A mature rom-com
(English is not my first language, I apologise for any mistakes)."Because this is my first life" might have a typical synopsis but I can assure you that this rom-com is really not usual!
It's the first Korean drama I've watched that talked about women's place in Korean society. I loved the fact that despite having different points of view about life and marriage, the 3 women of this drama are very strong. I loved Woo Soo Ji! There are a lot of society issues that are treated in this drama, like sexual harassment in your job, marriage (and how the family of the husband is treating the wife), women's place in society, etc. Even if the story seems basic with the "fake-marriage" thing, actually the subject is really well treated and the story is far more deeper and better than it seems. I loved of course our 3 male characters and their evolution! And the cat was very very cute.
This romance was both shy and mature, thing I really appreciated. We don't have adults who react like college or high school students. Ji Hoo is not used to relationship but it doesn't mean that she acts like a kid. And the male lead might seems cold but it's more because he's shy. So he never treats Ji Hoo like she was his object, on the contrary!
About the acting I also really liked it but sometimes I had some difficulties with Jung So Min, her character really seemed too apathy and cold sometimes. I wished she smiled more but I think it's because of her character and not because she's a bad actress. The soundtrack wasn't too bad.
To conclude, I really liked the (mature) story, the evolution of the characters, the social issues treated and the romance. It's really a great story and one of my favourite rom-com.
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Summary sounds too cliched?
Still wondering if you would try this out?
The deciding factor starts with where you are currently in your life. Slice of life is an understatement for this drama. In my opinion, this drama was specially made for people who are emotionally in connect with themselves and see the world crudely as it really is. The comedy kicks in right from the start and it makes you wonder if it really is for a light watch but then the strange characters walk in, the characters that you see almost regularly and wonder how are they still functioning in this mess of the society within their own bubbles?
Genre : Rom-com, Slice of Life
Story : The story starts with the happy but unfortunate and tough life of a writer who wants little too less from life. Raised in a partriach society all she wants is a place to rest and thats when she finds the eccentric man with his strange house and realises this could be what she was looking for. For a person who wants nothing but peace and quiet and may be a place where she belongs, this drama is particularly those who have lived through the irony of this world. What makes this drama special is the plenty of characters that make you laugh and see the ruthless world as is. The girls who are standing by each other even though they might be in a good or bad situations and the men who are willing to go through loops of fire to keep their girls happy is a refreshing yet has a strangely patriarch edge to them which is quite common in Asian dramas but what makes you happy is the fact that there is good in every bad and i would advice you to watch it for atleast 4 episodes to actually decide if you can be in love with the strange lonely man in his house.
Actors : Jung So Min is one of the most talented actors out there and she proves it with excellence why so. Her portayel of the character was similar to that of "Father is Strange" but somehow it seems natural.
This is my first drama with Lee Min Ki and even though he looks a little weird, i am going to try and watch more of his drama to see him act because this was an amazing ride. At some point i was convinced he might be one of those talking robots with 3 facial expressions.
Lee Som plays a head strong warrior princess kind of character that makes you challenge the society. KIm MIn Suk is a sweet lucky engineer and the struggle is so real from an engineers point of view.
I would also like to comment on the OSTs (which i rarely do) because they're so perfect for each charcater. I couldnt stop myself from humming along.
Will i watch it again? Probably if i cant find any perfect rom-com for binge watching on girls night.
Will recommend it to Anyone? Ha Ha I already have.
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All 16 episodes were really enjoyable to watch there was never a time I felt that any scene was a filler or boring despite it not being a suspenseful drama(for the most part). They kept true to their genre and plot with complementary music that tugs at your heartstrings. Having watched so many dramas prior this is one that makes it to the list of realistic but simultaneously dramatic dramas, especially during the beginning where the dramaticness turns amusing. I must say thought that it is an effective way to hook people to start the drama however one definitely stays for the plot.
The main leads really shined in their roles for this drama. Having watched both Lee Min Ki(SUFBB) and Jung So Min(PK) prior to this meant that I has some foundation and I was thoroughly impressed by both their characters here and how suiting they were. Even though Se Hee was a man that had an emotionless face he was able to show his feelings through the expression of his eyes and I found So Min to fit being Ji Ho more that her role in Playful Kiss which left much to be desired.
