The Good Bad Mother

8.9
20231h 8m

A tragic accident leaves an ambitious prosecutor with the mind of a child – forcing him and his mother to embark on a journey to heal their relationship.

Production

Logo for Film Monster
Logo for SLL

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Official Clip [Subtitled]

Official Clip [Subtitled]

Thumbnail for video: Official Trailer [ENG SUB]

Official Trailer [ENG SUB]

Seasons

14 Episodes • Premiered 2023

A tragic accident leaves an ambitious prosecutor with the mind of a child – forcing him and his mother to embark on a journey to heal their relationship.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 1: Episode 1

1. Episode 1

6.5

After a tragedy turns her world upside down, Jin Young-soon raises her son with the aim of steering him away from a life of hardship like hers.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 2: Episode 2

2. Episode 2

9.0

Filled with childhood resentment, Choi Kang-ho navigates his career with ruthless ambition — later approaching Young-soon with a cruel motive.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 3: Episode 3

3. Episode 3

A shocking accident leaves Kang-ho's outlook uncertain. Young-soon takes him home and seizes an opportunity for redemption.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 4: Episode 4

4. Episode 4

As Kang-ho recovers, he and Young-soon get closer. However, Young-soon later visits Seoul and witnesses unfavorable traces of Kang-ho's life.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 5: Episode 5

5. Episode 5

8.4

After retuning home, Lee Mi-joo encounters Kang-ho in his new condition. Young-soon faces aggression from an unrelenting neighbor.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 6: Episode 6

6. Episode 6

Kang-ho experiences a mysterious attack. Mi-joo finds an fortuitous business opportunity. The town convenes to rally against Young-soon.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 7: Episode 7

7. Episode 7

Young-soon panics about the future after she receives scary news. Another sudden blow forces her to make hard decisions about herself and Kang-ho.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 8: Episode 8

8. Episode 8

Young-soon pushes Kang-ho to the limits. She later finds a perplexing item from her son's old life. Mi-joo navigates her complex feelings around Kang-ho.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 9: Episode 9

9. Episode 9

10.0

Young-soon and Kang-ho go through recollections of Kang-ho's past — discovering another side to his story.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 10: Episode 10

10. Episode 10

10.0

Young-soon prepares Kang-ho for a safer future. After a startling incident, Mi-joo and Kang-ho share a tender moment — further complicating their lives.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 11: Episode 11

11. Episode 11

10.0

With Mi-joo by his side, Kang-ho finds out the truth after an alarming moment. Bang Sam-sik gets caught up in a dangerous situation.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 12: Episode 12

12. Episode 12

After a frightening incident at the farm, Young-soon discovers more information. As Kang-ho proceeds with his plan, Mi-joo and Sam-sik follow suit.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 13: Episode 13

13. Episode 13

Mi-joo and Sam-sik risk their safety to track down a key witness. Young-soon finds support from her friends.

Still image for The Good Bad Mother season 1 episode 14: Episode 14

14. Episode 14

Kang-ho enacts his final plan to take down Oh Tae-soo. Young-soon gives Kang-ho and Mi-joo her blessings.

Cast

Photo of Ra Mi-ran

Ra Mi-ran

Jin Young-soon

Photo of Lee Do-hyun

Lee Do-hyun

Choi Kang-ho

Photo of Ahn Eun-jin

Ahn Eun-jin

Lee Mi-joo

Photo of Yoo In-soo

Yoo In-soo

Bang Sam-sik

Photo of Choi Moo-seong

Choi Moo-seong

Song Woo-byeok

Photo of Jung Woong-in

Jung Woong-in

Oh Tae-soo

Photo of Hong Bi-ra

Hong Bi-ra

Oh Ha-young

Photo of Seo Yi-sook

Seo Yi-sook

Park Sung-ae

Photo of Kang Mal-geum

Kang Mal-geum

Jung Gum-ja

Photo of Kim Won-hae

Kim Won-hae

Son Yong-rak

Photo of Park Bo-kyung

Park Bo-kyung

Yong-rak's Wife

Photo of Gi So-you

Gi So-you

Lee Ye-jin

Photo of Park Da-on

Park Da-on

Lee Seo-jin

Photo of Bek Hyun-jin

Bek Hyun-jin

Baek Hoon-ah

Photo of Choi Sun-jin

Choi Sun-jin

So Ji-seok

Photo of Park Cheon

Park Cheon

Cha Seung-eon

Photo of Lee Sang-hun

Lee Sang-hun

Mr. Yang

Photo of Oh Ha-ni

Oh Ha-ni

Sun-young

More Like This

Reviews

J

Sunday

9/10

> 우리가 끝내지 못한 그 재판 우리 아들이 끝내로 갑니다.

🐽 The story of prosecutor Kang Ho struggling with amnesia and the traffic accident consequences gives a slight feel of Woo Yeong Woo but on a pig farm. It is darker than I expected and lighter than I thought. The cable TV ratings started on 3.6% on the first episode ending with 12% on the final.

This is a big step for Lee Do Hyun acting-wise. I feel like he always looked held back and reserved in past dramas, and The Good Bad Mother is finally the room for him to flourish. He has to play three different states of one character: shrewd cold attractive prosecutor, confused childish Kang Ho in a wheelchair, and a healthy mother's son in the end after all the challenges he's been through. And Lee Do Hyun does it damn well!

> 내가 망가지면서 하는 복수는 복수가 아니야. 진짜 복수는 복수하려는 이유조차 생각 안 할 만큼 깨끗하게 있고 보란듯이 잘 사는 거야.

🐽 While the criminal storyline is well-waived, the most heartfelt part of the drama is the life in the village and the characters interactions. I couldn't help but rolled on the floor chuckling anytime Sam Shik or the two Woo Byeok secretaries-turned-salad-farmers appeared on screen. (Yoo In Soo needs more recognition, he's hilarious) I also adore the child actors duo of Ye Jin (Kim So Yoo) and Seo Jin (Park Da On). It's never easy to work with kids, especially to get such a sparkling chemistry from 5-6 year-olds.

The ending didn't make me cry neither of sadness nor of happiness, but The Good Bad Mother will remain one of my favorite dramas memorable for its soft humor, attention to details, engaging plot (who killed WHO?!), loveable and energetic characters, and, of course, cute piglets. 🐖

This review first published on Letterboxd. @ Tate Arson🍃 (Yup, that's me! I have no idea how to change the username here)

You've reached the end.