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TvN Drama "Because This Life Is Our First" Lee Min Ki & Jung So Min. *~The END~*


Bella D'Amour

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  • Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 3thislife03-00156.jpg

     

 

 

Something happened between the first and second episode of this show that can only be described as pure magic. I went into this show with high expectations, then was forced to lower my expectations after the first episode, only to be promptly surprised by the emotional potency and fun of the second—so in other words, well played, Show. But as much as I liked the second episode, it’s this third episode that has upgraded this show to a full-blown obsession, and my heart is so full.

 

 

 

Episode 3: “Because this is my first proposalâ€

 

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Se-hee asks Ji-ho very politely if she like to get married. Without thinking, Ji-ho answers “Yes,†only for the statement to click a split-second later, causing her to exclaim in surprise. He’s dead serious, of course, but after seeing her freak out from the proposal, he takes it all back and asks her to forget that he said anything.

 

He announces that he’s going to bed, and begins to inform her that he put new sheets on her bed for her to sleep on, but she says that she should be going now. He looks at his watch, which reads 3:00 a.m., and wordlessly eyes her pajamas after she reiterates that she’s just out for walk.

 

She covers herself with her arms self-consciously, then excuses herself before speeding toward the door.

 

 

 

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Outside, Ji-ho realizes again that she doesn’t have anywhere to go. Se-hee texts something to her, but we don’t see it, and the next thing we know, Ji-ho reenters the apartment. In her room, she rereads Se-hee’s message, which tells her that she won’t find a cab so late in the night. He also adds that the passcode is the same. Aw, what a sweetie.

 

His message prompts the memory of his marriage proposal, but her thoughts are cut short after she hears Se-hee lock his bedroom door, which makes her grow outraged by the entire absurd situation.

 

Scoffing, she decides to leave first thing in the morning and leave this all behind her.

 

 

 

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The next morning, Ji-ho’s intention to wake up before Se-hee doesn’t exactly go as planned. In fact, the sound of her snoring is so thunderous that at first Se-hee thinks his neighbors are conducting some unauthorized construction and complains to the building manager. Once he’s corrected on this, he goes to check on Ji-ho only to find her deeply asleep, and he decides to pretend that he hasn’t heard anything.

 

Finally, Ji-ho wakes to her alarm, which she mistakenly set for 5:00 p.m. instead of 5:00 a.m. She doesn’t realize her mistake and thinks she only slept for two hours as planned, before venturing out into the living room.

 

 

 

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She’s ready to leave, but Cat begins meowing for its dinner. Ji-ho fills up Cat’s bowl, which is when Se-hee returns home from work. Her eyes bulge in shock, and she stutters to ask where he’s coming from. He replies that he’s coming back from work, then clocks her confusion and asks incredulously if she’s only waking up now. LOL, their faces.

 

She thinks about his question for a moment, then becomes indignant that he’s being rude to her. She voices her intentions to take the first train of the morning, and when he asks if she meant to say the “last train,†that sets her off.

 

She makes a speech about how she was trying to be considerate by leaving early. Se-hee replies plainly that he’s only stating the facts, because it’s 5:00 p.m., and though the first train is no longer available, she’ll probably be able to catch the last train. The truth sinks in, and Ji-ho’s mortified beyond belief, which is when her stomach growls.

 

 

 

=== Read more: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/10/because-this-life-is-our-first-episode-3/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMENTS

 

*Does happy chicken dance.* I seriously love this show to bits, and each episode continues to be better and more powerful than the last. I’ve always liked Jung So-min, but she’s so delightful and skillful in this that she’s become a must-watch actress for me. She has this wonderful ability to make Ji-ho’s emotions accessible and vivid every step of the way. That dinner scene with Yong-seok was badass, and I felt so proud, but also in awe of Ji-ho’s strength. Nearly all the characters are written amazingly well and with so much depth that even though I don’t agree with a character’s actions, I can see how true to life their choices are.

 

Take, for example, Writer Hwang. That exchange she had with Ji-ho where she apologized was refreshing and heartfelt, and though I kept feeling like she would betray Ji-ho in some way, it’s evident that her affections for Ji-ho are sincere.

