The Atypical Family, a unique K-drama directed by Jo Hyun-Tak, revolves around the lives of superhero Bok Gwi-Joo and his family, who are on the verge of losing their special powers. Their world takes a dramatic turn when they encounter the enigmatic Do Da-Hae.
Written by Joo Hwa-Mi, it remains one of the highest-rated K-dramas of 2024 and has maintained its position in Netflix’s Top 10 weekly rankings for four consecutive weeks.
“The Atypical Family,” a K-drama fantasy romance on Netflix, comes to a dramatic close that masterfully weaves together complex narrative strands with a mixture of pain, sacrifice, and a hint of optimism.
The penultimate episode establishes the scene with a crucial scene in which Da-Hae pretends to be dead to shield Gwi-Joo, who is aware that his life is in imminent danger due to his mother’s dream. She makes this choice because she knows that Gwi-Joo might not survive while attempting to save her in the previous timeline. But as Gwi-Joo learns the real reason behind Da-Hae’s fake automobile accident, they reconcile and hug each other passionately, vowing to stick together despite the impending dangers.
As the final episode unfolds, it becomes clear that Gwi-Joo is acutely aware of his impending death, which his mother foresaw. A scratch mark on his neck ominously hints at this fate, mirroring the mark on the person who saved Da-Hae from a fire mishap 13 years earlier. Upon noticing this mark, Da-Hae is devastated, fearing she cannot alter the future to save him. Gwi-Joo, however, asks her to keep this revelation a secret, intending to disclose it to his family only after his daughter In-a’s school dance competition.
The tension escalates when Gwi-Joo’s former fire department colleague contacts him about the fire incident from years ago. At the school, In-a and Da-Hae anxiously wait for Gwi-Joo, who arrives just in time to support his daughter. Post-performance, Gwi-Joo abruptly leaves, and Da-Hae, recognizing the gravity of his expression, understands his time has come. Gwi-Joo leaves with a promise to return to her one day.
Simultaneously, Gwi-Joo’s father reveals that the fire mishap, as predicted in his wife Man-Heum’s dreams, occurs at In-’s school. In a frantic rush, Da-Hae finds In-a trapped inside the burning building. Just as they are about to escape, a heavy wall collapses, but Gwi-Joo arrives in time to rescue them. He urges Da-Hae to leave with In-a, ignoring her pleas not to travel back in time. Gwi-Joo sacrifices himself by traveling 13 years back to save Da-Hae, leading to the heart-wrenching scene of the Bok family mourning his death.
The finale, however, ends on a hopeful note, taking a five-year leap forward. Da-Hae now lives with Gwi-Joo’s family and has a five-year-old son who has inherited his father’s superpowers, allowing him to bring items from the past. In a poignant moment, Da-Hae shows her son a picture of Gwi-Joo, hoping he can bring back the love of her life. The series concludes with a touching reunion as Gwi-Joo stands beside his son, indicating that the toddler has returned him to the present. Da-Hae smiles at Gwi-Joo with tears of joy, marking a hopeful future for their family.
However, while the finale provided a happy ending, it left some fans with mixed feelings. Some viewers felt the show didn’t fully meet the high expectations set by Jang Ki Yong’s much-anticipated comeback. The pacing and some unresolved plot points might have contributed to these sentiments.
It concludes with a mix of poignant farewells and heartwarming reunions, underscoring the enduring power of love and sacrifice. The series’ ending leaves fans with a sense of closure and optimism, celebrating the resilience of family bonds and the possibility of miracles. What do you think about the ending? Are you satisfied or not? Comment below and share your thoughts with us here at Saranghero!