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


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  • Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 7thislife07-00081.jpg

     

 

 

The effects of the previous episode begin to set in as Se-hee and Ji-ho try to establish a new rhythm, and renegotiate the boundary between them. However, today Se-hee begins to learn that the line between them isn’t as clearly drawn as he had once believed, especially when someone new begins hanging around with Ji-ho.

 

 

 

Episode 7: “Because this is my first YOLOâ€

 

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Over the phone, Ji-ho tells Bok-nam while staring dead into Se-hee’s eyes that she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Se-hee looks away, then politely announces that he’s heading out to work.

 

Once he’s gone, Bok-nam tells her that he saw Dog Bok-nam running around in the alleyways again, therefore, she needs to come meet him there. She tries to decline, since she wasn’t selected for the cafe job, but Bok-nam doesn’t take no for an answer.

 

At work, all of Se-hee’s colleagues crowd around Bo-mi’s computer, looking at a male user whose profile received the highest rating in the male category. Oh, it’s Bok-nam. Huh.

 

 

 

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Meanwhile (after one-sidedly arguing with Cat), Ji-ho arrives at the alleyway and begins looking around for the imaginary dog. Bok-nam scares the life out of her when he walks up, then leads her right back to the cafe without explanation.

 

She’s bewildered and refuses to go inside, and confesses that she wasn’t selected for the part-time job, since she never got a callback. Bok-nam is equally shocked and asks how she could’ve failed since she went to college.

 

Ji-ho cites her age or lack of relevant experiences as possible reasons why she wouldn’t be a good fit. Besides, she adds, the owner might find her uncomfortable.

 

 

 

=== Read more: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/11/because-this-life-is-our-first-episode-7/

 

 

 

 

 

COMMENTS

 

Frackkk, Bok-nam is a psycho. Why does Ji-ho keep meeting these losers? I honestly would like Ji-ho to have a solid second option since Se-hee isn’t emotionally available enough right now. The guy doesn’t have to be too good to be true, but it just seems a bit messed up that she’s constantly having to fend off stalkers and sexual assailants. Now I’m really worried about the cafe owner’s weird reaction to hiring Ji-ho, and I’m afraid that it might have to do with Bok-nam’s stalking. Ugh.

 

 

 

Based on Ji-ho’s strong narration at the end of the last episode, I thought Ji-ho was going to be petty and immature toward Se-hee, but she was perfectly mature about her misunderstanding and polite toward Se-hee in every way, which was a relief. Her strong word choice about wanting to hurt him seems to merely be a representation of the heat of a moment, and motivated by her short-term embarrassment. In actuality, in this episode she made every effort to honor his wishes and respect his boundaries.

 

I’m inclined to think that we’ll come back to her retaliatory reaction after those feelings culminate with something more weighted. Otherwise, it’ll be disappointing to think that the writer wrote such a dramatic cliffhanger just for the sake of it.

 

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I do like the way Se-hee is becoming aware of Ji-ho, and slooowly becoming aware of the fact that he’s becoming aware of Ji-ho, because for him I think it’s a matter of bringing these feelings to his attention, rather than convincing him that they’re true. He doesn’t seem to be the type to entirely deny what he feels if it makes sense, but nor is he the type to come to any sort of romantic conclusion on his own. I think rather than denying that he felt jealous (or something; probably closer to protectiveness) to Bo-mi, his reaction was mostly embarrassment. It was heart-warming that Se-hee noticed that Ji-ho is the type of person that struggles to refuse others and worried about her safety when riding motorcycles. To him, that type of concern is familiar, as opposed to his concern about a romantic rival, so it makes sense that he would group them together. Se-hee and Ji-ho work best when they are looking out for each other, and being considerate of one another, so I like how that concept is being woven in as they become closer.

 

On another note, Sang-gu continues to delight both me and Su-ji with his sincerity and sweetness. There’s something so refreshing about a man that isn’t shy about expressing what he feels and be vulnerable, but also humble enough to quickly recognize when he’s out of line, and doesn’t have a right to tell someone how they should live their life. I really like how in sync Su-ji and Sang-gu are, and the honest way they resolved their argument. I was expecting there to be a kind of smolder between them, but instead there’s an abundance of warmth and genuine affection, which I couldn’t be happier about (and a little smolder).

