As Family By Choice, Episode 12 aired last night to solid ratings in South Korea (3.13 percent nationwide and 3.28 percent in Seoul), international audiences are also awarding the Korean coming-of-age drama with incredibly high personal ratings.
Those ratings, via Viki which is streaming the K-drama, are crazy high, with (currently) 7,675 people giving it an average rating of 9.7 out of 10.
Heck, even on My Drama List, which has to have some of the most disgruntled people on the Internet showing up on a daily basis to slam the K-dramas they watch, the JTBC drama is grabbing an 8.6 out of 10.
A crazy high rating for that website too.
Along with those ratings from a huge number of viewers on both sites, their comments are also showing just how much the show has meant to them since it premiered on October 9th.
What international viewers are saying about Family By Choice
I have noticed since the Korean drama first started airing, comments from international viewers all over the Internet, including on social media, have been overwhelmingly positive.
On Viki, they now range from:
So far it’s a 10 (out of 10). I’m hoping the ending doesn’t disappoint so it can stay a 10 🥹. I love each character and the love stories. The family dynamic with one another is amazing and I’ve already cried so many times with how touching the scenes are. The father-son relationship with Yoon Jeong-Jae and Kang Haejoon is so beautiful, it gets me every time.
to:
Just finished episode 10 so this still has plenty of story to tell, but I just wanted to add to the positive comments. The script is superb, well matched by the acting. Tears in my eyes during a couple of the episodes, which is a solid indication that the actors are absolutely bringing it to the script.
I haven’t seen the CDrama original and now I’m worried that the week I have to wait for the next two episodes of this will give me plenty of time to binge watch that while I wait, but I don’t want to spoil the ending I trust this cast will deliver! Can I hold out?
(Note: Family By Choice is based on the much longer Chinese drama Go Ahead, which you can actually watch for free on Viki even if you’re not a subscriber)
and, finally, a comment about Family By Choice during its early stages of release that, by the way, still holds up now we are at Episode 12:
I’ve watched the first four episodes of Family by Choice, and I’m already deeply moved by its emotional intensity. Although it’s a remake, the story feels fresh and relevant, exploring timeless themes like trauma and the cycle of pain within families.
The characters are vividly portrayed, each with deep, emotional struggles—children scarred by those who should protect them, and adults who, burdened by their own suffering, unintentionally pass that pain onto the next generation.
In other words, if you have been holding off watching Family By Choice, because you’re not sure it’s your “thing”, all I can say is it will be the biggest mistake of your K-drama-loving life if you don’t.
Now watch the interview with the Korean drama’s Hwang In Yeop, Jung Chae Yeon and Bae Hyeon Seong to see how cute they are together before you do.
