Because This Is My First Life

Oldie but Goodie

Because this is my First Life - 16 Episodes 2017

In short, this is a story of a young writer named Yun Ji Ho (Jung So Min), who quit her job and is in need of new living accommodations. She meets Nam Se Hui who is need of a roommate and source of rental income. They both come to an agreement through the use of a marriage use as a contractual tool that fits both their needs.

This was an interesting story from start to finish. The hook of the story is Nam Se Hui (Lee Min Ki) who plays an emotionless character much like Spock of Star Trek or Sheldon from Big Bang Theory. Both enter the contract with no personal feelings for one another. But over the course of the program, they both fall for each other.

Some reflective and self narrating scenes were on the verge of being too long. But luckily that line was never crossed. There were many scenes that were exceptionally well performed. Jung So Min performed several scenes in which she had to show sorrow or other emotions that were very impactful. So much so that I felt her performance rivelled many other award winning productions.

The pacing of Lee Min Ki's character was perfect. He possessed a number of emotional and social barriers the were the essence of his character. The writers were careful to remove those barriers brick by brick in a suspenseful and meaningful manner, making it so much more interesting and rewarding.

There were two other side stories involving the main lead's friends. Their stories held up in their own right. Interesting and very well played out. If given a chance, those stories and actors could have been another series in and of itself.

There was just enough humor and twists to keep the interest for each episode. Many of which had a ending leaving you wanting to see the next episode immediately. Spoiler : One such example is that the first kiss actually happens at the end of the first episode. How is that for a hook?

This is just one of a few series that I have viewed with Jung So Min. And she has yet to disappoint me. I believe she possesses so much star-power that is often overlooked. Performances in Alchemy of Souls and Love Next Door just to name a few.

OST had some really good songs that fit the shows perfectly. Very lite and upbeat. However, I have only selected one to add to my current playlist.

I recommend this series and rate it a 8.5 out of 10.

Read More

SLOWWWWW burn

another couple fallen victim to the misunderstanding trope cuz THEY DONT COMMUNICATE!!!!!!!!!!! ugh i hate when they just swallow all their problems where there are SO MANY opportunities to just talk to each other!!!!!! i watched this for jung somin but her acting got a bit repetitive; i don't think i like this role where she's very timid and shy. also her kissing is not that great in this.
lee minki is very funny! despite his character being very closed off he is very lovable and he grew on me. the side couples were very cute as well and overall the story is pretty progressive for 2017.

Read More

Because this is my first time writing a review !

First of all I would like to say how pretty our FL is.she throughout nailed the show, l became a fan of somin because of this show.
The story is 👍 for me.The FL role is so heartwarming.she just needs a room where she can sleep soundly, the night when she was wrongly treated by her co-worker her words speaks a lot.the long tunnel walk scene was awesome.
the friendship of the 3 characters is great, they were there when they needed.
The introverted ML with kitty(woori) is handsome. our woori got some acting skills tho🐈🐈.
Regarding acting there's no doubt the entire cast did a great job.
The music is so soothing expecially I liked "This life" song by moon sung nam.my fav kdrama ost so far.
I re-watch this show atleast twice in a year.
At last as i said this is my first time writing a review my words should be short and sweet like JSM 😅🤗.
your faithfully 😉,
FL's fan🥰❣️
and I forgot about mentioning about the quotes of this show. they are like heart of the show.
"Words are born from people's mouth....and die in their ears"
"but some words don't die they go into people's heart and survive"..................like BTIMFL kdrama.Always in our hearts❣️

Read More

Melancholy and the infinite sadness

This series was good enough that I watched the whole thing (although I did start skipping scenes after episode 10). It had a happy ending and there were some fun and funny moments. I also think the acting was really good.

However, the overall feeling of the whole series was really depressing.

The ML had a subdued, but interesting personality. The FL was just boring, demure and seemed depressed the whole series. Her choices puzzled me and yet she was as intriguing as a cup of sugar and just as bland. On paper they made sense as a couple, but the chemistry was seriously lacking.

