Porque Esta é a Minha Primeira Vida (2017)

Started out subversive then descends into a millenial emo cliche.

I was so immensely disappointed in the the way this show got derailed towards the end. When it began, the issues and concepts that My 1st Life touched on were very well tackled. It subverted the whole institution of marriage and examined the cultural and political angles of it. However, because the female protag was a Lit grad somehow this signaled to the screenwriter that it was ok for the show to descend into some emo cliche interspersed with Lit references to somehow make it really meaningful and deep... when it ain't.

The whole arrangement that the two protags had were perfectly rational and works. Then the female protag decides to overstep her boundaries and gets upset with the male for standing his ground and drawing the boundary lines clearly. I think from there it was clear to me that this show won't live up to its original premise of being a groundbreaker in the construct of marriage and, sure enough, Ji-Ho continues on this vein of irrational decision-making throughout the rest of the series. Because they need to stretch it to 16 eps, the pace suddenly slows around I-can't-remember-anymore-tbh. I found myself checking on the speed on my TV to make sure it isn't a technical issue on my end but no, it's totally the show. The chars are reduced to stretching out conversations in lifeless tones, all snail speed (maybe aligning with Ji-Ho's love for snails) with interspersed broken pieces of internal monologue and emo music. This is meant to be a TV series. It just ended up being an attempt at a film noire/art festival/avant garde kind of filmmaking that's pretentiously desperate. Viewers aren't dumb.

Honestly, I stayed till the end because of the cat! As other reviews have indicated, Ji-Ho's behaviour is toxic AF. Her reasonings—delivered in broken pieces with emo drama music—are so nonsense that even her mother says, "you're talking crap". It was just really painful to watch if not for Soo Ji's arc AND THE CAT! Whatever "intellectual" proposition the series wanted to make on the topic of marriage was thrown out the window episodes ago and in the end, we're left with characters with conflicting behaviours (first the groom's dad was anti-marriage, then he wasn't), BS profiling (Ji-Ho's mum stayed with the dad coz she remembers how he was so sweet to her when they were dating... yeah, she's full of sh#t too. If she'd won the lottery, she'd have been outta there so fast she'd have left skit marks) and shallow motivations (Ho Rang pressures the hell out of Won Seok to get married and have babies ASAP so desperately to fit in with and be approved by girls whom don't matter at all—WTF). In the end, all the stuff that the show was trying to subvert were reinforced, along with a mystery baby in Won Seok's arms (we are left with the assumption that it belongs to him and Ho Rang) to complete the whole marriage-and-baby-is sacrosanct construct.

All in all, it was a dishonest series that utilised a subversive concept that had so much potential for illuminating the different angles of love for a gimmick purpose.

F#ck this series. "Extremely disappointed" doesn't even begin to describe it. I feel sorry that the cat had to sit through her emo co-stars.

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I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS DRAMA!!

If you want to watch a drama that's waaaaaaaaay too far from the dramas that you've watched (which have similar plots and twists) then BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE is the perfect drama for you!

The story was not cliche and the scripts were very very well made. The chemistry between the three lovers were no joke. Please watch this drama. If you do, be ready to laugh, cry and feel loved at the same time.

4 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE

???? IT HAS A GREAT PLOT AND GREAT SCRIPT.

????LESSONS. YOU'LL LEARN THE VALUE OF LIFE AND OTHER THINGS THROUGH THIS DRAMA.

????THE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES ARE PROFESSIONAL. I TELL YOU, THEY ARE REALLY GOOD AT PORTRAYING THEIR ROLES.

????OST. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEIR OST.

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I was tentative about starting this drama because one of the focus points is marriage and I wanted to avoid another story about how marriage in the end is the answer..
But, I finally decided to give it a go because of the great cast and comments from viewers that picked my interest and indicated it's not one of "those" stories.
It was a good decision!

I suggest you go into this drama with time on your hands and willing to listen and watch carefully to what's happening to the different characters. Don't rush it and don't expect it to be a series of shocking and suspenseful events. They are there, but they are balanced on a more slice-of-life pace.

