Photo source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angry_Mom
After finishing The Moon that Embraces the Sun I felt like watching a drama with a strong female lead. One who doesn't need a guy to protect her. I looked up a few lists of dramas with the strongest female protagonists and decided on Angry Mom. When I first heard about this drama a few years back I wasn't really that interested in seeing it. But now, as a Ji Soo and Kim Yoo Jung fan, plus the incredible reviews and ratings, I gave it a go.
Jo Kang Ja was known as the toughest, most feared high schooler in her city. Forward 17 years and she is still a strong willed, foul mouthed woman but with a weakness. Her teenage daughter Oh Ah Ran (Kim). Ah Ran is very distant towards her mother and is ashamed of the way she acts. When Kang Ja finds out her daughter is being physically abused at school, she goes undercover as a transfer student to find the culprit and teach them a lesson. But she finds herself stumbling on much darker issues within the school.
I would recommend this show more towards an older audience. Especially parents or above. The main character is a mother and a lot of the story revolved around parents protecting their children so I couldn't really relate to that. I did enjoy the show though and it was really interesting to see all the dark twists and turns of the story line, but this show is definitely more of a dark and political drama than the comedy they seem to advertise it as. If you want to watch something really heavy that will make you ball your eyes out, but something that showcases a look into real world problems, then you'll enjoy this show. If you're big on justice and righteous morals you will also enjoy this show.
SPOILER ALERT BELOW!!!
So going in, I assumed this show was going to be mostly a comedy with some sinister plot thrown in. NOPE so wrong. It was dark and serious with a bit of comedy thrown in. In the first episode you get exposed to themes of bullying, corruption, bribery and rape. I think that was all in the first episode...it was definitely covered in the first 2 at least. Over the course of this drama you see so much character development which really makes you connect with the show more. Even some of the bad characters you end up pitying or hoping they'll find some solace or happiness in their life. One thing I liked about this show is it wasn't full of cliches. I mean yes it was dramatic and had a lot of melodrama but actual acting and scenarios were never cliched. There were many frustrating plot points but those were to prolong the life of the drama (let's be honest) so you know...those can't be helped.
Kang Ja is a very devoted mother and it was really cool to see her starting fights with the school kids. Ah Ran was also a very strong character and protected those she cared about no matter the consequences. No Ah was very naive and innocent to the ways of the world but always cared for and protected his students. Once he was exposed to the corruption he became even stronger and played a major role in seeking justice for the students.
Han Gong Joo and her goons are the funniest characters in the show. You can't help but laugh in all of their scenes. They also create a very warm family atmosphere despite being thugs. Bok Dong is always bullying Ah Ran and Yi Kyung at the start but we all know it's something he is forced to do so you just pity him. Then when he starts to open up and pull away from Dong Chil's clutches you start cheering for him.
Dong Chil is SUCH an asshole pretty much the whole drama until he finds out about Ah Ran and starts to turn. I wasn't expecting to have any good opinions of him and just thought he would meet a brutal end. But he redeems himself by the final episode and you know he's going to come out of prison a changed man who will...probably not change careers but at least have compassion. Ae Yeon was constantly a backstabbing bitch but you also just felt pity for her most of the show. Also when Do Jung Woo says he actually loved Ae Yeon or whatever I was like...mate you were like totally up for some fooling around with Kang Ja when she was in your apartment! You liar! Yep. I felt no remorse for his character in any way on any of his story line plots.
Kang Ja's mother in law and her husband annoyed me for most of the drama and I actually thought Kang Ja would leave her husband or something and potentially find love with No Ah. Now this was in the earlier stages of the show. Anyway it didn't and i'm glad they chose the story they did. Her husband turns out to be a really good guy that does love her despite anything his mother says. It was really sad he died in the building collapse after only getting to be a good character for maybe an episode but oh well.
I guess there's not much to really rant about. Everything in this drama other than the white shoe assassin and the fate of the ledger was concluded neatly. I wasn't left wanting and we can assume that Bok Dong will continue his crush on Kang Ja. Ah Ran and Sang Tae will have a cute romance that lasts into college and beyond. Everyone else will continue with life as it used to be. All the bad characters went to jail. Yeah everything was taken care of.
In conclusion, this is a gripping drama where you want to keep watching to see what will happen next and how things will turn out. Most of the drama is rather heavy so it's good to have the little inserts of comedic scenes here and there for a refresh. The acting is pretty good. Some actors stand out more than others but the character development in the show gets you attached to most characters anyway.
7 out of 10 stars.
What did you think?
Until next time my drama queens and kings,
Sarah
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