 

Comparatively, Ho-rang and Won-seok can’t ever seem to get on the same wavelength. They are constantly asking more from their partner than they can give. Ho-rang wants a commitment that Won-seok is too immature to even entertain, meanwhile, Won-seok wants total understanding from Ho-rang as he continues to be a work in progress. I don’t agree with Ho-rang’s tactics and manipulations of Won-seok, since they are probably fundamentally incompatible as they are now, but mind games are often a staple of many relationships, so I think it’s realistic to see them go through it.

 

I did sort of miss that unexpected emotional punch I’ve grown accustomed to each week, but there’s still Episode 8!

 

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  • Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 8life08-00196.jpg

 

As our main couple maintains their distance with each other, keeping up the roles of landlord and tenant, the line continues to blur between them as feelings and motivations start to cross the boundaries laid out by their contractual marriage. Though the main couple makes strives, another couple faces an insurmountable challenge that may break them. Despite the stark reality portrayed through these characters’ lives and relationships, the show never loses its humor because sometimes it’s the little things in life that make us smile.

 

EPISODE 8: “Because this is my first husbandâ€

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Se-hee scrolls through the list of user complaints and finds Bok-nam’s profile with the reason listed as stalking. Ji-ho comes out of her room holding the book Bok-nam gave her, and Se-hee stares at her. She asks him if something’s wrong, but Se-he avoids answering her question.

He asks Ji-ho to take Cat to the vet tomorrow, early in the morning, and Ji-ho agrees, despite having to go to work at that time. Though Se-hee’s sudden change of heart confuses Ji-ho, she doesn’t linger on it, and texts Bok-nam to switch shifts with her. She notices Bok-nam’s nonsensical English phrase on the back of the book, and smiles at his failed attempt to be charming.

In his room, Se-hee calls Bo-mi and asks for more details about the complaint lodged against Bok-nam.

 

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The next morning, Se-hee gives Ji-ho instructions about Cat’s vet visit, which includes taking a taxi instead of the bus. Ji-ho assumes it’s for her sake and politely declines, but Se-hee clarifies, “It’s not good for Cat.†Heh. Before leaving, Se-hee tenderly tells Cat to have a safe trip.

Elsewhere, Sang-gu merrily skips to work, remembering last night’s event with Su-ji where she admitted to being attracted to him as well. Replicating a scene directly from 500 Days of Summer, Sang-gu winks at a reflection of himself as Jo In-sung and proceeds to greet everyone and dance down the street as passersby join him in his musical sequence.

 

===Read more: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/11/because-this-life-is-our-first-episode-8/

 

 

 

COMMENTS

Be still my beating heart! I loved how the episode built up to the final scene where Se-hee knocked over the motorcycle because part of the catharsis was knowing how much this act was deliberate on his part. It was hilarious to see him flounder and make a fool out of himself to avoid paying compensation for scratching the bike, but what amazes me is how the show uses these moments for multiple purposes. Not only was it a funny scene, it also reinforced Se-hee’s character as well as Ji-ho’s disappointment in him, because to her, it seems that money means everything to him, even more than his own body. In addition, Ji-ho starts questioning her own place in Se-hee’s life, interpreting his (more than usual) odd words to mean he prioritizes Cat over her. Thus, his actions at the end not only convey to Ji-ho that Se-hee does care for her, but that he does a lot. Though she doubted the story about Se-hee getting angry over Cat’s welfare, the ending scene proves that there’s more to this meticulous and rational man who’s also strongly protective and compassionate.

 

In that sense, I’m happy with the way the show treated Bok-nam because it’s much more interesting to seeing Se-hee’s normal characteristics shine rather than a full-blown jealousy which seems a bit more foreign with his sense of self. That isn’t to say he didn’t feel jealous, but ultimately what caused Se-hee to act was not because he had changed as a person but simply because he’s Se-hee. Like Ji-ho said, there’s more to him than what people assume, and this is what makes me love this couple so much. They’re both quiet and introspective, and at their core, both are kind people who would never purposely harm another person to better themselves. If this ending was any indication, it seems that Se-hee may have realized that he no longer wants to be just landlord and tenant, and quite possibly the “us†that Ji-ho craves will finally come true.

