Because This Is My First Life – Love, Lease, and Life Lessons
Because This Is My First Life – Love, Lease, and Life Lessons
Introduction
What if the perfect roommate also happened to be your spouse — on paper? “Because This Is My First Life” offers a deeply resonant and emotionally nuanced take on modern love, class struggles, and the reality of living in Seoul. It's a Korean drama that mixes sweet awkwardness with sharp social commentary, making viewers laugh, cry, and think all at once. With its tender characters and relatable dilemmas, this series is more than a rom-com — it’s a quiet revolution wrapped in quirky charm.
Overview
Title: Because This Is My First Life(이번 생은 처음이라)
Year: 2017
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Slice of Life
Main Cast: Lee Min-ki, Jung So-min, Esom, Park Byung-eun, Kim Min-seok, Kim Ga-eun
Episodes: 16
Runtime: Approximately 70 minutes per episode
Available on: Netflix, Viki
Overall Story (No Major Spoilers)
Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) is a solitary, methodical, and emotionally reserved software engineer who lives by one rule: don't disrupt his routine. He owns a modest apartment in Seoul, which he rents out to help pay his mortgage. Meanwhile, Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min) is a struggling assistant screenwriter in her 30s who finds herself without a home after her brother's marriage forces her to move out. When their paths cross through a shared rental agreement — under the mistaken assumption that Ji-ho is a man — their lives become entangled in the most unexpected way.
After the identity mix-up is cleared, what starts as a pragmatic housing arrangement evolves into a contract marriage. For Se-hee, it's a matter of financial logic; for Ji-ho, it's about regaining control over her life. Yet as they navigate their new arrangement, subtle shifts begin to occur. Emotions sneak in between grocery lists and shared household chores, creating a delicate, slow-burning connection neither had anticipated — or wanted to admit.
Their growing relationship becomes the heart of the drama, exploring what it means to truly know another person — or even oneself. Se-hee’s emotional walls, built from years of calculated solitude, begin to tremble in the face of Ji-ho’s quiet resilience and emotional depth. Meanwhile, Ji-ho, often overlooked and underestimated, starts to reclaim her voice as a writer and a woman who deserves more than just survival.
The drama is also rich with supporting characters whose own love lives reflect different facets of relationships. Ji-ho’s best friends — Woo Su-ji (Esom), an ambitious corporate employee facing workplace misogyny, and Yang Ho-rang (Kim Ga-eun), a traditionalist longing for marriage — add dimension to the series. Their stories weave together issues like gender roles, career pressures, societal expectations, and the many definitions of fulfillment in a woman’s life.
Unlike many K-dramas that rely on dramatic twists or noble idiocy, “Because This Is My First Life” shines through its subtlety. The moments of silence, awkward glances, and softly spoken words carry more emotional weight than grand gestures. It paints love not as a sweeping fairy tale, but as a quiet act of choosing someone — over and over — even when it’s inconvenient.
With its realistic tone and heartfelt pacing, this drama resonates with anyone who’s felt adrift in adulthood. It asks timeless questions: What does home mean? Is marriage a solution or a compromise? And how do we learn to love — truly love — when we’ve been conditioned not to feel too deeply? Through Se-hee and Ji-ho’s tentative steps forward, the drama reminds us that sometimes, the most extraordinary lives begin with the most ordinary decisions.
Highlight Moments / Key Episodes
- Episode 2: The landlord-tenant misunderstanding is cleared, but the awkward decision to proceed with cohabitation sets up their future dynamic with delightful discomfort.
- Episode 4: Ji-ho’s emotional breakdown over losing her creative voice marks a pivotal moment of vulnerability and reawakening.
- Episode 6: Se-hee and Ji-ho’s impromptu wedding — a hilariously low-budget, emotionless event — ironically becomes one of the show’s most symbolic turning points.
- Episode 8: The kiss on the rooftop — tentative, honest, and confusing — captures the essence of two people unsure of love but deeply drawn to each other.
- Episode 10: Su-ji’s silent battle with sexual harassment at work, culminating in her empowered decision, hits hard with its realism and emotional impact.
- Episode 12: Se-hee’s father confronts him with a harsh truth, forcing him to reconsider everything he thought he understood about duty and happiness.
- Episode 14: Ji-ho’s monologue about wanting to live as the main character in her own story is a triumphant declaration of agency and self-worth.
Memorable Lines
- Episode 1: “In this country, it's harder to get a house than to fall in love.” — Ji-ho, summing up the harsh realities of life in Seoul with dry wit.
- Episode 5: “Marriage is just a lease with no guarantee of renewal.” — Se-hee’s blunt perspective on love that sets the tone for his emotional evolution.
- Episode 7: “I don’t want to be anyone’s daughter, sister, or worker. Just me.” — Ji-ho declaring her desire to reclaim her identity.
- Episode 11: “We’re already married, but why do you feel so far away?” — Ji-ho’s vulnerable confession during a night of emotional distance.
- Episode 15: “Even if it’s inconvenient, I want to be with you.” — Se-hee finally opening his heart with the simplest, most sincere words.
Why It’s Special
A Contract Marriage That Feels Authentic: While contract marriages are a common trope in K-dramas, “Because This Is My First Life” subverts expectations by grounding the setup in realism. Se-hee and Ji-ho’s agreement is not about disguises or comedic chaos, but about survival, financial strain, and emotional boundaries — making their relationship development feel earned and genuine.
