What Happens to My Family?

What Happens to My Family? is a heartwarming South Korean television series that aired on KBS2 in 2014. Directed by Jun Chang Geun and written by Kang Eun-Kyung, the program, originally titled "Gajokkkiri Wae Irae" in Korean, is a unique family-drama that beautifully encapsulates the trials, tribulations and triumphs of an ordinary family, drawing viewers to come along for the emotional journey.

The storyline revolves around the patriarch of the family, Cha Soon-bong, a loving yet harsh and broken-hearted father of three grown-up, self-centered children. A widower who has devoted his entire life, sacrifices, love, sweat, and soul into raising his children, Cha Soon-bong is an epitome of selflessness. However, he finds himself dealing with feelings of disappointment and frustration because, despite his best efforts, his adult children have become selfish, ignorant and unappreciative of their father's sacrifices. This disappointment surfaces when his offspring turn out to be self-absorbed individuals who don't look back at the pains their father took to raise them after their mother's passing.

His eldest son, Cha Kang-Sim, is a diligent secretarial assistant in a law firm who happens to be unmarried for more than 30 years, largely due to her dedication to assist with the family's financial burdens. The second child, Cha Kang-Jae, works as a highly intelligent yet emotionally guarded doctor. He remains highly indifferent to others, including his family, prioritizing his work over every other aspect of life. The youngest member of the Cha family, Cha Dal-Bong, is the least ambitious, an underachiever who bounces aimlessly from job to job without any direction or purpose in life.

Despite their disparate personalities and life paths, the siblings bicker and argue like most families do. But when their father puts his foot down and comes up with an unusual and utterly unique proposition, the children's lives take an unforeseen turn. They must confront the conditions their father has outlined and face the consequences. The ensuing plot contains both humor and emotion, as the children strive to fulfill their father's conditions while struggling against their selfish nature.

In an emotional narrative twist, the employment of a contractual agreement between father and his children, serves as a mirror to society. It examines the underlying values of familial relationships, moral responsibilities, life’s ironies, and largely, the significance of appreciating and understanding one's parents' selfless love and sacrifices.

The television series is praised for letting the viewers get a glimpse into the Korean family life, while tackling diverse societal issues in a thought provoking manner. The changing dynamics of the relationship between children and parent, the collision between traditional values and modern norms, the rich vs. poor debate, career choices, romance and marriage—all these subplots are woven harmoniously into the tapestry of the series.

The ensemble cast, including popular actors Yoo Dong-Geun, Kim Hyun-Joo, Kim Sang-Kyung, and Park Hyung-Sik, deliver top-notch performances, fleshing out their characters with depth and nuance. This quality of acting crafts a strong emotional pull that easily draws audiences in, captivating them as the story unfolds.

Making a standout in the timeline of K-drama releases, ‘What Happens to My Family?’ is not just a series about family and relationship tribulations, but it also paints a vivid picture of typical, middle class residential soul. The series runs for 53 episodes each of about an hour in duration, with each episode offering the highs and lows of the Cha family’s endeavors which never fail to leave the audience intrigued.

If you enjoy family dramas that are a blend of comedy, sentiment, and an honest depiction of life's ups and downs, What Happens to My Family? is a must-watch. It is a story of a very ordinary family, relatable to many, that brings out extraordinary messages about love, respect, determination, and the importance of family bonds. Dive in to explore and experience the Cha family’s roller coaster journey through life.