Graceful Family (2019)

A drama of many surprises

I don’t really know how to begin this review after just a few days of finishing the series. All the feelings it had caused me are still fresh (and alive). All I know is that when I decided to watch this (only got interested by the poster of two leads sitting on an old bench), I had low expectations. But then, after watching the whole series, I concluded – it had met all the requirements and elements I am looking for a drama.

Well then… If you are looking for an intriguing plot that will make you think, make theories and look forward to each episode, this drama is for you. If you are looking for unexpected but sensible surprises, witty script, quotable lines, magnificent cast, strong and smart leads, interesting and mysterious characters, professional villain/s, a team that you will root for ‘til the end, well congratulations… you just found the right one.

PLOT/STORY/CONCEPT:

Graceful Family is a drama of MANY THINGS. For me, it is a story of various concepts packed in one masterpiece – family, mystery, investigation, crime and legal, comedy, melodrama, and yes, a bit of romance.

This drama had attempted to grasp different issues, and unlike some dramas, it had successfully put these elements together. Every scene was well-placed, detailed, and balanced and the pace is right on time.

This drama simply screams CRAZY MAKJANG. If it is not “crazy” then it won’t be unique in any way. Fortunately, it has the right amount of craziness which helped the storyline of a “not-so-elegant super-rich family with unbeatable owner-risk team to save their image” become more interesting.

It is hilariously entertaining, at the same time, a roller coaster ride that will play on your emotions – you’ll be frustrated, get mad, feel the love and support, be comforted, and CRY. There are always surprises and interesting plot twists that did nothing but add up to the story’s flavor, and so… this drama was never bland nor boring.

CAST/CHARACTERS:

Great cast. To be honest, at first, the only actor that I was so familiar with in this drama was the stepmother. I haven’t yet watched any drama of the leads despite knowing some. Fortunately, although the cast is unfamiliar, I was never disappointed. I was surprised and amazed instead. The actors brought and performed their vibrant characters so well. If the character is evil, you’ll really hate him/her to the bones. If he’s someone to support, then you’ll really root for him ‘til the end. That’s how effective their acting is.

The characters, I must say, are very colorful and alive. Regardless of the number, they are unique from one another and essential to the story. The story is not only focused on the leads but also on the supporting and opposing ones. They will grow on you. You’ll love and hate them and… come to understand them as well, as to why they did such act and how they became the person they are now. They are very dynamic and have many sides, as what a mystery drama should have for their characters.

Let’s now go to the leads. What I like about the leads is that they stay focused on their goals and both are smart and strong – not that genius but smart enough. They are partners, a duo. Together, they are powerful. Their strategies and moves are not only from one source. They exchange ideas. They are very independent characters (she’s hot-tempered and impatient while he’s collected and very patient), but when it comes to defeating the enemy, Ms. Han (collected and impatient), they depend on each other. Without the other, they won’t come that far. About the romance, the chemistry…

Graceful Family is not a love story. This drama does not focus on romance. To be honest, this can go on without any love line, considering the situation they are in. BUT! You’ll encounter subtle moments that will make you ship and root for them. The chemistry is real. There’s that PULL between the leads, but not that much to sway you out from the main story.

And then, there’s the main villain – Ms. Han Je Kook. Very professional and a genius. The interesting part is that she’s the one behind the curtain. She’s the one who builds the wall and protects and not the one who owns the empire (though she has her own empire – the TOP team). She moves with elegance. You’ll hate her but you’ll also admire her.

The battle between good and evil is clever and intense. The exchange of strategies is entertaining to follow. One thing is for certain, Ms. Han is not an easy opponent. You’ll crave for her downfall.

About the TEAM. This drama has this overwhelming and talented evil team – TOP. This team has this general vibe of “Yes, we’re doing illegal stuff for MC group, but it is just work. Don’t take it personally.” Professionalism at its finest. As for the “counter-TOP” team (the good side), you’ll wait for them to form and when they do, you’ll cheer for them.

Oh yes, just to add, this drama has an iconic team ritual ~ “Let’s do this!”. It’s forever stuck in my head, plus Wan Soo’s version of “AMAZING!”

OST:

The OST and the background music are well-made. The OSTs (LIAR and Black Diamond) hype up and make every scene more intense whenever they are being played. And, the background music – Super makjang! Classy and sometimes, creepy as hell ~ as if something distorted and shady happened and is currently happening. Good job!

=== SPOILERS AHEAD!!! ====

ENDING:

Graceful Family has been concluded cleanly and wisely. I CRIED SO HARD. This drama is PURE MASTERPIECE. For me, the ending was HEARTBREAKING, but it is BEAUTIFUL.

It is heartbreaking because I get attached to a character and then saw his downfall – which is a good thing for a drama and to its actor. It just means that the character was well performed, and the related scenes were properly delivered.

= My take on Mo Wan Soo =

I don’t agree on him committing suicide, and of course, on him committing murder. BUT!!! Mo Wan Soo’s tragedy brought me to tears. I cried so hard.

I remember, years ago, I wrote something like ~ “It wasn’t entirely your fault. But yes, you have contributed. Fault after fault. This is the result of both works and consequences.”

