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Because This Life Is Our First: Episode 3

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.

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Episode 3: “Because this is my first proposal”

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.

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.

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.

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.

They reconvene at the table for some instant ramyun, and they both awkwardly wait for the noodles to cook. When Ji-ho breaks the silence to explain that she set the wrong alarm, Se-hee is very understanding and says that he didn’t wake her since she seemed to be deeply asleep. He remarks that it seems like she wasn’t able to sleep well for the last couple of days, and he guesses that she’s uncomfortable at her new place.

His perceived thoughtfulness isn’t lost on Ji-ho, and she suddenly asks why he’s being so nice to her. He’s perplexed, so she points out that he even gave her the bigger bowl of instant ramyun (omg, this is too adorable), new sheets, and even asked her to marry him.

He tries to change the topic and points out that their noodles are done, but Ji-ho isn’t ready to let go and asks bluntly if he likes her. Se-hee looks up at her stunned, but then replies that he doesn’t like her, and claims that he only gave her the big ramyun because his spice tolerance is low. He also adds that he gave her the pillowcase because it’s unhygienic to sleep without one, and that he proposed because he needs to get married.

He explains that since he must get married, she seems like the perfect fit. He adds that it’s mutually beneficial, but she rightfully doesn’t understand how that’s a reasonable conclusion, so he asks her why people get married.

Ji-ho lists love and affection as the main reasons, and Se-hee sighs, agreeing that those are the most common reasons. But then he asks if she needs love and affection more than she needs a house right now. Oof.

She replies with growing confidence that she doesn’t need those things now, but one day she will. Se-hee looks down disappointedly and remarks that he thought she was the same kind of person as he is, but he made a mistake. He asks her to erase this conversation as well, before bidding her farewell.

Meanwhile, Won-seok picks Ho-rang up from work after her late night shift, and they return home together. She tries to hint to him about this sofa she really wants (one perfect for newlyweds), but he doesn’t really catch the hint, and instead decides to make a comment about the economic inequality in Korea (even condescendingly sounding out a “big” word to her, after he assumes she doesn’t understand it). Ugh, oh no.

Annoyed, she begins slapping her face angrily with face cream, which finally gets his attention. He asks if something bad happened today, but she just stomps off after denying that she’s angry.

Suddenly, he instinctively moves to a kneeling position (hahaha), and jumps when Ho-rang returns to crossly ask for Se-hee’s address, since Su-ji is worried that Ji-ho has been out of contact.

His demeanor is obedient as he points out that Ji-ho moved out already. This is news to Ho-rang, who immediately grows worried about Ji-ho.

We cut to Ji-ho as she walks toward the bus stop while thinking about Se-hee’s words describing her as the same type of person as him. She breaks out of her reverie after she notices the people around her laughing at her attire. She finally decides to call Su-ji back and asks for a ride. Luckily, she’s already nearby with Ho-rang to look for her.

They park outside of Ho-rang’s so Ji-ho can give them the 411 on sleazy Yong-seok. Enraged, Su-ji vows to murder Yong-seok, while Ho-rang chides Ji-ho for not calling them in her time of need.

Ji-ho replies vaguely, so Ho-rang and Su-ji exchange knowing glances and ask if she has something going on with Se-hee. She denies it, but Ho-rang doesn’t really buy her answer and teases her until she angrily shouts that it isn’t true. Deciding that’s enough for the night, Su-ji takes Ji-ho back to her place.

At home, Se-hee and Cat wind down for the evening, but he catches a glimpse of his and Ji-ho’s empty ramyun bowls and becomes thoughtful. He receives a text from a woman asking to meet the next day and groans.

Meanwhile at Su-ji’s, Su-ji shows Ji-ho a new dating app that allows users to rate one another, then get matched based on those rating levels. Additionally, if the users want to meet users above their rating levels, then they need to pay for access.

Ji-ho points out how mean-spirited the system is, but Su-ji only replies that the app is a hot ticket in the investing world, and will be the centerpiece at her company’s hosted networking(/investing) event tomorrow. Su-ji adds that dating is a competition these days, wherein only the strong-minded survive. Word, girl.

The next day, Se-hee presents the same dating app to a roomful of investors as an answer to failed blind dates. He alleges that people who are simple should be honest with themselves and go by instinctive traits they want in the opposite sex: for men, looks, for women, capability.

He theorizes that given those parameters, it makes sense to match people who are closer to each other in these categories in order to find the best matches.

A potential investor in the audience asks why the app is called “Dating, Not Marriage” if the app’s premise is to pair people with high, long-term compatibility. Se-hee replies with his own question and asks, “How can marriage be the result of love?”

Se-hee explains, “Marriage limits one’s freedom” and adds that in modern society, marriage is only a system to preserve one’s genes and nothing more. He claims that “love” is an antiquated concept for those filled with false hope.

His statements cause an uproar in the audience, so mercifully, Sang-gu intervenes and states that the sole aim of their app is to facilitate dating, not marriage. They understand that everyone has different values when considering marriage, but in dating, the one common denominator between two people is love.

His words earn the applause of the crowd, and Su-ji, who is watching from the audience, smirks as she compliments Sang-gu’s swift save.

After the presentation, Sang-gu follows Se-hee out to scold him for answering questions. He continues that Se-hee is in charge of the visuals, and is needed only to show his attractive face to draw in investors.

He asks if it was too hard for Se-hee to act like a normal person for a little bit, which leads Se-hee to turn around and cast a tired glare at his friend. Immediately, Sang-gu amends, and begins complimenting Se-hee for his outstanding presentation.

When Se-hee heads for the door, Sang-gu asks where he’s going since the networking event has only just begun, so Se-hee shoots back that since Sang-gu is the “normal” one, he can take care of it.

Ji-ho arrives back at the workshop to retrieve her things, but finds the door locked. She reluctantly drafts a few texts to Yong-seok, but Writer Hwang calls before she sends the message.

She goes to Writer Hwang’s house, who placatingly asks if Ji-ho is still upset about her changes, only to apologize and say that what Ji-ho said about her writing was right.

Writer Hwang continues that she always claims to want to write something new and fresh, but ends up writing the same sort of drama over and over. She says in order to survive she had to conform and compromise her visions.

Writer Hwang takes Ji-ho’s hand and says adamantly that she truly wants to see Ji-ho succeed. Ji-ho replies that she knows, and is grateful for her support.

They exchange friendly smiles, and so Writer Hwang suggests they go for some drinks (stating notably that it’ll be just the two of them). Ji-ho quietly thanks Writer Hwang for her words and mentorship, and the women head out.

At the networking event, Sang-gu speaks with the potential investor who asked the question during Se-hee’s presentation. The investor calls over Su-ji and her male colleague to join the conversation, and Sang-gu recognizes Su-ji, but Su-ji doesn’t seem to reciprocate.

Meanwhile, Su-ji’s male colleague makes some gross comments about Su-ji’s attractiveness and guaranteed high-ranking in the app, then proceeds to put an unwelcome hand on her shoulder. Sang-gu notes all his actions and steps in to ask the man for a cigarette so that all the men can go out for a smoke and leave Su-ji behind.

Sang-gu lingers for a moment looking as if he wants to say something to Su-ji, but she’s too busy launching eye-daggers at her colleague to notice him.

On the rooftop, Su-ji takes out a cigarette from her purse, and Sang-gu swoops in to light it from behind. He mentions their encounter at the wedding, which Su-ji remembers, but when he brings up a previous meeting they had long ago, she draws a blank.

Apparently, it was a much more involved interaction, and resulted in sex. He attributes her lack of reaction to mean that she doesn’t want to discuss their past, but she replies that it’s only polite to discuss it since he brought it up.

She looks him up and down as if trying to remember some other part of him since his face isn’t memorable (heh), but it doesn’t work.

Sang-gu becomes indignant since he thought they really hit it off, so she smiles to herself before apologizing and saying that she normally remembers who she sleeps with, but it seems that his performance wasn’t impressive enough.

Meanwhile, Writer Hwang takes Ji-ho to a fancy restaurant, but she’s blindsided when she sees Yong-seok and Director Park waiting for them there. She stays mum on the incident, even as Writer Hwang and the director discuss how nice it is that the two are friends even though they are of the opposite sex.

Director Park watches Ji-ho’s despondency and makes an oblique comment about how “all kinds of things happen” when young people work together, which triggers Ji-ho. (OH NO! You two did not set this up after knowing fully what happened! How dare you!)

