Heavenly Chaos: Kim Hye-ja, Son Suk-ku, and Han Ji-min Shake Up JTBC’s Afterlife Drama
‘The Atypical Family’, the latest fantasy-tinged weekend drama from South Korea’s Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company (JTBC), has captivated audiences once again. Episode 2, aired on April 20, achieved a nationwide rating of 6.1% and peaked at 7.2% in the Seoul metropolitan area, topping all non-terrestrial broadcasts, according to Nielsen Korea.
In a world where heaven might not be what you expect, viewers witnessed the beginning of a second chance at love between longtime spouses Lee Hae-sook (played by legend Kim Hye-ja) and Go Nak-joon (portrayed by Son Suk-ku), now reunited in the afterlife. However, peace is fleeting in this celestial realm, as a mysterious woman, played by Han Ji-min, unexpectedly appears outside their ‘Heaven House,’ calling for Nak-joon and shattering the serenity of their newfound paradise.
Hae-sook, the only person to arrive in heaven in her elderly form, is stirred by the youthful appearance of her late husband and his seemingly faded memory of their earthbound life. Though frustrated and heartbroken, seeing Nak-joon healthy and lively again elicits deep emotions. In an emotionally charged scene, Hae-sook breaks down in solitude, shouting passionately at the skies.
A whimsical yet often poignant tone continues as new heavenly residents undergo orientation, only to discover that heaven can be revoked if misdeeds persist—even in the afterlife. Hae-sook’s anxiety grows, particularly when unsettling eyes seem to follow her everywhere.
Nak-joon’s realization of Hae-sook’s struggles adds more depth to the story. A heartfelt apology where he says, “I was always thinking of myself, alive or dead,” leads to a tender moment. Hae-sook responds with grace, “You’ve suffered too. Both of us have.”
Yet the tranquility doesn’t last. Just as their celestial domestic life begins to settle, the arrival of Han Ji-min’s enigmatic character ignites chaos—literally. She throws herself into Nak-joon’s arms, prompting a fiery confrontation with Hae-sook who, in a moment of fury, physically lashes out. A heavenly brawl breaks loose, blurring the lines between paradise and purgatory.
Back on Earth, Hae-sook’s grieving best friend Lee Young-ae (played by Lee Jung-eun) makes a sudden declaration, “I’m going to see the boss. Right now!” suggesting a supernatural incursion might soon unfold from the land of the living.
The episode also offers whimsical visuals that pull heartstrings—a scene where dogs who died before their owners live out human-like lives in heaven until they’re reunited, changing back into their canine forms with names like Jjajang, Jjamppong, and Mandu. Even the couple’s stoic cat Sonya turns out to be watching over them in a human guise.
‘The Atypical Family’ continues to impress with its melodramatic narrative, witty dialogue, and fantastical take on guilt, love, and the afterlife. With each twist and mysterious arrival, it remains irresistibly binge-worthy, injecting fresh energy into the K-Drama fantasy genre.
