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My First First Love
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| My First First Love | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 첫사랑은 처음이라서 |
| Lit. | Because It's My First Love |
| RR | Cheotsarangeun cheoeumiraseo |
| MR | Ch'ŏssarangŭn ch'ŏŭmirasŏ |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Jung Hyun-jung[1] |
| Written by | Kim Ran |
| Directed by | Oh Jin-seok |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Lee Sang-baek |
| Camera setup | Single camera |
| Running time | 42–56 minutes |
| Production company | AStory |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | April 18 – July 26, 2019 |
| Related | |
| My First Time | |
My First First Love[1] (Korean: 첫사랑은 처음이라서) is a 2019 South Korean romance television series starring Ji Soo, Jung Chae-yeon and Jung Jin-young. The first season was released on Netflix on April 18, 2019.[2][3][4][5] The second season was released on July 26, 2019.[6][7]
The series is a reboot of the 2015 OnStyle drama My First Time, which was produced by the same production company. The latter's writer Jung Hyun-jung is credited as the series creator.[8]
Synopsis
[edit]The drama tells the story of five youths and their messy encounters with the concept of first love. Yun Tae-o is a college student whose friends — a college drop-out, a runaway family friend, and his long-time childhood friend — decide to unexpectedly move into his house due to their own individual reasonings. Now they must all learn to live together and learn to love.
Cast
[edit]Main
[edit]- Ji Soo as Yun Tae-o[a]
- Kim Seul-woo as child Yun Tae-o
- Kim Jung-chul as young Yun Tae-o
- Tae-o has been best friends with Song-i since they were in elementary, and feels the constant need to take care of her. Because of this, he has always been conflicted about his feelings towards her, often having a secret on-and-off crush. He initially pursues a relationship with Ryu Se-hyeon.
- Jung Chae-yeon as Han Song-i[b]
- Choi Yu-ri as young Han Song-i
- Song-i experiences the most hardship out of the entire group, as her father dies and her mother abandons her. She is evicted from her home after her father passes away, and is left homeless. She is best friends with Tae-o, and she initially understands her relationship with him as platonic. She is an architecture major. She develops a relationship at first with Seo Do-hyeon.
- Jung Jin-young as Seo Do-hyeon[c]
- A friend of Tae-o's from college. He focuses on finding a stable job and studying, rather than finding a girlfriend. Unlike Tae-o, he does not come from a wealthy family. He is the only one of the group to not live with Tae-o. He develops a relationship with Song-i. However, he then starts to feud with Tae-O over Song-i, thus ending their friendship for a brief period.
- Ga-rin and Tae-o's families are friends. She was born into an extremely wealthy family, and is an heiress to the Daebaek Group. Ga-rin wanted to experience her own independence so she ran away to Tae-o's house in Seoul. She develops a relationship with Hun later.
- Kang Tae-oh as Choe Hun[e][10]
- Hun has known Tae-o since elementary, but the two didn't become friends until college, before Hun dropped out. Like Tae-o, he comes from a well-off family, but he is financially cutoff by his father, a college professor. He continues to pursue his dream of becoming a musician/actor. He develops a relationship with Ga-rin later.
Recurring
[edit]- Hong Ji-yoon as Ryu Se-hyeon[f][11]
- A beautiful art major who is 2 years older than Tae-o. He pursues a relationship with her after he mistakes her for being his blind date. She becomes jealous and rude to Song-i because of Tae-o.
- Yoon Da-hoon as Yun Jeong-gil, Tae-o's father[g] and a landowner
- Park Soo-young as Do-hyeon's father,[h] a dumpling shop owner
- Jung Si-ah as Tae-o's step mother,[12] Jeong-gil's wife who often clashes with Tae-o
- Yoon Bok-in as Song-i's mother, who abandons Song-i for a man.
- Jeon Soo-kyeong as Ga-rin's mother, the heiress of the Daebak Group
- Jo Seung-yeon as Choe Seok hwan, Hun's abusive father
- Oh Young-shil as Hun's mother
- Park Yu-rim as Choe Min-ah, Song-i's friend and an architecture major
- Lee Ju-eun as Song-i's friend
- Kim Jae-yong as Dae-geon, Song-i's former senior who now works for a famous architecture company.
