Because This Is My First Life

Sometimes Korean dramas are bordering on the soapy side of life, they can meandering side plots involving things like health emergencies and stalkers. They're a lot of fun but can sometimes be a bit 'much' for a western audience. Because this is my first life takes a very melodramatic, soapy concept (two strangers marrying to save money) but manages to spin it into a really lovely, believable sixteen episode love story. It's helped a lot by the way it envelopes the two main characters friends, and their love stories, into the main plot.

An incredibly refreshing Kdrama that I'd highly recommend even if you've never watched one before.

This drama isn't the type of drama with a lot of romantic scene, if you love 'fluffy' love kind of thing, you'll find this drama boring. the best thing about this drama is how raw, ordinary, realistic, and relatable the story is. still the best drama ever.

Because This is My First Life (watched once last May 2018)

8 out of 10 rating!

Whenever I look for a series to watch, I research about a title a bit and see if it's what I want to watch. When I stumbled upon this show, I didn't want a typical romantic comedy that would be for girls who justed wanted some "fluff." If you're in the same page as I was, 24 year old wanting to see a series that wasn't heavily stuffed with fluff and would actually impart you with some useful life advices, then this show is absolutely the winner.

Sure, some parts of the plot may not be realistic, such as having already spent days with a roommate you haven't actually seen. But the rest felt raw. Here's Yoon Ji-ho, the lead lady (whom I felt strongly connected with, sharing a similar dream of being a writer - which is also one of the reasons the title attracted me), struggling with her career and wanting a fresh start. Then there's Lee Min-ki, a character I rather found annoying at times, but very straightforward and simply wants to live a peaceful life. They are not complete opposites, and at first were rather too easily compatible. It wasn't love at first sight, yet you as the viewer, will feel that, "hey, these two have that connection." but at the same time, you feel that it is uncomfortably too smooth.

Not to make this any longer than it is, here are my main views. The story captivates me because it shows different points of view on love, and on marriage, which are separate matters. I may not completely relate with the tradition or culture when it comes to Korean marriage and how relationships between in-laws work, but I can connect the similarities from the ideas shown from my own country's. These are characters who chose to create their own system which will work for their relationship based on their wants, needs, and more importantly, they respect each other's opinions and decided together. It also showed that such actions doesn't neccesarily cause overdramatic consequences. This could be viewed as rather boring, and I'm not going to lie, it wasn't the most "entertaining" drama out there, but it is so worthwhile to watch! Again, this is coming from a 24 year old's views. I'm in a place where there are times I question my career status, my life decisions, and also my own goals in my love life and relationship.

At the same time the two leads figure out their status, the supporting characters are also having their own dilemmas with completely different behaviour and beliefs on love and marriage. It's what also amazes me with this series, you get to see 3 different points of views. It gets you to think and try to understand where these characters are coming from.

Over all, it's a great mix of romance, comedy, and mostly slice of life. Perhaps the small con for me with this show was that it felt like it was lacking a bit of physical...interaction between the two leads :)

Still, definitely worth watching. :)

Thanks for reading my rather long review, hopefully it helps!

i hesitated to watch it at first... but after watching one episode i couldn't stop. Its so good and totally relatable in day to day lives of any people. Not a dreamy fantasy serial at all. I love it. and the lead actors make a good couple even tho they have totally different personalities. Love them.

This show is near perfection; so much fun, a slow burn love story, and so much more, with excellent lead characters, and, just the right amount of cheese. If like me you have an unhealthy KDrama addiction, I think you should give this a try.