[K-Drama Review] Because This Is My First Life: Yoon Ji Ho Is So Relatable!

I started watching Because This Is My First Life without any expectations. I stumbled upon the trailer and thought I’d give it a try, just to see if this kind of story could hold my interest. To my surprise, not only did I enjoy it, but it also ended up becoming one of my favorite K-dramas in terms of storytelling. And for once, in a drama featuring multiple couples, I found myself completely focused on the main pair—it is something that rarely happens for me. So, here are my thoughts on this beautifully written and emotionally grounded K-drama.

Spoiler alert! I’ll be touching on a few moments from the show, so proceed if you’re okay with that.

Check out more info about Because This Is My First Life on MyDramaList, IMDb and Wikipedia.

Poster Analysis

The poster is clearly divided into three horizontal sections. Each section features a couple posing, with elements that highlight their personality and character. The background seems to be made of Lego bricks—if I’m not wrong. Overall, you can immediately tell that this show is all about the lives of these three couples. And since they all have different personalities, chaos is bound to occur.

This is another poster that I really liked. The main leads are seen chilling on the balcony of their home, and the buildings around them have these calm pastel colors that almost look like watercolor paintings. The little snail sitting on top of a house drawn on one of the buildings is such a cute touch. This poster gives off a cozy, homely vibe that perfectly represents how comfortable one’s own space can be. It’s simple, charming, and captures the heart of the story.

Plot

Yoon Ji Ho is in her early 30s and works as an assistant screenwriter for dramas. Her own family doesn’t allow her to stay in the house she paid for, forcing her to go on a house hunt. She eventually finds the perfect place—owned by Nam Se Hee. He’s in his late 30s, and the only things he truly cares about are his house, his work, and his cat. Struggling with a heavy mortgage, Se Hee wants a housemate who pays rent on time and helps with household tasks. Ji Ho needs a place to call home, and Se Hee needs money. So, they agree to a deal and enter into a marriage contract to live a peaceful, convenient life. But how long can they maintain such a life while pretending to be a couple in love?

Ji Ho’s best friend, Woo Soo Ji, is a bold and brave salarywoman. But when her co-workers badmouth her or sexualize her, she quietly endures it instead of standing up for herself. Nam Se Hee’s boss, Ma Sang Goo, falls for Soo Ji after a one-night stand they had years ago. When they cross paths again by chance, Sang Goo decides to pursue her and even hopes to marry her. But dating and marriage are things Soo Ji wants nothing to do with.

Yang Ho Rang, Ji Ho’s other best friend, works as a restaurant manager. She’s been in a seven-year relationship with her boyfriend, Sim Won Seok. On the surface, they seem like a lovely couple, but deep down, they’re completely incompatible. Won Seok has spent years trying to launch a startup and refuses to consider any other job, determined to chase his dream. Meanwhile, Ho Rang’s only goal in life is to get married and have children. Tensions rise when Won Seok fails to understand what Ho Rang truly wants from their relationship.

Cast & Crew Highlights

I was already familiar with Kim Min Seok, who plays Sim Won Seok. I had previously seen him in a supporting role in Hi! School – Love On!. Apart from him, the rest of the cast was new to me. I was genuinely amazed by Jung So Min as Yoon Ji Ho—she brings depth and emotion to the character effortlessly. Lee Min Ki also does a fantastic job portraying the stone-faced Nam Se Hee with subtlety and restraint.

Why Is It So Easy To Connect With Yoon Ji Ho?

I see so much of myself in Yoon Ji Ho, and that’s what makes her character deeply relatable to me. Like Ji Ho, I’m an aspiring writer, and I’m also nearing my thirties—which naturally leads me to reflect more on life, love, and purpose while watching Because This Is My First Life. I’ve been single all my life, just like her. Neither of us has ever dated or even flirted with anyone, but we both hold love in the highest regard.

Our family situations are also strikingly similar. Ji Ho comes from a patriarchal household where she doesn’t feel truly at home, even in a house she paid for. I, too, come from a traditional family and share a strained relationship with them. Like her, I dream of moving out and creating a space I can truly call my own. It’s mind-blowing—I’ve never connected with a fictional character this strongly before.