Yong-seok looks repentant, and Director Park half-playfully/half-seriously orders him to apologize to Ji-ho. He tells Ji-ho that he scolded Yong-seok very harshly after learning what he did, so Yong-seok sincerely apologizes and says that he was super drunk. Writer Hwang remarks that she was going to scold Yong-seok, but held back for Director Park’s sake.

Ji-ho is stunned into silence, but finally speaks up to ask why Director Park would scold Yong-seok, and why Writer Hwang would hold back on her behalf when she’s the victim. Director Park takes issue with Ji-ho’s usage of the word “victim,” so Ji-ho clarifies and says that she was sexually assaulted and nearly raped.

Yong-seok pathetically attempts to gaslight Ji-ho, so she puts him in his place and tells him to shut up before she puts him in prison. Omg, yes, tell them who is in charge, Ji-ho.

Writer Hwang steps in and states that she is “trying” not to break up their close-knit team, so Ji-ho answers:

“It’s like I’ve been struck by a rock and I am bleeding right now, so carrying me to a hospital should be considered ‘trying’ in this situation, but instead you’re forcing me to keep going my way and telling me that I seem all right, and I’m not bleeding that much. You’re dragging me by force—this isn’t trying. I’m bleeding so much and I’m hurting to death.”

Director Park impatiently asks Ji-ho if she understands that making such a big deal of such “trivial” matter will jeopardize her drama-writing career and erase her chances of ever getting one of her shows made.

Ji-ho says she understands, then announces that she won’t be writing dramas anymore because she’s quitting, and these people should never contact her again. Can Ji-ho hear my applause? I love this so much.

She leaves the restaurant as her eyes tear, then she shakily stops around a corner to praise herself for doing well and not crying.

Ji-ho and her girls drink outside of Ho-rang’s to celebrate Ji-ho’s resignation. Their solution for comforting Ji-ho is to get piss drunk and burn away the night at a noraebang.

They jam out like crazy to “My Friend” by Cho PD, as Ji-ho thinks gratefully about how her friends are always there for her when she’s going through a tough time. But instead of trying to push her to talk, they just chat and laugh as they always do, which is the greatest comfort.

Su-ji learns that one of her work projects has gone wrong and she needs to leave ASAP, so Ji-ho sends her off in good spirits and goes back inside to Ho-rang, who’s already passed out.

Won-seok comes to pick her up and offers Ji-ho their couch, which she politely refuses. But as they leave, she thinks sadly about how her friends have places to return to, but she doesn’t.

She goes to the bus stop only to learn that the are no more buses for the night, and she wonders why she is always drifting around. Mom calls to give Ji-ho tips on how to be a good housemate, not knowing that she moved out of Se-hee’s, which causes Ji-ho to snap.

Mom argues that she’s just trying to help Ji-ho do well, and Ji-ho (clearly thinking about the other things going wrong in her life) asks if Mom thinks that she only has to “do well” for things to work out.

She catches herself for taking out her anger on Mom, but then grumbles that Mom doesn’t know anything about the world. Mom gives in and just tells Ji-ho to take care of herself before saying goodbye.

Ji-ho looks like she feels sorry about her outburst, but Mom surprises her by staying on the line and says comfortingly that she can always come home if Seoul is “too cold.” And these are the words that finally make Ji-ho cry as the day finally ends.

On his jog the next morning, the security guard gives Se-hee a suitcase that Yong-seok left for Ji-ho with a note to Ji-ho, explaining that Ji-ho said not to contact her.

Se-hee texts Ji-ho about the suitcase, and they arrange for her to pick it up right away. Ji-ho makes breakfast for Su-ji, then tells Su-ji that she’s going back to her hometown, Namhae, for good. She says that now that her drama career didn’t work out, there’s really no reason for her to stay—besides, she adds, Seoul is too cold.

Ji-ho arrives at Se-hee’s shortly after, but he doesn’t answer, so she lets herself in. She sees Cat waiting for her, and together, they go into her old room. She throws out Yong-seok’s note, opens up her suitcase, and sees her scripts for Turtle Gosiwon. She tells Cat sadly that she can’t bear to throw them away herself, so she leaves them on the nightstand and asks Cat to recycle them for her.

She hears the door beep and comes out to greet Se-hee, but then dashes back into her room when she hears the sound of Se-hee’s mother’s voice. Haha, omg, Mom’s complaining to Se-hee about him asking his mat-seon date to pay rent even after they get married.

Mom begs Se-hee to just live normally like everyone else and fall in love, get married, have a kid. Se-hee asks how those things are normal, then states that the average cost of getting married and having a kid is 300 million won.

Mom tells Se-hee to stop with his numerical nonsense and argues that his date was very pretty, so Se-hee picks up Cat and says that he’s satisfied with this pretty cat.

The statement is concerning for Mom, and she asks if Se-hee has a “problem” in the sexual department. From the bedroom, Ji-ho gasps, but manages to stifle her surprise.

Mom tells Se-hee to just apologize to his date because it seems like she might still like him, and since there won’t be anymore mat-seon dates (due to the fact that the matchmaker finds Se-hee too weird, ha), if Se-hee messes this up and his father divorces her, Mom’s moving in with him.

She warns Se-hee to choose wisely, then leaves.

After she’s gone, Ji-ho comes out and scares the life out of Se-hee (hehehe, I liked that way too much). He composes himself, then politely bows to her, before clutching his heart as they sit on the couch.

Ji-ho apologizes for hiding, but Se-hee sincerely thanks her for her good judgment. He asks about her luggage, and so she explains that she quit her job and is going back to Namhae. She thanks him for renting his room to her, since it’s where she wrote her first drama.

Sweetly, Se-hee tells Ji-ho that wherever she goes, she’ll do well since she is a responsible person and scored the highest amongst all his tenants. She also wishes him luck in finding a nice person to marry, but he isn’t so sure that he’ll be able to marry. She doesn’t see why not, since he was able to propose to her.

He pauses for a moment then says he did it because it was her, his highest scorer. What he needs is her, and not a marriage, which is why he proposed to someone who can pay a monthly rent.

She’s stunned and thinks to herself, “I know it was not the right moment to fall for him. But still, it was the first time hearing that someone needs me. Throughout my twenties, I worked hard to be a person who is needed. I crossed the Han River Bridge whenever I went through a hard time. Looking over the Han River, I thought there might be at least one place that needed me in this big city—that’s how I thought.”

She leaves after that and goes right to the bus terminal to buy a ticket home. She pauses when she sees a young girl looking a little lost in the terminal, and is reminded of her younger self.

She boards the bus and continues, “For the last ten years, this luggage got scratched up so much like me. It was shiny when I first came to Seoul with it. For what did I try so hard to live, when I’d go back to Namhae without any achievement? There wasn’t a place for me from the beginning anyway.”

She stares out the window aimlessly, but then perks up when she sees Se-hee walking toward her. He gets on the bus and asks why she isn’t answering her phone, then hands her her old scripts and her poster of The Graduate.

He says that he was on his way out and it seemed like she needed these, so he delivered them. She echoes that she needs them, stunned, but then he leaves. (Go after him!!) She watches him from her window, and thinks of how he’s the first person who said that he needed her.

Se-hee begins to leave when Ji-ho runs up and grabs his hand, before asking him to marry her.

He replies “Yes,” politely, then hurriedly, she runs back to get her luggage. He calls after her and says that he wants to ask one thing first: “By any chance, do you like me?” She looks thoughtful for a moment, then shouts back, “No.”

They stare at each other as Ji-ho narrates: “That’s how our proposal began.”

 
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.

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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Thanks for the recap! This might just be my new drama crack. Not gonna lie, I was a little iffy on whether I felt the sexual assault fit in with the show, but after this episode and how it was dealt with I no longer feel that way. Ji-ho standing up for herself so calmly but firmly was so powerful. The scene after she left the restaurant and told herself she did well had me crying. I like how this drama can flow from more heavy plot points to comedy without feeling disconnected, and without the heavier plot points feeling trivialized.

On a different note, I can definitely see that this is the writer of FBRS (though I have to say FBRS was far wackier) through the situational comedy and the subverted tropes - there’s so many misunderstandings that could be dramatic and instead are hilarious, and tons of areas where the plot goes the opposite of what you expect (for example, Ji-ho overhearing Se-hee’s conversation with his mother, and instead of getting angry Se-hee commends her for staying hidden and is unconcerned about what she overheard). This drama is genuinely funny in so many small, normal ways (and some larger, more obvious ways) without feeling like it’s trying too hard.

