Top 8 Must-Watch Movies on Marriage and Family Themes

Penthouse: War in Life is a South Korean television drama that premiered in 2020, starring Lee Ji-ah, Kim So-yeon, Eugene, Um Ki-joon, Yoon Jong-hoon, and Park Eun-seok. Directed by Joo Dong-min and written by Kim Soon-ok, the series revolves around the fierce competition in the real estate market and the pursuit of educational success, along with the aspiration to be number one. It portrays the unity and revenge of women who, left with no other choice, resort to becoming villains to protect themselves and their children.

The show first aired on SBS on October 26, 2020, with its first teaser released on September 29, 2020. The teaser for Season 2 premiered on January 12, 2021, and for Season 3 on May 27, 2021.

Season 1 concluded with a record-breaking 5.3 million viewers for its final episode, ranking number 9 in the top 50 shows nationwide. The series held the number 1 spot across all channels for short-form dramas for 21 consecutive episodes from its debut on October 26, 2020, until the final episode on January 5, 2021.

Season 2 wrapped up on April 2, 2021, with 5.69 million viewers for its finale, ranking number 8 in the national viewership rankings. It also held the number 1 spot for short-form dramas for 13 consecutive episodes from February 19, 2021, to April 2, 2021.

In Vietnam, the series is available on streaming platforms such as VieON (exclusive for all three seasons), FPT Play, FPT Television (including FOXY), TV360, iQIYI, and WeTV.

DETAILS:
Director: Kim Yoon-chul
Starring: Kim Hee-sun, Kim Sun-ah, Jung Sang-hoon
Seasons: 3

• 21 episodes - Season 1
• 13 episodes - Season 2
• 14 episodes - Season 3

Release Year: 2020
IMDB Rating: 8.1

Don't Make Me Forget is a Vietnamese television drama produced by the Vietnam Television Film Production Center, directed by Vũ Minh Trí. The show premiered on March 10, 2020, at 9:00 PM on VTV1, airing from Monday to Friday.

The story follows the family of Ngân (played by Quách Thu Phương) and Luân (NSƯT Hoàng Hải), a married couple who have been together for over 20 years and have a daughter, Ngọc (Quỳnh Kool), who is now of adulthood age. Despite being in their 40s and having all the criteria for a happy life, their marriage has become more of a routine, leading to several conflicts. They yearn for affection but have forgotten how to reignite the passion, which opens the door for external factors to intervene.

The show introduces not one, but two third parties. The first is the wife’s best friend, who secretly harbors feelings for her husband since their university days and does everything she can to get close to him. The second is the wife’s former boyfriend, who unexpectedly returns and disrupts her emotional life, forcing her to struggle between logic and emotions as she decides what is truly important to her.

Throughout its run, the show maintained solid ratings (2.5 - 3.0) and consistently ranked among the top 10 highest-rated programs nationwide.

DETAILS:

Director: Vũ Minh Trí
Starring: NSND Như Quỳnh, NSƯT Kim Oanh, NSƯT Hoàng Hải, Quách Thu Phương, Quỳnh Kool, Thanh Sơn
Episodes: 30
Release Year: 2020

Misty is a South Korean television drama that aired in 2018, starring Kim Nam-joo and Ji Jin-hee. The series marked Kim Nam-joo's return to television after a six-year hiatus. It aired on JTBC every Friday and Saturday at 11:00 PM (KST) from February 2 to March 24, 2018.

The show realistically depicts the pressures of high-status individuals in South Korean society, including the use of manipulation and strategy. The mysterious death of athlete Kevin Lee (Go Joon) at the start sets off a chain of events, with Go Hye Ran (Kim Nam Joo), the victim's ex-girlfriend, becoming one of the main suspects.

The complicated relationship with her ex-lover also fuels tensions between the news anchor Go Hye Ran and her husband Tae Wook (Ji Jin Hee). The series, with its interwoven plotlines, bold scenes, and Kim Nam Joo's brilliant performance after six years away from the screen, earned a spot among the best infidelity dramas in South Korea in 2018.

DETAILS:

Director: Mo Wan-il
Starring: Kim Nam-joo, Ji Jin-hee, Ahn Nae-sang
Episodes: 16
Release Year: 2018
IMDB Rating: 8.2

The Lady in Dignity is a South Korean television drama starring Kim Hee-sun, Kim Sun-ah, Jung Sang-hoon, Lee Tae-im, and Lee Ki-woo. The series aired on the JTBC cable network every Friday and Saturday at 11:00 PM (KST) from June 16 to August 19, 2017.

Featuring two top actresses, Kim Hee-sun and Kim Sun-ah, the show garnered significant attention from viewers and maintained strong ratings until its conclusion. It tells the story of two women from completely different backgrounds yet sharing fierce determination and intelligence. The elegant Woo Ah Jin (Kim Hee-sun) and the cunning Park Bok Ja (Kim Sun-ah) face off in an intense rivalry, delivering satisfying moments of drama.

