Precious Family
Precious Family is a heartfelt Korean family drama that explores the emotional complexities of love, marriage, parenting, and societal expectations. The series centers on Ahn Sung Shil (played by acclaimed actress Kim Hee Ae), a resilient woman navigating life after divorce. Left to raise her autistic son on her own, Sung Shil faces social prejudice, personal heartbreak, and the daily struggles of single parenthood. Meanwhile, her ex-husband Park Chang Soo (played by Huh Joon Ho) re-enters her life, bringing unresolved pain and emotional tension. As he seeks redemption and reconnection with their son, the drama explores the delicate balance between forgiveness and moving forward. Sung Shil must decide if reopening the door to the past is truly the best path for her and her child. Adding layers to the story are supporting characters like Ahn Jung Hwan, portrayed by Lee Dong Wook, a younger family member whose journey of self-discovery and emotional growth mirrors the main themes of responsibility and unconditional love. The series also features Kim Hae Sook as Kim Wook Hwa, the family matriarch who brings wisdom, tradition, and at times, stern judgment into the family’s evolving dynamics. Precious Family is more than a domestic drama—it’s a deeply human portrayal of resilience, acceptance, and the power of familial love. With touching performances, especially by Kim Hee Ae and Lee Dong Wook, the series resonates with anyone who’s faced life’s unexpected turns and fought to protect what truly matters. A must-watch for fans of emotional K-dramas with strong female leads and heartwarming messages.
Details
🙂 Native Title: 소중한 여인
🌎 Also Known As: Bogo Tto Bogo, A Second Proposal, Sojunghan Yeo-in, Watching and Watching
🎭 Genres: Drama, Family
🏷 Tags: Autism Awareness ♾️, Single Mother 👩👦, Family Struggles 🏠, Second Chances 💔➡️❤️, Marriage and Divorce 💍
✍ Screenwriters: Kim Soo Hyun
🎬 Directors: Jung Eul Young
🇰🇷 Country: South Korea
🎬 Episodes: 63
🗓️ Aired: October 2, 2004 – April 10, 2005
📅 Airing Days: Saturday & Sunday
📺 Original Network: KBS2
⏰ Duration: 1 hr. 5 min. per episode
🔞 Content Rating: 15+ – Teens 15 or older
Best Scenes
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Sung Shil’s Courtroom Speech
Kim Hee Ae delivers a powerful monologue defending her right to raise her son despite his autism, earning audience tears and empathy. -
Jung Hwan’s Heartfelt Confession
Ahn Jung Hwan (Lee Dong Wook) emotionally confesses his fears and frustrations about love and responsibility, marking a turning point in his growth. -
Chang Soo’s Reunion with His Son
A deeply moving moment when Park Chang Soo sees his son after years, filled with guilt, longing, and the silent language of a father’s love. -
Family Dinner Breakdown
A tense family dinner turns emotional when long-buried resentments surface, showcasing the generational and moral divides within the household. -
Final Episode Reconciliation
A beautifully written resolution where forgiveness, healing, and unity come full circle, reinforcing the title’s message: family is precious.
Filming Locations
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Seoul Residential Homes
Realistic portrayals of Korean middle-class life were shot in everyday neighborhoods, adding authenticity to the family drama. -
KBS Broadcasting Studio Sets
Interior home sets were designed to reflect generational values—traditional décor for elders, modern touches for younger couples. -
Korean Family Restaurants and Cafes
Many critical discussions and emotional confessions take place in intimate, everyday food settings, emphasizing routine yet meaningful encounters. -
Public Parks and Playgrounds
Outdoor scenes involving the children and family walks highlight warmth, innocence, and the importance of small joys. -
Hospitals and Therapy Clinics
Scenes related to the son’s autism are often set in clinics, showcasing the medical and social system’s role in special-needs parenting.
Visual Design and Costumes
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Realistic Daily Fashion
Kim Hee Ae’s outfits reflect a working, middle-class mother—practical yet elegant—helping viewers relate to her character’s struggles. -
Subtle Color Symbolism
The show uses warm, muted tones to symbolize home life, while colder, grey-blue hues dominate scenes of conflict and distance. -
Traditional Korean Attire for Elders
Kim Hae Sook’s wardrobe includes hanbok and formal hanbok-inspired blouses, reinforcing the family’s generational and cultural roots. -
Modern Professional Look for Younger Men
Characters like Jung Hwan wear suits and workwear, representing ambition, pressure, and the weight of expectations. -
Minimalist Makeup for Authenticity
Characters wear natural makeup to emphasize realism and emotional expressions rather than glamour.
Themes and Messages
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Raising a Child with Autism
The drama sensitively portrays the challenges, misunderstandings, and unconditional love involved in special-needs parenting. -
Second Chances and Redemption
Whether in love, career, or parenting, characters are given the chance to change, grow, and rebuild relationships. -
Divorce and Social Stigma
Sung Shil’s journey challenges traditional Korean views on divorce, especially for women with children. -
Multi-Generational Family Dynamics
The show explores tension and love between parents, children, in-laws, and grandchildren—highlighting both conflict and compassion. -
Feminine Resilience
Kim Hee Ae’s role exemplifies a strong woman who balances personal pain with relentless love and quiet strength.
Interesting Facts
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Long-Running Success
Precious Family aired for 63 episodes, a rare feat that allowed deep character development and layered storytelling. -
Critically Acclaimed Performance by Kim Hee Ae
Her role earned her widespread praise and reinforced her status as one of Korea’s most respected actresses. -
Lee Dong Wook’s Early Career Role
Before My Girl, this drama helped establish Lee Dong Wook as a serious actor with emotional range. -
Autism Awareness on Prime TV
It was one of the early K-Dramas to tackle autism directly, raising awareness among mainstream audiences. -
Written by Kim Soo Hyun
The series was penned by one of Korea’s most iconic screenwriters, known for emotionally layered family dramas.
Awards
The Korean drama Precious Family (2004–2005) received recognition at the KBS Drama Awards for its exceptional contributions:
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Best Writer Award: Awarded to Kim Soo-hyun for her outstanding scriptwriting in Precious Family.
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Achievement Award: Presented to Director Jung Eul-young for his exemplary direction of the series.
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Best Young Actor Award: Granted to Yoo Seung-ho for his portrayal of Park Joon-yi in Precious Family.
These accolades highlight the drama’s impact and the exceptional talent involved in its creation.
Real-Life Loves on Set
There was no confirmed real-life romance between the cast members of Precious Family.
Despite the strong on-screen chemistry between Kim Hee Ae and Huh Joon Ho, who portrayed the divorced couple Ahn Sung Shil and Park Chang Soo, and the emotional performances delivered by Lee Dong Wook and Lee Yoo Ri, there were no reports or credible rumors indicating any romantic involvement off-screen.
The cast maintained a professional working relationship throughout the long-running series. The emotional depth and realism seen in Precious Family were the result of powerful acting and direction, not a reflection of real-life relationships.
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