'The Atypical Family' Episode 1 Takeaway: Bok Gwi-joo's past resurfaces after a moment of confusion
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Contains spoilers for 'The Atypical Family' Episode 1
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: South Korean heartthrob Jang Ki-yong returns to our screens with 'The Atypical Family', where he sheds his usual charismatic persona to portray a man burdened by depression and robbed of his supernatural ability.
In the Bok family world, superpowers are real, and Ki-yong's character, Bok Gwi-joo, used to possess the extraordinary gift of time travel. However, the pressures of modern life, including his depression, have taken a heavy toll, causing him to lose his powers entirely.
The Bok family is no stranger to the extraordinary – each member boasts a unique ability. But tragedy strikes when Gwi-joo's wife dies, leaving the entire family powerless.
This marks the entry of Do Da-hae (Chun Woo-Hee), a seemingly enigmatic woman who appears to be a beacon of hope for the Boks. However, as the web of secrets unravels, it becomes clear that Da-hae's intentions might not be as pure as the Boks believe.
The Bok family yearns for their powers in 'The Atypical Family' Episode 1
The Atypical Family's opening episode throws us headfirst into a chaotic family dynamic fueled by grief and fading superpowers. We find the Boks, led by the determined matriarch, gathered on a cliff, contemplating a drastic solution – returning to the past, a time when their extraordinary abilities were still intact.
The scene is thick with desperation. The mother's words paint a picture of a family yearning for a life untouched by the pressures of the present, a life where their superpowers flourished.
This desperate yearning takes a dark turn when she decides to die, a chilling act that highlights the depths of their despair.
However, there is more, just as the family decides that the only solution is to die, another twist emerges. Gwi-joo, who was seemingly absent during the commotion, is inexplicably found unconscious in the water below.
Here, a mysterious woman becomes the unlikely hero, and by performing CPR, she brings him back to life. Her name is Do Da-hae.
Bok Gwi-joo mistakes Da-hae for his wife in 'The Atypical Family' Episode 1
Gwi-Joo, disoriented and clinging to the past, mistakes his savior for his deceased wife. This heartbreaking moment underscores the lingering pain of his loss and its toll on his mental state.
The faint after that further emphasizes his vulnerability. Adding another layer of complexity is the presence of his teenage daughter.
We learn, through a glimpse, that she witnessed his near-death experience. This silent observance of Gwi-joo's past adds another intriguing layer.
The episode sets the stage for a family drama steeped in loss, unresolved grief, and the fading embers of extraordinary abilities.
The unanswered questions surrounding Da-hae and Gwi-Joo's daughter's role in all this keep us hooked, eager to untangle the web of secrets that lie ahead.
'The Atypical Family' Episode 1 is available for streaming on Netflix
