A Little Love Never Hurts

"A Little Love Never Hurts" is an enchanting Korean television series produced by MBC America from 2013 to 2014. This heartwarming, family-focused drama navigates the beauty of everyday life, bursts of love, and the intricate dynamics of blending two families together. With its comically poignant moments, tender narratives, and robust characters, "A Little Love Never Hurts" is a show that places the outpouring of real emotions and the concept of building new relationships at the forefront.

The primary essence of the show centers around two uniquely diverse families who experience parallel incidents of the older, single parent finding a new partner and remarrying later in life. This chance event of love and happiness in the autumn of their lives intertwines their respective families in a unique and unexpected way.

The narrative focuses on a widowed father, Lee Sang-hyuk, and a divorced mother, Seo Mi-sook. Both parents are navigating their lives as single parents, focusing on raising their children, finding happiness, and managing their own setbacks. When they meet and find themselves falling deeply in love, it brings the two families on a collision course, which forms the backbone of the show.

Lee Sang-hyuk is the father of three grown-up children. He was once happily married until his wife tragically passed away. Since then, he has earmarked his energy into raising his children on his own who are now adults and have their unique personalities and aspirations. His eldest son is a homemaker having given up on his dream of becoming a writer due to unforeseen circumstances, his middle daughter is ambitious and career-driven, and his younger son is a high school student navigating his rebellious phase.

Seo Mi-sook, on the other hand, is a divorced mother of two daughters. She spent years trying to rebuild her life post-divorce and has done a commendable job at raising two amazing daughters. Her eldest daughter, who is disabled, is the epitome of resilience. Despite her physical limitations, her determination and tenacity overflow, and she is continuously proving that her disability will not pin her down. Her younger sister is a soft-spoken high school student who loves music and dreams of becoming professional pianists.

When Sang-hyuk and Mi-sook decide to marry, it's a beautiful, unexpected new chapter for both of them, but it's an unexpected twist for their children. Suddenly, these individuals from two different backgrounds, each with their unique worldviews and perspectives, find themselves living under the same roof. The story beautifully traces the journey of each character as they learn to adapt to their new living conditions, tackle conflicts, overcome personal prejudices, and eventually learn to accept and understand one another as a family.

Throughout the series, viewers are given a lively, heart-touching, and real portrayal of the different issues faced by multi-generational families. The characters are uniquely relatable, and their experiences reflect genuine lessons about empathy, acceptance, forgiveness, and, of course, the enduring power of love. Moreover, it deftly tackles the topics of remarriage, blending families, acceptance of disabled individuals in society, second chances in love, and finding happiness in unexpected places.

"A Little Love Never Hurts" is a unique blend of drama, humor, romance, and real-life situations, making it an engaging watch. The writers have done a fantastic job of designing a flowing narrative, keeping viewers hooked and invested in the characters' growth. The performances by the veteran cast are also commendable, elevating the story and making it more impactful.

All in all, "A Little Love Never Hurts" offers a delightful exploration of family dynamics, love, and life. It serves as a reminder of how love, understanding, and a little patience can make the world a better place, and most importantly, that it's never too late for love to enter one's life. This is a series that will leave you appreciating the small joys of life, the miracles of second chances, and the strength of family ties, dialed up with a healthy dose of Korean aesthetics and sensibilities.