Firstly, it was the humour that caught me by surprise, I really loved it, it felt sweet and fresh.
Then came the backstories of the characters.. Oh my, there was alot to appreciate and think about there. There were characters that in the beginning I liked less than others, but once I paid attention and learned more about them I was invested in everyone and their lives.
Exploring different people, different types relationships, different expectations, different needs, different choices. What is family, friendship, love, career, life to each of them and what happens to the pairs introduced to us here? I was immersed into it all.

Finally, I think Jung So Min's character is one of my favourites in dramaland, because she's so relatable to me and she's very well thought of. I really commend the writer and the actress for bringing her to life in a very realistic, captivating and entertaining manner.

So, do yourself a favour, try and adjust your expectations and enjoy this lovely story!

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Because This Is My First Life is for real one of my fav dramas, I lost the amount of times I've rewatched it.

Firstly, let me say that Min Ki and So Min chemistry was incredible. I am a huge fan of So Min, I've watched all her dramas but for me this one is my favorite for real.

I loved the storyline and the characters. Ji Ho gained more and more power throughout the episodes, the way she empowered herself was so refreshing and outstanding. So Min did an amazing job portraying Ji Ho and Min Ki also made me fell for his character from the first episode. At first I thought Se He was just a workaholic who never had fallen in love, but I was wrong. He went through so much because of his family.

I would like to say that I loved how natural Se Hee and Ji Ho became a couple, it was just touching and natural. It was also warm and felt so dreamy. Se Hee was way more mature than what I expected, even though we could see that eventually the strongest character of the series was Ji Hoo, who did everything to reach her freedom, a healthy relationship with her husband, and who managed to avoid her husband relatives who tried so hard to overshadow her. Ji Ho is such an inspiration in life. She managed to leave a team who never appreciate her work. She overcome almost getting raped by her disgusting coworker. She found a job and a place where she could finally feel at home, a place where she could be herself. She got married with a guy she hardly knew but whom she trusted the most. And they got close without even realizing it. Also, even if their relationship was toxic at some point they never blamed each other for that. It was pleasant to see how they solved their different issues, even if they had to got apart at some point, but it was for the best of their relationship, we could see it at the end.

Besides, the side couples did a great job as well. Both had their pros and cons, and none were perfect. But I loved how all the couples had different dreams and goals and tried so hard to achieve them.

To sum up, for me it was a beautiful drama that showed how hard life is for those who are in their 30s and still don't have a job or a soulmate. However, what's important to have in life is at least one good friend that can help you anytime you're having a hard time. I found this drama so meaningful and touching. My heart is still not over this masterpiece

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I'm apparently in the minority, not liking this one

I didn't feel an emotional connection with the characters. He was flat throughout most of the show, he felt robotic to me. His personality was the same, no matter who he was dealing with. I didn't care for the side stories much, I watch K-dramas to get away from all the sex/language that is found in American/British shows, so between one couple living together and the other girl talking about all the guys she's had sex with, that was a turn off for me.

Lack of communication really frustrates me. The breakups because they don't talk to each other (mostly her fault) were maddening. I could, to a certain degree, relate to the progression of their relationship, but unfortunately by the time that happened I really didn't care for him at all.

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Meh...

I think this drama had a lot of potential but it failed on so many aspect. I think for one, the ML didn't really have any charm or charisma that made me fall for him. Usually you get viewers invested in a drama because you feel a part of their story and living through the emotions with them but with this drama I didn't understand the leads at all.
The ML properly smiled for the first time in the last episode and throughout the rest, even though it was supposed to be this whole 'I have past relationship trauma so I'd rather not feel at all' theme, it was boring to watch. The FL was likable at first and I could understand the decisions she was making but when she decided to leave and divorce him, then proceed to not speak to him for months just because she wanted to 'find herself' or 'be sure of what she feels' I was honestly pissed. Like, good for you but then don't come back, lie down in the bed he's sleeping in and tell him "I'm sorry, I love you"... like no? You left because you were only thinking of yourself and obviously only thought of yourself. I feel like the way the script was written just did the leads dirty. The story was more enjoyable when it was in the supporting character's love stories. Gotta give it a low rating for that...