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If our main couple made my heart flutter at the end, Su-ji and Sang-gu’s relationship made me seethe with anger. Su-ji is amazing, and Sang-gu has turned out to be a surprisingly earnest and heartfelt person. His opening parody scene was adorable, but the choice of movie did make me a little worried since I wondered if it was foreshadowing something about their relationship. Though neither is perfect, the show has depicted how these characters have changed a bit because of each other in lovely ways. Sang-gu has become more open about his mistakes, and actually seeks forgiveness for them, letting Su-ji dictate the terms of their relationship. As for Su-ji, she’s starting to let her guard down and let a man enter her life beyond a one-night stand. It’s clear that she has begun to develop feelings for Sang-gu as evidenced by the doll and the way she smiles, which is what makes me sad (about their fight) and angry (about the real cause of their fight).

I don’t think Sang-gu jumped to conclusions about them dating, and his complaint about her harsh reaction wasn’t undue. However, I think Su-ji’s cruel words were intentional in order to make him hate her and stop pursuing her. While it is frustrating that Sang-gu doesn’t understand how sexist society still is, it’s really these social norms around gender and the workplace that irritate me. Park continues to be a living plague on this earth, and I really want him to get his comeuppance, though part of the frustration is that he knows he will never have to be held accountable for his microaggressions and sexual harassment. Besides Park, the gossip in the bathroom really infuriated me because it painfully captured the ways a lot of women are still treated and viewed by society.

Even though the female coworkers knew Su-ji was the victim of a CEO’s sexual harassment, they focus on gossip about her and Sang-gu. Despite being the irrefutable victim in this situation, they talk more about her than they do the CEO and his atrocious crime. Essentially, they start to slut-shame Su-ji, and in a way, they engage in a form of victim-blaming by assuming her “promiscuous†behavior (of not wearing a bra, mind you) somehow explains why men fall for her. Then the kicker is that one of the coworkers feels “disappointed†in Su-ji, and right there is when I lost my mind. Somehow Su-ji must uphold a pristine image as a “pure†woman while lecherous older men can get away with their crimes, and the fact that this backward hypocrisy was the cause of my adorable couple to break up before they even started was the source of my anger. I only feel bad for Su-ji and Sang-gu (neither are at fault or should be blamed since both are victims trapped by societal norms), which is what makes me so mad (in a good way)! Seriously, show, well done.

 

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Team Dramabeans: What we’re watching

 

 

javabeans

  • Because This Life Is Our First: I love the progression this show has followed, and how every episode develops and grows this relationship. Getting such a steady payoff of progress makes me able to really enjoy the small little moments… as well as the big ones, like the end of Episode 8, which I legit stood up and cheered for.

 

girlfriday

  • Because This Life Is Our First: I was all for a younger man provoking some jealousy in our couple, but I didn’t want him to be some creeper! That really took me out of the story, and was a turn I found unnecessary for a show like this. But everything else—the tiny moments of growing concern between them, the girlfriends and their hilarious but realistic relationships—is wonderful.
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  • Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 9thislife09-00125.jpg

 

This episode made me deliriously happy. Just when I think the show has evened out in terms of writing quality, character depth, and richness of world, it continues to surprise me and give me so much more than I even knew I wanted. It sounds so clichéd, and painfully undescriptive, because this show is anything but clichéd or undescriptive of human emotions and human relationships, but watching this show is really its own experience. It draws on these deeply personal life experiences that feel almost too intimate at times, and yet so universal and true that it’s hard not to occasionally reexamine your life through the lens of this show. I feel like I can really put all my trust into this production team, because they tell this story so assuredly, with this delicate and heart-warming touch that fills these little aching pockets in my heart that I didn’t even know were there before.

 

Episode 9: “Because this is my first time belonging somewhereâ€

Se-hee takes Ji-ho firmly by the hand and together they make their way home, as Bok-nam seems to vanish into thin air. On the bus, Se-hee returns Ji-ho’s phone that he found lying on the ground at the bus stop.

She’s surprised to see so many missed calls from him, and he confirms it matter-of-factly, and somewhat tiredly. Ji-ho looks down at their still intertwined hands and sees his hand tightly gripping hers as if he’s afraid to let go.

They continue this way even as they enter their house. Se-hee asks Ji-ho politely if he can shower first since he’s sweaty after running for so long, then heads toward his door, but is genuinely taken aback when Ji-ho follows, not realizing that he is still holding her hand. You precious little potato! GAH, I love this so much!

 

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He lets go, and Ji-ho understandingly goes to her room without making a big deal out of it. Se-hee lingers for a moment in front of his door as if he wants to tell her something, but heads inside instead.