All 3 female characters in the story were in depressing situations of their own making, yet it seemed that the implication was that their woes was a result of the year they were born in and the fact that they are female. As a woman who worked in a male dominated field, I personally have higher expectations from my fellow women than to just blame the patriarchy and or economy. When my great-grandparents went through the Great Depression they didn't bemoan their lives and how unfair it was that they didn't have what their parents had - they pulled up their socks and got to work and made the best of the situation.

My biggest pet peeve was however the character that went to work without a bra while wearing see-through shirts. I understand bra's can be really uncomfortable for some women, but she could wear a vest or a crop top. I would be uncomfortable if I worked with a man who wore see-through shirts. She flashed her nipples and yet couldn't understand her male co-workers attitude towards her?

So the story wanted to make a social commentary, but didn't. A society that devalues women can only happen if mothers don't teach their sons to respect women. It's not all on the shoulders of men.

Would I re-watch it? No. Would I recommend it to other people? Only if you like the drama in kdrama. This wasn't fun to watch (baring a few scenes) and dragged on for ever.

Read More

Funny and quirky

I was so pleasantly surprised by this after watching a string of bad k-dramas. This show deals with some interesting topics and sometimes they do take some storylines a bit too far but as long as you don’t take things too seriously, you’ll have a good time.

What worked:

1. Main storyline. It was so bizarre in a good way that everything else kinda fell into places without rocking your sense of logic too much. I think the overall flow of the story stayed within the confines of the world they created. They didn’t rely on (not too much anyways) crazy logic jumps to push the story forward. I hate that so much!
2. Main characters. Definitely one of the main reasons why this show worked. I really liked Ji-ho and Se-hee. I did find Se-hee a bit weird at first but he grew on me. I really liked Ji-ho’s journey and where she ended up at. I also loved her constantly surprised look on her face.
3. Challenging traditional Korean men/women values. Like I said, some storylines were taken too far to keep up with the established characters and their behaviors but they mostly succeeded in getting people to at least think about things.
4. CEO Ma was great. He was a great character. Caring for his best friend and standing up for his girlfriend (would be) even though they both treated him badly at first.
5. Ho-rang. Not everything about her made sense but she was relatable and the actress did a great job portraying her. She’s upbeat (when she’s not crying) and had a goal. I just wish she didn’t get back with the loser. Sigh...
6. The ending. I really like the way they handled the inevitable “temporary” break up. Ji-Ho had a plan, albeit only she knew about it but she stuck to it. Good for her!

What didn’t work:

1. Soo-ji. She was made to fulfill the strong, independent career woman type. Did not work at all for me. Maybe her storyline or maybe it’s the actress. Well, both but I really couldn’t stand the actress.
2. Ho-rang’s boyfriend. How big of a loser can you be? It’s one thing to chase your dream and struggle in the beginning but he has an understanding of a 5 yr old when it comes to life in general. He also looks like he’s about 5, too.
3. A lot of these characters are supposed to be in their early 30’s but they behaviors/ lack of knowledge of life in general made them seem like they’re just starting out in life.
4. Inevitable relational conflicts. Kidnapper story was so dumb and it just came and went. They started the obligatory love triangle which was bad enough but decided to sprinkle in kidnapper elements, too!!! And after all that, Se-hee once had a lover/wife and she was the reason why he’s the way he is!!! What???
5. Se-hee’s ex. It’s really not the character but the way they introduced the storyline and the character really went nowhere. I think it could’ve been anybody off the street.
6. Challenging traditional Korean men/women values. I know I put this as one of the pros but like I mentioned, the writer had a certain narrative she wanted to tackle and either went too far or stuck with it even though it didn’t make sense/ didn’t work within the given storyline.

All in all, I really enjoyed the show. Like I said, it probably helped that I watched it after seeing some horrendous shows. I feel so attached to the main characters. I wish I could stop by to check in on their life here and there. Sigh.

