The 9th episode of Family By Choice illustrates the profound impact of attachment and the emotional pain we experience when those we love leave us. The episode opens with a conversation about departure, revealing that this is a final decision, and both Hae Jun and San Ha will be leaving within a few days.
Joo Won takes the news especially hard, as she has relied on these two boys for strength, particularly during some of the most challenging years of her life. Through the encouragement of Hae Jun and San Ha, Joo Won eventually accepts their need to leave, but she chooses not to say goodbye, finding it too painful.
Then, a time skip provides an update on Joo Won’s emotional journey. In the first few years after their departure, the boys still reach out on her birthdays. However, as time passes, they stop, and Joo Won begins to distance herself as well. Over the last decade, it seems impossible that they wouldn't have visited, especially since even distant relatives have made time to return home occasionally. Joo Won’s lingering pain suggests that the boys’ absence still requires closure.
I can empathize with Hae Jun's situation, as he moved to the U.S. and even served in the military, which explains his lack of contact. He also confides that he didn’t complete college and had to give up basketball, suggesting he faced significant struggles. As for San Ha, he’s busy with his medical career in Seoul. However, the episode shows scars on his hands, which leaves us wondering if these injuries are related to him not going home at all.
By the end of the episode, San Ha and Hae Jun reveal they are staying for good. Yet, Joo Won’s reaction is subdued. Even with their announcement, she doesn’t appear happy. I understand Joo Won’s feelings; her pain is valid. I appreciate that the show allows Joo Won to experience complex emotions and set boundaries with the two boys.
Overall, it was a well-done episode, and I look forward to seeing the three characters approach their relationships with greater maturity. There’s also a hint that a potential love interest may begin to develop further.