After they wash up, Se-hee finds Ji-ho in the living room looking at the complaint against Bok-nam for stalking. Se-hee explains that Bok-nam is also a likely suspect in that horrifying kidnapping incident.

Alarmed, Ji-ho asks why Se-hee hadn’t notified her of this information earlier. He cites her concerns about finding it difficult to obtain a part-time job, and so Ji-ho replies that she would have appreciated some kind of warning, and could have acted like she didn’t know anything around Bok-nam.

 

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He doubts her claim, and she’s about to argue until she remembers those times she got upset with him and her emotions were written all over her face. She looks away contrite and embarrassed.

They wonder how Bok-nam learned about their contractual marriage, and Ji-ho suggests it might be because she saved Se-hee’s number as “Landlord,†which could have put Bok-nam on their trail.

Se-hee asks why she would save his number that way, since it’s an unusual title between spouses; she could have used his name. But when she asks what he saved her as, he realizes that it’s “Tenant.†Ha!

 

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Se-hee informs Ji-ho that Bo-mi’s uncle (a police officer) has been notified so Bok-nam will be dealt with soon, and likely detained. They become distracted by the soccer game on TV, but after the excitement settles Ji-ho quietly thanks Se-hee for coming to get her. She also thanks him for referring to their home as “our home.â€

Se-hee looks thoughtful then asks if Ji-ho was very hurt when he drew a line between them and asked to avoid situations where they’d need to act like a couple. Ji-ho admits that she was, and so Se-hee explains that he merely did not want to be a burden on Ji-ho’s life.

He adds that although their terms were mutually agreed upon, he worried that after their arrangement comes to an end, she might endure some negative repercussions from society since she is a woman, and younger than him.

 

===Read more: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/11/because-this-life-is-our-first-episode-9/

 

 

COMMENTS

I’m relieved that the misunderstanding with Bok-nam was resolved sensibly. Truthfully, while watching the last episode I did feel like Bok-nam was acting a little too sinister, when other aspects of his character have suggested more ambiguity. It did seem as if the writing left an opening for Bok-nam to explain himself as he did in this episode, but I still would like to know why Bok-nam acted so territorial about Ji-ho to Se-hee. A possible explanation is that he was trying to provoke some kind of response from Se-hee in order to force him to confirm that their relationship wasn’t real. Either way, I’m happy to move on from the weird, creepy tone of last week’s episodes since it seemed a bit out of step with the rest of the show.

 

I find it kind of hard to believe that Se-hee, Ji-ho, and Bo-mi wouldn’t recognize Bok-nam from the wedding since he interacted with them. Additionally, if Bok-nam is as handsome and visually popular he has been previously established to be, then I’m somewhat surprised that no one remembered him at all after a solid interaction. But I think the situation was mostly written well, and I’m happy to just accept things as they are because Bok-nam was the impetus for bringing the leads closer together and clearing up any misunderstandings, and any more time spent on his mystery would have been wasted time.

Speaking of, that honest and wonderful conversation between Se-hee and Ji-ho was more than I ever thought to ask for. We got some much-needed insight into Se-hee’s thought process, and I find it amazing that everything we needed to know—about how he feels, and why he’s acting the way that he was toward Ji-ho—was already told to us, and so consistent with his character. That moment Ji-ho overheard with Mom and Se-hee had as much impact on him as it did on her, but the interpretation was different. I’m not super excited about exploring Se-hee’s first and supposedly only love to come, but I know the writer is going handle it in an interesting and moving way, which will ultimately help build Se-hee and Ji-ho’s relationship, so I’m happy to go wherever the show wants to take me.

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The writing, acting, and production of this drama has such amazing synergy that keeps me constantly in awe of how thoughtful and thought-provoking the show often is. Every character is complex, full-formed and brimming with this earnest desire to be understood. I really love the way this theme of trying to understand one another is woven into the DNA of this story. It’s just so satisfying on so many levels.

At every turn, the three couples show that they are willing to put in the work and be vulnerable enough to express themselves and their feelings honestly, and in this episode we see how those efforts paid off. Ho-rang went on a limb and let herself be in the position of being painted as the clingy or desperate one in the relationship by bringing up marriage first, but then clearly articulated to us and Ji-ho how much getting married meant to her. Won-seok, who clearly knows and loves Ho-rang more than we do, put her feelings above his own. I know they still have things to work through, but narratively I enjoyed how their relationship progressed in this episode, and how the proposal was paired with Ho-rang’s desire to belong to the group of married people.