 

 

 

It’s an important point, because what she did by colluding with Director Park to try and force Ji-ho to make up with Yong-seok and let bygones be bygones was motivated by her fondness for Ji-ho, and her belief that this was the only way for Ji-ho to attain success. And maybe she’s right, because maybe that’s how to world has always worked, but I love, love that Ji-ho rejected the premise of her misguided and complicit actions by not allowing Yong-seok’s harmful and abhorrent actions to be so easily forgiven or made light of.

 

 

 

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This show is filled with multidimensional characters like Won-seok, who is brilliant, sweet, and totally in love with Ho-rang, but unable to see how he belittles her so casually. Kim Ga-eun’s face is so expressive and filled with microexpressions that I find myself watching her closely in the scenes she’s in just to catch them all.

 

Another interesting character is, of course, Se-hee, and I love how polite and respectful Se-hee and Ji-ho continue to be with each other. There’s a gentleness and positive energy between them that I find to be so lovely, but above all, I love how safe Ji-ho feels around him, especially given what she’s been through. Through what he views to be sheer logic-driven candor, Se-hee has an instinctual knack for being thoughtful and for saying kind and supportive words to Ji-ho when she needs it the most, and I love that it’s these moments that are making her become aware of him in a new way.

 

I’m really enjoying this theme of finding a place for oneself. On one hand, Ji-ho feels adrift and without a place where she’s needed and wanted even after struggling for so long. Meanwhile, Se-hee has devoted his life to protecting the place he calls his own, and is even willing to live with Ji-ho permanently in order to do so. It’s clear that this “place†is the solace they find in each other, but it’ll be fun to see them come to that conclusion. I wonder if Se-hee already has a prenup drafted.

 

 

 

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Edited by FranCella
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  • Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 4life04-00104.jpg

 

After facing defeat, our heroine stops to look at those around her and realizes that under the surface, everyone has their own struggles and worries. Dreams aren’t as easily achieved as she thought they would be back in high school, and maybe the future isn’t as bright as she once hoped it would be. Though the show tackles some hard questions and topics, it never loses its whimsy or charm, and in the end, hope and comfort can come from the most unlikely sources.

 

Episode 4: “Because this is my first marriageâ€

Su-ji and Ho-rang sulk together over Ji-ho’s departure, but Won-seok doesn’t understand why they’re so sad since she’s only going back to her parents’ house, which is a couple of hours away. Ho-rang explains to her boyfriend that it was hard for Ji-ho to leave home because her father thought that colleges in Seoul were too expensive.

He asks them how Ji-ho came to Seoul then, and in unison, Su-ji and Ho-rang tell him that she’s crazy. He laughs at their explanation since Ji-ho is the nicest person he knows, so they tell him a little story about their high school days.

 

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Ten years ago. Despite ranking first in all subjects but one, Ji-ho’s impressive grades weren’t good enough to get her into Seoul University’s law program. However, her dream was to become a writer, so she decided to apply for Korean literature instead. During dinner, Ji-ho cautiously brought up the topic to Dad, but he immediately flipped the table in disapproval.

Undeterred, Ji-ho registered herself to Seoul University without telling anyone, and the day before class, she ran away from home. In the end, Dad never realized the truth until she finished her first semester, as he angrily waited for her one day outside the wrong university.

 

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In the present, just as Ji-ho’s bus pulls away, she gets off to ask Se-hee if he will marry her, and he says, “Yes.†She hurries back to the bus to get her luggage, but Se-hee calls after her, wondering if she likes him by any chance. After a pause, she shouts back, “No.â€

He immediately tells her that he’ll wait inside, and once Ji-ho grabs her suitcase, they take the subway home. He mentions the instant noodle bowls she washed, complimenting her good habit, and she accepts his praise.

 

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Nearby, a seat opens up, and Ji-ho watches a couple affectionately argue over who should get it. In contrast, when the passenger in front of her leaves, Se-hee tells her to sit, and soon after, he walks down the subway car to sit in another empty seat.

