Soaring high in the rankings and breaking records with its nationwide ratings, “The Atypical Family” is a worldwide sensation, bringing hidden stars like Jang Ki-Yong and Chun Woo-Hee into the spotlight. As this fantasy romance drama comes to a close in Episode 12, viewers are on the edge of their seats with the exciting plotline and chemistry between the two leads. From the first episode, the audience is drawn in by the unique premise of the story – a family with fading superpowers who, instead of saving the world, are fighting through their own lives day to day.

A modern fantasy romance, “The Atypical Family” allows for a comedic break and a binge-worthy romance from the likes of “Queen of Tears” and “Lovely Runner”. With its intriguing plotline and unlikely characters, should you watch “The Atypical Family”?

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What is “The Atypical Family” about?

“The Atypical Family” follows Bok Gwi-Ju, acted by Jang Ki-Yong, and his atypical family, who all have superpowers. He is able to travel back in time to the moments when he was most happy, but he is unable to change them, so he can only watch them and reminisce on them. As Bok Gwi-Ju is afflicted with depression, he slowly loses his superpowers and is unable to travel back in time.

His family, played by various actors such as Claudia Kim and Go Doo-Shim, also lose their superpowers due to insomnia, eating disorders, and phone addictions. Struggling with alcoholism after his wife's tragic death, Bok Gwi-Ju meets Do Da-Hee, played by Chun Woo-Hee, who acts as a “beacon of hope” for the struggling family. As a romance unfolds between the leads, their family begins to come alive again and mysteries created by the directors of “The Atypical Family” begin to be revealed. With mysterious backgrounds in the characters who backstab, betray, and fall in love, “The Atypical Family” will lure you in and keep you hooked as you binge through each episode.

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Who are the cast of “The Atypical Family”?

Jang Ki-Yong acts as Bok Gwi-Ju, the main character and protagonist of “The Ayptical Family”. Returning to the television spotlight from military enlistment, “The Atypical Family” is Jang Ki-Yong's perfect comeback. From modeling for YG Entertainment to joining the Korean drama industry, Jang Ki-Yong has transitioned perfectly, acting in a barrage of popular dramas.

He acted in the 2018, romance hit, “Come and Hug Me” as well as the 2021 romance drama, “My Roomate Is a Gumiho.” Jang Ki-Yong has been continually praised for his subtle acting and charisma on screen. His unique and atypical chemistry with his lead counterpart, Chun Woo-Hee, makes “The Atypical Family” a must-watch Korean drama in 2024. Chun Woo-Hee, acting as Do Da-Hee, first arrived in the national spotlight for her role in “Sunny” and has since acted in popular dramas “Delightfully Deceitful” and “Han Gong-Ju”. While some may be turned off by her off-putting personality in “The Atypical Family”, others find it an indispensable part of the drama.

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With an array of unique and excellent actors, “The Atypical Family” has an amazing on-screen connection with the actors and audience. Viewers may recognize Claudia Kim, who acted in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and the Fantastic Beasts series. Her famous thriller drama with Han So-Hee, “Gyeongseong Creature” is also widely acclaimed. If anything, the plot, premise, and characters of “The Atypical Family” make the drama interesting enough to click on, and powerful and compelling enough to watch through. “The Atypical Family” is unique and original, from the personalities of its cast to the way it portrays fantasy and modern problems together.

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Review of “The Atypical Family”

With record-breaking ratings and peaking with every subsequent episode, “The Atypical Family” has numerous viewers excited and binging, hanging onto their seats. According to reviews and forums, the romance in “The Atypical Family” is neither cheesy nor cliche, mixing into the other themes of the drama such as grief perfectly. The character development of Do Da-Hee in particular was "heartwarming and interesting".

Viewers won't get bored watching it, with its interesting and unique plot. You will be completely invested in Do Da-Hee's transformation and the decisions she makes while she changes the family and her relationship with Bok Gwi-Ju. However, some criticize the drama due to its lack of pushing far enough, with “a lot of potential but little carried out.” The themes have been attacked for lack of originality and overuse, as well as the characters' actions seeming fake.

Ultimately, as you progress through the drama, it is up to your own discretion what you think of it, but in this, there is no doubt: “The Atypical Family” is full of heartwarming characters with complex development and interesting personalities that will draw you in and keep you invested.

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As “The Atypical Family” releases its final episode, Episode 10, on June 2nd, 2024, we can expect to see closure and a happy ending for the leads of the drama. As viewers hook onto this unique and interesting plot, the ratings perpetually rise, and love for Jang Ki-Yong and Chun Woo-hee grows.

If you're in need of a clean break from cliche and overdone dramas, “The Atypical Family” will offer you the chance to see old stars returning and a cast of interactive and alive characters creating a beautiful, fantasy world mixed with reality. Go stream “The Atypical Family” on Netflix, or wherever you get your Korean dramas!