These characters really do have so many layers and I love being surprised and moved along with the characters when their partner or friends reveal new sides of themselves, or powerful reasons for their deeply held beliefs. I don’t have to agree with Ho-rang’s interpretation of the red coat woman to understand her, and feel the strength and fear in her belief. There is always this temptation as a viewer to jump ahead and analyze character growth trajectories and relationship progression rates, but being in the moment with the characters as they learn more about themselves and other people is really the best feeling in the world.

 

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[spoilerS] BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST LIFE E10
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Naver - hankookilbo: 'This Life' Jung So Min, Lee Min Ki entered the in-law world..."Became an attacker" 
 
1. [+1450, -23] It's really fun ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ It's perfectly fun and so heart fluttering...

2. [+1230, -29] Se Hee is so cute and so handsome ã…œã… ã… ã…œã… ã… ã… ã… ã…  Lee Min Ki is really crazy...Se Hee-ah...ã… ã… ã…  Sincerely, i got goosebumps from the beginning till the end ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹

3. [+1016, -14] Bale? from defense to attack?? then it will succeed ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹

4. [+685, -15] Jung So Min looks like a baby but she is smart and knows how to defend herself, she is so charming ♡

5. [+489, -9] But why does Ji Ho seems like she is taking out her anger on Se Hee...ã… ã…  As far as I can see, Se Hee didn't say or do anything wrong to her. Rather, he seems very careful...She can't get over her feelings that's why she let her anger out on Se Hee ã…œã… 

6. [+451, -8] It's a daughter who does everything her mother-in-law tells her to do~

7. [+369, -2] Today was frustrating, "In my house, they are making kimchi" just like magic I felt so good, I really respect the writer!!
 
8. [+275, -5] You can't deny the mother-in-law's request in that situation. Even if it sound like a desire for recognition it was such a hard word to do...How could he give her 100.000 won!...I hope you suffer while making Kimchi!!

9. [+225, -1] I'm a man! All the actors are so good at acting! I become a fan of Jung So Min. I just fell for the acting! It's very fun, I get really emotion till the point I wish I could go and save her!

10. [+168, -1] At the end, If Ji Ho was sad and crying It would have been painful and irritating but her revenge with the Kimchi was so refreshing ã…‹ã…‹ã…‹
 
---
 
Rating: 4.2%
 

 

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  • Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 10life10-00091.jpg

 

Now that our heroine has experienced some of the bliss that comes with marriage, she learns that this newfound happiness also comes with some strings attached. As always, the show continues to shed light on the realities of life, love, and marriage as the characters navigate through their relationships, trying to understand those around them as well as themselves. Though in part frustrating, but always frustratingly good, the show consistently delivers a fun and contemplative story.

 

 

Episode 10: “Because this is my first time having in-lawsâ€

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Kim Jong-kook’s 2005 hit song “Lovable†plays, bringing the show back to Ji-ho’s high school days. Ho-rang takes the seat next to Ji-ho, and expresses her joy over being in the same class as their school’s top student since her goal is to study and get into a university in Seoul. Ji-ho stares at her in confusion, and asks why she’s still speaking in a Seoul dialect since she’s been living here since kindergarten. Pfft.

A new student joins their class, and it’s Su-ji, who only nods silently when the teacher introduces her. Later in the school year, report cards come in, and everyone crowds around Su-ji, the new top student, which moves Ji-ho to second place.

Ji-ho and Ho-rang walk home together, looking like they’ve grown closer, and Ho-rang tells Ji-ho about the scandalous rumors surrounding Su-ji’s mom and why they moved. Ji-ho warns Ho-rang to not tell other people about this, and Ho-rang assures her that she won’t.

 

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While out for errands, Ji-ho happens upon Su-ji staring up at the night sky, cursing this boring country town. One morning at school, Su-ji confronts Ho-rang about spreading rumors about her mom owning a brothel, but Ho-rang acts defensively, saying that she only repeated what she heard. Su-ji scoffs at her explanation, and grabs Ho-rang’s hair while Ji-ho futilely tries to stop their fight.