At home, Ji-ho and Se-hee go over their contract, and while he doesn’t have any changes, she has a request. Now that she’s unemployed, she asks if he can lower the rent by 50,000 won, and after contemplating for a moment, he agrees.

 

===Read more: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/10/because-this-life-is-our-first-episode-4/

 

 

COMMENTS

It’s been a while since I’ve wholeheartedly rooted for a couple like I do with Ji-ho and Se-hee. As individuals, they’re both charming and quirky, but the real magic comes from their interactions as an awkward and adorable couple. They’re just so compatible and all-together perfect for each other that I seriously can’t imagine either of them finding a better partner. Also, I love how they highlight positive aspects in each other, and character traits they have that might be considered an issue by other people are almost always seen favorably by our two leads (e.g., Se-hee’s logic-driven explanations and Ji-ho’s preoccupation with cleaning).

In addition, we got to see more of Se-hee and hear his thoughts this episode, and he’s really shaping out to be a thoughtful person and not just a calculating landlord who calls the police on his tenant (which still cracks me up). As a husband or romantic partner, he has his faults and would make most women unhappy with his thought process, but paired with Ji-ho, his non-romantic lines that purely driven by rational-thinking become swoon-worthy moments, forcing me to cheer for our couple. Because, honestly, how could I not?

 

While our main couple continues to deliver wonderfully comedic hijinks, the show is still contemplative and insightful, striking the right balance between poignant moments and funny ones. In the previous episodes, we learned about Ji-ho’s dream and saw her arduous journey stop before reaching its goal—not because of her own lack of skill, but because of horrible people and circumstances that forced her to make a tough decision. This episode, we learned more about Su-ji and Ho-rang’s dream, and how they also seem to be chasing after something that seems out of their reach no matter how long and hard they strive towards it. In the end, it looks everyone is walking down a dark tunnel by themselves, but maybe they’re not as alone as they think they are—they’re just blinded by the darkness.

The relationship between the three friends is sweet, and I’m confident that the fight between Ho-rang and Su-ji won’t cause a permanent rift, because they seem to share a history and bond that’s endured hard times before. That doesn’t mean reconciliation will come easily, because the fight between them hints at deeper issues between the two friends, both in their relationship and as individuals. Ho-rang was clearly wrong for taking out her anger on Su-ji, who only helped Won-seok, and the problem on her side is that she feels inferior compared to her well-off friend. I think some of her remarks thrown at Su-ji were more for herself, and in her anger, she hurt Su-ji in the process to avoid the truth about her own frustrations.

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On the other hand, Su-ji is disappointed in Ho-rang’s actions since she sacrificed her time to help her friend, but it also seems that Ho-rang’s outbursts about her womb struck a nerve with Su-ji because of the constant battles she faces in the workplace. Hearing Ho-rang describe her self-worth through her female biological attributes probably reminded Su-ji of the casual way her identity is solely tied to her being a woman, outside of any of her merits or actions. Thus, it’s only natural that Ho-rang’s words made Su-ji angry, because she struggles every day to prove herself outside of her gender identity while Ho-rang seems to passively accept it.

The fight between Ho-rang and Won-seok is more complicated, since both were in the wrong. It wasn’t necessarily the couch that caused their big blowout—it was just the final straw. While some may be more sympathetic to one side or the other, it’s clear that both contributed to the problem that formed in their relationship. Ultimately, the issue with them is communication, and in all seriousness, Sang-gu’s advice to Won-seok was utter crap. That’s not to say that he didn’t have some helpful tips, and I do think he probably understood Ho-rang’s feelings in that moment better than Won-seok did, even though he only read a few texts. My issue with Sang-gu’s advice (besides the inherent sexism in his comments) is that Won-seok can never accomplish anything with that method because his personality isn’t like Sang-gu’s.