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Simply put, the best (drama) series I have ever seen.

This is one wonderful drama with phenomenal acting from the lead actors, excellent OST, very good camera and directing, and very good script.

I discovered this drama by coincidence after watching (and being a bit disappointed with) Crash Landing on You and was not sure I wanted to watch it. What a gem would I miss! While watching the first episode, I was not sure about the main male lead (Lee Min Ki), he felt kind of annoying to me. But Jung So Min as his co-lead kept me in. The end of ep 1 started to give me good vibes and the ep 2 landed like a hammer and made me hooked for the rest of the series (and for life).

There is not much yelling or over-the-top emotional gestures in this drama, definitely none between the main leads. They don't need them to tell us the story. Jung So Min and Lee Min Ki make you _feel_ their emotions. The way they talk, the words they use, the way they look at each other, or the way they just remain silent, the softness and sincereness in their eyes, the unconditional respect they show for each other - right from the first time they meet, the way they interact somehow creates magic and feels often very pure and intimate without touching or any skin being showed. This is what a true chemistry between characters is - the feeling of the gravity that pulls the two together with the force of the universe. Some scenes felt so real I felt like I was an uninvited observer who had no business watching and hearing their conversations and interactions.

Lee Min Ki's character has very limited space for expressing emotions. What he does though is he uses his eyes and subtle changes in his voice and face to open the window into his soul. Surprise, confusion, regret, compassion, respect, love - all of them. I had to replay some scenes many times just to comprehend and repeatedly enjoy what he was doing. An absolute mastery of acting.

Jung So Min has much more space and she uses it perfectly. There are particular scenes in the series which require absolute world class acting to feel real. I have never seen any other actress of all movies I ever watched, mind you, who would portray them more authentically and with the feels.

Them together felt like the most real unreal couple in any series, their chemistry was just off the charts. I just wish there was a continuation of this drama, I could honestly watch these two just sitting on the couch having a casual conversation.

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Intelligent Drama on Love and Marriage

I gave it a few days before I wrote about this show, but my opinion hasn’t settled down yet. So here it goes. If you want something cute and fluffy…….this AIN’T it. If you want some comedy thrown in with some WAY TOO realistic drama……please watch Because This is my First Life.

STORY:
This is a story of 3 different couples and how they negotiate love and marriage and its very messy. Truly….that’s it. THAT is what this drama is about. The spoilers will now commence.

COUPLE #1: Yoon Ji Ho (played by Jung So Min) and Nam Se Hee (played by Lee Min Ki) are two people who need each other for convenience purposes. She needs a place to live and he needs a reliable room mate that will take care of his cat and the recycling (and not pee in his fridge – who does that? I can’t believe they put that in there). He hides all emotions behind logic and science because it hurts too much to feel (I can relate) and she can’t figure herself out and what she wants out of life despite being a smart and driven woman up until the 2nd episode (kinda ticked me off watching her get a little wimpy). They get married because his parents threatened him (even though he’s nearing 40, I guess that’s a thing in South Korea) and she doesn’t want to leave Seoul.

COUPLE#2: I hated these two more than anyone. Yang Ho Rang (played by Kim Ga Eun) and Shim Won Seok (Played by Kim Min Seok) have been dating for 7 years and living together for much of that time. She wants to get married and have kids and he doesn’t know what he wants, and he developed an unsaleable up that he’s been spending a lot of time trying to sell. (For someone so smart, he was way stupid on what is a good idea.) He is fighting marriage and she wants marriage……and they break up and get back together only to break up to get back together again….lather, rinse, repeat.