Read More

Why Because This Is My First Life Hit Me Harder Than I Expected

Because This Is My First Life feels very different from most of the dramas I’ve watched. I honestly think the writing is some of the best I’ve seen in a K-drama. It was thoughtful, emotional, and surprisingly relatable without trying too hard to be dramatic.

Things I loved:

1. The slow burn between Se-hee and Ji-ho

I loved how well their slow burn was done. Their relationship took its time, and I found myself rooting for them more and more as the story went on. Nothing about their relationship felt instant, which made the emotional payoff so much more satisfying.

2. The reconciliation scene

The scene where Ji-ho came back and Se-hee thought he was dreaming absolutely broke me. The way they looked at each other, and the way he started crying, was so emotional. After watching him stay so composed and emotionally closed off for most of the drama, it was really nice to finally see that vulnerable side of him. Even the scenes where he got angry were interesting because we rarely saw him openly express what he was feeling. After watching him suppress his emotions for so long, seeing him finally let everything out was incredibly satisfying.

3. The way Se-hee treated Ji-ho

One of my favorite things about Se-hee was how considerate he was toward Ji-ho. I especially liked that when his ex came back, his main concern was Ji-ho and how the situation might affect her.

He also didn’t make moves on Ji-ho until he was sure of himself. I’m so tired of male leads who stay confused about their feelings and end up making the female lead suffer because of it. Se-hee was quiet and emotionally reserved, but he always respected Ji-ho and her decisions. That was probably the best thing about him. He was genuinely a good guy, and I was happy to see him finally heal from his past and allow himself to be happy again.

4. Ji-ho being soft without being weak

I really liked Ji-ho as a female lead. She was gentle, quiet, and soft, but that never made her weak. When something truly mattered to her, she stood her ground and made her own decisions. I liked that her character broke the stereotype that a soft female lead also has to be passive or helpless.

5. The meaning of Se-hee’s house

I think Se-hee eventually sold his house because he simply couldn’t bear to live there anymore after everything that happened. That made the ending even more meaningful to me because he and Ji-ho eventually built a home of their own together. It was a beautiful reminder that having a house and having a home are not necessarily the same thing. Home is where the heart is.

6. Watching the characters go through an entire journey

By the end, I really felt like I had gone through a whole journey with these characters. I especially loved watching Se-hee and Ji-ho grow and change throughout the drama.

Even the smaller moments showed how much Se-hee had changed. Watching someone as economical and careful with money as him start spending unnecessarily on Ji-ho was so funny and cute. It was only 16 episodes, but somehow it left a deeper impression on me than a lot of longer dramas.

I also prefer watching dramas in one go, and I think that made this one hit me even harder because I could stay immersed in the characters and their emotions from beginning to end.

7. The poem and literary references

I loved the references to poetry and literature throughout the drama. They fit the characters and their situations so well and added another layer to the story. They didn’t feel like they were included just to make the drama sound deep. They actually connected to what the characters were going through and made certain scenes more meaningful.

8. CEO Ma Sang-goo

Sang-goo was easily one of my favorite characters. He was mature, grounded, understanding, and surprisingly emotionally intelligent. I really liked the way he approached people and handled difficult situations. He was just a genuinely likable character.

9. The social and economic themes

I also really liked how the drama touched on Korea’s economic changes and showed how the circumstances people grew up in affected their lives as adults. It helped explain their attitudes toward money, housing, careers, relationships, and marriage. Those details made the characters’ struggles feel much more grounded in reality.

10. The cat

And obviously, I have to mention the cat. It was so cute. Every time it appeared on screen, I just wanted to pet it.

Things I absolutely despised:

1. Ho-rang and Won-seok’s relationship

I absolutely hated their relationship, especially the fact that they got back together in the end. Ho-rang was so fucking annoying to me. Every time she came on screen, my blood boiled.

I found her incredibly selfish and toxic in that relationship. She wanted marriage badly, which is completely fine, but the way she constantly pressured Won-seok about it was not. It felt like she was so focused on what she wanted that she barely listened to what he was actually telling her.