Also was Se-hee disappointed when Ji-ho said she didn’t like him? Hmm...

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I get that general feeling that Se-hee doesn't care about whether she likes him or not, because his goal is to not indulge in expensive things like love, LOL! I thought he felt relieved.

Se-hee says the most unexpected things, like commending Ji-ho for staying hidden, and saying she has good habits. I think it's because he views everything in such a compartmentalized, realistic way. It's robotically charming! 😂

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Yes, robotically charming indeed. 😂

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I love that logical side of him - it makes for some hilarious comedy, and some unexpectedly sweet moments. While he is definitely robotic, he also has a certain warmth to him that makes him seem more like a real person (or at least a well-rounded character) and less like what could easily be a caricature.

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I always look forward to Se hee's wise and logic words in every episode i also love the fact that he respects Jiho and never forgets to compliment her whether on her succeeding at her job wherever she goes or on her housework habits that is some great personality trait character he is showing so yes SeHee is indeed a sweet charming robot ♥

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From his expression, I was momentarily convinced that he was disappointed because he looked taken aback. But then I remembered he was a logic driven kind of person, so I brushed aside that possibility.

But who know, it might be his inner feeling that he never realised he had spoke out.

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I think if she had said yes, he would have refused the proprosal. I think he was expecting that since she seemed to be on the side of love marriages. But she said "no" and that meant he's really going to jump into this. He had never really planned to marry his tenant. It seemed like he proposed on a whim since, why not? She's a great housemate!

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"It's only logical, captain"

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I totally agree with @ar that if she had said yes he wouldn't have agreed to marry her; however I do think that someone who makes decisions based off of logic can still have and use their emotions haha. Do I think he consciously feels much of anything towards her other than approval (since she's such a great housemate)? Absolutely not. But I think he is at the very least starting to slowly appreciate her more and more, even subconsciously. This is gonna be such a fun slow-burn romance!

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I look forward to the day See-hee's robotic heart starts to beat for Ji-ho. 😍

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i agree, i think he has emotions. I mean, even when he gives out his logical conclusions he does so in a manner that isn't mean spirited. He's quite thoughtful, and he even holds back with sang gu when they say bad things about him.

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"I mean, even when he gives out his logical conclusions he does so in a manner that isn't mean spirited."

I think that's an important point, bea. So many "normal" people can be mean-spirited and unkind. Se-hee is eccentric, but I think he's a good person.

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I truly believe that there will come a point, where in their role as housemates, he will do something extremely gallant and possibly rash, for Ji Ho without thinking. At the end of the day, he'll suddenly realize that he had already married for love and affection without even knowing it!

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1. I agree that scene where she was telling herself "good job" made me tear up. I love how she finally stood up for herself. I felt so proud.

2. There are so many laugh out loud moments in this drama without overdoing it. It's a roller coaster of laugh-cry-contemplate.

3. Which drama is FBRS?

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Flower Boy Ramyun Shop.... i think.

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and how sad that I could even guess...

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Oh so it was that drama! Thank you, tummy! (Feels like i'm thanking a part of my body!)

Be proud of yourself! you remember :D

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that part broke my heart to pieces but i was so proud of my girl... she stood up for herself and quit working with that trashy pd and his sick assistant also that sly writer who put her in that position!

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"...for example, Ji-ho overhearing Se-hee’s conversation with his mother, and instead of getting angry Se-hee commends her for staying hidden and is unconcerned about what she overheard..."

Thank you for highlighting this. I love it when people in dramas aren't all quick to take offense and jump to the worst possible conclusion. It contributes to the safe feeling I get when the two leads are together. Individually, they don't have any chips on their shoulders, and together, they don't seem to feel the need to have their defenses up with each other. They just appreciate what the other provides, no judgment, no drama. It's a pleasure to see adults who are actually grown up.

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My heart went out to Ji-ho when she finally decided to quit being a drama writer. It hurts to see her gave her dream up the moment she realized she would lose herself in the process of achieving it. I understand why she did that, but it just felt unfair for her that she had to stop pursuing her dream not because of her lack of talent, but because she refused to be easily taken advantage of by her colleagues and sunbae. I'm sure though, that she will get back up again and find another way to become the kind of drama writer she wanted to be.

On to another topic, Sang-gu is actually a much better man than I gave him credit for. He won my nice guy point when he smoothly ushered Su-ji's coworker out after realizing he made her uncomfortable with his inappropriate behaviour. And he won another point when he casually struck up a conversation with Su-ji without making any negative comment about her smoking habit. It shouldn't make her any less professional or any less woman, and her colleagues' jab about it made my blood boil. It would be interesting to see Sang-gu and Su-ji connecting on a much deeper level when they first met in a one-night stand.

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I saw so much potential in Sanggu too! Excited for their relationship but worried for Suji's working situation.

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Yeah her co- workers are seriously getting on my nerves. She needs to have Ji- ho lay down the law to those so and sos

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Sang-gu seems like a gentleman and very genuine. I can't wait to see the progress of their relationship. He's like a puppy who's eyes is only on Su-ji.

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I don't know whether to laugh or cry at how ridiculous the proposal sounded. 😂 "Do you like me?" "No." Bam, marriage. So far this show is tickling me with its dry humour, and I like that. It also brings to light a lot of gender problems in the workplace, which I'm sure is not prevalent only in Korea.

On Ji-ho: I was bristling in anger for her when the writer took her for drinks! Part of me was wondering why the writer was so nice to her, making coffee and all (I must be too cynical, but hey, I was right), and I felt so bad for her because she was genuinely thankful to the writer for being nice to her. I don't think it was right for them to trivialize the matter, and brush it off as something small and laughable, just for the sake of "teamwork". It shows that they didn't respect her as a writer, or even as a colleague. The PD should have had the decency to at least apologize personally.

In that sense, I can see why Ji-ho made the decision to marry Se-hee. It's been an emotional roller coaster for her. She's been overlooked and taken for granted for majority of her life - at home, and at the workplace. Having someone say he "needs" her must have felt very gratifying. (Plus, he's unconsciously sweet! Helping someone pick up her fallen fruits, telling her about the passcode knowing she didn't have a place to sleep, etc...)

On Su-ji: Eww, her colleagues. Her company seems generally male-dominated, and that particular colleague of hers is obnoxious from start to end. Making comments about her body, getting touchy, and even insinuating that rumours might form? I think the worst was the phrase "it's ok, it's her." Just because a girl is tough and firm and doesn't take nonsense, does not give anyone the right to make crude jokes/sexist remarks with the excuse that "because it's her, it's ok." Thank goodness Su-ji is a tough cookie!

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I do worry for Su-ji though, I have a terrible feeling that her colleague will one day cross the line in a way that she will not be able to brush off with her tough demeanor. And even if that is not the case, there is only so much sexist commentary that a girl can put up with, especially when she should not have to in the first place.

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I agree. I think there will be some kind of crossed line and breaking point.

Not that Su-ji needs a man, but it would be nice to see her get with Se-hee's CEO and they work as equal partners. He's already shown that he respects her as a person and a woman.

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That the person who helped set up that ambush was a fellow writer and a fellow women makes it cut that much deeper, even if her intentions were not malicious. If you have to lie to get someone you profess to like to go somewhere. It's a pretty clear sign that you are in the wrong if you proceed

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I really like Su-Ji but I'm worried about her. There are cracks showing in her facade--luckily its just been with her friends or when she's alone (where its safe to be yourself) but...
It seems llike Su-ji and Ji-Ho could be foils for each other, you know? Ji Ho seemed a bit on the passive side what with her father and her working situation but when the line was crossed she shut that shiz down and gave up (hopefully just for now) on her dream. Su-Ji seems like the tougher of the two. But she's had a dream for just as long as Ji Ho has---I wonder what she's had to sacrifice or ignore or push down (if anything) for the sake of being successful. I wonder if she does remember hooking up with Sangu but since she's in such a male dominated field she's pretending that she doesn't since when her own colleagues see her as a woman its in a sexist and sleazy manner and professionally associating with a man (even one who appears to be on the good side) that she's slept with is something that'll bite her in the butt in the end.