Overall this drama was fantastic in it's genre, walking into it with high expectations and leaving with it meeting more than what I expected. I loved the songs that empathises with each scene accordingly and even the cinematography while not being a wow factor with difference country scenes and extraordinary visual effects was filmed appropriately to bring out the most of this drama. I applaud not only the casts but the directors, the wonderful writer and the composer of this memorable drama that will leave a deep imprint in years to come.
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Speaking of Lee Min Ki, he was my original K-actor crush even before Lee Joon Gi. But unfortunately LMK stopped doing dramas and then did a bunch of movies I just wasn't that interested in and he certainly never fell off my radar but after a while I couldn't remember why I loved him so much. Then I watched this drama and thought, oh, yep, that was it! Dang I have missed LMK! There are so many talented K-actors, but there is only one Lee Min Ki. He has a quirk about him and a sincerity in his eyes that no one duplicates. He is absolutely incredible and I hope that we get to see more of him on our screen after this tour de force drama! (I hope he does a sageuk movie or drama some day. Hear me drama gods?)
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I agree with all the gushing comments, so I won't bore you with my personal version. I will just say that this drama is in the running for my favorite drama of all time, neck and neck with Reply 1988.
The only disappointment for me was where Bo Mi ended up when all was said and done.
Anyway, bravo and thanks to everyone involved in this drama!
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Good Weights
I enjoyed watching Because This Is Our First Life because…
…Se Hee reminded me of Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory. His scientific reasoning for every feeling, every emotion made me laugh and go awwww at the same time. In one scene, Ji Ho expresses her feelings about finally being able to relate to others and be a part of a group after being an outcast all her life. Instead of offering some kind words of understanding, Se Hee justifies her feelings with Maslow’s theory. I wanted to strangulate him but changed my mind after seeing his honest face. Actor Lee Min Ki has done a fantabulous job portraying the robotic Se Hee. Please watch out for the scene where Se Hee announces his marriage to his colleagues and asks who all thought he was gay or asexual. That scene was hilarious. I am laughing even as I write about it.
…I love Jung So Min. This girl is too adorable and her portrayal of Ji Ho is way beyond perfect. Ji Ho is a dejected, lonely and unsuccessful writer looking for love and success. Her's is a very real character, in a real-world working under real circumstances. She struggles throughout the drama and even at the end, she does not become an award-winning writer like most drama characters do overnight. She continues to struggle but with a smile on her face. Her optimistic and hard-working character is a delight to watch. Complications in her story show that life is not a fairy tale. Just when you think everything is going fine, life throws a curveball that hits you right in the nose and you are left disoriented for a few minutes. But just like Ji Ho, you have to pick yourself up and keep going. If you are lucky enough then you can even hit the batsman who hit you with the ball. Do watch out the scene where she kicks Se Hee to make him bow before her strict father. I was in splits watching that one.
…there is a lot of love and romance. It is almost like an arranged marriage where two people, bound by a relation, hardly know each other but fall in love gradually as they spend more time together. Se Hee who seems like a heartless robot initially becomes more caring with each passing day and Ji Ho cannot stop herself from falling for her loving husband.
…I love the second-lead (?) even when he is hardly there. The dimpled cutie, Bok Nam is not exactly a second-lead but I still loved him. Wish he had more role in the drama.
…I liked the parallel storylines along with the central love story. I cried when Ho Rang and Won Seok broke up in the drama because theirs was the cutest love story in the show. And Su Ji and Sang Goo’s hook-up then break-up followed by another hook-up was interesting to watch. Mr Ma's sincerity and love towards Su Ji was very moving. I must applaud the writers for adding their sponsor’s product to the storyline very effectively through Su Ji’s bra troubles.
…I appreciated the girl bonding happening between Ji Ho and her two buddies, Su Ji and Ho Rang. I studied in a convent school and I know how much fun it is to be in an ‘only girls’ school. The three girls have each other’s back and support each other without judging. Every girl should have friends like Su Ji and Ho Rang.
…the supporting cast was just amazing. I liked each and every supporting cast member on the show including Ji Ho and Se Hee’s parents. Everyone was just awesome in their roles.
…I loved the dialogues especially Ji Ho’s voice over where she explains scenarios in her and others lives sometimes through quotes and sometimes through her beautiful thoughts.