The three of them end up in the hallway with their arms raised as punishment. Teachers who walk by and scold them, but only bop poor Ho-rang on the head, leaving the other two alone. After school is over, Ho-rang bursts into tears in indignation, and slumps to the ground as she wails over the injustice of being treated as lesser because she’s not as smart as the others. Her accent comes out as she cries, and though Ji-ho rushes to comfort her, Su-ji tells her to study harder if it bothers her.

Some time later at school, Su-ji walks up to Ho-rang since she came to her house last night to give her an apple (homophone with apology). Accepting her apology, Su-ji gives Ho-rang a study guide with questions on the next exam circled. Aw, I love them so much! The three of them become friends after that, and Ho-rang giddily boasts her improved grades to Su-ji and Ji-ho, who genuinely congratulate her. The three girls do everything together as they draw in the sand, get scolded by their teacher, fish in the ocean, and shoot off fireworks at the beach.

 

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Sitting by the ocean, they share their dreams with each other. Su-ji says that she’ll become her own boss since she doesn’t want to live under someone else’s orders, and Ho-rang’s dream is to become a homemaker with a self-made engineer. Ji-ho surprises her friends when she shares her dreams: love.

They assume she wants to date someone, but Ji-ho clarifies, “I want to meet someone that’s like fate.â€

In the present, Ji-ho texts her friends that she’s found someone she likes: her husband. She stares at their wedding album and thinks to herself that she still doesn’t know what marriage means.

 

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Ji-ho happily brushes her teeth, replaying Se-hee’s words about having one love in life, and in the living room, she stares at the back of his head, finding it charming. She continues to gaze dreamily at his face, thinking that he’s handsome, but her actions make Se-hee paranoid as he checks his reflection on the television screen to see if something is on his face.

Finishing her narration, Ji-ho says that she may not know the meaning of marriage, but if it allows her to see the person she likes every day, then marriage is a really nice. Lovestruck Ji-ho is adorable.

 

===Read more: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/11/because-this-life-is-our-first-episode-10/

 

 

 

COMMENTS

I adored the beginning scenes as we got to learn more about the three girls’ friendship and its origin because their relationship is one of the highlights of the show for me. In some ways, their friendship hasn’t changed much from high school. The way Su-ji and Ho-rang fight is still the same in 2017 as it was in 2005 (word for word, in fact) and each one’s role in the group hasn’t deviated much from the past to the present. However, even from the short glimpse into their past, it’s evident that they have changed, both individually and as a group. While they still talk with each other and support one another, they no longer occupy the same social space called school, and after entering the workplace, each friend has started down a different path towards their separate goals. They have more secrets and believe that the others won’t truly understand some of their woes because it’s different to hear something and empathize versus actually experiencing it firsthand. However, though they might not be the exact same hopeful girls from their high school days, this only makes their relationship stronger in the present because it’s evident that they’ve each worked for it. Thus, their friendship can weather the inevitable storms and fights that will come their way in the future because their bond is something all three of them cherish and wish to maintain.

 

The show has consistently portrayed sexism at work, and it’s interesting to see how the three friends’ personalities as well as their “dreams,†once echoed in their youth by the nighttime ocean, influence how they each react to their situation. Ji-ho, the one who strived for an emotion rather than some material state, eventually left her career because it broke her. As the friend of the group that least worries about the far-off future, Ji-ho’s reaction is immediate, and while wholly gratifying (and a definite display of strength), it leaves her vulnerable. For Ho-rang, she endures the sexist remarks because of her dream, but once she thinks that she has reached her goal (getting married and becoming a homemaker), she’s unafraid to speak her mind and leave the workplace behind.

As for Su-ji, out of the three, it looks like she has given up on her dream the most, and is resigned to her fate as an employee working under someone else for the rest of her life. As a result, she doesn’t fight back and relies on tactics to soften the blow of sexism she experiences on a daily basis because, unfortunately, there’s very little that she can do. Part of the problem is that the environment is toxic, and the workers have become complicit with it. If she wants to keep her job, the odds are stacked against her to seek reform because it’s very unlikely that the company will change or listen to her complaints which will only leave her ostracized if she speaks up.

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Ji-ho is adorable as always, and her lovestruck expressions are super cute. However, as Bok-nam advised, having a one-sided relationship with her husband isn’t healthy for her in the long-term. She will continue to pine after Se-hee, and when he doesn’t reciprocate her efforts and feelings, she will inevitably feel disappointment and burn out. This was already evident near the end of the episode as Ji-ho reminds herself again that he doesn’t see her as a “wife,†regardless of what her feelings towards him are. Part of the problem is that Se-hee isn’t obligated to return any of her feelings, and just as Ji-ho has all the right to have a crush on Se-hee, he also has the right to withhold from their relationship on an emotional level.