- Jung Yoon-seok as Yun Yeong-ho, Tae-o's younger half-brother
Episodes
[edit]Series overview
[edit]Season 1
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "A Close Friend – Who's Only Just a Friend" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | |
|
On his 20th birthday, Yun Tae-o convinces his father to let him live in his grandfather's house. He accepts on two conditions: he cannot invite girls to the house and his father will make random visits once a week. His father does not follow through with the latter, and although happy he is living on his own, Tae-o mentions his friends, Choe Hun and Seo Do-hyeon, have become a nuisance to his new house. Tae-o also has a secret crush on his best friend, Han Song-i, and makes the effort to always be there for her, especially after her father passes away. One day, Tae-o overhears a group of students asking Song-i if she has feelings for Tae-o, which she denies, and thus, upsets Tae-o. Furthermore, he mentions to Song-i that he has a blind date. Unlike Tae-o, Seo Do-hyeon focuses on finding a stable job, rather than finding a girlfriend, as he is not from a wealthy family. Meanwhile, Hun is kicked out and cut off financially by his father after learning that Hun is focusing on his music career rather than college. Meanwhile, a wealthy young woman named O Ga-rin sneaks out of the airport, possessing a note with Tae-o's name and address, in order to avoid visiting her mother for vacation. Do-hyeon happens to be witness to Song-i being evicted from her house after she is unable to reach her mother. Hun, Ga-rin, Song-i and Do-hyeon unexpectedly meet up with each other in front of Tae-o's house. Already late for his blind date, Tae-o becomes distracted by a beautiful young woman walking by. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "I Need a Room and You Have Many" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | |
|
Tae-o assumes the same woman he saw from earlier is Yu Se-yeon, his blind date. Meanwhile, Do-hyeon calls to tell him that Hun, Ga-rin, and Song-i are all at his house, and mentions how Song-i seems to be in trouble, and so Tae-o decides to leave the date. Hun and Ga-rin argue over who should live with Tae-o. Ga-rin destroys her cell phone after her mother attempts to call her. Unlike the others, however, Song-i withholds the truth behind why she came to Tae-o, thus, he encourages her to go home. Tae-o learns that the supposed "Yu Se-yeon" was not the real name of the woman he met earlier, even so, he becomes curious about who she really is. Song-i retrieves her father's name plate from her old house, and runs into the same woman from Tae-o's date. She is the daughter of the new homeowners, but acts rudely with Song-i. At the library, Song-i avoids telling Do-hyeon where she slept for the night. Meanwhile, Tae-o discovers his mysterious blind date is actually Ryu Se-hyeon, not Yu-Se-yeon. Se-hyeon points out that he also assumed that she was his blind date, but Tae-o calls it fate since they met each other unexpectedly, and they both have an interest in filmmaking. Do-hyeon later discovers Song-i sleeping in the library. Tae-o discovers that Song-i is homeless after stopping by her house. Do-hyeon helps Song-i find another place to sleep. Song-i finally receives a call from her mother, who tells her she is not coming home any time soon. Song-i takes a walk to a bridge and uses a telephone for the suicide hotline, which leads the police to show up and take her back to the station. Do-hyeon shows up at the station, after Song-i disappeared earlier, and almost lies about being her guardian until Tae-o shows up, claiming to be her guardian. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Fretting about Someone" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | |
|
Tae-o and Song-i apologize to each other after he admits he was hurt that she did not tell him about her problems. Tae-o is still indecisive about allowing Hun and Ga-rin to live with him, but states that it's different with Song-i. Meanwhile, Song-i begins to suspect that she may have feelings for Do-hyeon. Tae-o later mentions to Do-hyeon that he wishes Song-i would find a boyfriend, as he cannot always be there for her, especially since he is planning to pursue a relationship with Se-hyeon. Do-hyeon and Song-i have a private lunch together. Hun brings Ga-rin to work with him, as an extra. She decides to learn decision-making skills from Hun after he is berated by his boss. Song-i (still unaware of her connection to Tae-o) runs into Se-hyeon during a group project, and learns that she is not into committed relationships, and thus, may have multi boyfriends. Meanwhile, Tae-o has dinner with his parents, and his stepmother gossips Song-i's mother abandoning her family and possibly having a new boyfriend. Tae-o warns his parents not to talk about it in front of Song-i. When Tae-o arrives back home, he overhears Song-i on the phone admitting that she may have a crush on someone (referring to Do-hyeon) but Tae-o assumes she is talking about him. Before he can leave, Song-i discovers him nearby and then awkwardly asks if he happened to "hear everything?" | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "The Guy You Told Me About" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | |
|
Tae-o pretends to not know that Song-i has a crush on someone, but assuming that her crush is on him leads him into having a dream where he kisses Song-i. He begins to act different around her, initially refusing to give her a ride to campus but then changing his mind after he sees her riding a very crowded bus. Ga-rin goes with Hun to an audition and she reacts like a fangirl upon hearing him sing. Both are aware that they are talking about Song-i when Tae-o admits that he may have to reject someone whom he thinks has feelings for him and Do-hyeon admits that he has developed feelings for someone he recently met, much to Tae-o's surprise. Song-i starts sleeping in Tae-o's old tent in front yard of the house due to Ga-rin's loud snoring. Song-i suggests that they invite Do-hyeon after Ga-rin offers to plan a party as a thank you to Hun, Song-i and especially Tae-o. Tae-o is interviewed about joining the film club but can only join if he makes a short video that can make Se-hyeon smile. Tae-o hesitates to invite Se-hyeon over his house due to his new roommates. During the party on the rooftop of Tae-o's house, Do-hyeon asks Song-i to spend some time together before she gets too busy with her upcoming internship. A drunk Song-i admits that she has a crush on someone, to the group, but does not say who it is. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Saying I Like You" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | |
|
Tae-o becomes embarrassed after admitting to Song-i that he knows about her crush, but that he wrongly assumed it was him. Song-i states that she knows the difference between how she feels about her crush and how she feels about Tae-o. Do-hyeon and Song-i later meet up to watch a movie and have dinner. Meanwhile, the group are trying to cheer up Hun after he doesn't get a call back from the audition. However, things become tense when Tae-o's father confronts Do-hyeon's father about the rent money he seems to owe him. Even though Tae-o tells his father to stop, he leaves only after he confront Song-i about the money her mother still owes him. Song-i begins work at the internship, during which she encounters Lee Dae-geon, a graduate student who happens to be the supervisor. He acts "consistently" sleazy with Song-i and her friend. On her way home, Song-i lies about not being able to meet up with Do-hyeon at the bus stop, assuming he is too busy at work, as she doesn't want to bother him, but he happens to see her meet up with Tae-o at the bus stop after they learn that Hun actually did get the role from his audition, news that they plan to surprise him with, later on. The next day, Do-hyeon assures Song-i that she doesn't need to be so considerate about him (i.e. lying about not being able to meet him at the bus stop) and then asks if she and Tae-o have ever had feelings for each other. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Confession Day" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | |
|
Tae-o finally asks Se-hyeon to be his girlfriend. Ga-rin buys a new cell phone for herself and Hun before she starts work at her new part-time job. Tae-o finally decides to talk to Do-hyeon since it has been awkward after the confrontation between their fathers. Tae-o is surprised to learn how serious Do-hyeon seems to be about asking out his crush. Meanwhile, Tae-o's short video is successful in making Se-hyeon smile. Hun discovers that he was only cast as an understudy. Se-hyeon admits to Tae-o that she really likes him, which makes him happy. While home alone, Hun is visited by two bodyguards (sent by Ga-rin's mother) offering a large reward in exchange for Ga-rin's return, thus, Hun discovers that Ga-rin comes a from very wealthy family. Song-i begins to tutor Yeong-ho, Tae-o's younger half-brother. Do-hyeon asks Mr. Yun, aka Tae-o's father, if he can do maintenance on the building he owns, in exchange for him not raising the rent on his father's shop, to which Mr. Yun agrees to. Meanwhile, Se-hyeon kisses Tae-o after he discovers that she lives in Song-i's old house. Do-hyeon finally asks Song-i to be his girlfriend. | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "A Rain Shower" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | |
|
