I started watching this one skeptical about seeing such great reviews, and I'm so happy I did, even though my tears have barely dried as I type this. This is one of the most emotionally moving dramas I have ever watched. I didn't trust the high ratings and reviews, and never saw or heard of the original Japanese version, so I had no real expectations. "Mother" is listed as a suspenseful melodrama about an abused child and her unlikely substitute mother/kidnapper, but don't consider that a spoiler because this drama is so much more than that. This drama deeply explores motherhood through so many brilliant characters and their interconnected stories. The title may be simple, but it's perfect. This drama goes in on what it means to be a mother.

One of my favorite things about this drama was watching such a deep connection develop between the two leads. Heo Yool is absolutely amazing and it's hard to believe that someone so young could give such a strong performance. Aside from her terrible wig in the early episodes, her performance is flawless. She's definitely a young actress to watch! Even her stares were perfect. She's smart, brave, wise beyond her years and so endearing that Kang Soo Jin's actions seem completely justified. Lee Bo Young's portrayal of Soo Jin was equally powerful as I watched her transform from extremely guarded and cold to a woman filled with so much compassion I couldn't help but root for! They worked so well together, and even when their actions were frustrating or heartbreaking I fell in love with their relationship.

The rest of the cast is also amazing, and there are so many great characters. The beauty of them all, I think, is that so many of them are flawed/imperfect. There are definitely some clear villains and heroes, but the villains were at times sympathetic and the heroes challenged what is considered moral/right. There were also characters who blurred the lines between good and bad by doing what was morally right but still seeming to be on the wrong side. These nuances made the story feel more real. The writing and performances in this drama keep this story engaging from the start. Yes, there's some traditional suspense, but the true suspense is in seeing how all of these character's lives will be changed by this non-traditional mother and daughter relationship. Yes, every single person in the cast is that good, but I still have some favorites worth mentioning. Lee Hye Young as Yeong Shin was a character I didn't get at first but became one of the characters I was moved by the most! It was great to see her as not just the bad mom stereotypical role I'm used to seeing her in (because she's so good at it). Next, there's "Dr. Sexy" aka Lee Jae Yoon as Jin Hong. One of my only complaints about this whole drama is that again he is the ultimate second lead even when there is no romantic lead to compete with. He was a great addition regardless. I also have to applaud Son Seok Koo as Lee Seol Ahk. He truly made me frightened and disgusted yet still managed to give his character depth and I even empathized with him a little. Even without the content ever being too graphic be gave me chills.

It feels bad to exclude some of the other great performances, but there really are just so many.

Besides the performances, the storytelling is also top-notch. The writing is so good, although I have no idea how much is similar to the original. The cinematography is breathtaking whether an intimate scene, a suspenseful moment, or gorgeous scenery, every image seemed perfectly crafted. I was drawn in completely by the first episode, but it just kept getting better and better. There was also never a moment that felt like filler, you can tell careful attention was paid in telling this story. Each episode built on the last and kept me engaged whether with it's crime drama style cliffhangers or engrossing conflicts between the characters. There were still some obligatory product placement moments but even those were handled without being distracting. I was very satisfied with the ending too. The writing, the directing, the acting are all easily at 10.

Even the music is great, just not memorable enough to justify an all 10s review... but so close!

Would I watch this again? Without a doubt. With such attention to detail, it's the perfect drama to rewatch. Yes, the suspense over what happens next will be gone, but not the emotions the story provokes. Let me warn you this drama definitely had me deep in my feelings. I cried so much during the final episodes that I should have been dehydrated. I also loved that the ending was simple yet poignant. Watching the journey of Yoon Bok and Soo Jin wasn't just sad, it was also extremely inspiring which is another good reason to rewatch.

"Mother" is certainly not a lighthearted drama, but in so many ways it was heartwarming. I will never think of motherhood the same way again. This is far from the Kdrama romances and comedies I'm usually drawn to, but with a story this good I'd recommend it to anyone no matter what genre they usually watch. The themes in this drama are definitely heavy and dark, exploring extreme abuse and neglect, but without being gratuitously graphic or too melodramatic. Prepare for it to rain from your eyeballs throughout this drama, so have plenty of tissues nearby. I hope this doesn't deter people from watching. The ratings aren't just hype, there is not one bad review for a reason.

Now I definitely feel compelled to watch the original as well, but on its own, this stands as one of my favorite dramas of all time. It also made me extremely grateful for my mother and all of the mother figures in my life.