…..it gave me the perfect ending I was looking for. When I sensed that one of the three couples would be breaking up for sure, the drama surprised me with their dramatic reunion and I couldn’t have thanked the writers more for this. I prefer realistic dramas but I also like happy endings. Like Shah Rukh Khan from Om Shanti Om, I too am a sucker for happy endings and I feel a drama is incomplete without a happy ending. This drama gave me everything I was looking for and I’m happy as a clam. :)
Bad Weights
I did NOT like Because This Is Our First Life because…
Err….naaaah I LOVED this drama. This made me feel so happy that I was grateful to have discovered dramas in the first place. Why do you need anything else when a good drama is enough to give you the ultimate high. Drama is my drug and this drama is one of my favourites.
Oh noooooooo!! One side of our drama beam balance has broken because the ‘good weights’ have outnumbered the non-existing ‘bad weight’ by a large number indicating how much I loved this drama. Because This Is Our First Life is an entertaining and feel-good drama. It is one of those dramas that lift your spirit and bring a smile on your face. If you feel low at any point in time then just watch this drama and trust me, you will feel so so good about life and everything else.
I give Because This Is Our First Life 4.5 out of 5 rating. No drama clichés (except for the contract marriage) just great content is what this drama comprises of. I will urge everyone to watch this NOW!!!!
Originally posted on Alphagirl.in :)
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This review may contain spoilers
Where Do I Begin??—So happy this drama came to me when it did.
I was able to connect to nearly all of the characters at these different points in our lives. I laughed I cried I was shocked I cheered and I was always so very excited and eager to see what each episode it was going to show next. It’s very present is very progressive narrative it’s very supportive group of characters.Not the clichéd fighting/cattiness of the other kdrama characters. These are characters that you could connect with they felt real they felt sincere you could understand why they act the way that he acted why they said with that he said and did what they did. I know that the lead mail was difficult to connect with it first but his motivations and pain was just as clear as everyone else’s. And I love that Ji-ho knew that.
She would pick up on that and she’d sense it. And I think that the way the drama ended was right for them. This is a spoiler here but they needed that break they needed that caused from what their marriage originally composed of. For them to start a new and fresh by themselves. I have even love the fact that she didn’t sign with a production company of his ex and then at the end too. Because she wanted to settle what she needed to settle with that horrible ex-worker in the previous production company that tried to silence her. And she did she that which was able to bring her closure and move onto another production company that wanted her to come on to write for them.
I mean, guys, I loved everything about this drama—even the sad bits. And made those moments when he stepped out of that box he was trapped under and showed those strong powerful emotional reaction specially when I came to Ji-ho even more powerful and more prominently important.
And that’s what those scenes was about. Yeah, sure in real life we would all love for the lead character,Se-hee, to be obnoxious and loud and angry and just show what they were thinking with their feeling. But in reality, that’s not what happens ; all the time because of his emotions, like our pasts, they do spread and seap into all areas of our lives. And a lot of us wear that like armor; it’s how we survive.
Because love and marriage is different. Because dating and marriage is different. Because being lovers versus being parents or partners is different. And we can’t wholly go into a relationship and do our best if we are broken ourselves. How can we really expect to have someone else be a pillar of happiness and great happiness if we can’t we do not know how to be happy on our owner or not a yourselves?
Besides stories secondary characters are just as important as the main leads Ji-ho and Se-hee, let me tell you guys, just as important!!!
I LOVED THIS DRAMA!! IT CAME TO ME (like a heart) just when I needed it to the most. Please, watch it.
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The Science of Love and Marriage
How many plays, books, songs, TV shows, and films have been made about love over the centuries? Too many to count, I'd wager. Some have given us exceptional and even beautiful depictions. Others have been incredibly superficial. Love is like the wind. You know it's there, but you can't really grasp it. There is a reason for this. Love is never about holding on. It's always about letting go. And true love is completely unconditional.I personally believe Shakespeare described love the best when Juliet states, "My bounty is as boundless as the sea. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite."
It is highly likely that, as a viewer, you will be able to relate with one or more of the characters of this drama. Most everyone has been in similar positions: getting together out of convenience, loving someone whose ambitions are greater and perhaps even different than your own, or loving someone who doesn't share the same feelings that you do. We also have characters who are too afraid to love for fear of being hurt.
This K-Drama works well because it doesn't get bogged down in needless melodrama, and it presents six characters that--on some level--nearly everyone can relate to. It is also fairly light without any big emotional twists that, too often, are typical of these kinds of shows. Instead, the writing is crisp because it stays true to the natural course of events rather than forcing them.