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I agree... people always see what's on the surface - that she has a good, successful career and is earning enough to have her own apartment and car. But they don't see what she has given up for it... and she's beginning to crack under all the pressure.

IMO she does remember hooking up with Sang-gu but perhaps she personally doesn't want to go further into a relationship with someone she had a one-night stand with. Hmm.

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This show is quickly becoming one of my favourites. Am I the only one sad that there's so little scenes of Nam Sehee in episode 3??

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I want more Cat.

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I second this. Cat needs a storyline.

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I think what's drawing Se-hee to Ji-ho the most is that she has yet to consider him abnormal. I feel like he's being worn down by everyone around him wanting him to be "normal" (his boss and his mom especially) when he feels "normal" just the way he is. Ji-ho has always understood where he's coming from and sees through to the nice and sweet guy he is no matter that he has a different way of showing it.

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Ooo yes. Everyone's bugging him to do something about his life (get married, go matchmaking, stop eating those tasteless doshiraks...) and it feels like Ji-ho has accepted every single thing he said, without being judgemental about it. She's always just like "yes! *bows*". Plus, she really is the perfect housemate.

Sometimes she says something and he looks at her like he has literally found his soulmate (but in the most platonic way, since he's not into the whole love idea... yet). Hehehe.

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I think that's why she got off the bus. Because she saw Se Hee bending over to help the older lady pick up her spilled fruit. He was being kind. He is the only man in her life who has been kind to her (at least as far as we have seen). Her father, her brother, the slimy director, the scumbag assistant have trampled all over her, but Se Hee has always been kind and perceptive.

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"I need you, not marriage." [said in the most platonic way]

I can't even. My heart. it's sooooo good. This drama is so lovely. It's funny in the most subtle way, the shocked looks, the hilarious sound effects, the relatable real life situations, the female friendships, the way Ji Ho and her reaction to life makes me cry, the chemistry of the leads (and how they wear matching clothes for the last two scenes).

I also love the way that Se Hee brought her back her script and poster, as if he was bringing her back her dream, that she doesn’t really have to leave and let go of what she loves doing.

I'm in love! I'm in love. I NEED MORE! Can't wait for the next episode.

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I just love that he doesn't realize these are romantic, swoon-worthy gestures. These actions just come naturally to him because of how he processes the situation and how he speaks straightforwardly. I can't wait to see what happens when he actually tries to be romantic.

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A mighty fail, but it's Ji-ho so I'm sure she will get it. They are both quietly observant and thoughtful. ~sigh~

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I have a feeling that his most romantic gestures will come without him even trying. I also feel that he'll do something that will not be logical at all because he loves his housemate, even though he may not even realize it.

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Can we start with the fact that he could have mailed her the drama and poster? Probably after a simple text? He really did not have to take it to her in person. I think he went because he wanted to take his last chance to see her...

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Right! I can't wait either! Echoing russe comment this is going to be my new drama crack <3 this couple so hard

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Ohmygosh their canonically unintentional couple outfits are the best!!

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"I need you, not marriage."

That is a sweet proposal since it used to ask her hand in marriage, right to the point, honest and it's a romantic line even when he thought that he just being logical.

A lot of lines in this drama is so thoughtful and kind which makes me just feel the sincerity.
It's kind and has no other ulterior motives [Se Hee and Jiho] cause they trust each other so much that they can show this side of them without being misunderstood.

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I am in love with this drama, in love with Ji Ho, and in love with Se Hee. 2 episodes in a row now, Ji Ho has broken my heart with how lost and adrift she felt. She lost her home 3 times - first to her brother, second to how society frowns on a single man and a single woman being housemates, and third to colleague who assaulted her. And those last 10 mimnutes - from when Se Hee said he needed her and not marriage to the very end with her denying that she liked him when you know she has fallen for him - so. many. emotions. While I find marriage of convenience hijinx addictive and amusing, I was really sad about the reasons why Ji Ho is choosing this route. At age 30, she has realized that hard work isn't enough, that her dream of being a writer was over because of some horrible, exploitative people in the industry, and that she would have to go crawling back home to her patriarchal houshold and admit defeat. She had originally hoped to marry for love and affection, but have to choose between that and a roof over her head.

At one point during this episode and during Ji Ho's brief return, she asked Se Hee if he had done the recycling this week and, I swear, he swooned a little inside. So what if Se Hee is a little weird, he is so thoughtful. As long as you respect his boundaries, which he is so very upfront about, he can be a very good friend. What's weird is all those guys who are sexually inappropriate to Su Ji at work. Su Ji is a total badass, and it's upsetting to see her at her bosses' beck and call.

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"While I find marriage of convenience hijinx addictive and amusing, I was really sad about the reasons why Ji Ho is choosing this route. At age 30...."

I agree with this statement so much - it's all part of growing up. One realizes that he/she is not as special as they had thought they were when they were kids. You have to make difficult choices for less than ideal reasons. I really, really love Ji Ho here, for who she is and for the choices she makes.

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I love how Se Hee swoons at seeing her segregate, recycle, clean the house! As if his mind goes, "Wow, she's perfect!" every time (in the most platonic way of course).

I find it so weird and adorable at the same time!

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I love that dynamic in their relationship so much. Yes, I am totally looking forward to them getting together, but with the way things have been in these first few episodes I wouldn't even mind if they just became good friends without a romantic element - their relationship is so satisfying and entertaining the way it is already.

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I agree, that fact that someone finds these actions/traits so moving just makes me smile so much. I'm sure growing up her father expected her as a daughter to do house chores as a matter of course, only noticed if undone. For someone to find it note worthy and applause worthy everytime she makes his life a little easier and his house a little cleaner has to be pretty powerful stuff.

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yes I bet my right pinky that she was the only one to do the chores with her mom and they probably have never been thanked for it, so I think she's taken aback a little each time that Se Hee compliments her and thanks her for her little actions.

ugh her dad always makes me cringe. My father is nothing like that and I'm so so grateful.

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At one point during this episode and during Ji Ho's brief return, she asked Se Hee if he had done the recycling this week and, I swear, he swooned a little inside.

OMG yes it happened in the beginning of episode 4 actually and it was totally swoon worthy ❤ as he was somehow happy that she is going to be his wife after she asked about recycling! like this girl understands me..we are both on the same page and i did well marrying her aww Se Hee you are so going to fall
hard for her ❤

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Thank you for the recap, @murasakimi!

I watched the show at first because I needed to cure my drama slump (caused by Age of Youth 2. Damn you, show! I still love you though) so I initially didn't have high expectations while watching this drama. I was a bit cautious about the casts of this drama, because how am I supposed to move on with Lee Joon and Jung So-min after Father is Strange just ended and Choi A-ra and Kim Min-Seok after Age of Youth 2? Boy, I was so wrong!

I'm a sucker for cohabitation dramas ever since I watched Full House as a kid, but seeing the drama surprise us with a "marriage contract" catnip, I knew I was in for something great! Plus, seeing the leads take on their roles as funny and relatable characters made me love the show more!

The thing I adore the most about this show is the friendship between Ji-ho, Su-ji, and Ho-rang! Loved how these girls are always there for each other, regardless of what happened! Can Dramaland just stick with the sisterhood concept forever?

After watching all the recent episodes of this drama, all I can say is that I'm hooked and my drama slump is finally over! Hooray!

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A gentle and positive energy, well said and it's not just the vibe between the two leads, but for me it's the feel of the drama as a whole.

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What really struck me was that we generally took HOME for granted.
Until ep 3 what Ji ho is going through- suddenly look around my room and thk of my current house and feel blessed. And i know the sense of peace and comfort that Ji ho desires.
When all her frens go back to their own place, she really felt it. She didnt have a place to call her own. A space of her own. Somwhere she can go back wallow if its a long day, clean if she had a writer's block, sleep comfortably without fearing for her safety. Somwhere where she belongs. And she found all that at Se Hee's place. Which make a usually preposterous idea of marriage contract believable and in someways relatable too.

And i love Se Hee's kindness- his gestures were never calculative- but always rational. And generally calm. its cute to see his frightened face when Jiho pops up aft his mum left. It's not evyday we see that much emotion in him.

What i also appreciate was even though See Hee is an odd person, and we know Ji ho will change his mind set.. but the him now- Ji Ho appreciates. and they both have mutual respect. I keep thinking theirs will be a future union of being a better version of their current self for each other

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I agree. I've been sort of in transition in terms of where my home is this past year and it has definitely taken a mental toll and I do feel less settled than when my home is steadier and I can make my kimchi pancakes whenever I want. The place where I sleep and store my stuff - while I'm grateful for it - doesn't quite feel like home.

