Family By Choice – K-drama Episode 10 Recap & Review

Episode 10

Episode 10 of Family By Choice begins with Joo-won feeling awkward about the whole homecoming involving Hae-joon and San-ha. She reiterates that they aren’t a real family and tells the group she’s busy on her birthday, so she won’t be joining them for dinner.

Later, she returns to her apartment, which she shares with Dal, and fills her in about Hae-joon and San-ha’s unexpected arrival. The next day, while leaving, the two friends bump into their new neighbors, who turn out to be Hae-joon and San-ha! San-ha quickly makes Hae-joon the scapegoat, leaving him to explain the situation to Joo-won. It’s clear that the two intentionally rented the unit next to hers. Joo-won tells San-ha to stop by her bakery so they can talk. While Hae-joon is at the bakery, she hands him her card to buy new sneakers since he’s shabbily dressed.

San-ha starts his new job at a nearby hospital, where we see Lee Joon-ho and Do Hui-ju, both doctors, working alongside him. Meanwhile, everyone assumes Hae-joon is unemployed, prompting the dads to check their savings account to help the “kids.” Hae-joon, however, has been searching for a location for Jung-jae’s new restaurant in the city.

Later, San-ha walks Joo-won home, wishes her a happy birthday, and rushes back to the hospital. Meanwhile, we learn that San-ha’s mother and sister think he’s simply on vacation.

On Joo-won’s birthday, the family waits for her at breakfast, and just when it seems she won’t show, Joo-won arrives and quietly takes a seat, hinting she might be softening. After breakfast, she scolds Hae-joon for cutting contact with them for over five years. Unable to answer, Hae-joon is finally defended by San-ha, who reveals that Hae-joon had hurt his leg so severely that the doctor said he might never walk again. Hae-joon kept this from everyone, and the news brings Jung-jae to tears as he blames himself for letting Hae-joon go. The three “kids” leave to give the dads some space.

Later, Joo-won questions San-ha about his absence over the years, and we learn that his mother wouldn’t let him leave, though San-ha lies, saying he was just busy. Meanwhile, Hae-joon and Jung-jae reconcile.

In the evening, Joo-won, Dal, and the two boys plan to meet to celebrate Joo-won’s birthday, but unexpectedly, everyone turns up after Hae-joon accidentally slips about the celebration. Once everyone leaves, San-ha doesn’t make it on time and leaves Joo-won’s gift on her doorknob.

The next day, Joo-won thanks San-ha for the present but declines his invitation to meet. Later, Lee Jun-ho mentions Joo-won’s plans for a date that evening, making San-ha uneasy. Meanwhile, Dal manages to get Hae-joon to buy her hangover soup.

That evening, San-ha shows up at the bakery but can’t reach Joo-won. Fortunately, she returns to retrieve her phone, and after 10 years, San-ha finally confesses his feelings for her.

The Episode Review

This episode addresses some questions about the boys and their lives over the past decade. Unsurprisingly, San-ha’s mother is the reason he couldn’t visit Joo-won and the dads. The fact that his mother and sister have no idea he’s living with his father hints that San-ha might not be back for good—there will certainly be issues when his mother finds out.

As for Hae-joon, is he really unemployed? There’s something he’s still hiding from everyone, and it seems he’s not as aimless as people think. Things between Hae-joon and Dal might also finally develop, and we hope that happens soon!

From the preview, it’s clear that San-ha’s confession is about to cause turmoil in his relationship with Joo-won. The question is, can Joo-won see him as anything more than a brother? Meanwhile, the next episode promises to reveal the mystery behind Hae-joon’s mother’s absence—we can’t wait for next week!