Superpowers, mystery, schemes, and family issues dominate this week’s review. Let’s dive into the intriguing world of the 2024 JTBC drama ‘The Atypical Family’.
Written by Joo Hwa-mi and directed by Jo Hyun-taek, ‘The Atypical Family’ explores the unique and complex lives of the Bok family, who have inherited extraordinary powers for generations.
The Superpowers
In the Bok family, everyone possesses a unique magical ability, except for their father, who married into the family. Bok Gwi-ju (Jang Ki-yong) can travel back in time to relive happy memories, though he cannot interact with his past self or others. His mother, Bok Man-Heum (Go Doo-shim), leads the family with her precognitive dreams, his sister, Bok Dong-hee (Claudia Kim), can fly, and his daughter, Bok In-a (Park So-yi), reads minds by looking into people’s eyes.
However, these powerful abilities are dwindling due to various afflictions like illnesses, depression, insomnia, obesity, and alcoholism, rendering their powers almost useless.
A Big Scheme
Enter Do Da-hae (Chun Woo-hee), a mysterious woman who infiltrates the Bok family under the guise of helping Man-Heum with her sleep problems. Her true motive is far more sinister: she aims to marry Gwi-ju, as part of a scheme devised by her adoptive family—Baek Il-hong (Kim Geum-sun), Grace (Ryu Abel), and Noh Hyung-tae (Choi Gwang-rok)—to leave the Bok family penniless after a planned divorce.
This cunning plan, which has worked flawlessly in the past, encounters unexpected hurdles due to the Bok family’s issues and Gwi-ju’s struggles with depression and alcoholism.
Connecting
Determined to make the scheme work, Da-hae grows close to In-a, hoping to earn Gwi-ju’s trust. However, her plans start to unravel as she genuinely bonds with the father and daughter, gaining insight into their past traumas and hidden strengths.
Gwi-ju begins to recover his powers but now can only travel back to moments shared with Da-hae, where he can interact with her past self. As Da-hae discovers the family’s secret abilities, she finds herself torn between her mission and her growing feelings for Gwi-ju.
Family, Past, and Powers
‘The Atypical Family’ masterfully blends family drama, romance, and fantasy, presenting the Bok family’s struggle to balance their everyday lives with the burdens and benefits of their powers. With a stellar cast and a captivating storyline, this drama is a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps viewers hooked.
Catch this spellbinding drama on Netflix, and watch the trailer below.