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About the home, I also agree. Like ar above, I've been in transition. I think I've moved eight homes in the past 4 years. That's 6 months on average in one place. This kind of unsettled lifestyle - though fun at first - does take a toll on your mental well being. And you make strange decisions - like deciding to marry your landlord just to stay in one place! ^^

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This is what I'm seeing so much of in Ji Ho right now. She's lost. And she's feeling defeated and it sucks. This isn't the way things were supposed to turn out. She was supposed to go--do her best---and succeed. And she's finding closed doors (lack of home) everywhere she turns because like she snapped at her mom--she's learning that doing your best can mean absolutely nothing in the real world. Ji Ho is at the very end of her rope--going home with her tail between her legs to a father who more than likely told her she wouldn't make it to begin with. If Se Hee had made this proposition even a week ago before literally everything in the entire world went wrong Ji Ho would have said no and laughed on the rooftop about the weirdo with her friends (or maybe not. She's awful nice) but when she doesn't have this basic need--marrying her landlord seems like a legit choice.

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It's one of those dramas where I'm just genuinely happy that they found each other.

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I agree with this. And this is where the weakness of their 'relationship' lies (imo) - that it has developed out of Ji Ho's vulnerability and at a time when she is particularly short on other options.

But this is a drama so you know things will work out. And even otherwise, I think Se Hee's charts and graphs are probably a safe bet. :D If he thinks they'll get along well forever, then I too think they'll get along well together.

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like @isa mention its also in the timing. She's definitely vulnerable right now.

I thk Ji ho on one hand needs a 'home' and the other is the inner her crying to feel belonged and needed. The last of which it appears she never felt that in her dad's home.

So Se hee's marriage proposition in the end appeals to her- not just that she has a place to slp but her landlord and tenant is someone she can trust and make her feel needed and useful

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She's vulnerable, yes, but I feel like Se Hee is conscious of that (to an extent) and is trying to ensure that she isn't taken advantage of. Hence the contracts and straight talks.

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Same, I had a five year period where I transitioned between nine places. Lucky for me the last one has been more permanent. But the place prior was an extreme choice. I chose to live in a share house for six months. And in exchange for not needing to pay rent or utilities (so I could save up), I got the one room without a door, cooked dinner for all the other tenants each night, and was responsible for all the cleaning including laundry. This honestly was not too bad at all, I saved money really fast this way, and it sounds more like a Cinderella story than it was in reality. It is the closest my life ever came to a kdrama, "one girl lives with four guys, does all the housework, and her room has no door!" But there were zero issues, I even got along with all their girlfriends, and we still hang out.

So I can truly say from personal experience; when you just need a place to crash, you are willing to compromise. Ji-ho has found a trustworthy landlord and has gained some personal freedom she wouldn't have in other places. What reason does she have to not go forward with the marriage?

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Agreed. A jump to marriage seems a jump too far at first, but considering the cultural context - where it is unusual to have a roommate of the opposite sex - and given their long term requirements, it makes perfect sense.

Also, wow - can I just say that it does sound like something right out of a drama? But it's good that it's not - if you were a drama character, your roommates would have been terrible to you (before the love triangles began). ^^ Happy that something more permanent worked out.

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Good comment about home. To me, home is where I find solace, let my guard down and finding strength for tomorrow. Her monologue about how often she was roaming the street really bring forward that JH doesnt have a place to call home. And I understand how she was tempted with that proposal.

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@sharreb, the past one year of being unsettled took a toll on my mental health, I thought I was being young and all adventurous, moving from one place to another, living these phases, being out of my comfort zone, (staying with one passive aggressive roommate and another loud ,annoyingly sweet, siding with the passive aggressive roommate) made me hate the whole city itself after the rough year, until I saw the American series of Big Little truths, where the therapist told the character (played by Nicole Kidman) to rent an apartment, just to remove the uncertainty and stress of finding a place to sleep , if she decides to move away from her abusive husband along with her two kids.
I realised that now matter how tough I wanted to play and dint want to appear weak, me being miserable had a lot to do with my ex -roommates and the uncertainty, the big city being cold.

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It's ironic how lee min ki passed on 'tomorrow with you' only to be 'married' in this show. I really love where the main two are headed and it's honestly going to be such an unpredictable ride that's for sure

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I am so glad he chose this one, that couple is one of a kind❤

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Can I just say how accurately @murasakimi described my feelings about this show from curiosity to obsession?

"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."

Best description ever.

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And the funny thing is, I love it even though I could care less about her friends' storylines or about his friend's storyline or about the dating app company or the writer/director team or anything at all other than the relationship between Ji Ho and Se Hee.

I think the soundtrack really adds to the magic.

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But the other aspects of the story are so interestingly real too!

Yes, the soundtrack really works well in every scene.

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I am also obsessed with this drama.

Also, Jiho's inner monologues are ON POINT.

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"You shut your mouth before I put you in prison" is now my all-time favorite k drama line. I wish it was utilized in a lot more dramas, because they all need it.

I love how this drama is making an absolutely scathing criticism of sexism in Korea, and not even letting the male leads off. Even the kinder, nicer ones (aka the male leads) make casual belittling mistakes-- Wonseok unconsciously belittling Ho rang, Sanggu rescuing Suji from harassment by her superior and then going up to the roof and behaving inappropriately himself; even Se Hee, who is the best of them all so far in terms of respect and acceptance of woman, got called out in episode 1 for a couple of comments he made about Bomi's dress. (Side note: how much do I love that the male roommates and Ji Ho were treated exactly the same way, in terms of the chores and requirements? A lot. I love it a lot.) Add in the 'patriarchal' dad and the pretty extreme examples of sexual harassment in the workplace, and there's a pretty strong statement being made.

There are also good attempts on the issues with the difficulty of employment and financial stability for young people in korea (11% unemployed, currently) and the difficulty of the workplace culture.

I love Suji. I love the extremely strong friendship of all three of the girls, but something about the scene where she insisted she liked sleeping on the floor, and then just chatted casually with Ji Ho about her work, made me love her forever. It was somehow just a perfectly written moment of friendship; if I had just watched that scene and no other in the drama, it would have been perfectly clear to me that those two were the best of friends.

Finally, I enjoyed seeing Se Hee get rattled for the first time when Ji Ho popped out of her room after his mom left. So far, he's taken everything with a straight face and bland comment, so seeing him freaked out like that was extremely satisfying. I also think that she's definitely getting under his skin to rattle him like that.

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I love how this drama is addressing issues of sexism, especially the ones specific to Korea's culture. You pointed out such good examples in the drama EIPK!

YES. That scene with Ji Ho and Su Ji was so perfectly written and acted it was totally believable that they are the best of friends. Loved the natural inclination of Ji Ho to just clean up the crumbs Su Ji dropped on her shirt, and how she leaned on her shoulder. It reminded me of how I am with the friends I'm most comfortable with.

I replayed Se Hee's surprised scene so damn much.

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His surprise scene was gold, I hope they fit in all sorts of physical comedy, because that was to good!

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I cried my eyes out watching the previous episode because I felt for her. I cried my eyes out again feeling proud because it wasn't easy for JH to stand up for herself. She's one of the best written female character so far. In the first episode, I felt like I was watching JSM from Father Is Strange but by the end of last episode, and even more so in this episode, I can see her embody her character so well that I've forgotten her past roles.

And I love love love her girlfriends. I'm glad they each are given an almost equal screen time to highlight their struggles. Although they are 3 different individuals, I can somehow relate to each of their struggle. So happy to see such great characters being played by great actresses.

So 3 episodes in, I have nothing to complain so far. Well, maybe a little more screen time for the cat wouldn't hurt. That face is just irresistible. And speaking of face, watching Se Hee makes my face hurt as if I was frowning. The whole time I wanted to reach my hands out and force a smile out of him. Hopefully we'll get to see him smile widely soon.

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The friendship between the girls is so precious loved the karaoke scene. I hope we'll get to see more of this trio together.
lol Lee Min Ki straight face is too funny how come he is able to keep that poker face all the time..luckily we are being spoiled by some quick smiles here and there in ep 4!

