Because This Is My First Life

A classic contract marriage trope in which every scene doesn't make you feel cringe. Instead, their calm presence and poetic way of speaking make your heart swoon.

ACT I

Hook: Ep.1

Living in a patriarchal household, there's no way a daughter would have a chance to make a wish. Since Ji-ho was a kid, it was always her younger brother who blew her candles out before she had a chance to make a wish, and her father who impatiently ate her birthday cake. As she turned 20, in front of her friends, she finally made her first birthday wish: to become an excellent writer.

Set-up: Ep.1-2

Ji-ho, who just turned 30, has nothing good happen in her life—unexpectedly becomes homeless after refusing to live with her younger brother and his wife, her writing career doesn't go well as her senior tries to ruin the drama script that she wrote, her crush of three years has already a girlfriend and does sexual harassment to her. All she wants is to find a room to rent and have a good sleep.

Se-hee, an awkward tech company guy, wants nothing but to live peacefully in his apartment and be single forever. To pay off his mortgage, he needs to find a housemate who will give him supplemental income by renting one of his rooms (also, to feed his cat and recycle). Another problem comes when his mother forces him to get married, otherwise his father will divorce her.

Because of the misunderstanding, Ji-ho and Se-hee become housemates.

Inciting Event: Ep.2

Se-hee asks Ji-ho if she would like to marry him.

Build-up: Ep.3

Se-hee explains that he needs to get married and Ji-ho seems like the perfect fit. Also, she needs a house, so it's mutually beneficial. But, he takes back his proposal as Ji-ho says she needs love and affection.

Things aren't getting better for Ji-ho. She quits writing after refusing to make up with her ex-crush who is also her colleague, and now she doesn't even have a home to return to. At her mother's suggestion, she decides to move back to her hometown in Namhae.

First Plot Point: Ep.3

Before heading to Namhae, Se-hee suddenly comes to the bus terminal while giving the stuff that Ji-ho left in his apartment. Their conversation the day before pops up in her mind. She then asks him if he would like to marry her, to which he replies, “Yes.”

ACT II

Reaction: Ep.4-5

What Ji-ho and Se-hee have to do now is to tell their parents and friends about their marriage. To reduce the expenses, they agree to skip the wedding ceremony, but their parents are against it. After finalizing everything and going over their contract—the marriage will end after 2 years, won't be officially registered, and they agree to the reason for divorce—the wedding day has finally come.

First Pinch Point: Ep.6

The term “our” that Se-hee used has lifted Ji-ho's hope. She visits him at work and names his cat “Woori” (which means us), but it makes him feel uncomfortable. He reminds her that they're only in a landlord-tenant relationship, which hurts her. She then asks him to refrain from using the word “our” again. Meanwhile, Bok-nam, Ji-ho's new co-worker at a part-time job, who seems close to Ji-ho, catches Se-hee off guard.

Realization: Ep.7-8

Se-hee starts feeling annoyed with Bok-nam's presence. He becomes protective of Ji-ho, let alone there's an indication that Bok-nam is a stalker. Ji-ho, who realizes something strange with Se-hee's actions lately, tries not to cross the boundaries with him by avoiding situations where they have to act as a couple, like he asked her before.

Midpoint: Ep.8

It turns out Bok-nam knows about Ji-ho and Se-hee's fake marriage. Se-hee, whose suspicion of Bok-nam has grown, runs to save Ji-ho who is with Bok-nam. Being provoked, he kicks his motorcycle and asks Ji-ho to go to “our home”.

Action: Ep.9

Ji-ho and Se-hee resolve the misunderstanding between them. They agree not to draw a line anymore, and to prevent something dangerous from happening again, Se-hee asks Ji-ho to call him husband in front of others. What they mistakenly thought: Bok-nam is not a stalker.

Second Pinch Point: Ep.9

While having a conversation, Se-hee says to Ji-ho that one love in a lifetime would be enough. Later, while searching for something, Se-hee sees a paper that is a marriage application with him listed as the husband and Jung-min as the wife. In another room, Ji-ho texts her friends that she has started to like her husband, which they think she's bragging about her marital bliss.

Renewed Push: Ep.10-12

Their errands to help each other's family have forced Ji-ho and Se-hee to open up about their feelings and what the next step they will take in their relationship. Instead of being a “defender”, Ji-ho changes to be an “attacker”. Meanwhile, Se-hee, who promised not to love again, decides to follow his heart. They then start dating.