In a particular scene, Ji Ho emphasizes just how much a home means to her. She compares her longing for a home to a snail—how a snail carries its house wherever it goes, and how no one has the right to tell it that it can’t stay inside its own home. That comparison hit me so hard because it beautifully captures that quiet, desperate wish for a space where you’re allowed to exist without conditions or judgment. That’s exactly why Ji Ho was so overwhelmed when she married Se Hee and finally felt like she had a place to call her own. For someone who had spent years being overlooked and treated as if she didn’t belong anywhere, stepping into a home where she felt seen, safe and accepted was more than just comforting—it was life-changing.

Another thing I admire about Ji Ho is her ability to pick her battles wisely. She knows when to stay silent and when to stand her ground. Funnily enough, my first impression of Ji Ho wasn’t great. I assumed she was just another timid girl who lets the world walk all over her. But boy, was I wrong!  Ji Ho might look weak and sensitive, but she is very bold and knows how to make the right decisions. She is very much rational, but of course, since she is also human, she lets her heart take the lead at times. And she does the most unexpected things when she trusts her heart. She has got an unpredictable personality just like me, which even Nam Se Hee admits and gives credit to.

My jaw dropped to the floor when she kissed Nam Se Hee, who was a total stranger back then, just because she found comfort in his words. Yeah, it was her first kiss, she was a bit drunk and all—but she knew what she was doing. Accidental kisses with strangers are fine in K-dramas, but an intentional kiss with a stranger who might already be in a relationship…he might even have a wife and kids at home. So bold of her. I could never…

And episode after episode, Ji Ho proved that she’s different from any of the female characters I’ve come across in K-dramas. She gave Nam Se Hee the cold treatment when she was angry—which I think is the best method, because Se Hee is a man of few words. Through her actions, he understands that he’s done something wrong. And since Se Hee himself is such a rational and analytical person, he complies with most of her decisions. He doesn’t question her if she cooks only for herself or lies to a random guy that she’s unmarried and single. Because to Se Hee, everything she does makes sense.

If I were to sum up Ji Ho in a single sentence, it would be: Don’t let them know your next move. Actually, I thought the whole scenario of her being almost sexually assaulted by her director would be brushed aside, like in most dramas. But Because This Is My First Life surprised me. That incident even made her quit writing, so I was more than happy when she filed a lawsuit against him—fully aware that her reputation could be at stake, especially since she is a part of the entertainment industry.

I also loved how she found Nam Se Hee’s ex charming even before knowing who she really was. And there wasn’t any unnecessary drama between Ji Ho and the ex. They actually bonded well and talked things out like mature adults, instead of spiraling into jealousy or misunderstandings. Ji Ho just needed some time to clear her mind and figure out her priorities.

Overall, I felt strangely connected with Ji Ho’s character. I genuinely appreciate Jung So Min’s natural acting—it brought Ji Ho to life in the most authentic way. Watching Ji Ho’s life journey unfold in Because This Is My First Life was truly a rewarding experience.

What Impressed Me

Ji Ho’s Inner Monologue

Maybe the writers emphasized Ji Ho’s inner monologue because she’s a writer—who knows? Interestingly, only Ji Ho and Se Hee had inner monologues throughout this K-drama, and Ji Ho’s was by far the most prominent. As someone who’s also an overthinker, I felt so happy every time I got to hear what Ji Ho was thinking. Her inner voice became a window into her emotions during each moment, making everything she went through feel so personal and real. It was poetic, it was raw, and it was incredibly natural. I couldn’t help but adore her way of thinking. She has such deep and different perspectives on life—just another reason why I love her so much.

Se Hee’s Cat

I’m not a cat person. Heck, I’m not even a pet person! But I adored Se Hee’s cat. The cat, often called Kitty or Woori in the drama, had such a strong presence. Both Ji Ho and Se Hee interacted with Woori quite a bit, and the cat was surprisingly responsive. What really caught my attention was Woori’s expressions—some of them were so on point and hilariously fitting to the situation. I never thought I’d like a pet character this much, but here we are.

