TV
Even Lee Do-hyun becomes a ‘tear button’
The response to JTBC's Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Bad Mom' (directed by Shim Na-yeon, written by Bae Se-young, produced by Drama House Studio, SLL, and Film Monster) is hot. It is receiving favorable reviews day after day, presenting the essence of a healing comedy with an appropriate combination of pleasant laughter and warm emotions. As proof of this, the viewership rating hit its highest level for four consecutive episodes, surpassing 7.6% (Nielsen Korea, based on paid households in the metropolitan area), and was on the rise. From the first episode, there was a whirlwind of rapid development and unexpected twists, and the acting of the actors who created vivid, breathing characters was flawless.
In particular, Ra Mi-ran and Lee Do-hyun showed unprecedented passionate performances in each episode, doubling the immersion. The two people added to the appeal by delicately depicting the relationship and changes between mother and child, which are entangled with complex emotions such as resentment, love and hate, and affection. Young-sun (played by Ra Mi-ran), who had no choice but to become a bad mother once again for her son, and Kang-ho (played by Do-hyeon Lee), who turned into a seven-year-old child due to an unexpected accident. The narrative of these mother and son, who are at the center of the play, was sometimes portrayed lovingly and sometimes heartbreakingly. Just as the actors said at the previous production presentation that they were each other's 'tear button', viewers who became immersed in the story of Young-soon and Kang-ho as the episode went on also shed tears along with them. Accordingly, we pointed out four famous scenes that made the living room cry.
# Lee Do-hyun, gave up the college entrance exam due to Ahn Eun-jin’s accident! Explosion of suppressed emotions towards ‘bad mother’ Ra Mi-ran (episode 1)
Kang-ho had no father since he was born, and his death made Yeong-soon a bad mother. He tied his young son up tightly, vowing to raise him to be a good judge so that his only child would not have to live in poverty and ignorance. During his school years, Kang-ho could not even dream of going on field trips or field trips, and even could not eat properly or sleep well. Mi-ju (played by Eun-jin Ahn) was the only one who gave her relief from the burden of studying and the pressure of her mother, Young-sun. When Mi-joo got into a motorcycle accident right in front of his eyes, Kang-ho gave up on the college entrance exam he had prepared for all his life. After learning this, Young-sun sternly said, “Why are you ruining your life because of someone else?” At those words, Kangho also burst out his suppressed emotions for the first time. Young-soon tells Kang-ho that he is suffocating and sick of him and that if he wants to escape, he should become a judge and prosecutor. Kang-ho's resentment toward his mother, who tried to confine him like a pig trapped in a narrow cage, grew. However, after losing Hae-sik (Cho Jin-woong), Yeong-soon had no choice but to become harsh and harsh. The conflict between the mother and son, who began to diverge without understanding their feelings, aroused empathy.
# Lee Do-hyun, who decided to sever his relationship with Ra Mi-ran, the sorrow of a mother who holds on to her son until the end (Episode 2)
Kang-ho's life changed 180 degrees after he became a prosecutor according to Young-sun's wishes. And in order to become more powerful and powerful, he decided to become the adopted son of Woobyeok Group Chairman Song (played by Choi Moo-sung). He visited his hometown, Jouri Village, with his fiancee Ha-yeong (played by Hong Bi-ra), and Yeong-soon welcomed them without knowing anything. For a moment, Kang-ho, who was happy to meet each other for the first time in a long time, presented a consent form for adoption. Kang-ho did not waver even when he said he would break the natural relationship between parents and children, and in the end, Yeong-soon put her stamp on her son's appearance with a trembling hand. He coldly left the house, holding only a stamped adoption consent form. Then Young-sun chased after him and grabbed him, telling him to take a bite of rice, but Kang-ho got angry again, saying, “Are you talking about the rice that I have never comfortably eaten in front of my mother?” Kang-ho completely ignored his mother's feelings, not even making eye contact with Young-sun, not even making eye contact with Young-soon, not even the box of trinkets he held out, saying that this was a good thing, and the mung bean pancakes he had packed for them to eat on the way up to Seoul. While the relationship between mother and son, which was reversed in just two episodes, raised questions, the sad farewell to Young-soon, who could not bear to hold on or let go in peace, aroused sadness.
# Lee Do-hyun’s first words after waking up after an unexpected accident were, “Sleep when you’re full.” “I can’t study when I’m asleep” (Episode 3)
An unexpected accident befell Kang-ho as he left. It was a shocking act of self-imposed action by Tae-soo (played by Jeong Woong-in), who attempted to take his life, with his daughter. Fortunately, there were no life-threatening injuries, but I could no longer return to my daily life before the accident. Not only was it difficult to move his body due to total paralysis, but his memory and intelligence stopped at the level of a seven-year-old. Young-soon shed tears, thanking him for living like this, but when he returned home after being discharged from the hospital, another worry arose. For some reason, Kang-ho had not been able to eat or drink for several days. Even though I tried to soothe him with all kinds of food, he wouldn't even touch his mouth. In the end, Youngsoon got angry and pushed him to try to force him to eat. Only then did Kang-ho, seeing his mother's angry face, begin to open his tightly shut mouth. And slowly, “Go to sleep when you’re full.” “I can’t study when I sleep,” I repeated over and over again. These were the words that Yeong-sun repeated to Kang-ho countless times. Those words that came back after so many years pierced into Yeongsun's heart. Young-sun's hot tears asking for forgiveness and Kang-ho's sad and empty words to himself stimulated the tear ducts.
# Lee Do-hyun, was a vicious corruption prosecutor?! Ra Mi-ran, sobs of self-reproach and regret (Episode 4)
Young-sun visited Kang-ho's home and prosecutor's office on behalf of the sick Kang-ho. As my life in Jouri Village became longer, I wanted to pack up the belongings that I had not yet been able to pack up. There, Yeong-sun was confused as she encountered the other side of the prosecutor's son, whom she had been proud of. Kang-ho was said to be a 'badly corrupt prosecutor' who accepted bribes and committed corruption, and was faced with people who complained of injustice just like he did in the past. He blamed Kang-ho for living such a bad life and shouted that he was now being punished for that sin. He continued, “It’s all my fault. I raised you like this. Yeong-sun's sobs, pounding her chest in self-reproach and regret, saying, "In trying to create a rich and powerful person, I created a monster without blood or tears, made not only Kang-ho but also viewers shed tears. However, Kang-ho did not even know that he was a prosecutor. The sight of two people who had promised to be happy and rejoice, hugging each other and shedding tears because it was an 'opportunity' given by heaven, was heartbreaking.
Meanwhile, episode 5 of JTBC's Wednesday-Thursday drama 'Bad Mom' will be broadcast at 10:30 pm on the 10th (Wednesday).
Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr
