moo-sung as Kim Dae-wook
    San-ha's father. He's a gentle but serious police officer. He's always bright around the children and Jeong-jae. Though he finds it hard to comfort his son directly, his love shows in how he provides for him.

### Supporting
#### People around San-ha

* Kim Hye-eun as Kwon Jeong-hee
    San-ha's mother. She hates her son due to an unexpected misfortune.
* Yang Hyun-seo as Jung So-hee
** Kim Min-chae [ko] as young Jung So-hee
    San-ha's half-sister and Jeong-hee's daughter.

#### People around Hae-jun

* Baek Eun-hye as Kang Seo-hyun
    Hae-jun's mother. She raises her son and gives him her last name to her son in place of his irresponsible father, who left them both.
* Min Ji-ah [ko] as Kang Yi-hyeon
    Hae-jun's aunt and Seo-hyun's younger sister.

#### Friends from Haedong High School

* Seo Ji-hye as Park Dal
    Ju-won's best friend, who becomes a lawyer, has lived her entire life according to her mother's expectations. While she endures each day suffocatingly, she falls in love with Hae-jun.
* Yoon Sang-hyeon as Lee Jun-ho
    He had a crush on Ju-won in high school but was completely rejected. He becomes an intern at Myeongju University Hospital.
* Yoon Woo as Yoon Seok-hoon
    Hae-jun's best friend, who becomes a physical education teacher, is the only person he can share secrets with He is Jae-eun's husband.
* Ha Seo-yoon [ko] as Do Hee-joo
    Hae-jun's ex-girlfriend, who is a resident at Myeongju University Hospital.
* Baek Ye-in as Kang Jae-eun
    Ju-won and Dal's classmate, who has a quirky and lively charm. She is Seok-hoon's wife.

#### People of Haedong

* Seong Byung-sook [ko] as Madam
    The village representative, who knows how many soy sauce rolls are in each house in the neighborhood and is careless with recycling. She wanders around, meddling in everything, but deep down, she genuinely cares about the villagers' well-being.
* Choi Chan-ho [ko] as Inspector Kim
    Dae-wook's subordinate at the police station.

#### Extended

* Kim Do-yeon as Bully's mom

## Production
### Development

The series was written by Hong Si-young, directed by Kim Seung-ho, and produced by Hi-Zium Studio, Base Story, and SLL. It is based on the Chinese drama Go Ahead.

### Casting

On December 13, 2023, JTBC announced that Hwang In-youp, Jung Chae-yeon, and Bae Hyun-sung have confirmed their appearances for the series.

### Filming

The production team of Family by Choice, which finished all filming and entered post-production on July 14, 2024.

## Release

Family by Choice was confirmed to broadcast on JTBC on October 9, 2024, and would be air every Wednesday at 20:50 (KST). It is also available to stream on Viu, U-Next, Viki, TVING.

## Viewership

| Season | Season | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number | Episode number |
| Season | Season | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| | 1 | 434 | 436 | N/A | N/A | 500 | 599 | 567 | 615 | 551 | 570 | 603 | 609 | 519 | 545 | 659 | 791 |
Average TV viewership ratings :
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea) | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea) |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Nationwide | Seoul |
| 1 | October 9, 2024 | 2.079% (8th) | 2.004% (6th) |
| 2 | October 9, 2024 | 2.242% (6th) | 2.318% (4th) |
| 3 | October 16, 2024 | 2.017% (14th) | N/A |
| 4 | October 16, 2024 | 2.147% (12th) | 2.020% (6th) |
| 5 | October 23, 2024 | 2.491% (8th) | 2.295% (6th) |
| 6 | October 23, 2024 | 2.647% (5th) | 2.333% (4th) |
| 7 | October 30, 2024 | 2.987% (6th) | 3.049% (2nd) |
| 8 | October 30, 2024 | 3.363% (2nd) | 3.431% (1st) |
| 9 | November 6, 2024 | 2.894% (6th) | 2.597% (6th) |
| 10 | November 6, 2024 | 3.155% (3rd) | 2.870% (3rd) |
| 11 | November 13, 2024 | 3.118% (6th) | 3.131% (5th) |
| 12 | November 13, 2024 | 3.135% (5th) | 3.284% (2nd) |
| 13 | November 20, 2024 | 2.878% (9th) | 3.006% (5th) |
| 14 | November 20, 2024 | 2.892% (8th) | 3.211% (3rd) |
| 15 | November 27, 2024 | 3.448% (4th) | 3.752% (3rd) |
| 16 | November 27, 2024 | 3.672% (3rd) | 3.865% (2nd) |
| Average | Average | 2.823% | — |
| In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings. N/A denotes ratings that were not published. This drama aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS). ||||

## Accolades
### Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement :
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
| Teen Vogue | 2024 | 13 Best K-Dramas of 2024 | Included | |