Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Because This Is My First Life, which has captivated audiences worldwide with its realistic approach to modern relationships on Netflix.
This contemporary romantic drama premiered in October 2017, featuring 16 episodes of approximately 60 minutes each on Netflix. The series masterfully explores themes of marriage, career pressures, gender expectations, and the search for authentic happiness in modern society. Set in Seoul’s competitive landscape, the story follows three women in their thirties navigating love, work, and societal pressures while challenging traditional expectations about what constitutes a successful life.
The drama stands out for its mature, realistic portrayal of adult relationships and its honest examination of contemporary issues facing young professionals, particularly women dealing with workplace discrimination, housing costs, and the pressure to conform to traditional life paths.
When Convenience Becomes Something More
The story centers on Yoon Ji-ho, a struggling drama writer facing eviction who enters into a contract marriage with Nam Se-hee, a introverted IT professional who needs a housemate to afford his mortgage. Their arrangement is purely practical – she gets housing security, he gets help with expenses, and both avoid the complications of traditional relationships.
However, their carefully structured arrangement becomes complicated as they begin to understand each other’s personalities, dreams, and fears. The series explores how their relationship evolves from strangers sharing space to genuine partners learning to communicate and support each other’s growth. Alongside Ji-ho’s story, the drama follows her two best friends as they navigate their own relationship challenges and career struggles.
Yoon Ji-ho: The Writer Finding Her Voice
Ji-ho represents the modern woman struggling to balance artistic ambitions with financial reality. Her character arc explores the challenges of pursuing creative careers in a society that values financial stability over passion. Through her contract marriage with Se-hee, she learns to assert her needs and desires while discovering what she truly wants from life and relationships.
Her journey involves overcoming people-pleasing tendencies and learning to communicate her feelings honestly. The series shows how her relationship with Se-hee, built on honest negotiation rather than romantic idealization, allows her to grow into a more confident and self-aware person.
Nam Se-hee: The Logical Man Learning to Feel
Se-hee’s character embodies the modern man who has prioritized stability and logic over emotional connection. His methodical approach to life, including his decision to enter a contract marriage, reflects his fear of vulnerability and unpredictability. Through his relationship with Ji-ho, he gradually learns that meaningful connections require emotional risk.
His character development involves learning to express emotions and understand that relationships can’t be managed like software programs. The series beautifully portrays how his analytical nature, initially a barrier to intimacy, becomes a strength when combined with emotional growth and genuine care for his partner.
The Supporting Couples: Different Paths to Love
The series features two additional romantic storylines that explore different aspects of modern relationships. Yang Ho-rang’s tumultuous relationship with her longtime boyfriend examines the challenges of unequal partnerships and the courage required to leave comfortable but unfulfilling situations.
Woo Soo-ji’s story explores workplace harassment, career ambitions, and finding love with someone who respects her professional goals. These parallel stories create a comprehensive examination of the various challenges facing contemporary women in relationships and careers.
Choosing Authenticity Over Convention
The series reaches its emotional peak when all three couples must make crucial decisions about their futures, choosing between societal expectations and personal happiness. These climactic moments force characters to confront their fears about commitment, success, and what they truly value in life.
The resolution emphasizes that healthy relationships require honest communication, mutual respect, and the courage to be vulnerable with another person. The series shows that love isn’t about finding someone perfect but about choosing to grow together with someone who accepts and supports your authentic self.
Success on Netflix
Because This Is My First Life achieved significant international success on Netflix by offering viewers a refreshingly realistic portrayal of modern romance that avoided typical K-drama tropes. International audiences were drawn to its mature handling of contemporary issues like housing costs, career pressures, and changing relationship dynamics. The series was praised for Lee Min-ki and Jung So-min’s chemistry and its authentic dialogue about modern life challenges. Its exploration of contract marriage as a practical solution to real-world problems resonated with viewers facing similar economic and social pressures.
If you love realistic romantic dramas about modern relationships and personal growth, Because This Is My First Life is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
A beautifully crafted exploration of modern love that proves the best relationships are built on honesty, respect, and the courage to be authentically yourself.
Detalhes da Série:
Número de Episódios: 16 episodes
Plataforma: Netflix
Avaliação: 8.2/10 IMDb
Gênero: Romantic Drama, Slice of Life, Contemporary
Protagonistas: Lee Min-ki (Nam Se-hee), Jung So-min (Yoon Ji-ho), Kim Ga-eun (Yang Ho-rang), Kim Min-seok (Ma Sang-gu)
Antagonista: Societal pressures/Economic circumstances