Ji Ho’s Friends

Ji Ho is an introvert, and both her friends, Ho Rang and Soo Ji, are extroverts. The dynamics of their friendship are truly fascinating. All three have such contrasting personalities, yet they understand each other so well. One thing I truly appreciated is that none of them tries to force their own principles or ideals on the others. They accept one another exactly as they are. No one mocks Ji Ho for wanting an eternal, lifelong love. No one judges Ho Rang for overdressing or Soo Ji for going on a hookup streak. In most dramas, true friendship is shown through friends trying to steer each other toward the so-called right path. But in this K-drama, the girls embrace each other—flaws and all. Their friendship is tested several times, yet they remain each other’s comfort throughout the show. Ah, I envy their friendship!

The Metaphors

Metaphors are such a huge part of Ji Ho’s character. There are deep, hidden messages and life lessons woven through almost every conversation. I really love the idea that everyone carries their own Room 19 within their heart — a secret inner space where they keep their fears, past wounds, dreams, and doubts, a place they guard even from those closest to them. And then there’s the star pocket, described in the finale by Ji Ho’s mom: a metaphorical pouch to store life’s sparkling moments — those precious, fleeting experiences that light up your heart. When times get tough, you reach into that pocket and draw strength from those memories. There are just too many such beautiful moments that I will forever remember.

The Episode Titles

Each episode came with a title that was so unique yet still familiar. Because This Is My First… remained a constant across all episodes, with a different ending word for each one. So the episode titles were like: Because This Is My First Kiss, Because This Is My First Marriage, Because This Is My First Confession, and so on. They kept the essence of the K-drama’s title in every single episode, which I think was a really genius idea.

What Annoyed Me

The Book Se Hee Bought

I can’t really say I was annoyed. It’s more like—I’m very keen on details, so I was just a bit bothered. Se Hee bought a book for Ji Ho, intending to give it to her, but she left him alone to sort out her life. When they decided to be together again, I was low-key hoping Se Hee would finally give that book to Ji Ho. Or maybe Ji Ho would accidentally find out that he had bought it for her. It would’ve been a nice little touch to the story and would’ve added some quiet but meaningful closure.

Somewhat Unrealistic Ending

I’m all in for happy endings, but in a drama like this one—which started off as a raw, authentic, and true reflection of modern-era people, I was hoping at least one couple would have a different sort of ending. Life is so unexpected, and not everyone gets to live the life they desire. It became somewhat predictable how everyone was going to end up. I’m happy for the couples, but I still would have liked a more realistic and less conventional ending.

OST

The OSTs of Because This Is My First Life are pleasant and soothing. The songs blended well with the drama’s tone and mood. Shelter by Song Hee Jin feat. Lee Yo Han is probably my most favorite one.

Rewatch Potential

The genre of Because This Is My First Life isn’t really my cup of tea, so I have no plans to rewatch it in the future. However, if I ever change my mind, I’m sure I would skip the scenes involving the other couples and watch it solely for the story of Nam Se Hee and Yoon Ji Ho.

Overall Rating

Favorite Quotes

“Having someone walk into your life is actually a very astonishing thing. That’s because they bring their past, present and their future with them. That’s because, someone’s whole life comes along with them.”

“Words are born from people’s mouths and die in their ears. But some words don’t die. They go into people’s hearts and survive.”

“To those living this moment, with all of my sincerity, I wish you the best of luck. Because this is everyone’s first life.”

Trailer

Conclusion

Because This Is My First Life is a heart-warming and amazing K-drama. I think everyone should give it a try—even if it’s not the genre you usually go for. There’s so much to learn from this single drama. I absolutely loved every moment of it, and I’m really glad I came across this show and didn’t skip it.

Have you watched Because This Is My First Life? Who’s your favorite character? What are your thoughts and opinions about this drama? Please share them in the comments—I’d love to read them! And if you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and give it a try—you won’t regret it!

See you in another exciting review. Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep binge-watching!