Won-seok seems to be a straightforward person, and being observant isn’t his strong suit, which became evident when he bought a couch that barely fits their one-bedroom apartment (like really, did he actually think that was a good idea?). He needs to be upfront with Ho-rang and ask for clarification when he needs it, because he isn’t a mind reader. While it would be nice for Ho-rang to be more direct with her boyfriend, it’s also her personality to be observant and cautious with her demands. There’s a social stigma towards women initiating things in relationships, and though it’s an antiquated way of thinking, I think Ho-rang has internalized this gendered message, much to her detriment. I personally thought her message to Won-seok was obvious given her constant desire for marriage and their long courtship, but maybe that’s the real problem—they see different futures for their relationship.

As a side note, I want to send applause to whoever is in charge of the sound effects, because they are on point! The hissing cat noises when Se-hee was pissed was a nice touch, and overall, I love the sound effects so far. It makes the show just that much wackier without becoming overly tacky.

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Is Lee Min Ki considered handsome in SK? Cuz I think he has an interesting face , half alien/half kitten features, but I think some would consider his face more weird than handsome, I think he is charming and maybe cuz of height and presence he would look really breathtaking if ou see him in real life, but not on screen

 

i guess hes included in the list as well lol, im not sure what old drama they show of him here

 

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Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching??


 


 


So, what are we all watching this week?


What kept you reaching for more (or agonizing when there was no more), and what made you want to throw your remote through the screen? Time to weigh in…


 


 


 


javabeans


  • Because This Life Is Our First: I’m liking this more and more—the characters are so endearingly awkward, but in a way that makes sense and works together. Right now I don’t feel romance between the leads—they’re like an odd couple of kindred spirits—but rather than finding that disappointing, it makes me excited to watch this process; I’m intrigued me to see where the tipping point will be for these two.

 


girlfriday


  • Because This Life Is Our First: I really like the overall vibe of this show and the portrayal of how youthful dreams collide with reality. I’m not sure that I buy Lee Min-ki’s character caving to his parents’ expectations for marriage though, seeing as how he’s really very set in his beliefs and opposed to conforming to the so-called norm, but of course I love what the conceit gives us—a contract marriage between two wonderfully odd ducks. The family dinner was awesome, and I can’t wait until they meet the friends.
Edited by FranCella
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  • Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 5​thislife05-00117-1.jpg

 

Every once in a while, special dramas come into your life that not only leave a lasting impression, but also alter how you emotionally connect and interact with Korean dramas. For me, this is one of those dramas. I know it’s a really grand statement, and I know we’re really early in the show, but every week this show brings something new, interesting, and utterly human to its viewers. What’s the level above “obsession?†Because I think that’s where I am right now.

 

Episode 5: “Because this is my first promiseâ€

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Ho-rang arrives at a cafe to meet Ji-ho and spots Su-ji already sitting down at one of the tables. They exchange outraged glances before turning away, and Ji-ho finds them sitting back-to-back at the same table waiting for her. Heh.

They complain about being tricked to meet up, until Ji-ho announces that she has something tell them both.

Meanwhile, Se-hee interrupts a meeting to ask how many of his colleagues bet on his sexual orientation during their last outing. Sang-gu clumsily tries to deny that such a bet ever took place, until Se-hee begins taking a count of hands on the various possibilities: gay, straight, or asexual.

 

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Only Bo-mi had chosen straight, so Se-hee congratulates her on winning the bet, before promptly getting up to leave. Sang-gu follows him out and tries to placate Se-hee, assuming he’s lying about his marriage and lashing out because of the bet.

He peppers Se-hee with questions, certain that his marriage is fake, until Se-hee says directly that his bride is pretty—very pretty. This seems to be enough to convince Sang-gu, and he becomes giddy with excitement, then cheers happily about how Se-hee is in love at last.

Back at the cafe, the girls are equally confused by Ji-ho’s announcement. Su-ji is suspicious and starts asking pointed questions about Ji-ho’s relationship timeline, because the math doesn’t add up. The biggest plot hole is how quickly her relationship with Se-hee developed, since Su-ji knows that Ji-ho is not the type to warm to someone so fast.