ACT III

Third Plot Point: Ep.13

A CEO of a production company offers Ji-ho a job as a scriptwriter. They grow closer, and later Ji-ho finds out that the CEO is Jung-min who is Se-hee's almost-wife.

Recovery: Ep.14

Jung-min’s presence makes Ji-ho and Se-hee reflect on their marriage. Se-hee realized that he was only worried about Ji-ho, and his fear of making someone cry again was lingering once more. Meanwhile, Ji-ho, despite being hurt, has learned that hearts aren't things to be stolen or grabbed—they can only come to you—and she’ll wait until Se-hee's heart is ready.

Climax Begins: Ep.14

Before Se-hee has a chance to confess his love to Ji-ho, Ji-ho already asked him to terminate their contract.

Confrontation: Ep.15

Both Ji-ho and Se-hee face the problems that they have been holding back for a long time. Ji-ho meets Se-hee's parents, and Se-hee meets his father and Jung-min. Now, it's time for them to separate, and Ji-ho eventually moves out of Se-hee’s apartment.

Climactic Moment: Ep.16

After spending her alone time, Ji-ho moves into the rooftop apartment to find out that Se-hee has moved in there too. For the first time, Se-hee shows his emotions. They then make up and start a relationship as a real couple.

Resolution: Ep.16

Ji-ho finally achieved her dream as a scriptwriter. She and Se-hee registered their marriage, bought a new apartment, and rewrote their contract which is revised every year. They also agree not to follow cultural norms, like visiting each other's families on holiday. Most importantly, love is their top priority.

Final Thoughts:

I think it's not an exaggeration to say that Because This Is My First Life is one of the underrated K-dramas to ever exist. The story is so well written, and the characters are well-made. Let's start with our two quirky lovable main characters: Ji-ho and Se-hee.

Having a couple where both individuals have similar characteristics tends to be boring, actually. This is what I felt in the first two episodes. But, when you dig deeper and deeper, you’ll find the charms and the depths of their thinking. I loved how they treated each other with respect and gentleness. It soothed everyone who was watching. Even though they were awkward, there was no single scene that was cringeworthy. What I liked the most about Ji-ho was that when it comes to making a decision, she doesn't think about it too much. She's simple yet thoughtful and introspective. So is Se-hee. I loved how his character changed from hiding his emotions to expressing them openly. His mad yet relieved expressions at the climactic moment were everything. Their reenacting of a legendary bus scene from The Graduate was my favorite.

The side characters also added richness to the story's theme. While Ji-ho's marriage seems easy, it didn't apply to Ho-rang, whose only dream was to become a housewife. I didn't expect that she and Won-seok would be endgame. Their relationship was painful to watch. But, it seems the writer wanted everyone to have their happy ending. The use of the pink sofa as a symbol to start and end their misunderstanding was so well put. Like other metaphors such as defender, room 19, red coat, etc—that was used by the writer to help the viewers understand more about the conflicts.

What I also didn't expect was how I've fallen in love with Su-ji and Sang-gu throughout the show. They were perfection—Su-ji who was insecure and Sang-gu who was always there for her. A conversation between Su-ji and her mother was heart-warming. Why did everyone in this show talk like they were reading a poem?

However, the show isn't complete without some laughs. It's a rom-com, after all. Episode 8 was my favorite episode. That (500) Days of Summer replication scene was hilarious LOL. A scene where Se-hee threw his body to avoid the motorcycle not only added a comedic touch but also built up the conflict to the midpoint, which made it so satisfying to watch. I'm glad that the writer chose not to turn the character Bok-nam into a villain. It also showed the viewers that despite Se-hee being practical and always calculating everything, he could make some mistakes too.

Despite having a simple premise, Because This Is My First Life covers a lot of themes and issues that are related to our daily life. Not only about love and marriage life, this show also covers other themes, such as patriarchal society and sexism at work. I wasn't surprised when Se-hee's father wasn't bothered by the reason for Ji-ho and Se-hee's marriage, but I felt irritated when he asked Ji-ho to be a bridge for his son and family. And I think people don't talk about it often when discussing the wife's role in the patriarchal system. The last theme that should be highlighted too is dream. You don't understand how Yong-seok's words have hit me so hard,

“For writers... They never know when they'll become a writer. It's like walking in a dark tunnel.”

It might be true, but I think there's no harm in trying to pursue that dream. At least, once in a lifetime. Like Se-hee said in the first episode,

“Going through this life is the first time for all of us anyway.”