COUPLE#3: Woo Soo Ji (played by Lee Som) wants to be a CEO and never get married so she can care for her mother. Ma Sang Goo (played by Park Byung Eun) is a CEO and seems to be a player but ends up wanting to have a serious stable relationship with Soo Ji who fights him tooth and nail. She fears taking risks that might hurt her income because she is worried about her mother…..more confusion and sadness ensues.

This isn’t a bad show, I’m feeling a little sarcastic writing this review because it put me through the ringer. To be honest, I cried through episode 7 – 9 and sometimes out loud sobbing (how embarrassing). I’ve never cried so hard through any drama including Goblin and The Untamed. Why? Why did they need to do that to me? This is why I prefer fantasy or comedy shows instead of these painful realistic dramas that remind me that life is WAY TOO hard sometimes.

I will give it a good rating, but I’ll never watch it again. It hurts too much, and no show should hurt this much. From sexual assault to sexual harassment to revolting parents (his parents are just too much for me), this show touches (very nicely) on some uncomfortable subjects which they deal with head on and in technicolor. This show illustrates a lot of important women’s issues and does so with elegance and strength. Hat’s off to the screen writer. She did an incredible job! The friendship between the 3 women is so AWESOME.......but it would take too long to write about it here. I'll write an article about it. Again.....this writer is very talented.

MUSIC:
It was good but frankly, I just can’t relive a single second of this show so no interest in downloading anything.

REWATCH VALUE:
No way. That would just be considerably difficult, and tissues are in short supply in my area of the country.

OVERALL:
This is a good show. It’s a sad show at times, but the writing, the plot, the dialogue are insightful, smart, and quite lovely. So watch it, but please….only if you have tissues on hand.

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Está entre os melhores dramas que assisti.

O que era para ser mais uma comédia romântica, se tornou uma aula de como se relacionar bem com sua companheira ou seu companheiro. De como podemos estar com um coração duro e gelado devido às nossas convicções e à nossa visão de vida. Abri-lo é uma tarefa bem árdua que muitas vezes só é possível através de um amor verdadeiro, que possa compreender e quebrar esta barreira intransponível.

Os dois atores principais são excelentes e o enredo tem uma dinâmica ótima, sempre nos envolvendo.

E o final, mesmo não sendo surpreendente, foge um pouco do clichê, completando a história como um todo.

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This drama was the best K drama I have viewed in the past 5 years.   It had entertainment value but more importantly, its value was its vicarious desire for the viewer to reevaluate the life and decisions of each character presented throughout.  When you have lived a long time -- and if you have been married or consider getting married this drama is love 101 or a refresher course.   It was fun for me to watch with my husband of 28 years who was also a cat owner (multiple cats).  I've never understood his personality but watching this drama made me reflect a lot about life.  The balance of the 3 couples, the parents, and the additional character s - ex-boyfriends, girlfriends, potential liaisons, and expectations were weaved into the story in an organized way with resolutions and no loose ends.  The ending was perfect.  What I enjoyed along the way was the music -- it really was suited to the scenes and had added dramatic effect.  I have already some of the episodes twice.   A very good drama and one that is worth the time viewing.

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This is awesome drama. The story is good. There's many life lessons regarding relationship. The main leads are superb.  Min Ki acting as a cold person was great. He portrayed SeHee in amazing way. Cold SeHee to warm and reluctant SeHee, I found it's really cute. How SeHee became a cry baby in the end because JiHo left him.
Seriously, Minki acting's so great. JiHo's character is also great. She's not typical female lead in korean drama who too strong or too weak. I found her character was so fit, not too strong and not too weak. Sometimes she's strong but in other time she's weak. Her character was so natural. I also like CEO Ma. He's a good friend for SeHee and also good partner for SooJi. Not really like SooJi's character in the beginning, but in the end I like her. I don't really like the other couple HoRang and WonSeok. I found the last couple was too much. HoRang's love was too much unnatural. Not really like that character. Also I found Wonseok was lil bit annoying.
But overall, I found that this drama was so amazing with great casts. It worth to watch it.

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