The Atypical Family (2024) left viewers with a mix of emotions and questions, especially regarding Bok Gwi Ju’s five-year disappearance. As the series concluded on Netflix on June 9, 2024, fans were eager to piece together the puzzle. Let’s delve into the theories and unravel where Bok Gwi Ju might have been during his absence.
The Fire Incident and Time Travel
In episode 12, we witnessed Bok Gwi Ju (played by Jang Ki Yong) heroically saving Do Da Hae (Chun Woo He) and Bok I Na (Park So Yi) during a fire at a princess’s dancing competition. This scene took us back to a similar fire incident 13 years ago at Seonjae Girls’ High School. Bok Gwi Ju’s ability to travel through time enabled him to save Do Da Hae once again. In a poignant moment, he handed her a family ring before pushing her to safety. However, as the explosion occurred, Bok Gwi Ju vanished, leaving viewers in suspense.
The Future with Bok Nu Ri
The show’s final episode hints that during the explosion, Bok Gwi Ju was transported to another timeline—18 years into the future, to be precise, with his son, Bok Nu Ri. Bok Nu Ri, the child of Do Da Hae and Bok Gwi Ju, inherited superpowers, including the ability to retrieve objects from the past. This twist raises questions about the exact nature of Bok Nu Ri’s powers and their impact on Bok Gwi Ju’s disappearance.
When Bok Nu Ri was asked if he could bring Bok Gwi Ju back from the fire 18 years ago, it was a moment of hope. The series concluded with a touching scene of Bok Gwi Ju holding Bok Nu Ri’s hand, symbolizing their reunion across time.
Theories and Speculations
Viewers have speculated various reasons for Bok Gwi Ju’s five-year absence. One theory suggests that Bok Gwi Ju’s powers might have faded, trapping him in the past. This would explain his sudden reappearance only after being rescued by Bok Nu Ri. However, this theory conflicts with his appearance in the final scene, where he looks just as he did during the Seonjae Girls’ High School fire.
Another plausible explanation involves Bok Nu Ri’s powers only emerging when he was five years old, 18 years after the initial fire incident. This timing discrepancy suggests that Bok Nu Ri might have inadvertently pulled his father into the future, aligning with the series’ intricate timeline mechanics.
Bok Man Heum’s Dreams and the Final Revelation
Throughout the series, Bok Man Heum’s (Ko Du Shim) dreams played a significant role in foreshadowing events. These dreams often provided cryptic insights into the past and future, leaving the audience to interpret their meaning. It’s suggested that Bok Man Heum’s dreams were limited to the explosion at Do Da Hae’s school, implying Bok Gwi Ju’s death. Yet, with Bok Nu Ri’s powers, a new dream emerged, hinting at Bok Gwi Ju’s return.
In conclusion, while The Atypical Family wraps up with a happy ending, it leaves us pondering the complexities of time travel and family bonds. Bok Gwi Ju’s disappearance and reappearance are tied intricately to Bok Nu Ri’s emerging powers, adding depth to the series’ narrative. What do you think about these theories? Share your thoughts as we continue to unravel the mysteries of The Atypical Family.
