Drama Digest
Oh Hyun Jin is a working woman with a stellar record. She manages her duties as the youngest member of the board of executives at her company flawlessly and expects herself to handle everything efficiently. However, when her first child is born, Hyun Jin is thrown for a loop when she realizes that giving birth is way more complicated than she had assumed it would be and that she knows very little about raising a child. She heads to a posh birth care center which is the most preferred choice for even A-list celebrities. She realizes that she is the oldest mother there, and all the younger mothers know all about maternity. Follow her journey as she meets inspirational mothers, including Cho Eun Jung, who appears to be flawless at motherhood, and Choi Hye Sook, the manager, an encyclopedia of all things childcare.
The Feel-Good Part
The series presents an exciting mix of genres, combining comedy, drama, romance, and even mythology at one point into one. The characters are all layered, and it is evident that even though they look and act like different stereotypes, there is more to every one of them. The show explores relationships expertly, humanizing them and making them appear realistic. The women are written empathetically and do not stay limited to a prescribed stereotype. Something that is also highly refreshing about the show is that it refuses to glorify the hardships mothers have to go through by naming them duty, the underlying message that mothers are women who have their own lives and do not need to sacrifice all their interests just to be a “good” mother hits hard and makes it even more heartwarming.
The Disappointing Factor
One of the significant problems with this drama is the blatant ignoring of single mothers. It is unrealistic that a birth-care center with such a diverse group of patients has a caring partner accompanying them through their journeys. The romantic arcs are slightly corny, and the time devoted to developing these arcs could have efficiently been utilized to dimensionalize some characters. There is also the fact that this show glosses over the postpartum mental struggles of women. Postpartum depression affects millions of mothers, yet it is not acknowledged correctly in a drama that is supposed to portray the struggles of motherhood.
In-Depth Analysis
This kdrama gets motherhood right for the most part. It humanises mothers and shows them as women with their dreams and ambitions. The relationships between the women are fascinating to watch. There are multiple heartwarming moments and scenes that leave a sweet aftertaste. The connections are beautifully written. However, it has its own share of plotholes and flaws. The way the camera captures breastfeeding women almost feels voyeuristic and out of place. Some characters do not have complete character arcs. There is also very little space left for interpretation or nuance.
Star Power
Uhm Jiwon is a stunning actress whose performances light up films and this one is no exception. She singularly carries the entire movie, whichever she is in, at that moment.
Overall Opinion
This drama is a mixed bag of pros and cons. The choice to see it or not lies with you, the viewer. However, if you want to watch a drama that explores motherhood with near accuracy, then this one is for you.