Along the way, the narrator, often Ji-ho and sometimes Se-hee ponder what love and marriage are, what their purpose is, and how to best make it work. Is it enough to marry only for love? Is it foolish to marry without any compatibility or shared interests? Sometimes, they resort to quotes from famous authors, and other times, they speculate on their own.
Too many people, due to the pressures of parents, society, and religion (sometimes all three!) believe that marriage is the only way to be happy. Marriage is not for everyone, and too often, couples treat it as the Finish Line rather than the Starting Gate. Yes, marriage is the beginning, not the end. And, yes, it IS work!
People also marry for the wrong reasons: to prevent having to be alone, to feel a sense of completion and well-being by being with someone. Happiness in marriage can never be found in your partner. It can only be found if you already have that happiness, and you are ready to share that with someone else. You cannot give what you do not have, and too often, we unfairly and unrealistically make our partner responsible for our happiness. Any relationship that takes on this idea is already doomed to fail.
These are topics, themes, and even questions that are addressed throughout the run of this series. Perhaps that is why it is a series that can be enjoyed by young and old alike, as well as people in/out of relationships as they address questions regarding love and marriage...topics that have been talked about since the beginning of time.
There are many cute, funny, and even ponderous moments. And in my book, that makes this a true treasure of a series to watch and enjoy...perhaps even with your partner!
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The acting is phenomenal. I've been brought to tears several times, laughed plenty, and was touched from the music playing at just the right moments. The two main leads aren't the only ones the show focuses on, but other side characters/friends that really bring all sorts of real life aspects we've all have to deal with or know someone who has in some sort of way, in such a realistic light. I loved the TASTEFUL feminism touches in these subjects.
The only issue I had during this entire show was the last two episodes. I was a bit confused for some of it, but after watching the ending it began to make sense to me once again, why characters were doing certain things, and it was again back to smooth sailing.
I definitely recommend this show to anyone who likes not in your face humor, real life topics and issues, realistic romances, and not your typical perfect male lead. I will definitely be re watching this one in the future.
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Anyway I would always recommend this drama to anybody; in my opinion it's underrated. The cast is incredible, put together with good ost's and a well written story line it's a drama that I plan to rewatch many times in the future.
You should do yourself a favour and stop reading this review, go watch the drama instead :))
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MY MOST FAVORITE K-DRAMA EVER!!!
I'm in shock! Like, seriously! Gosh! Why did it take 3 years until I finally found this drama? I wish I run into this drama earlier! Because This Is My First Life is seriously no joke! With no doubt, no hesitation, no second thought, I will award this K-drama as the best K-drama ever!It's so relatable (as for engaged 30th woman like me), realistic and not exaggerating in every aspect! I learned a lot, yes, A LOT, from Because This Is My First Life. From the first until the last episode, everything is captured beautifully. Fun fact: all I can remember after finished watching this drama was the gloomy feeling and an urge to I saying "I love you" nonstop to my fiance. Lol!
The drama shows us 3 relationships from 3 mature couples. Every couple has their own battles and problems, ups and downs, see how normal it is right? And in the end, true love wins! What destined to be together will be together no matter what.
What stole my attention the most is the superb acting of Jung So Min. She's a goddess in acting! I can't describe how excellent her acting is into words because she's that good! She's the real definition of actress to me. She can deliver all the emotions to her audiences perfectly and I respect her for that.
I finished watching Because This Is My First Life months ago but every time I got back to rewatch, the feeling didn't change! I still laughed and cried over the same scenes like it was my first time watching it.
Long story short, Because This Is My First Life has left a special mark in my mind and heart. I'm so grateful!
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Cute & Light
This drama isn’t something that has so many twists and turns and keeps you on your seat.It’s a very light and cute drama that had mini lessons in the middle. Kind of like a slice of life.
Were there cringey/awkward moments? Of course! It’s a romance drama after all, but that’s what made this drama adorable.
This drama just featured a daily couple’s life with a tiny twist to it.
The story’s smooth and isn’t very rocky and the romance is ADORABLE.
There is slight talk of s*x and sexual activity, but it’s all covered up. The kissing scenes tell you how single you are in like 24 different languages and they are cute!
I would recommend this drama to many people, especially if they wanna take a break from suspense or steamy dramas ^^
There are pieces of comedy that tie this drama up and the male and female lead was amazing! They had great chem <333
I didn’t rate it a full 10 only for the reason that there are better romance dramas which I enjoyed better~
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