This review may contain spoilers
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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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 :)
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Dealing with what it really is to marry and what envolves, for those who marry and for the people around them. It also deals with the relationships between people and what they really want out of life, sometimes leading us to stop and think about what is really important for us to live in, and not what society want or what familly wants, because this is our first life . * ihihi *
We see for example the wishes of the three friends, so they will obviously follow different ways to get there but what matters is how they will adapt to it.
The drama is great as it will treat and develop the story, it is not slow nor too fast, is perfect. The characters themselves were well-developed and realistic.
Ji Ho was obviously my favorite for her way of thinking and at some point focusing on what he really wants and fighting for. Se hee brought his past and it was good to see his development
Ho Rang was another character that I did not understand well in the begining , or better understood what she wanted but I thought that she was selfish to a certain point, but important to understand the couple.
OST! Marvelous * lol * but it really is!
Rewatch? I usually do not see dramas again because I already have so many to see, but if anyone wants company to see it, I'm IN!!
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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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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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