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The only thing I'll complain about is Ji-ho's brother (but he gets so little screen time, that it's easy to forget him) and Ho-rang. I don't mind Ho-rang as a friend, but as has the girlfriend, I cannot sympathise with her at all. People aren't mind-readers. If she wants something, she needs to say it, not get mad at people (even those closest to her) about not understanding her silly 'hinting'.

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Gentle and positive energy of the leads indeed. I love that they are becoming friends first, before the romance takes over.

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I love the overall positive vibes in this drama even when Ji Ho nearly broke down when she quitted her job, she still said to herself that she did a good job. I love Ji Ho's friendship with her two bestfriends. They're like 3 completely different people, but they seem not to judge each other and stay being true friends to each other. I hope their frienship stays strong until the end of drama. As for our fav OTP, I can't wait for both of them meeting their parents to talk about their marriage. 😆

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Okay, so this episode was FANTASTIC for so many reasons, and I’m still in awe.

1)WHEN SHE SAID BE QUIET BEFORE I PUT YOU IN JAIL!!! I have never been so proud of a Kdrama heroine than I am now. it was honestly one of my favourite scenes in the entire episode. Ji-Ho is so relatable in her awkwardness, but she’s so honest and truthful in the way she speaks her mind and refuses to be silenced!!! Prior to this, I haven’t come across timid kdrama heroines that spoke up for themselves when it mattered (like their timidness prevailed over their entire personality). But for Ji-Hoo, even while she’s sort of timid in an endearing way, she advocates for herself, and she’s brave when she needs to be!!

2)This moment was low-key and moved on pretty fast, but i loved how So-Hee said that Ji-Ho will succeed no matter what she does. He has such a matter-a-fact way of speaking, and it’s oddly comforting and refreshing. Even that neocortex story from episode one is an example of this. So-Hee is so robotic it’s laughable, but I love the way he comforts and relates to Ji-Ho. They fit together so well my heart hurts :(

Generally speaking, I love that this show is so suited for the current climate of 2017. It subtly addresses the realities of constructs like gender/violence as well as the institution of marriage. AND THAT SEXUAL ASSAULT SCENE WAS LABELED FOR WHAT IT WAS!!

Because this life is my first, you’re doing amazing sweetie.

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Your sentiments mirror mine!

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I think that "Be Quiet before I put you in jail" line will be iconic.

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The timing of this episode couldn't be better regarding sexual harassment and assault in the workplace since it has become a current discussion point after the horrible revelations surrounding Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein have come to light (it's truly sickening). These behaviors and actions should never be tolerated or accepted. I am so glad Ji-ho felt she could stand up for herself even in the face of bullying and coercion from her coworkers to "make nice". She shouldn't have to. Sadly, not everyone is able to speak up.

I felt so bad for Soo-ji too, having to deal with harassment like that on what seems like a continued basis. There really seems to be a culture that has allowed behavior like this to continue to grow and it is not just in Hollywood.

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Wooohoooo.... I know this show will stole people's heart. I knew it at the moment I watched the trailer. Thanks for your recap!

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I always want to love Jung So-Min's work; she is often luminescent when unfettered. I am so happy to see her in a drama that I can root for without reservation and without dreading ignition of the ick-factor.

I feel as if one of the themes of the show is pervasive nature of misogyny and patriarchy in the world of the drama. The twin curses are dealt with not as something that causes revolution but a default in society (i.e. water is wet).

1) The harassment Woo Soo-Ji puts up with at work is soul bruising.

2) The assault on JiOh and the head writer's complicity in trying to sweep in under the rug for the good of business can break spirit. JiOh finds that the people she has liked, respected and been loyal to for five years have no sense of respect or loyalty to her. sad.

3) Nam Se-Hee's mom saying her husband will divorce her if Se-Hee doesn't marry, and Se-Hee not dismissing the threat as nonsense.

4) JiOh's mom seeing the destructive nature of her husband's bias towards his son and not being able to redress it. The best she can do is offer the little savings she has accrued through years of marriage and offer it to JiOH.

5) JiOh's father rage over the possibility of his 30 year old daughter being pregnant, yet rewards his son and coos at his daughter--WHO GOT PREGNANT BEFORE MARRYING HIS SON.

6) I'm so glad that the series hasn't activated the trope of women being destructively competitive with each other, but instead show them as each other's source of support.

Hi @saya

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Thank you. I was sputtering at the brothers hypocrisy. spoiled brat.

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yes and not just the senior writer's complicity. The director 'trivialise' the assault and scolded Jiho for 'ruining the teamwork'.

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I'm still so mad that they freaking blame Ji Ho for this 'ruining teamwork' rubbish. The would be rapist PD should be the one kicked out, not her!

Also it's so stupid that they lose the writer like this. You can replace PDs but without the writer, there is no story and no drama.

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Well said, @yumii.

You list also identifies a possible source of Se-hee's disdain for marriage. Aside from his differences (sort of "spectrum-y" and possibly aromantic), his parents' marriage is not one to emulate. His father has threatened to divorce his mother if Se-hee doesn't marry? And not once did his mother say that she loved her husband.

We already know Ji-ho's father is a toxic POS.

If this are the marriages our OTP grew up with, forging a marriage based on housing requirements and compatibility isn't so crazy. (Of course, I hope, Se-hee realizes that love and affection are as essential as oxygen.)

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My heart broke when she said: you've done well. Because look at what happened. She was told off for not accepting the apology, she lost her job, and the guy who assaulted her walked away without any bad consequences. But still she felt she'd done well, because at least she didn't cry.

If only this wasn't so true to what happened in real life. With the discussions around sexual assault so high at the moment after the Weinstein story broke, I love how this show depict what this looks like in real life. In fact, I was only a little surprised that the attacker told people about it. I thought he was going to totally deny it or claim it was consentual because look how flirty they had always been.

Clearly if this was reality, I would not advice her to go from a sexual assault to proposing marriage to a guy whose idea of marriage is someone who pays him rent, cleans the house and empties the cat's litter-tray. But as this isn't RL, I cheer them on all the way, because Ji-ho is going to need someone clinically rational like Se-hee to get her through this.

I'm totally convinced they're going to do that drama without her, but at least she now has the scripts to prove that she'd written it first. She has a roof over her head and someone by her side to take the emotional sting out the situation and plot rationally how to get revenge on those b*****rds. (yes, I know that's another show).

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yeah I think they gonna make that drama as their own.

I have this suspicion that the reason they like Jiho so much is that her work is really good, she makes the magic for the show and she can fulfil the PPL + the dramatic requirement the writer wants, so I think they will somehow use her work.

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I'm actually hoping that, at the very least, that jerk including her scripts in the suitcase is figurative of him really letting go of her drama and encouraging her to continue it on her own. The sad part is it's probably for his own peace of mind that he does that, since he shows classics signs of someone who doesn't know or want to accept just how bad of a person he is.

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Yeah that's true, but I can also imagine the other writer finishing the drama and claiming it's for Ji-Ho's 'own good'. Like getting her over for drinks with jerk-face

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If Ji-Ho has walked away from her job, how is she going to pay rent?
What if Se-hee figures that out and recalculates?

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That's why he has to help her get her job back. Not because he cares about her or anything, but because she has to pay the rent ;-)

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Sounds about right. I haven't watched the next episode yet, but the laws of kdrama-verse pretty much dictate that she has to get her job back (somehow) and triumph over adversity and maybe even over some slimy producers.

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I haven't watched the next episode yet either, but if she's going to give up on her dream of seeing her drama on the screen, writer-nim and I are going to have to have some words.

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She has some money, her mother gave her a little bit and she probably has a little bit saved up, not enough for deposit but enough for few months' rent.

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It's a very odd show and at times, awkward too! But it is unexpectedly hilarious, and the chemistry between the two is evident even with their weirdness; the script is so well-written I can only anticipate every week. Mondays have never been this exciting. I love it!!! 💖

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I am absolutely, head over heels, in love.

I began this show just the other day, after reading the recaps for the first two episodes. I was surprised by how strongly I was drawn to the show over those two episodes – then yesterday I realized it was Tuesday and a new episode was up!

Where to begin? I love the respect between the two leads, how safe they feel with each other, and how each person looks out for the other naturally, just because they are who they are. They are both kind, considerate, and respectful people. Se-hee just seems weird because he doesn't buy into the superficial trappings of what makes a "normal" life, but he's a good person – more than most, because he's not blinded by what society says is acceptable – and his values and priorities are solid. And Ji-ho is great. She makes me root for her so hard. I think I teared up when she called the sexual assault what it was. I've never seen a woman act that way in a Korean drama before, and I wish I could see it more in real life.