Although they are happy now that they are officially dating, Song-i suggests to Do-hyeon that they keep it a secret from Tae-o, for now. During her group project, Song-i learns that one of the male students is doing Se-hyeon's work for her, before learning that Tae-o is dating Se-hyeon. Song-i later discovers that Se-hyeon has also convinced Tae-oh to do some of her work for her as well. Song-i warns him of Se-hyeon's manipulation but he justifies her actions when he admits they are entering a film contest together. Financially broke and feeling like he is getting nowhere in his career, Hun struggles to decide whether or not to return Ga-rin to her mother, in order to get the reward money. Song-i invites Do-hyeon to go with her on a one-day trip to Gangneung for her field report. Back at the house, Tae-o warns Song-i about the rumors of Lee Dae-geon (the supervisor from her internship), of how he would do things to girls after getting them drunk. Tae-o slowly begins to realize his feelings for Song-i, again, upon discovering that she has a boyfriend (unaware that she is dating Do-hyeon). Se-hyeon learns that Tae-o's mother died when he was young, and she suggests that he make a video of him growing up alongside his parents for the film contest, but Tae-o says he will think about it. After her date with Do-hyeon, Tae-o finds Song-i caught in the rain, barefoot, and without an umbrella. He worries she will be heartbroken by her new boyfriend, and advises her breakup with him. A thunderstorm leaves Song-i, Ga-rin, and Hun scared and so Tae-o stays up with them to watch TV, during which he begins to show his feelings for Song-i, again. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Turning Point" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | |
|
Tae-o becomes upset after learning that Song-i is planning a day trip with her boyfriend to Gangneung, whom he does not trust. Hun learns from another understudy that he may be getting fired soon. Hun comes home depressed and so, Tae-o suggest that they should all (including Do-hyeon & Se-hyeon) go to Gangneung with Song-i and her new boyfriend. Tae-o rents a large car so they can all drive to Gangneung together. Tae-o warns his friends not to reveal that they all live with him to Se-hyeon. Tae-o tells Do-hyeon about the night he found Song-i in the rain (after her date with Do-hyeon) and that he does not like Song-i's boyfriend. Song-i discovers that Se-hyeon may have another boyfriend, other than Tae-o. Se-hyeon discovers that Tae-o's friends are living with him after talking with Ga-rin. Hun becomes depressed after he receives a call from the production company and is fired. Hesitant to tell Tae-o about Se-hyeon's deceit, Song-i warns him not to trust Se-hyeon. When they are alone together, Do-hyeon admits to Song-i that he feels jealous about her closeness with Tae-o, but the two finally kiss after Song-i refers to him as her "love story". Unaware that he is nearby, Tae-o witnesses their first kiss and realizes that it has an effect on him, emotionally. | ||||||
Season 2
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | "The Real Reason" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | |
|
Do-hyeon and Song-i are happily dating, however, Song-i feels she has missed her opportunity to tell Tae-o the truth about them. Tae-o is already aware of their relationship, and although he gives Song-i multiple chances to tell him the truth, she hesitates to do so, making him frustrated. Tae-o also mentions to Song-i that Se-hyeon has been distant with him. Meanwhile, Hun is still struggling to find a job, leading him into giving Ga-rin's location to her mother in exchange for reward money. Ga-rin becomes so stressed over having revealed to Se-hyeon that she, Hun, and Song-i are all living with Tae-o, leading her to suddenly blurt it out to the entire household later on. Song-i is lured into Dae-geon's car, an older graduate student, after he "mistakenly" takes her phone as his own. Dae-geon takes Song-i to the Observatory on campus. Feeling uncomfortable, Song-i sends a text to Do-hyeon for him to come to the Observatory. However, he does not see the message because he is at work, and so, right before her phone battery dies, Song-i sends the same message to Tae-o. Dae-geon makes unwanted advances towards Song-i, but she refuses him. Tae-o arrives to help Song-i, realizing what he attempted to do with Song-i, Tae-o attacks Dae-geon, but Song-i pulls him away. After work, Do-hyeon reads Song-i's messages and rushes to Tae-o's house when she does not answer his phone call. Tae-o reveals that he is fully aware of Song-i's relationship with Do-hyeon. Tae-o has a talk with Do-hyeon about being protective of Song-i if he should ever hurt her in any way. After Se-hyeon reveals she is aware that Tae-o's friends are living with him, she surprises Tae-o when she tells him that she wants Song-i to move out of the house. | ||||||
| 10 | 2 | "His Priority" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | |
|
