Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score –4/5 Episode 2 -| Review Score –3.5/5 Episode 3 -| Review Score –3.5/5 Episode 4 -| Review Score –4/5 Episode 5 -| Review Score –3.5/5 Episode 6 -| Review Score –4/5 Episode 7 -| Review Score –3.5/5 Episode 8 -| Review Score –3.5/5 Episode 9 -| Review Score –3.5/5 Episode 10 -| Review Score –3/5 Episode 11 -| Review Score –3/5 Episode 12 -| Review Score –3/5 Episode 13 -| Review Score –2.5/5 Episode 14 -| Review Score –2.5/5 Episode 15 -| Review Score –2/5 Episode 16 -| Review Score –2.5/5 Green Mothers Club is a tonally conflicted K-Drama that can’t decide what sort of show it wants to be. Flip-flopping between different states, JTBC’S latest offering is a bit of a wash out. The show dabbles in mother/child relations, playground politics, murder mystery melodrama and soapy scandals. Unfortunately, none of these mesh together very effectively, producing a lukewarm drama that could have been so much better. In the middle of this entangled, tonal knot IS A woman called Eun-Pyo. She moves to a brand new neighbourhood with her husband Jae-Ung who happens to be a pretty good detective. They also have two sons, Dong-Seok and Dong-Ju. Unfortunately Dong-Seok is a little slow and disinterested at school, leading Eun-Pyo to be shunned by the other mothers. Leading this charge of dissent is Chun-Hui, a woman with a fair share of problems. Her husband is a gambling addict, her daughter Yu-Bin is a compulsive liar and she’s still lusting for her ex, Man-Su. Now, Man-Su is married to Yun-Ju, who happens to be close to Eun-Pyo, connecting this all together. However, things take a turn for the worst for everyone when Eun-Pyo realizes that Jin-Ha- the Queen Bee of the whole group – is revealed to be her old friend from college. Eun-Pyo has history with her husband Luis too, which is slowly revealed over time. On paper, the show actually has a pretty enticing set-up but the execution is questionable, to say the least. There’s a strange aura surrounding this drama, with some episodes lazily breezing through its chapters without much development and leaning into the slice of life vibes. Other times, the show goes full-on melodrama, smashing through twists, plot developments, character drama and then throwing in a murder mystery. Because, why not I guess? But then Green Mothers Club takes ages to get to the point and even after a death in the neighbourhood, by the end of the series, one would be forgiven for feeling complete indifference to the whole ordeal. A show like this lives or dies by its characters and unfortunately, Green Mothers Club’s ensemble is a bit of a washout. Eun-Pyo in particular is incredibly unlikable and while Chun-Hui’s motivations are soon revealed and make sense, the first half makes for a difficult watch. Likewise, everyone from Yun-Ju to Jin-Ha have their flaws to the point of alienation and annoyance. I understand this is to actually give a more accurate portrayal of these flawed personas, but with very few likable characters to rally being, Green Mothers Club doesn’t do itself any favours. The soundtrack isn’t very memorable either, with an ill-fitting main theme that just lazily flits through a sequence that feels completely at odds with what this show’s values are. If there’s one saving grace though, it comes from the acting which is excellent all round. There are some memorable moments and most of that rests on the shoulders of the cast, who do an admirable job with the material they’ve been given. Yu-Bin in particular is probably one of the better child actors in this role, while Chun-Hui’s conflicted persona makes for a really endearing watch. Beyond the acting, Green Mothers Club doesn’t have a lot going for it. This is an overlong, bloated and tonally conflicted show that can’t decide what sort of story it wants to tell. While there is a decent enough resolution to the story, that feels like a consolation prize for what’s otherwise a disappointing series.