I love how Se-hee appreciates things about Ji-ho that don't even matter to anyone else. Murasakimi took the words right out of my mouth – they are so gentle together, and the energy is always positive between them. There's no jumping to conclusions, no drawn-out misunderstandings, just the safe and happy feeling of two souls coming home to each other.

I can't wait for the episodes to come.

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"There's no jumping to conclusions, no drawn-out misunderstandings, just the safe and happy feeling of two souls coming home to each other."

So so beautiful.

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Thank you for the kind words, ElleBelle! I write for a living, but I don't think I've ever been moved to write this way about a drama before.

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Wow, you're living my dream!

I guess you relate to Ji Ho on a deeper level than most of us!

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Last week someone said that Jung So-Min looks like Suzy. I can totally see that, at least from some camera angles.

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She reminds me more of Yoon Eun Hye at some point.

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at some angles she looks like a mix of both suzy and yoon eun hye.

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I have just dived head on into the drama after reading a couple of rave reviews about it, but I did so without having a background on who were the lead actors.

Now, throughout binge-watching all the episodes, there have been more than a few moments I would do a double take and wonder if I was watching Yoon Eun Hye. So yes, I also see Yoon Eun Hye in her. :)

But now that i read about the Suzy reference, i get how others can see that, too.

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Well it looks like I found my new drama crack. Literally this is the only show right now that I'm really excited for.

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Same! I want monday to come soon.

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This is a great example of building a drama out of characters and making the story come out naturally. So far, every character is given a perspective and even some moral perspective. It gives a realistic feel to their arguments.

In the restaurant scene, for example, no one claimed that what YS did was right or appropriate. But they differed on how they thought it should be resolved. And the differences were coming from their own perspective.

Of them all, I believe Soo Ji has the most tragic and difficult path. It appears that, she has defined herself around professional/material success and it seems that she is willing to sacrifice her selfhood in the process.

Ho Rang is someone who appears to define herself around a checklist of "normality". It is also externally defined - boyfriend, job, marriage, house, kids. In a sense, still defined around "objects" rather than self. I've met many real people who are very much materialistic in that sense.

Why I am enjoying this drama is where the story of JH and SH goes forward. JH is the warrior, taking on the world but finds herself needing a safe harbor to rest and recover. SH is the hermit, interacting with the world but only on his terms and spends his efforts to build himself the perfect retreat.

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I loved your take on Se Hee as a hermit. I can totally see it.

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But she called so late and seemed to expect that Ji-ho would be in bed. Wake her daughter up to give advice on how to be a good housemate? Does not compute.

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Thanks for writing this! I also felt this way. Both the music and delivery of the motherly words were lovely.

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Thanks for the recap.
I'm in love with this episode. It was a roller coster of emotions but I' m so so proud for JH for standing firm and not bend to Writer Hwang and the directors. At first I was happy because I thought WH actually a good sunbae despite pushing her makjang cliches on JH's plots. But she blindsided her and when they started making all those comments, I have a feeling they try to force her accepting YS apology. And it is true!! 😡😡😡😡 Her standing up and being firm, JH is my hero. This is the type of character that we should see more often.
On our OTP, I loled when SH was so startled by JH presence. It was so out of his calm, robotic manner that he present everytime we see him. To see he need some time to calm himself is so funny. It is so obvious that JH is already fell for SH during 'because it was you' scene. Not that I can fault her though. I totally will feel for SH during that moment 😍😍😍
And I love their friendship. They are such different people but together, they are a good team.

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That SOB the main writer, producer, and director. Thay are all trash and I absolutely can not use any justification for people like them.
Anyways besides that Ji-Ho is a major girl crush. She's shy and not outspoken, but I love the fact that she doesn't let anyone walk over her. Let the marriage contract hijinks begin.

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That's painting the situation perhaps in too black and white. We, the viewers, get to see everything.

YS was drunk and assaulted JH, no doubt or excuse. But he had the (very little) grace to admit he was responsible for JH being absent the next day to Director and Writer.

Director and Writer only had his version of what happened and odds are that he downplayed it to them. It is very realistic that they would have tried to reconcile them perhaps mostly for selfish reasons, like continuing the drama.

But it could also be that the Director and Writer were also perhaps trying (from their perspective) to coach JH not to overreact (from what they understand of the situation)

Of course, as the viewer, we see the situation differently. The Director (perhaps) but the Writer (purely from a gender perspective...am I guilty of stereotyping?) should have probably tried harder to understand the situation and JH's perspective before attempting the reconciliation. But, in real life, few people have the courage and conviction to get deeply involved in what could easily be perceived as two people having a messy personal relationship.

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Okay I see where you're coming from, but that still does not justify the actions of the director and main writer. They KNEW Ji Ho would be uncomfortable even if they were told it was a minor assault BUT that is the problem RIGHT THERE. The fact that they did not even attempt to get her side of the story but immediately started persuading her to forgive her ASSAULTER. That is absolute bullshit. The fact that some viewers see them only guilty of persuading her of that is so wrong. This is what happens probably 80% of the time and they are the problem. The ones who stay quiet and defend the aggressor. Because no matter how minor or major it is, it's just wrong, and even people who just slightly defend the aggressor or side with them I cannot justify them, because they're taking away the rights of someone else.

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My guess of the downplay would be that YS told the director and writer that he was drunk and flirted with her and was spurned. I would be surprised if they were told that there was anything close to an assault. Nonetheless, we both agree, if you want to reconcile two parties, it may be best to at least try to get both perspectives BEFORE trying to get them to sit together.

Real life, (and I have experienced this as a manager) is seldom that easy. These things are impossibly emotional and easy to get wrong (and basically we're told, "hand this to HR but stay engaged") Any sort of (objective) fact finding and decision making process is a no-win proposition - someone is bound to be unhappy and, very likely, unhappy with you...shudder....

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The Monday-Tuesday dramas are just GOLD. While I'm also live-watching the other dramas, I think this one takes the top spot for me - the pacing is perfect and I love how genuine it is. I feel like the characters are my friends and I'm part of their circle, because I can identify with some of their adulting struggles.

I also enjoy the rollercoaster of emotions - from feeling sad with Ji-ho as she accepts that she might have picked the wrong career path / life choices to cheering on her as she realizes that there might be one more person she can lean on in her time of need.

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Thank you for your recap and comments, @murasakimi!

I'm enjoying the zany weirdness of BECAUSE THIS LIFE IS OUR FIRST, and concur that the show is populated with a delightful cast of characters as multidimensional as Se-hee's star graph.

The music is terrific, too.

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Your comment is gold! Se-Hee's star graph HAHAHA!

Yes, the music is amazing but I love the weird sound effects, that slow marching band sound when Se Hee opens her door, and the random sounds that accompany some eye twitching. Good stuff!

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I remember to have said this before but this drama is a good nature drama and I still can't shake off the J-drama vibes, idk if it the story or the sounds, it just so apparent that I need to remind myself that it's Korean.

It also funny that the reason they get married also applies for people that want to get married because of love.
It because 2 is better than one, people married because they need each other, they appreciate each other, they know each other needs, they understand and accept each other, they cheer for each other goal, they can stand each other habits, they knew they can count on the other person for their life, they are respectful, nice and they can see that living with the other person is a blessing.

We just called all this reason as love because people usually have that before marriage and it's a simple explanation for other people to see why we want to give our best for the other person rather than explaining what our contribution to each other's life.

It because they are that person, the one makes us happy and we also make them happy. The one that moved our heart and makes us consider all of that to be possible.

Overall I love how they communicate and they are friends without all sort of weird misunderstanding on a bad assumption, like thinking each other as a pervert or that kind of plot.

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ah also, if this really go with nigehaji's plot, she will find herself better in this new life,
it's like taking a break from your unusual habit, then finding yourself and what you want to do kind of plot.

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I can relate to you. Maybe it's just my eternal love for Nigehaji speaking, but I get a lot of Jdrama vibes from this drama. I found those little details in Nigehaji included in this drama is so amazingly on point (like how Se Hee commented on Jiho fixing the bathroom tiles, while Hiramasa commenting on the window).

