Watch Five Children

Five Children is a South Korean television drama series that premiered on KBS2 on February 20, 2016, and ended on August 21, 2016. The show stars Shim Hyung-tak, Shim Yi-young, and Im Soo-hyang in the lead roles. The series revolves around five siblings from a typical Korean family, who are all grown up and living their lives separately. The eldest, Lee Sang-tae, played by Ahn Jae-wook, is a successful doctor, while the second eldest, Lee Sang-mi, played by Shim Yi-young, is a housewife who yearns to go back to work. The third child, Lee Sang-woo, played by Sung Hoon, is a single guy who works as a freelance photographer. The fourth child, Lee Sang-hee, played by Shim Hyung-tak, is a single father who has to raise his son all by himself. The youngest, Lee Sang-min, played by Im Soo-hyang, is a bit of a wild card, having gone through several career paths but never managed to settle down in one.

The siblings' lives take a dramatic turn when their father, Lee Yeon-taek, played by Choi Won-young, remarries after their mother's passing. His new wife, Song Hae-kyung, played by Shin Hye-sun, is a divorcee with two daughters. The merger of two completely different families creates havoc, and the siblings are forced to face their past and present problems. Moreover, the show also deals with the cultural taboo of having a stepmother, an issue which the show tackles with sensitivity.

The show's central theme explores the idea of family and its complexities, the struggle to understand each other, and the frustrations and joys that come along. It builds up each character and their own storylines, each with its unique issues and developments. The series thrives in the way it balances drama and humor, making for a lighthearted but still engaging watch.

What makes Five Children stand out is that even with its large ensemble cast, each character is given space to grow and evolve realistically. None of their storylines feels forced or tokenistic. The show's strength is in portraying different perspectives and personalities that make up a family. It does not shy away from the harsh realities, and the characters' actions have consequences, but also shows that forgiveness and redemption are always possible.

Apart from the strong family dynamics, Five Children also explores various romantic relationships. There is Moon Tae-rang, played by Shin Hye-sun's real-life boyfriend Kim Tae-hoon, who is Sang-mi's old friend and her possible love interest. Sang-woo and Woo-ri played by Park Se-young, start off as work colleagues but the chemistry grows between them. Meanwhile, Sang-hee and Mi-jung, played by Lim Soo-hyang's real-life best friend Shin So-yool, fall in love despite being step-siblings, which is a point of contention in their relationship.

Undoubtedly, Five Children is an uplifting drama, which is both charming and fun to watch, and will leave viewers with a warm feeling in their hearts. It is a bright, contemporary family drama with rich characters and a compelling storyline that delivers a well-rounded series from start to finish.