By : Afifah Mahadzir
It is common to hear these stereotypes surrounding Korean dramas: they are a ‘bad influence’ on youth, they are made of ‘plastic’, and so on. However, I have never considered those things while watching them. Instead, I constantly feel like I'm learning something new and exciting. Why? Because I’ve watched a lot of Korean dramas, and they are always unique in their own way. Their dramas are nothing like conventional Malay dramas, which always revolve around the forbidden love between a couple. Korean dramas vary in terms of their genre. It could be historical, fantasy, mystery, thriller, science fiction, comedy, melodrama, romance, horror, or action. But the one I am going to talk about is truly one of the most tear-jerking dramas I’ve ever seen. The title of it? Yes, just like what you have read in the title, it is Hi Bye, Mama!
This story was actually about a mother, Cha Yuri, who died in an accident while pregnant with her first daughter. She then lived as a ghost, watching her five-year-old daughter from afar. Through a reincarnation project, she was given a period of time as a human. She was also given a second chance at life if she could reclaim her proper status as her husband's wife and the mother of her daughter. Her husband, though, has already remarried. Yuri wanted to try and get back to her position; however, she realised that her husband’s new wife is as sweet as honey and has always been a good mother to her daughter, Seo Woo. Even though it was a bittersweet decision, she chose to return to heaven rather than seek her family.
I would never have predicted that this drama would elicit so many emotions and teach me such valuable life lessons towards an 18 year old me. It appears to be a simple drama at first glance, but it contains a fantastic twist of events. Yuri, the main character, only wanted the best for her daughter. She wished to cherish her as all mothers in the world would. Whatever occurs, Seo Woo's happiness and safety take precedence. Her husband, Gang Hwa, was a single father who did his best to care for his child until one day he moved on and wanted to remarry. His new wife, Minjeong, was frequently misinterpreted. She is deemed a gold digger by her colleagues when all she ever wanted was to live a happy life with the guy she loves and her stepdaughter, for whom she cares the most.
I realised that a mother's love is so pure, and nothing can beat the care and affection that a mother has towards her children. That message is delivered so clearly in this drama, as Yuri did all she could to guard her daughter, whether from danger or the other ghosts. This drama also is a statement against the stereotype that not all stepmothers are evil. Stop having unnecessary stereotypes, people. Despite there being a lot of wickedness in this world, let us try to see the good in people first, shall we? Also, this drama provides a far stronger reason to respect and appreciate our mother. They did their best for us, and I think we should reciprocate with the same energy. If they did something wrong, forgive them, as they also sometimes feel like a child in an adult’s body.
In short, this drama is such a beautiful story with a prominent ending, and I truly recommend that you watch it. See you later!
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