Being the head of the household is not an easy task for a man. It’s not just about providing material things but how the man leads in a family. One example of the head of a family in Bitter Sweet Hell is Choi Jae Jin (Kim Nam Hee).
At first glance, Choi Jae Jin’s life seems perfect in the eyes of the public. He is a renowned surgeon, the son of a prosecutor, Choi Go Myeon (Kwon Hae Hyo), and a famous novelist, Hong Sa Gang (Lee Hye Young). He also has a well-known psychologist wife, No Yeong Won (Kim Hee Seon), and an outstanding son, Choi Do Hyun (Jae Chan).
As the episodes progress, it becomes clear that Choi Jae Jin, as a husband and father, lacks the strength to lead his family. He appears weak and without a strong stance. So, what causes Choi Jae Jin to be unworthy of being the head of the household? Let’s delve into the reasons below.
1. The Strained Relationship with His Father
Choi Jae Jin (Kim Nam Hee) In The Drama Bitter Sweet Hell (Instagram.com/Mbcdrama_Now)
Hong Sa Gang deliberately kept Choi Go Myeon away from Choi Jae Jin due to her anger towards her husband’s infidelity. Choi Jae Jin is the child of an illicit relationship between Choi Go Myeon and his secretary. When Choi Go Myeon suggested a divorce, Hong Sa Gang refused, fearing it would tarnish the family’s reputation.
To maintain the family’s image, Hong Sa Gang kept Choi Jae Jin away from his father, even though they often saw him. Whenever little Choi Jae Jin played with his father, Hong Sa Gang would immediately take him away. She didn’t want her husband to get too close to their son.
This strained relationship impacted Choi Jae Jin as he grew into adulthood. He lacked the leadership qualities typical of men and found it challenging to express his opinions.
2. Controlled by Hong Sa Gang
Choi Jae Jin (Kim Nam Hee) And Hong Sa Gang (Lee Hye Young) In The Drama Bitter Sweet Hell (Instagram.com/Mbcdrama_Now)
Hong Sa Gang tried to control every aspect of Choi Jae Jin’s life, even though he was not her biological child. She didn’t want him to follow in his father’s footsteps of infidelity. From his diet and education to his romantic life, Hong Sa Gang had a say in everything.
For years, Choi Jae Jin followed his mother’s instructions, becoming someone who couldn’t express his opinions. He felt indebted to her and therefore believed he had no right to refuse her demands.
After years of suppressing his feelings, Choi Jae Jin finally expressed his frustration. He was fed up with Hong Sa Gang’s control over his life. He apologized to No Yeong Won, admitting that their marriage was not his choice but his mother’s.
3. Surrounded by Toxic People
Choi Jae Jin (Kim Nam Hee) In The Drama Bitter Sweet Hell (Instagram.com/Mbcdrama_Now)
Without positive role models at home, Choi Jae Jin found himself surrounded by toxic individuals outside the house. Lee Se Na (Yeon Woo), Moon Tae Oh (Jung Gun Joo), and Oh Ji Eun (Shin So Yul) influenced him negatively, advising him to distance himself from his family.
In his confused state, Choi Jae Jin followed their advice, seeking freedom from his family’s constraints. He believed he could be himself with them.
However, this led to cracks in the family he had built over the years. Choi Jae Jin’s actions showed he was not ready to settle down, still bearing emotional wounds from Hong Sa Gang’s treatment. Towards the end of the series, the question remains: how will he protect his family? Find the answer in Bitter Sweet Hell.
In conclusion, Choi Jae Jin’s lack of power in the Bitter Sweet Hell family stems from his strained relationship with his father, being controlled by Hong Sa Gang, and being surrounded by toxic influences. His journey highlights the impact of family dynamics and external pressures on personal strength and leadership.
