Hello, everyone! How’s everything? Today, I’m here to discuss the drama Because This Is My First Life, which has enthralled viewers globally with its authentic portrayal of modern relationships on Netflix.
This modern romantic drama, debuting in October 2017, consists of 16 episodes, each about 60 minutes long, available on Netflix. The series skillfully delves into themes of marriage, career stress, gender roles, and the quest for true happiness in today’s world. Set against the backdrop of Seoul’s demanding environment, it follows three women in their thirties as they navigate love, work, and societal expectations, challenging traditional notions of success.
The drama distinguishes itself with its mature, realistic depiction of adult relationships and a candid examination of contemporary issues affecting young professionals, especially women dealing with workplace bias, housing affordability, and societal pressures to adhere to conventional life paths.
When Convenience Grows Into More
The narrative focuses on Yoon Ji-ho, an aspiring drama writer facing eviction, who enters a contract marriage with Nam Se-hee, an introverted IT expert needing a roommate to help pay his mortgage. Their arrangement is purely pragmatic – she gains housing stability, he receives financial assistance, and both avoid the intricacies of traditional relationships.
Yet, their well-defined agreement becomes tangled as they start to comprehend each other’s personalities, aspirations, and insecurities. The series explores how their connection evolves from mere cohabitants to genuine partners, learning to communicate and support each other’s growth. Alongside Ji-ho’s journey, the drama also follows her two best friends as they tackle their own relationship and career hurdles.
Yoon Ji-ho: The Writer Searching for Her Voice
Ji-ho portrays the modern woman striving to balance creative ambitions with financial realities. Her character arc investigates the struggles of pursuing artistic careers in a society that prioritizes financial stability over passion. Through her contract marriage with Se-hee, she learns to express her needs and aspirations, discovering what she truly desires from life and relationships.
Her journey entails overcoming tendencies to please others and learning to convey her feelings honestly. The series demonstrates how her relationship with Se-hee, founded on frank negotiation rather than romantic idealization, permits her to develop into a more confident and self-aware individual.
Nam Se-hee: The Rational Man Learning Emotions
Se-hee represents the modern man who prioritizes stability and logic over emotional connections. His methodical life approach, including his choice of a contract marriage, reflects his fear of vulnerability and unpredictability. Through his bond with Ji-ho, he gradually realizes that meaningful connections require emotional risks.
His character development involves learning to express emotions and understanding that relationships can’t be managed like software programs. The series beautifully depicts how his analytical nature, initially a barrier to intimacy, becomes a strength when combined with emotional growth and genuine care for his partner.
Supporting Couples: Varied Routes to Love
The series includes two additional romantic storylines that explore various aspects of modern relationships. Yang Ho-rang’s turbulent relationship with her long-term boyfriend highlights the challenges of unbalanced partnerships and the bravery needed to leave comfortable but unsatisfying situations.
Woo Soo-ji’s story explores workplace harassment, career aspirations, and finding love with someone who respects her professional goals. These parallel stories offer a comprehensive examination of the diverse challenges contemporary women face in relationships and careers.
Choosing Truth Over Tradition
The series reaches its emotional peak as all three couples make crucial decisions about their futures, choosing between societal expectations and personal happiness. These pivotal moments force characters to confront their fears about commitment, success, and what they truly value in life.
The resolution underscores that healthy relationships require honest communication, mutual respect, and the courage to be vulnerable with another person. The series shows that love isn’t about finding someone perfect but about choosing to grow together with someone who accepts and supports your authentic self.
Success on Netflix
Because This Is My First Life achieved significant international success on Netflix by providing viewers with a refreshingly realistic portrayal of modern romance, avoiding typical K-drama clichés. International audiences were captivated by its mature handling of contemporary issues such as housing costs, career pressures, and evolving relationship dynamics. The series was lauded for Lee Min-ki and Jung So-min’s on-screen chemistry and its authentic dialogue on modern life challenges. Its exploration of contract marriage as a practical solution to real-world problems resonated with viewers facing similar economic and social pressures.
If you enjoy realistic romantic dramas about modern relationships and personal growth, Because This Is My First Life is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
A beautifully crafted exploration of modern love that proves the best relationships are built on honesty, respect, and the courage to be authentically yourself.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 16 episodes
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 8.2/10 IMDb
Genre: Romantic Drama, Slice of Life, Contemporary
Main Cast: Lee Min-ki (Nam Se-hee), Jung So-min (Yoon Ji-ho), Kim Ga-eun (Yang Ho-rang), Kim Min-seok (Ma Sang-gu)
Antagonist: Societal pressures/Economic circumstances