Emotionally Intelligent Writing: The drama’s dialogue is restrained yet piercing. Characters rarely say what they truly feel, but the script allows their silence, hesitation, and body language to speak volumes. The show doesn’t rely on melodrama but instead builds emotional weight through everyday moments — a glance, a routine, or a small shift in habit.
Feminist Themes Told with Subtlety: Through characters like Ji-ho, Su-ji, and Ho-rang, the series explores what it means to be a woman navigating modern Korea. It questions gender roles in love, labor, marriage, and ambition — not through grand speeches, but through lived experience, quiet resistance, and intimate dialogue.
Deeply Relatable Adult Angst: The characters are in their 30s, facing invisible pressures: career stagnation, familial expectations, and societal benchmarks for success. This focus makes the drama resonate with viewers who are no longer idealistic youths but haven’t “figured it all out” either.
Slow-Burn Romance that Feels Earnest: Se-hee and Ji-ho’s love story unfolds gradually, without dramatic declarations. The drama shows how care, comfort, and emotional safety can be more romantic than fireworks. This mature take on intimacy is rare and touching.
Supporting Characters with Rich Inner Worlds: The best friends are not sidekick stereotypes — they’re fully realized women with their own arcs. Su-ji’s corporate struggles and Ho-rang’s traditional hopes are treated with respect, offering contrasting yet complementary views on love and life.
Popularity & Reception
“Because This Is My First Life” quietly won over audiences with its honest portrayal of adulthood, earning critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. While it didn’t boast flashy production or A-list celebrity appeal, its understated storytelling struck a deep chord with viewers — especially millennials facing similar societal pressures. Critics praised the show for its feminist undertones, social realism, and mature exploration of love and partnership.
On Korean forums like DC Inside and Naver blogs, the drama was frequently discussed for its “non-K-drama-like” tone — a compliment implying that it broke away from clichés. International audiences, especially on Reddit and Twitter, connected with the series' themes of emotional suppression, housing struggles, and gender expectations. Fans often described it as a “healing drama” and appreciated its ability to tackle heavy themes with gentle humor and empathy.
The show's OST also played a key role in its emotional impact. Songs like “Marriage” by MoonMoon and “Every Day, Every Moment” by Paul Kim subtly enhanced the reflective mood of the series. These tracks became fan favorites and appeared in countless K-drama playlists worldwide.
Though it never achieved blockbuster status, its legacy remains strong — especially among viewers seeking intelligent, character-driven romances. It’s often recommended in online K-drama communities as a must-watch for fans tired of melodrama and yearning for something deeply human and relatable.
Cast & Fun Facts
Lee Min-ki (Nam Se-hee), who had been on a hiatus from television, returned to the small screen with this role — and it became one of his most iconic performances. Known for his previous roles in “Shut Up Flower Boy Band” and “Very Ordinary Couple”, Lee Min-ki brought an unusual stillness and detachment to Se-hee, perfectly capturing the internal conflict of a man who had given up on connection but finds himself moved by love. Interestingly, Lee confessed in interviews that he drew inspiration from observing introverted friends to build Se-hee’s socially awkward but endearing personality.
Jung So-min (Yoon Ji-ho), acclaimed for her emotional depth in dramas like “Playful Kiss” and “My Father is Strange”, delivered one of the most lauded performances of her career. She portrayed Ji-ho’s inner turmoil and growth with authenticity and restraint, making her journey deeply relatable. To prepare for the role, she worked with several real-life scriptwriters and even shadowed a writing room to understand the pressures of being a female screenwriter in a patriarchal industry.
Esom (Woo Su-ji), a fan-favorite for her bold feminist arc, brought charisma and power to a role that could have easily become one-note. Known for her work in “Samjin Company English Class” and “Scarlet Innocence”, Esom portrayed Su-ji’s battle against corporate misogyny with fire and dignity. Her line, “I am not a woman who gets promoted for my looks,” became a widely quoted moment of empowerment.
Park Byung-eun (Ma Sang-goo), who plays Se-hee’s boss and Su-ji’s love interest, added surprising warmth and humor to the story. Their unlikely romance blossomed through shared respect and vulnerability, and their chemistry delighted audiences. Park, already known for his roles in “Kingdom” and “Because This Is My First Twenty”, stated that this role was one of the most emotionally rewarding in his career.
The drama’s screenwriter, Yoon Nan-joong, also received praise for her fresh and feminist storytelling. She previously wrote “Ho-gu’s Love”, and her dialogue-driven approach gave “Because This Is My First Life” its unique rhythm. She intentionally avoided melodrama, aiming instead for honest conversations between flawed people trying to understand themselves and one another.
Fun fact: The production team paid great attention to minimalistic visuals and set designs to reflect the emotional states of characters. Se-hee’s home, for instance, was designed with cool tones, sparse furniture, and symmetrical lines to mirror his emotional rigidity — which gradually warms and changes as Ji-ho moves in and changes the energy. Many fans even recreated the iconic loft-style interior in their own homes!
Conclusion / Warm Reminders
“Because This Is My First Life” isn't about first loves or grand confessions — it’s about the quiet revolution of choosing yourself, and then choosing someone else, not because you need to, but because you want to. It celebrates the beauty in slow, deliberate connection and dares to suggest that love can grow from logic, not just passion.
If you're looking for a Korean drama that will make you feel seen, understood, and comforted — without shouting, crying, or over-the-top theatrics — this is it. “Because This Is My First Life” is a love story for the rational, the dreamers, and the quietly brave. Don’t miss this gem.
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