2. Ho-rang’s ending

This was probably one of my biggest problems with the ending. Everything worked out a little too perfectly, especially for Ho-rang. I would have much rather seen her stay single for a while and actually reflect on her choices, the way she treated Won-seok, and the mistakes she made in their relationship.

Instead, after the breakup, she started seeing another genuinely nice guy and ended up involving him in a situation where her feelings for Won-seok clearly weren’t resolved. That annoyed me even more. If she still loved Won-seok that much, I don’t think she needed another relationship in between just to realize it.

I really wish her storyline had focused more on personal growth before putting her and Won-seok back together. Their reunion would have felt much more satisfying to me if I had actually seen her reflect and change first.

3. The final bus scene

I really wish the last bus scene had been only Se-hee and Ji-ho. That place already had meaning for the two of them, so it would have been much more emotional to end their story there together.

I don’t remember the bus having any particular significance for the other characters, so having everyone there felt unnecessary to me. It took away some of the intimacy from what could have been a really beautiful final moment between Se-hee and Ji-ho.

Overall, Because This Is My First Life left a much bigger impression on me than I expected. I definitely had my issues with some of the side stories, especially everything involving Ho-rang and Won-seok toward the end, but they weren’t enough to take away from everything I loved about it.

The writing, the slow burn, Se-hee and Ji-ho’s character development, and all those small emotional moments made the drama feel very complete. By the time it ended, I didn’t feel like I had simply watched these characters for 16 episodes. It felt like I had watched them actually live, change, get hurt, heal, and slowly figure out what they wanted from life.

Read More

I've rewatched this show at least 5 times. Please watch it!

I think someone said that this show is for a mature audience, and I completely agree. I think the elements it contains and the events that soon follow are incredibly unconventional. The overall storyline might seem conventional, but nothing about the way everything plays out is easy or predictable. To see people changing and evolving, and to actually believe that they are is so so beautiful. Also, I so entirely believed LMK's acting that when I saw him in The Lies Within, I literally had to put it on hold until I got over this character. Jung So Min was AMAZING. I think she played her part to perfection, hot and cold, stern but loving, whatever it was, she got through it. LMK and JSM are so so lovable here.
I watched it because I needed gooeyness in my life but I actually came out having learnt a lot! Honestly, just watch the show. Whilst it might not be for anyone, I always recommend this drama to people going through a tough time in their lives. Not because of the "lovers" but because it actually teaches you certain life facts without being preachy. <3

Read More

A must watch

WOW! Just wow, this drama truly caught me off guard. Honestly I started watching it without knowing a single thing and all I can say is that I'm so glad I watched it.

From start to end, this drama does something that not many kdramas do, and that is to talk about topics that are realistic and that happen in every-day life. In other words, topics that must ! be ! talked ! about ! They took the leap and touched themes such as sexual harrasment, workplace harassment, patriarchy, feminism, conservative families and their traditions, and so on. I love, LOVE, that this drama openly talks and critics the role of women in society and how we are downgraded to be just "housemaids that need to serve their husbands". I was truly surprised when these topics started to show up because it's so rare to se a kdrama talk about such topics.

The character, ufffff, cheff kisses. I really liked how we got this huge range of characters and personalities, how they would distinguish from one another, how they complemented each other. Soo Ji was my favourite by far, this strong woman that wants to go against the world. I loved how she criticized the "normal" things of life, the "things that a woman must do". She didn't want to be the woman that society expected her to be. And I loved how she teached Sang Goo certain things that aren't meant to be normal in a relationship. Truly amazing her character.

Chemistry between the couples in general is very cute. I really liked how Se Hee and Ji Ho's relationship develops throughout the episodes, and I'm really happy with how things turned out in the end. Above all, I really liked how Se Hee's characters evolves until the end, and starts to be more easy-going and enjoys life more than before.

This is the kind of drama that teaches you important stuff about life, how to take into consideration other people's heart and feelings, and above all, how to love yourself first and respect yourself in order to care about others. I'm so happy I finally watched it with out expecting too much, because it surprised me even more. A must watch in my opinion.

