Family by Choice Season 1 Episodes 3-4 Recap: San-ha and Hae-jun Face Decisions as Abandoning Parents Return

Premiering on October 9, 2024, Family by Choice is a heartfelt coming-of-age K-drama directed by Kim Seung-ho. This 16-episode series, featuring talents such as Hwang In-youp, Jung Chae-yeon, Bae Hyun-sung, and Choi Won-young, is currently streaming on Rakuten Viki.

Inspired by the 2020 Chinese series Go Ahead, Family by Choice centers around three childhood friends: San-ha (Hwang In-youp), Ju-won (Jung Chae-yeon), and Hae-jun (Bae Hyun-sung), who create an unbreakable bond that transcends biological ties.

The plot traces their lives from high school into adulthood, focusing on their tight-knit relationship that becomes strained when both San-ha and Hae-jun fall in love with Ju-won. As episodes three and four unfold, tensions rise as Hae-jun’s father attempts to persuade him to relocate to the US, while San-ha’s mother seeks to reconcile her relationship with him.

Recap of Family by Choice Episodes 3-4: Ju-won Discovers a Secret Admirer

In the third episode, Hae-jun faces a profound shock when he encounters his biological father, who claims he never knew about Hae-jun’s existence. Sharing his hotel address, the father tells him to reach out if he needs help. Although Hae-jun initially feels joy at finding his father, memories of Jeong-jae complicate his emotions.

Ju-won, on the other hand, is elated to receive a cryptic love letter from a secret admirer. Amidst this, San-ha reviews Ju-won’s academic performance, urging her to focus more on her studies instead of romance.

Noticing Hae-jun’s distress, San-ha encourages him to open up about his feelings. He remains skeptical of his father’s intentions and proposes a visit to Hae-jun’s aunt for clarity. With Ju-won occupied trying to uncover the identity of her admirer, they meet Hae-jun’s aunt, who discloses unsettling truths about his father’s past.

It turns out his father was aware of Hae-jun all along but chose to abandon his mother to marry into wealth. This revelation hits Hae-jun hard, but San-ha pushes for a confrontation with the man to understand his motives. Ju-won, feeling sidelined, tries to inquire about their plans for the next day but fails to uncover their secret.

The next day, they confront Hae-jun’s father, leading to a shocking admission that he wishes for Hae-jun to move to the US and claim his inheritance, having no children of his own. His father is motivated by fear of his wife’s family trying to claim his wealth, hence his desire for an heir.

In episode three, the father seeks out Jeong-jae, proposing financial compensation in exchange for persuading Hae-jun to emigrate with him. Jeong-jae is infuriated by the suggestion that he can buy away the years he devoted to raising Hae-jun.

Ju-won and Park Dal stumble upon this uncomfortable encounter but are quickly dismissed. Park Dal subtly hints to Hae-jun about the father’s visit, knowing its significance.

Jeong-jae reassures Hae-jun that he can choose his own path but expresses a desire to continue being a father figure for him. Hae-jun admits his reluctance to share these feelings with Jeong-jae, fearing his reaction. He feels a wave of relief when he overhears Ju-won and San-ha assert that he would never abandon them for a rich father.

Meanwhile, San-ha’s mother appears with another child, crossing paths with Hae-jun’s father at a hotel. Ju-won hints to San-ha and Hae-jun that she’s looking to start dating soon.

In the fourth episode, Ju-won learns that her secret admirer is a classmate. Their date takes a turn when his thoughtless remark about her cheerful demeanor, despite her family troubles, deeply upsets her.

Although initially thrilled, Ju-won’s early return home raises alarms, especially for San-ha, who senses something is off. The boy later reaches out to apologize, suggesting they could be friends, which Ju-won agrees to.

The issue escalates for San-ha when his estranged mother, Kwon Jeong-hui, resurfaces, wishing to reconnect and introduce him to his new half-sister. Still harboring resentment over her past abandonment, San-ha coldly declines her attempts to reconcile, ending the meeting with a firm wish for her happiness.

Ju-won provides comfort, stepping in just as San-ha nearly walks in front of a truck. Later, Jeong-hui’s conversation with San-ha’s father turns sour when she mentions taking him away, angering him. On the other hand, Jeong-jae begins seeking legal advice concerning Hae-jun’s situation.

Still from Family by Choice (Image via Instagram/@jtbcdrama)

Jeong-jae encourages San-ha to confront his feelings about his mother. However, San-ha feels that distancing himself is the best way to avoid reliving painful memories, particularly those related to his sister’s death.

In Family by Choice, the contrasting perspectives on their mothers lead to friction between San-ha and Hae-jun, with Hae-jun advocating for reconciliation. Conversely, San-ha believes it will only stir up old wounds.

Their disagreement intensifies until Ju-won intervenes, taking them out to relax and revealing her indifference to external judgment about her lack of a mother. Her empowering words resonate with San-ha, making him reflect later.

The following day, San-ha overhears Ju-won’s admirer making another insensitive remark regarding her family, prompting him to inform Hae-jun. They confront the boy, who, against Ju-won’s warning not to speak, remains silent.

Ju-won enters, thinking Hae-jun is attacking the boy, but upon realizing the comment’s hurtfulness, apologizes to her brothers for not addressing it sooner.

The conflict within their family escalates when Jeong-hui attempts to manipulate San-ha into going to Seoul with her daughter. San-ha firmly refuses, asserting his disinterest in returning with her. Hae-jun tries to mediate for peace.

In a fit of rage, San-ha accuses Hae-jun of being naïve for hoping their mother will return, leading to a physical altercation between them. San-ha lashes out, reminding Hae-jun that they both suffered abandonment from their mothers. This intense confrontation marks the conclusion of episode four of Family by Choice.

The upcoming episode is slated to air on October 23 at 08:50 PM KST on JTBC.

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