The harmful relationship between wife and mother-in-law acted as the catalyst for Ji-ho to finally make a stand and realize that her one-sided love was only hurting herself. It’s not just the fact that she had a hard time at his parents’ house or was forced to do the bulk of the work, but the thing that pushes Ji-ho to make the change from defense to offense is that fact that Se-hee doesn’t recognize why she acted the way she did. This seems to be a necessary step for Ji-ho as a character as well as for their relationship because Se-hee isn’t going to magically realize his feelings like most romantic leads.

He isn’t as ready as Ji-ho to make the leap into a new relationship because he doesn’t see the need (though there also seems to be a backstory here, too), and so, she can’t wait passively for him to initiate. I love that her response for more compensation wasn’t ridiculous or overly petty. She wants him to repay her the exact same way she did for him, and I hope her family does make him work. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ji-ho’s dad tries to convince him come inside and avoid making kimchi, but I trust Se-hee and his rational thinking as well as mom who I’m sure isn’t afraid to make her son-in-law do some manual labor.

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Edited by FranCella
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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 love the way this drama subverted the Bok-nam situation. I was disappointed when the show when all stalkertown on us, because I thought the sudden menacing undertone was unnecessary, and then was tickled when basically our characters created that drama in their heads. I mean, I still loved it with the stalker plotline, but now I love it more.

 

girlfriday

  • Because This Life Is Our First: I was so relieved that the show didn’t veer off into ill-fitting territory with the stalker storyline. And I love it whenever the in-laws show up, because the families force our couple to navigate all these social rules and act like a real couple, while the show gets to ask pointedly why the daughters-in-law of this world are always the ones peeling the goddamn apples. It’s the little everyday things that make this drama so special, because it’s so normal.

 

tineybeanie

  • Because This Life Is Our First: Yayyyy. I started this drama late in the game, but I’m coming to appreciate the quiet nature of the love that’s shown here, as opposed to the in-your-face first love stories we often see in dramaland. Se-hee is adorable!! I want one of him IRL. And his cat—I think I’m turning into a virtual cat lady. It looks so soft and cuddly.
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Jung So-Min wore 8SECONDS 17FW Green Line Lettering Cropped Tee â‚©39,900 (USD 36) in Because This Is My First Life Drama Episode 2.

 

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Lee Min Ki wore YOU MUST CREATE Henri Tee_Ecru/Orange £70 in Because This Is My First Life Drama Episode 2.

 

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Jung So-Min wore CLUE DE CLARE 17FW Back Flare Sweatshirt_Brown (USD 137) in Because This Is My First Life Drama Episode 1.

 

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Jung So-Min wore ELLACONIC (Ellaconic/Uncut) Camisole Line Long Sleeve T-Shirt â‚©125,000 (USD 112) in Because This Is My First Life Drama Episode 2.

 

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Jung So-Min wore A.T.CORNER 17FW Light Violet Cotton Hood T-Shirt â‚©99,000 (USD 88) in Because This Is My First Life Drama Episode 2.

 

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Jung So-Min wore PLASTIC ISLAND V-Neck Ruffle Blouse_White â‚©99,000 (USD 88) in Because This Is My First Life Drama Episode 3.

 

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Lee Min Ki wore HALEINE White Oversized Longsleeve (AT010) â‚©58,000 (USD 52) in Because This Is My First Life Drama Episode 3.

 

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Lee Min Ki wore COVERNAT L/S Wide Stripe T-Shirt_Blue â‚©49,000 (USD 44) in Because This Is My First Life Drama Episode 3.

 

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  • Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 11firstlife11-00047a.jpg

 

Today our couples learn that it’s impossible to ever know the exact distance between you and someone else’s heart. Sometimes it feels like only inches, but is actually long, winding miles that seem to go in circles. Other times the distance seems to be perfectly measured lengths, with mutually agreed upon terms that determine when, where, and how many steps forward each person takes. And other times, the distance is the realization that every step you’ve taken is toward each other.

 

Episode 11: “Because it’s the first time for today’s oceanâ€

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Se-hee wakes in the morning, recalling Ji-ho’s request that he go to her family’s house and participate in their annual kimchi-making. He tried protesting that Namhae was too far, but Ji-ho sharply replied that that wasn’t her problem.