 

=== Read more: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/10/because-this-life-is-our-first-episode-5/

 

 

COMMENTS

You know that stage in a relationship when you definitely know you’re in love with your boyfriend/girlfriend but are afraid to say the words aloud because you think it might be too early—that’s roughly how I feel about this drama right now. Episode 5 seems really early to be full on sobbing, but it happened, and it was amazing.

Not only did I cry those deep, chest heaving sobs in this episode, but on my way to work the next morning, I teared up just remembering how much Mom’s words resonated so deeply with me. Her actions and heartfelt letter to Se-hee made me feel a kind of bone-deep fragility you only feel when someone (especially your parents) says to you, “I understand that you think you know everything in the world about your life and feel like you have to shoulder everything on your own, but I have your back even if we disagree, and even when we don’t fight fairly and kindly, because I know you, and I love you so, so much.â€

 

It’s a reminder that we are all definitely making things up as we struggle along, but that’s okay, as long as we remember that we’re not doing this alone.

I knew that Mom and Ji-ho were going to break my heart, but I underestimated how much and how soon. I spend hours upon hours of my life trying to anticipate and be ahead of these kind of emotional punches in media, but at the end of the day, when it’s executed in just the right way as it was today, I am always utterly defenseless. Bravo.

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It’s funny because even though we all know the entire point is for Ji-ho and Se-hee to fall in love (and influence each other as they grow and become who they are meant to be whether they end up together or alone, etc.), since we still need to cement the full premise of our story, I’ve actually been getting swept up in Ji-ho and Se-hee’s strange but seemingly very rational decision-making that I almost actually believed this loveless marriage was the perfect solution for them. Thankfully, Mom righted me, and her taking a stand to spare Ji-ho from what she fears is her same fate was very moving. I’m scared to think of how hurt Mom will feel when she learns that the marriage is fake, but that just gives Ji-ho and Se-hee more incentive to make it real, right!? No one will ever know!

I’m also really excited to explore Se-hee and his father’s relationship a bit more, in the same way we did with Ji-ho and her mom. I liked that Se-hee’s father backed Ji-ho’s mom up during the wedding talk—it was sweet, and gave us some important insight into his character. I know Ji-ho assumes Se-hee’s father is this gruff, rule-abiding teacher cliché, but I’m hoping there’s much more than meets the eye. I also liked seeing Se-hee’s more rebellious side with his father today, because I found it to be very humanizing. Se-hee is written with just the right balance of aloofness, quirkiness, and compassion, but we haven’t had a chance to truly connect to him yet, so I’m waiting for that to happen.

On a technical note, I’m relieved to hear that they aren’t registering their marriage and that it has an expiration date, because I honestly wasn’t sure what exactly they had in mind legally for this very sensible madness—turns out that this is my favorite kind of madness!

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Edited by FranCella
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Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching??

 

javabeans

  • Because This Life Is Our First: There’s no way to describe this drama to someone in a way that does it justice. It sounds familiar and expected on paper, but with these odd ducks together, and these lovely nuanced actors, and these endearing side characters, the finished product turns into something a little magical. I love watching these two bond in these tiny, mundane ways that somehow feel really important, more important than the fact that they’re already married and living together. It’s the little things that matter!

 

girlfriday

  • Because This Life Is Our First: Who knew that a purely business contractual wedding would have me bawling like a baby? I was preparing for wry jokes about the ritual of weddings, but then Mom had to go and be all real and gruff and loving, and I was done for. This drama feels like it’s written by someone who’s lived the heroine’s life—maybe without the contract marriage, but the experiences and the emotions feel so lived in.

 

LollyPip

  • Because This Life Is Our First: This show… what can I say? It’s amazing. I was expecting zany and silly, but what I got was sweet and contemplative, with realistic characters and thoughtful episodes that bring to light just how difficult it is to be a young person in today’s world. I like that Se-hee and Ji-ho aren’t having an easy time of this contract marriage, because that sort of situation would be difficult, and their awkward, tentative friendship feels just perfect for this stage in their relationship.
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  • love changed the title to TvN Drama "Because This Life Is Our First" Lee Min Ki & Jung So Min. *~The END~*

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