The series explores the moral dilemma of choosing one's life philosophy and delves into the complex tales of infidelity in various families, highlighting the diverse reasons behind such actions. The show questions whether true happiness comes from being content with oneself or from achieving an idealistic image of joy.

DETAILS:
Director: Kim Yoon-chul
Starring: Kim Hee-sun, Kim Sun-ah, Jung Sang-hoon
Episodes: 20
Release Year: 2021
IMDB Rating: 7.6

Love ft. Marriage and Divorce revolves around the tumultuous marriages of three women in different stages of life, all working in the broadcasting industry. The youngest, Bu Hye Ryeong (played by Lee Ga Ryung), in her 30s, is a radio DJ who has been married to judge Pan Sa Hyun (Sung Hoon) for three years. She has chosen not to have children and is struggling to balance her career and personal life.

The next woman is in her 40s: Sa Pi Young (played by Park Joo Mi), a program producer with a stable marriage to psychiatrist Shin Yoo Shin (Lee Tae Gon). Lastly, the eldest is Lee Shi Eun (played by Jeon Soo Kyung), a radio program editor who has dedicated 30 years of her life to her family while supporting her husband, Park Hae Ryun (Jeon No Min), in his career advancement.

Everything begins to unravel for these successful radio women as their seemingly perfect marriages face unexpected twists and troubles. This trio brings to life a gripping and dramatic series about love, marriage, and divorce.

DETAILS:

Director: Yoo Jung Joon
Starring: Park Joo Mi, Lee Ga Ryung, Lee Min Young...
Release Year: 2021
IMDB Rating: 6.7

The Taste of Love is a Vietnamese television series produced by the Vietnam Television Film Production Center, directed by NSƯT Nguyễn Danh Dũng. The script is an adaptation of the South Korean drama My Only One (2018). The show premiered on VTV1 on April 19, 2021, airing from Monday to Friday at 9:00 PM.

The story follows Phương Nam (Phương Oanh), a young, ambitious woman who, after living happily with her adoptive parents and younger sister, discovers she is actually adopted. Her world is turned upside down when her loving adoptive father, Ông Tuấn (NSND Công Lý), tragically dies in an accident, and her adoptive mother, Bà Bích, abandons her with a massive debt and vanishes.

At the same time, her biological father, Ông Sinh (NSƯT Võ Hoài Nam), reappears after serving a 20-year prison sentence and begins quietly watching over her. Amid family turmoil, Phương Nam finds love with Long (Mạnh Trường), but their relationship faces opposition from many quarters. The series also unveils hidden truths about Ông Sinh and long-standing grudges involving Long's family. Meanwhile, Khánh Thy (Thu Quỳnh) harbors feelings for Long and will stop at nothing to break up their bond.

DETAILS:

Director: NSƯT Nguyễn Danh Dũng
Starring: Mạnh Trường, Phương Oanh, Thu Quỳnh, Doãn Quốc Đam, NSND Như Quỳnh, Võ Hoài Nam
Episodes: 120
Release Year: 2021

Say I Love You is a Vietnamese drama directed by Bùi Quốc Việt and produced by the Vietnam Television Film Production Center. The show aired at 9:40 PM on Thursdays and Fridays from April 15 to August 6, 2021, on VTV3.

The series centers around the tumultuous events in the life of Mrs. Hoài (Nguyệt Hằng) and her seemingly perfect family. On the surface, the family appears to be a model of success with a prosperous marriage, well-educated children, and high social standing. However, beneath the façade lies a web of conflicts. Despite Mrs. Hoài's devotion and sacrifices for her family, her way of showing love unintentionally stifles her family members, who begin to feel trapped and long to break free.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when her husband, Mr. Tín (NSND Trọng Trinh), is discovered to be having an affair. From that moment, chaos ensues, leading to a series of tragic events that push the family to the brink.

DETAILS:
Director: Bùi Quốc Việt

Starring: NSƯT Nguyệt Hằng, Thúy Phương, Linh Huệ, Quỳnh Kool, Bảo Hân, Hà Việt Dũng, Anh Vũ

Episodes: 32
Release Year: 2021

The World of the Married is a 2020 South Korean drama starring Kim Hee-ae, Park Hae-joon, and Han So-hee. The series delves into the intense emotional turmoil of a married couple whose relationship unravels after the discovery of infidelity. Based on the BBC One's Doctor Foster starring Suranne Jones, the drama aired on JTBC on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:50 PM (KST) from March 27 to May 16, 2020. In Vietnam, the show was broadcast on K+ from May 16.

This drama became the highest-rated cable television series in South Korea's history, surpassing the previous record held by The Castle of Ambition, with its finale reaching an impressive 28.371% nationwide viewership. It also set a new high for average ratings, with a nationwide average of 18.829%. The series garnered widespread critical acclaim for its script, direction, and the powerful performances by its cast.

DETAILS:
Director: Mo Wan-il
Cast: Kim Hee-ae, Park Hae-joon, Han So-hee, Park Sun-young, Kim Young-min
Episodes: 16 episodes + 2 special episodes
Release Year: 2020
IMDb Rating: 8.1