He walks out to kitchen and sees her there, but her mood is frosty. She tells him that she’s leaving their marriage contract at the cafe since his mother went through their things the last time she was there, and Ji-ho doesn’t want to risk being discovered.

He tries to assure her that his mother won’t barge in unannounced anymore, but ignores that and advises him to hide his copy of the contract at his office, which he obediently agrees to do.

 

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She maintains her cold attitude until she’s out the door, then praises herself for doing a good job maintaining her poker face.

Inside, Se-hee talks to Cat, catching the hint that Ji-ho is upset with him. He does as he’s told and dutifully gets his copy of their marriage contract for safe storage.

At work, there’s a crisis afoot as the entire company discusses a new rival app on the market called “Marriage, Not Dating,†which, as the name suggests, focuses on matching people based on their marriage potential, and without the emphasis on just dating.

 

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During the meeting (after Se-hee unhelpfully praises the rival app’s design layout), Won-seok suggests they change their app’s dating concept and then criticizes the name of their app, “Dating, Not Marriage.†When everyone looks toward Se-hee after being asked who named the app, Won-seok points out the irony that Se-hee is actually the only one who is married, and Se-hee fires eye-daggers at Won-seok from behind his tablet.

At the cafe, Ji-ho recalls Se-hee’s words about her not being as great of a defender as he had thought, and how he had given her money to pay for her labor. She scoffs at his arrogance and asks if he thinks he’s Won Bin or something (a la Won Bin’s famous line from Autumn Fairy Tale).

 

===Read more: http://www.dramabeans.com/2017/11/because-this-life-is-our-first-episode-11/

 

 

COMMENTS

That kiss was so perfect. Honestly, I totally forgot about their spontaneous kiss at the bus stop until now, but I may have blocked it out because it was really embarrassing, and overshadowed by everything else about Se-hee and Ji-ho’s amazing relationship. I keep getting wrapped up in these thoughts that we need to move at these tiny caterpillar steps in the romance department with Se-hee because we don’t want to scare him off, but in this episode he took those crucial steps toward Ji-ho, and crossed the boundary to her, blowing away everything I hoped he would do and so much more. I really was not expecting that to happen. Nor would I ever had expected their kiss to feel so right, and natural, and a culmination of all these perfect little moments. This romance operates in the mundane, but the big moments are bold, brave, and overflowing with warmth and tenderness.

 

In every episode (or pair of episodes) I keep thinking that I’ll adapt to the show’s ability to surprise me by revealing sides of these characters that I overlooked or underestimated, and yet again and again the show pulls it off in these remarkably organic ways. I never thought Se-hee would be so far along emotionally in his feelings for Ji-ho, and I was shocked when Sang-gu asked Su-ji if she really thought that Se-hee knew nothing about Ji-ho’s feelings for him. I would really, really love to see certain scenes from only Se-hee’s perspective, but if I went back and watched the episodes again I probably would realize that everything was already there for me to see, just like with Se-hee’s exchange with Mom at the wedding.

I love how determined Se-hee was to participate in the kimjang and fulfill his end of the bargain and make up with Ji-ho. But nothing tops Se-hee’s pure excitement to see Ji-ho show up unexpectedly. I also love how he just told her how happy he was to see her, and how even though he’s been hurt by love, he knows what he feels and can’t turn away from it.

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I found it fascinating how Ji-ho learning about Se-hee’s previous love wasn’t an obstacle or this huge thing that divided them; instead it was their way forward. Ji-ho ended up telling Se-hee just the words he needed to articulate his path to her, and make sense of these feelings he has for her, because words that he knows to use like “love†are tainted by a painful experience. These two really are astonishingly great at communicating and finding that specific wavelength they need to reach one another. And I believe they’re going to get through the truth of Se-hee’s first marriage/love like total champs.

Another thing I’m totally loving is Sang-gu and Se-hee’s deep friendship. This isn’t the first time this writer has used something in a humorous way and then turned around the suckerpunched me right in the tear ducts with the same things. By having Se-hee manipulate Sang-gu early on while trying to get him off his back regarding his marriage, then seeing Sang-gu profound understanding of Se-hee’s emotions could not have been more perfectly executed. Gah, the relationships in this show make my heart do somersaults. How cute was Se-hee’s smile when Mom defended him? Adorable.

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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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