Like you, I love that they sit down and communicate. I sometimes seriously wonder how those Kdrama leads could even live together if they only bicker all day. They also need to sit down and talk it together rather than accusing something that's so out of the blue just for dramatic effect

I really hope that this drama becomes a hit, so that other Kdramas could follow. It's not always the makjang-ness in a drama that draw us in, a story about a simple life of two people respecting each other could also become a hit too <3

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The plot is playing out beautifully & while all of hi ho's struggle felt real & I hoped she'll make it past all the obstacles in the end but that incident with yong seok....wow. I can't even. I hate him so much. Someone slap his face with a shoe please, better if Ji ho does it herself. Ugh. Trash guy.

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Wow, such a fast recap, @murasakimi! I guess you've fallen for this gem too! I wanted to comment right when it came out, but my niece wouldn't let me, lol.

This is one of the few shows that not only manages to make me fall in love just 3 episodes in, but also makes me trust in it. I actually had to check the episode number while watching because I already felt like I'd known the characters for longer than a week.

I love how the show acknowledged all the aftermath of Ji-ho's attack last episode, beginning with her trying and failing to retrieve her bag in the morning and then the confrontation with her colleagues later on, which was such a horrible, yet powerful moment to witness. I was so proud of her, even as I could hardly stand what they were putting her through. They essentially made it impossible for her to continue working in this industry with them and it breaks my heart that, after all the hard work she put in, they'd put her in this position.

I love the girls in this show so much! Their relationships are so lovely and real to me, especially in the most recent ep. I love how much development for each of them we get. And how they each find different ways of supporting each other!

Could even say that I'd like more of the boys or would like to see them all meeting at some point soon. I'd like to see more of Se-hee in his everyday life too, though we do still get some of that each ep. Lol, basically I want more of him and Bomi, since I find their interactions together hilarious.

That proposal tho...this must be the first time that I felt my heart flutter for the couple and it was when they were confirming they don't like each other, lol. It's like, I felt the pull between them before, but now I feel the beginning of something that they aren't even aware of yet in that final scene! It's just starting to build up very gradually and I love it.

This and Go Back Couple have me desperate for the next episodes all week long!

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I know, it really feels like we know a lot about this story and characters, like they were in our lives for a long time. I got a real shock last week when Ji Ho was sexually assaulted because that's the kind of thing kdramas don't do . But what really makes this drama great was that they have Ji Ho name the thing YS tried to do to her and threaten him with jail and not just give up and do what the writer and producer wanted.

Also after seeing all the stories about gross rapist pig Harvey Weinstein, it's good to see even a fictional woman not giving in.

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Such a wonderful show. There are a lot of shows out right now and I've started to watch about 5 of them. While you were sleeping I always watch and now this show. The others I wait and then watch both episodes together. By the way, great, insightful recap. Reading it brought out some of the subtleties of the show. It's really hard to see Won Seuk and Ho Rang continue to not quite get on the same page. I wonder if he has a problem with commitment, or maybe doesn't realize he's waited nearly too long to pop the question.

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This show is pure magic! I love, Love, Love this show! It can only get better from here on.

Jung So Min is adorable in all her dramas. Lee Min Ki’s eyes are one of the sexiest pairs of eyes in the world 😊.

What I love so much is how Ji Ho and Se hee are so respectful to each other. He treats her so kindly, so politely and respectfully, it makes a hardened viewer like me swoon. Lol. And their conversations are golden. I think he’s halfway in love with her but doesn’t realize it yet.

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He has really beautiful eyes. Theres one shot in ep 4 which shows his eyes in close-up and it's like light brown with gold on the outside? Like those yellow/brown jewels.

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I am sooooo excited to watch episodes 3 and 4 this week. I have seen the clippings and the reading this review makes me so happy. This show also ended my KDrama slump (my last one was SWDBS) and I can so relate with the characters. If only marriage can be like this. Haha.

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I just love this characters. I like that despite Ji Ho appearing shy she can stand up for herself ( her shut up before I put you in jail line was so satisfying) and that Se Hee despite being robotic is actually quite toughtful and nice. And yay for the great portrayal of female frendship in this show.

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I laughed like crazy with the way how Se-hee comforting Ji-ho by saying she scored the highest among his other tenants

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♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ … 💕
I'm sorry, but words cannot describe what I felt on this episode.
*Bows down*

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Same ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

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This episode really sealed the deal for me - I love this show. Between this and Go Back Spouses, I am in kdrama heaven.

I LOVE that the main characters aren't bickering, and in fact just really like living together. They also just "get" how the other is feeling, so they don't have silly and contrived misunderstandings. All of this is a great base for a successful romantic relationship. Lee Min Ki and Jung So Min are doing a fantastic job, and I love the other characters as well - especially Soo Ji!

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I agree murasakimi, something happens between 2nd and 3rd ep, like I was planning to watch this show cuz of Lee Min Ki, I saw him in SUFBB and in a movie Monster, I watched Monster right before the premier of This Life is our first and I was like " OMG, I have to check the show definitely". I was kinda surprised that Se-Hee was a bit similar to Monster character ( not in his maniac killing craze, but in being robotic and emotionless), but first ep I was more like forcing myslef to watch and i think i read recaps before I started watching the episode, second episode I still skipped some parts, but the ending was so cute and all, that I could not wait for ep 3, and after ep 3 I just could not wait for ep 4 and like whole ep 4 i was sqealing and laughing and all fuzzy and happy, show just gets better and better and i am in love with Lee Min Ki or Se-Hee, I do not care,lol, those moments when he says something sweet, which actually is not meant to be sweet and his eyes when he says those words, like when he said " I did it because it is you, I do not want marriage, I want you", hope it stays good till the end and hope it will get ratings it deserves, TvN fighting!!!!!!! Btw, Lee Min Seok in bed scenes is so funny, like I can't believe that cute puppy even knows what sex is, lol

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Haha, love this feeling of waking up to a recap with already 100+ comments! It's been a long time.

I would totally marry Sehee, even if I wasn't in love with him (which I am a little bit already). He's probably a 4.9 out of 5 on my ideal roommate scale, and let's face it, after a few years of marriage, this is what's going to keep you together or tear you apart. Those lovey-dovey feeling start to fade and you're left saying, I'm gonna kill him if he leaves his socks on the floor ONE MORE TIME. As in, Go Back Couple.

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I wonder will I marry this kind of person of I found one? Hahaha...sorry, dramas always makes me questioning stuff like this.

Marrying someone like Nam Se Hee? I think I could, even before I fall in love with him. I mean, how couldn't I, when he is handsome, stable, has a house, but most importantly, he respects me! Even when I'm having a hard time, I can talk to him without he brushing me off (see the way he treats his mother. He always listen although he does not agree with her). He makes me feel comfortable, and safe. See the way he takes care of his house? This kind of man that is responsible and committed is what I am looking for a long term relationship. Sure, hot and passionate love sounds tempting, but as someone that seeks stability her whole life, I am definitely gonna marry someone like Nam Se Hee if I found one. Looking at him, I am definitely will fall for this person. Oh wait, I think I already am ;p

Okay, I am off. I rambles too much!

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I think this is the first drama I've seen that directly addresses sexist behavior (to put it nicely) in Korean society. Between the horrible father favoring the son, the sexual assault a la Weinstein, and the Su-ji's colleagues ..
I was so happy to hear Ji-ho threatening to report the assault to the police!
I love the romance and the marriage contract shenanigans, but the feminist vibe is the best part of the show.

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So many great and insightful replies that I don't have much new to add.

I didn't expect this show to be so funny AND thoughtful. There have been so many lines that have moved me and made me think about my own life and experiences. One particular instance in this episode was when Se-hee brought up the cost of marriage and having kids in today's society. That's something I can totally relate to, and I may start asking the same question when someone asks me when I'm going to get married/have kids?

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Ahhh, so many comments! I’m finally caught up to this episode. I wasn’t sure about this drama after watching the premiere, but now I’m hooked. The writing did it for me. I expected this show to be a little quirky, but the depth and thoughtfulness was a pleasant surprise. I’m not feeling a romance between the leads right now which is okay. The fact that they respect each other and have open conversations is what I like.

Ji Ho poignantly reminded me a bit of myself except I’m not as brave as her. I love that she stood up for herself during the restaurant scene despite putting her career in jeopardy.

Su Ji is soooo intriguing. I like her tough and confident character. I want to see more of her story.

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Knock em dead So-hee, I believe in you.

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Weird textual transpositon of gender here if I am not mistaken. Dramabeans please review.

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