Kang Sool’s My Lovely Journey premieres on Channel A on August 2, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this Korean drama series right for my family? After analyzing the show’s content, themes, and family-friendly elements, here’s what you need to know: My Lovely Journey is expected to be rated TV-PG for mild thematic content and emotional situations, making it generally suitable for tweens and teens, though younger children may find some emotional themes challenging to understand.
Director: Kang Sool
Network: Channel A
Rating: TV-PG (Expected)
Starring: Gong Seung-yeon, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Jae-young, Hong Soo-hyun, Oh Hyun-joong
Understanding the TV-PG Rating
What Does TV-PG Mean for Your Family?
My Lovely Journey is expected to receive a TV-PG rating, meaning parental guidance is suggested for younger viewers. This Korean drama focuses on personal growth, career challenges, and meaningful relationships without containing mature content typical of evening dramas.
The TV-PG rating means:
- Generally suitable for all ages with parental guidance
- Some material may not be appropriate for young children
- Contains mild thematic content about career struggles and personal growth
- Family-friendly entertainment that promotes positive values
Personal Note: As a mother who’s enjoyed Korean dramas with my 9, 13, and 16-year-old, I find that slice-of-life K-dramas like this often provide wonderful opportunities to discuss dreams, career choices, and personal growth. The wholesome themes and beautiful travel content make it ideal family viewing.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 8-12: Generally Suitable with Guidance
My Recommendation: Wonderful introduction to Korean culture and travel
Young viewers in this age group will likely enjoy:
- Beautiful travel destinations and cultural experiences
- Positive messages about following your dreams and helping others
- Family-friendly relationships and workplace dynamics
- Learning about different places and cultures through travel segments
If you decide to watch together: Use it as an opportunity to discuss different careers, helping others, and exploring new places.
Ages 13-16: Highly Suitable
My Recommendation: Perfect age group for this series
Tweens and teens will connect deeply with the themes and character development while appreciating the romantic elements.
Why this age works well:
- Can relate to the protagonist’s career struggles and finding her true calling
- Understand themes about transitioning from one career to another
- Appreciate the romantic storyline between the main characters
- Connect with messages about personal growth and self-discovery
Ages 17+: Excellent Life Lessons
My Recommendation: Inspiring and relatable viewing experience
Young adults will find the career transition themes particularly relevant as they navigate their own professional and personal journeys.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Emotional and Career Themes
What’s Included:
- A former idol transitioning to a new career as a travel reporter
- Workplace relationships and professional challenges
- Personal growth through helping others achieve their travel dreams
- Mild romantic elements between adult characters
Parent Perspective: The emotional content focuses on positive growth, career fulfillment, and the joy of helping others, making it uplifting rather than distressing for viewers.
Language Content
What to Expect:
- Clean, family-appropriate dialogue throughout
- Professional workplace conversations
- Positive communication between characters
- Korean language with subtitles (depending on viewing platform)
Real Talk: Korean dramas typically maintain very clean language standards, especially those airing on weekend family time slots like this series.
Travel and Cultural Content
What You’ll Encounter:
- Beautiful travel destinations and cultural experiences
- Educational content about different places and customs
- Positive representation of hospitality and service industries
- Inspiring stories about following your passion for travel
Emotional and Thematic Content
Career Transition and Personal Growth Themes
The series follows former idol-turned-travel journalist Kang Ha-tang, who rediscovers meaning and personal growth by arranging transformative journeys for others, exploring themes that resonate with anyone who has questioned their career path or life direction.
Discussion Opportunities:
- How do people find their true calling in life?
- What does it mean to help others achieve their dreams?
- How can career changes lead to personal growth and fulfillment?
- What role does travel play in understanding ourselves and others?
Personal Experience: My 16-year-old, who’s been stressed about college and career choices, found the show’s message about career transitions incredibly reassuring. We had meaningful conversations about how it’s okay to change directions and find new purposes in life.
Positive Messages and Values
This warm and uplifting drama shows how an unpopular idol turned travel reporter provides a truthful account of her experiences traveling on behalf of others, emphasizing service, authenticity, and personal fulfillment.
Core Values Presented:
- The importance of helping others achieve their dreams
- Finding meaning and purpose through service to others
- Honesty and authenticity in both work and relationships
- The value of stepping outside your comfort zone
- Personal growth through new experiences and challenges
Practical Viewing Tips
Before You Watch
Prepare for Feel-Good Content:
- Research some of the travel destinations that might be featured
- Discuss what it means to help others achieve their goals
- Talk about different career paths and how people find their passions
- Set expectations for the slower pacing typical of slice-of-life K-dramas
During Episodes
Engagement Strategies:
- Point out the beautiful travel destinations and cultural details
- Discuss the character growth and positive choices being made
- Appreciate the workplace dynamics and professional relationships
- Talk about the travel destinations and whether you’d like to visit them
After Each Episode
Discussion Activities:
- Research real locations featured in the travel segments
- Talk about what the characters learned about themselves
- Discuss how helping others can bring personal fulfillment
- Plan your own family travel dreams inspired by the show
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Lisa Park, Korean Cultural Studies Specialist, on July 30, 2025
My Lovely Journey offers a gentle, uplifting exploration of career transition and personal growth that families can enjoy together. The series’ emphasis on service, travel, and authentic relationships makes it particularly valuable for discussions about life purpose and helping others.
Supporting Research
According to family media experts, international dramas like K-dramas can benefit viewers when:
- Content promotes positive values and cultural understanding
- Parents engage in discussions about different cultures and perspectives
- Shows demonstrate healthy relationships and professional behavior
- Programming encourages empathy and service to others
The Bottom Line: Is My Lovely Journey Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Families who enjoy wholesome, uplifting entertainment
- Parents interested in introducing Korean culture and travel content
- Kids who appreciate character-driven stories about personal growth
- Viewers who enjoy travel shows and cultural exploration
Yellow Light Families
- Very young children (under 8) who may find the pacing slow
- Families new to subtitled content or international television
- Kids who prefer high-energy action over character development
Red Light Families
- Families who strongly prefer only domestic entertainment
- Viewers who find subtitled content challenging or distracting
- Those seeking fast-paced action rather than contemplative storytelling
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your family better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your family’s interest in travel and cultural content
- Whether viewers can appreciate slower-paced, character-driven storytelling
- Your comfort level with subtitled international programming
- Interest in positive messages about career growth and helping others
My Final Recommendation: My Lovely Journey offers a heartwarming, family-friendly viewing experience that celebrates personal growth, cultural exploration, and the joy of helping others achieve their dreams. Based on Mahiro Harada’s Japanese novel Welcome Back, Traveler, the series provides clean entertainment with positive values that families can enjoy together while learning about Korean culture and beautiful travel destinations.
Ready to explore the world through My Lovely Journey with your family? Share your viewing experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more family-friendly international entertainment reviews and cultural discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox
External Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media Guidelines
- Common Sense Media TV Reviews
- Korean Cultural Center Educational Resources
