Episode 7 of Family By Choice dives deeper into the ongoing personal struggles of each character, particularly focusing on San Ha's feelings for Ju Won. While the episode maintained the show's emotional tone, the repetitive themes made the impact feel somewhat diminished compared to previous episodes.
As a viewer, I found myself hoping that the boys’ individual challenges would start to resolve so that new layers of their stories could unfold. For instance, the pain Hae Joon feels when her mother visits without acknowledging her is indeed heartbreaking, but the plot point feels somewhat resolved already. Now, with his father re-entering the picture, seeking custody again, it’s as though Han Nae’s turmoil is being recycled, rather than developed further.
San Ha’s storyline also feels a bit stuck. His mother’s constant calls urging him to move to Seoul for college are starting to lose their emotional weight through repetition. It’s understandable that this pressure is a significant part of his journey, but it might feel more impactful if it were shown in a more subtle, natural progression rather than recurring so directly each episode.
While the episode was still enjoyable, it left me wishing for a bit more complexity and evolution in the characters’ challenges. The foundation is there; the show has done a great job portraying each character's inner struggles. Now, though, it would be exciting to see them facing new challenges or approaching their existing struggles from fresh perspectives.