Cover Mum to watch: Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do in 'Twenty Five, Twenty One' (Photo: Netflix)
Mum to watch: Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do in 'Twenty Five, Twenty One' (Photo: Netflix)
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Who's your favourite mum? Ahead of Mother's Day on May 10, Tatler ranks the most endearing mums in the world of K-Drama
There have been a lot of "mum tropes" in K-Drama, we have that energetic and supportive Na Gong-joo, Geum Jan-di's mother from Boys Over Flowers (2009); the feisty yet endearing Dong Baek from When the Camellia Blooms; and the hardworking and patient Ma Jin-joo of Go Back Couple.
Throughout their respective series, these female protagonists showed the different aspects of motherhood; the much-celebrated highs and the lows that many of us have unconsciously turned a blind eye to.
In this write-up, Tatler lists the best and unforgettable K-Drama mums:
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1. Na Hee-Do from 'Twenty Five, Twenty One'
Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do in 'Twenty Five, Twenty One' (Photo: Netflix)
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Right off the bat, Twenty Five, Twenty One's pilot episode tells us who Na Hee-do is: a dedicated mother who wants to influence her child without resorting to the good old 'iron fist' parenting. In the first few episodes, Hee-do lets her daughter take a break from ballet dancing as the latter feels too anxious to compete with equally talented dancers.
After spending some time in her grandmother's home, Hee-Do's daughter reads the diary of her mum. Here, she discovers how much effort Hee-do exerted to be where she is today.
This inspires Hee-Do's daughter to give ballet dancing another chance.
In case you missed it: Interview: Nam Joo-Hyuk and Kim Tae-Ri on Prepping for Netflix’s ‘Twenty Five, Twenty One’
2. Ma Jin-joo from 'Go Back Couple'
Ma Jin-joo's hardships in Go Back Couple made us cry a bucket of tears; yet she has shown us the arguably relatable and realistic sides of motherhood—dealing with drastic physical changes, doing household chores alone, taking care of your husband and child, and many more.
Despite the long, dreadful, and seemingly unending downsides of being a full-time mum, Jin-joo has shown that her love for family matters more than the tough times she has dealt with in the past.
Related: 7 Things To Know About Song Hye-Kyo’s New Drama, ‘Now We Are Breaking Up’
3. Cha Yu Ri from 'Hi Bye, Mama!'
Cha Yu-ri's role is an ode to mums who have made unseen sacrifices for their children. In Hi, Bye, Mama, Yu Ri works hard to become closer to her daughter, Seo Woo who was raised by her stepmom Oh Min-jung.
In the latter parts of the series, Yu-ri becomes a humble kitchen assistant in her daughter's preschool.
Read more: Mother Knows Best: John Kevin Navoa, Mela Sison, and Aaron Isip on Their
4. Choi Won Deok from 'Start-Up'
Renowned South Korean actress Kim Hae-sook was dubbed 'national mother' for a reason. In her role as Choi Won-deok Start-Up, she has shown unconditional love for the young and orphaned Han Je-pyeong.
In the latter parts of the series, it was revealed that she provided her adoptive son a comfortable sleeping quarters, food, and even a small stash of cash that the latter used to fund his financial undertakings.
The tear-jerking drama is worthy of a re-watch thanks to the bond formed by Won-deok and Je-pyeong.
5. Dong Baek from 'When the Camellia Blooms'
The mini series When Camellia Blooms was made colourful by Gong Hyo-jin's role as Dong Baek. The female protagonist is a single mum who runs a small bar in a town called Ongsan.
Because of her unfortunate circumstances in life, she is treated poorly by her neighbours; but things change when Yong Sik falls head over heels for her.
Dong Baek then finds her voice and becomes more assertive and confident in her skin. The whole series shows that motherhood is not, in the slightest bit, an obstruction for females who want to discover themselves more.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