Read More

pleasantly surprised

Wanted to watch this drama a couple of times but the unsure as to whether it will be good,but after watching one episode i couldn't stop. Its so good and totally relatable in day to day lives of any people.
Growing love, miscommunications and misunderstandings, expectations and pressure from the outside (family, friends, traditions...), looking for and fighting for happiness, women trying to make their lives better in a strongly patriarchal society.

The characters are great, acting is on point and oh the plot ... The plot is amazing, it hits you out of nowhere! It definitely makes you feel some feelings other dramas don't and you'll definitely start questioning stuff. With wonderful misic everything fit.

It is worth while romantic drama. Recommend it!

Read More

Would've been a good movie without the poetical nonsense at the end.

First of all, I'd like to say that I have never written a review about a movie before no matter how good or bad the movie but because of this movie, I had to open an account just to write this review because what????

The storyline between the side couples Ho Rang and Won Soek. They needed to stop hurting each other and trying to make each other Happy at the expense of their individual happiness. He was trying so hard to make her happy but she either didn't notice his sacrifice or he didn't understand what she wanted and even when he Finally got it, he tried but he couldn't afford it. They needed space to understand each other's heart and they did well. I loved their storyline.

CEO Ma and Soo ji we're so adorable. He was really understanding and that was exactly what Soo ji needed due to the maltreatment and disrespect she faced at her workplace. Soo ji made me realize that life happens to your dreams and goals, life happens but it's up to you to stop running and face it when the time's right because your happiness lies in firing up your dreams not others dreams.

My problem with this movie is Ji Ho. Why would you do that to him? That was so toxic. At first, I thought there was a misunderstanding and she didn't understand his affection but before she left, she was told clearly (3 times) that he wanted to confess his love to her. If she needed space that was alright and she could've explained it to him and not make him suffer but she divorced him and literally told him she was never coming back just to go on a spa date and enjoy. He went into a depressed state, even sold his house and then she came back trying to act like nothing happened. The worse part was when he was expressing his justified anger and all she did was smile and said " Se Hee got angry; Se Hee told me he missed me" At that point i couldn't take it anymore.

The ending was too toxic and the poetical nonsense close to the end of the movie was absolutely irritating. Thank you

Read More

I think this drama makes it to my top 10 list of all time favourite.

I didn't have any expectations for this drama but it really got me. I think the casting was great, and I could feel the sparks between the main characters in a strong but subtle way.

I recommend this drama. It's a bit slow at first but I would say give it a try and you won't regret it. The story has a point on some of important issues which I love since it's often not done in Korean dramas. Now I want to look up other dramas from the same writer, director and main cast hehe.

Read More

This is my first review, so sorry if it's kinda akward.
Usually I don't like watching airing dramas because I prefer to binge watch them once they are finished, but as soon as I watched the first episode I got really hooked and was looking forward to every monday.

Story:

What I love about this drama is the fact that they focus on all 3 relationships and it never gets boring. Some things are quite predictable, but some aren't. I liked that there was a romance drama which isn't complete cliche and the story itself was really refreshing in my opinion and I was sad when it ended. Some people might didn't enjoy the last 2 episodes, but for me they were almost perfect for this drama to be honest.

Acting:

I was really looking forward to this drama because of the cast, and what can I say, they couldn't have find better actors for the roles and I really loved all of them.

Music:

I usually don't care too much about the OST's of a drama, I like to listen to them once in a while, and that's it. But somehow, for this drama i found the Soundtracks just perfect. They added the music so good and it always fit the situation well, especially when there were sad scenes. A good fittinh OST in an emotional scene makes me cry everytime, and this happend a
to me a few times while watching.

Rewatchable Value:

I think its one of those dramas, which you can rewatch without getting bored because of its funny scenes and the lovely characters.

Overall:

WATCH IT!! It's seriously so well written and i think most people will enjoy this one, since there are so many relatable topics. And the main couples are just adorable :)

Read More