Wan Soo’s tragedy was the result of the miseries and trauma he had experienced from the people around him, especially from his mother. I agree on Yoon Do’s opinion of him, that Wan Soo was a good person. Indeed, he was. From the layers of evilness and dark auras of their twisted family, Wan Soo’s light and jolly personality shone. But then, no matter how lively and happy he was from the outside, he was crippled and damaged inside, and that’s because of his unappreciative and demeaning family. He doesn’t deserve such cruel home. I sympathize with him and understand his miseries. Still, I don’t conform to his murder. I still believe he should have payed for what he did in prison.

It is so sad to see a vibrant character die without having to see his first major achievement (again, another tragedy). His brother and mother’s remorse as they realize what kind of son and sibling they had wasted is not enough. Their tears will never be enough. The man was already gone.

A round of applause to Lee Gyu Han for his incredible portrayal of such character!

= My take on Han Je Kook =

I don’t conform/agree to what she believes in and to her principles. I just understand where she’s coming from. She believes there’s always injustice and inequality. It’s a fact that will go on and will never change, might as well use and benefit from it.

What she has is an obsession to bring and execute her own version of justice by her hands. I remember one quote from another K-drama, Stranger – “He was a monster created by our time.” Both villains in these dramas were the same in some ways. They both tried and came from the good side, but then saw how cruel the society they were serving and how it was unchangeable using right methods. For me, Ms. Han is the one who is “naïve” and “idealist”, and not Yoon Do.

At the end, you’ll see that Ms. Han and her team didn’t show any remorse. They even looked like they have accomplished something. They were so proud and confident. The last scene just showed us how solid and loyal TOP members are and how strong they believe that what they are doing is the RIGHT THING – which is very TOP-like.

If you have understood TOP and Ms. Han, you’ll know that this character won’t regret anything. She’s the proud one and won’t take any word from anyone. Yoon Do was nearly an exception. She saw potential in him (that he’s someone who can replace her in the future) and so, she took his arguments and adjusted herself to his reasons, but look at where that lead her? BETRAYAL. It is clear she won’t do that again.

The ending is not an ordinary ending that goes with stereotype ones – and that makes it special. It goes with reality. Would you really expect someone who’s so definitive to her belief for many years and just change and regret everything by just one failure? Ms. Han is completely unattached to anyone in the family. She’s attached to MC group itself and that’s why until the end, she defended, protected, and saved it. She won’t regret a thing, because in her eyes, she doesn’t have to.

REWATCH VALUE:

Since it is very entertaining, it is rewatchable – although I can’t watch some parts of the last and final episode once again because I do not want to experience the same heartbreak. But as a series, this drama is something to miss, you’ll crave to watch it again. It’s just sad it ended, but yes, you can always press the replay button.

OVERALL:

Graceful Family is a drama I have come to love (deeply). I will surely remember this story in the future. Highly recommended. A must-watch.

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I have to say Graceful Family has to be one of the best written K-dramas out there. Sure, it has its flaws but it succeeds in packing a punch everywhere that matters.

With a tightly woven plot and an excellent cast that drives the story home, GF is the definition of entertainment. It will make you laugh, cry, jump with excitement and leave you dying to know what will happen next. With a suspenseful murder mystery, shocking family secrets and brilliant character development, GF had no room for any boring moment.

What I loved about the show was that no character seemed irrelevant. Every single person on screen had a part to play. Im So Hyang gracefully delivered as the badass, chaebol heiress on a mission. Mi Seok Hi was the perfect mix of vulnerability, strength and style. A true baddie after my own heart.

They could have done better with the male lead as he was by far the most unimpressive aspect of the show but he did the job as the upright, honest lawyer looking for justice.

The entire team of good guys: the reporter duo, the police officer, the ML's dad- all brought substance to the show. I loved the fact that our heroes weren't out of the world geniuses, they were just simple albeit smart individuals desperate to find out the truth.

The primary antagonist, Miss Han, was a formidable adversary. She commanded respect in the way she did her job, no matter how dirty and ruthless it was. Bae Jong Ok gave her all to bring forward one of the most charismatic villains in kdrama history. She and her TOP team members were horrible people but they were horrible people with exceptional smarts that came with their own set of charms.

And ofcourse, the MC family. All of the family members were psychotic in their own way and each left a mark. Whether they made you feel fury, sympathy, pity or hatred, they never did anything halfass.

Lastly, I think it would be criminal not to mention Wan Soo, the eldest son of the MC family. Lee Kyu Han killed it by bringing forward a character so complex and yet, the one with the simplest motivations. He was a true spotlight stealer.

The back and forth between the villains and the good guys kept you on the edge of the seat. The schemes and mind games made every episode intense. The best part was that all the cunning, witty ways the characters outsmarted each other were wholly believable. It wasn't a ball of hocus pocus plotholes, a confused writer pulled out of their ass, instead effort was made for things to feel mostly realistic.

A lot of people didn't like the ending but it was pretty satisfying for me. Sure, a few minor things could have been more developed but they were easy to ignore.

The OST was perfect and it fit our leading lady and her badass take downs so well. While there wasn't a need for romance, there was enough to satisfy all of you who are looking for it. With veteren actors in the ensemble, it's no surprise that the acting was phenomenal across the board.

Honestly, I don't know what else to say. It was one of the few shows that took on a lot of things at once and managed to do justice to all of them. I loved it and I strongly reccomend.

It's Jeana approved for sure. ;)
Go watch it.

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