Perfect Family (2024)

I PRAY, I ASK FOR THE HEAVEN

I have to admit, I was a bit taken aback by the low rating for the final episode of “완벽한 가족”. I’m not sure what people were expecting from the conclusion, especially since the pacing and plot development seemed like they could’ve fit better in a film rather than a full-length drama series.

The entire storyline was built around the drama’s theme song, “TO HEAVEN”, beautifully sung by Jukjae. So, I’m going to break down the song verse by verse and connect it with the storyline. This drama deals with themes of isolation, family secrets, and the constant pursuit of a perfect image, while the characters navigate deep emotions and personal struggles.

First Verse:

Lyrics:
“Quietly, loneliness creeps into me
When will this long day ever end?
The sky I saw while walking with heavy steps
Is dark, as if it’s looking into my heart and painting it.”

Analysis:
The first verse speaks to a deep, creeping loneliness. The feeling that the day drags on endlessly suggests ongoing anguish, a sense that the problems and burdens are never-ending. The “dark sky” reflects the emotional state of the person, symbolizing hopelessness and the weight of their internal struggles.

Connection to the Drama:
This verse mirrors the experiences of the main characters, who seem to have the perfect lives on the surface, yet beneath it all, they carry the heavy burden of maintaining appearances. In “완벽한 가족”, there’s a stark contrast between what the characters show to the outside world and how they truly feel. The drama explores how, despite being surrounded by people, especially the protagonist’s parents, they feel a deep loneliness, which is reflected in their expressions and the “heavy steps” of their daily routine. The “dark sky” represents the secrets that haunt the family.

Second Verse:

Lyrics:
“I close my eyes in silence and slowly count to ten
In the moment I open them, I wish it were all a dream
I pray, I pray, to heaven.”

Analysis:
Here, the lyrical voice seems to seek a temporary escape from reality by closing their eyes and hoping that when they open them, it was all just a nightmare. Praying to heaven represents a search for a way out, a desperate hope that the difficulties will magically disappear.

Connection to the Drama:
In the story, the characters often seem to be living in a dream or an illusion of perfection. The mother, who upholds this facade of family happiness, could be seen as someone who’s constantly praying for that illusion to stay intact, dreading the day when the family’s secrets come to light. This wish for everything to “be a dream” reflects the moments when the drama’s characters yearn to escape the tension and stress that weigh heavily on their seemingly perfect lives.

Third Verse:

Lyrics:
“I let out a sigh bigger than my breath
I try to walk back, but I remain in the same place
My wish, finally written in tears
Yes, I want to go back to the beginning.”

Analysis:
This verse expresses frustration. The lyrical voice is stuck in a repetitive cycle, unable to move forward. The melancholy of wanting to “go back to the beginning” suggests a longing to undo choices or fix the mistakes that led to the current situation.

Connection to the Drama:
In the drama, many of the characters, especially the protagonist’s parents, grapple with regret and remorse. They often question whether the choices they made — regarding their careers, family, or hidden secrets — were the right ones. Like the lyrics, they long to “go back to the beginning” to try and rewrite their lives, free from the mistakes and secrets that now haunt them. This desire for a second chance is a recurring theme in the story as they try to face the consequences of their past decisions.

Fourth Verse:

Lyrics:
“Once again, I’m alone, only my shadow remains
In the moment everything collapses, I wish it were someone’s embrace
I pray, I pray, to heaven.”

Analysis:
In this verse, the lyrical voice feels abandoned, left with only their shadow for company. When everything seems to be falling apart, they yearn for the embrace of another, a sign of vulnerability and a desire for emotional connection. Once again, there’s an appeal to heaven, a plea for divine intervention.

Connection to the Drama:
This verse fits perfectly with the storyline of “완벽한 가족”. The breakdown of family relationships and the loneliness of the characters are central themes. As the facade of perfection begins to crumble, each family member desperately seeks comfort in others. However, much like the lyrics, they often find only their own shadows — a metaphor for the emptiness that surrounds them. The desire for an embrace — a genuine and heartfelt connection — is something the characters crave but rarely find, as they’re all trapped in their own illusions and fears. The prayer to heaven symbolizes their last hope that something, or someone, might save this “perfect family” before it falls apart entirely.

This analysis shows how the song “TO HEAVEN” and the storyline of “완벽한 가족” are deeply intertwined, sharing themes of loneliness, frustration, and the search for redemption or comfort. Just as in the song, the characters in the drama are constantly praying — both literally and figuratively — for their lives to be healed from the secrets and pain that weigh them down. They wish they could go back to the beginning, to find solace, and to overcome the emptiness that surrounds them.

In the end, I hope you find my analysis insightful, and I truly wish that everyone can find their own version of the “perfect family” in the best way life can offer.

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