What have I been doing this week? I’m glad you asked! Here’s what’s been on my watchlist this week:

*Note: My reviews usually contain spoilers. You have been warned. Proceed at your own risk.*

TV

Because This Is My First Life (2017)

I had seen about a million reviews all with great things to say about BTIMFL. It’s very rare that something gets that many positive reviews, and then actually holds up to the expectations I have built up of it. But this show does it in droves. The premise itself is quite simple: a contract marriage born out of convenience for both parties. They have their share of miscommunications and misunderstandings, but ultimately the show is about showing two people growing closer to each other. Not out of any sense of obligation or despite themselves, but simply by realizing that they find a comfort in one another that no one has ever been able to provide before.

When we first encounter Yoon Ji-ho (Jung So-min), she is at her lowest. She barely has time to sleep let alone pursue a romantic relationship. It’s no wonder that when she finds herself facing homelessness or living with a strange man, she chooses the latter. Even though it’s a choice made out of desperation, she comes from a background that taught her that her complaints are irrelevant, so she makes the best of a bad situation. Nam Se-hee (Lee Min-ki) on the other hand complains about everything under the sun, and then some. He’s prickly and particular, so when the perfect roommate shows up that matches all his criteria, he’s reluctant to let her go, despite her being of the opposite gender. From they they eventually get closer and more comfortable with one another, and they build a strong bond with one another – even if it takes them forever to realize it or act on it. They also learn to let go of the hurts of their pasts, and allow it to give way for future relationships.

There are a bunch of other relationships and dynamics shown over the course of the show, all with the intent of showing unconventional romances. The show manages to tackle them with varying degrees of success, but none fully held my attention if I’m being entirely honest. But I did like all of them as individuals. By far my favorite was Woo Soo-ji (Esom), who manages to be a badass despite the toxic work environment she deals with. I also thoroughly enjoyed Ji-ho’s friendship with Bok-nam (Kim Min-kyu), who realized that what she needed more from him was a friend to confide in rather than a whirlwind romance.

That was what I ultimately took away from the show. It is an exploration of the fluidity between familial, friendly and romantic love. Ji-ho and Se-hee had a long and winding road to one another, but I liked that the show gave them the room to explore themselves as much as each other, and find what was truly important to them. This show was heart-warming in the true sense of that word, in that it was a touching, and familiar with just a hint of spark to keep things interesting. I would definitely recommend this show as one of the best in its class.