Se-hyeon becomes upset and gives Tae-o an ultimatum after he refuses to kick Song-i out of the house. After learning the water will be cut off at home, Do-hyeon talks with Tae-o and invites himself to spend the night at his house with Song-i. Se-hyeon tells Song-i that her close friendship with Tae-o affects the people around her (referring to herself and Do-hyeon) Meanwhile, Hun is feeling guilty after giving the location of Ga-rin's part-time job to her mother in exchange for the reward money (initially, he only receives half of the reward). He decides to go and help Ga-rin evade the people her mother sent to look for her at work, but he eventually tells her the truth. Tae-o watches as Do-hyeon prepares dinner for Song-i at the house. Song-i mentions the idea of her moving out, but Tae-o refuses to let her think she is an issue for him and Se-hyeon. Ga-rin and Hun come home and reveal to the group that he has betrayed her trust; she begins packing her things, and with Hun following behind her, he tells Tae-o that if she leaves, so will he. Hun helps Ga-rin find a place to stay for the night (a Comic book store). Tae-o becomes bothered when Song-i and Do-hyeon spend some alone time together. The next day, Ga-rin comes back and decides to stay, and thus, so will Hun. Although she is still mad at him, Ga-rin tells Song-i that she will eventually overcome it. Song-i decides to tell Tae-o that she is moving out, much to his dismay, but all he can think about is how, if only he could be honest about his feelings towards her. | ||||||
| 11 | 3 | "Five Degrees of Separation" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | |
| 12 | 4 | "Alone, Together" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | |
|
Tae-o and Song-i reach a rest stop to her mother's house, and although Song-i tries to get Tae-o to leave, he is persistent, telling her that he's going to go no matter what. They reach her mother's house, and Song-i expresses her frustration by throwing a brick at her mom's house window. Song-i's mom and her boyfriend come out, and seeing Song-i, her mom tells her why she really left. Song-i's mom was in love with a baker, and she had to choose to leave Song-i or go with the baker, and she chose the Baker. After, Song-i becomes so distraught she disowns her mother and chooses to sleep on a bench. However, Tae-o books a hotel room so Song-i could sleep in a real bed, and the next day they depart. However, Do-hyeon, worried and regretful about Song-i, picks her up and they depart. But it is revealed that Song-i did have feelings for Tae-o, however she keeps it hidden. Meanwhile, Hun gets a call from his dad, who is angered that Hun stayed at Tae-o's house. But Hun's dad gruffly invites him for sushi with a business colleague, who tells Hun about a play in which he and his dad will get paid a huge sum of money. However, Hun's dad is so eager to continue the business ties with his colleague, Hun angrily cuts ties from his father and leaves | ||||||
| 13 | 5 | "Unspeakable Secrets" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | |
| 14 | 6 | "Something Only I Can Do" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | |
| 15 | 7 | "Watching Her Watching Him" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | |
| 16 | 8 | "My First First Love" | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | |
|
Due to financial purposes, Do-hyeon and his father sold the restaurant and are now getting ready to pack. Tae-o and Do-hyeon talk about Song-i before he bids him farewell, making him take care before walking away. Meanwhile, Ga-rin's mom figures out that she has been living with Tae-o, and demands she returns home immediately. She at first refuses, but later agrees to go back, as long as if she gets to take a break. While on a walkway, Do-Hyeon reminisces about Song-i, and the time when they dated, before leaving the group. Song-i gets a job interview, so she and Tae-o spend the day finding outfits to try on. She then sees a brown bag in her art room, and sees its from Do-hyeon, giving her a farewell gift before leaving. The last shot is of Song-i and Tae-o sharing a kiss, as they smile and laugh | ||||||
Production
[edit]The series is pre-produced; filming began in September 2018 and ended in January 2019.[13]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Portrayed by Choi Min-ho (Shinee) in My First Time
- ^ Portrayed by Park So-dam in My First Time
- ^ Portrayed by Kim Min-jae in My First Time; his original name there is Seo Ji-an
- ^ Portrayed by Cho Hye-jung in My First Time
- ^ Portrayed by Lee Yi-kyung in My First Time
- ^ Portrayed by Eugene Jung in My First Time; was a main character there but became recurring in this series
- ^ Portrayed by Ahn Nae-sang in My First Time
- ^ Portrayed by Jeong Man-sik in My First Time
References
[edit]- ^ a b "NETFLIX ANNOUNCES NEW SERIES MY FIRST FIRST LOVE". Netflix Media. September 13, 2018.
- ^ "Netflix announces cast for new mini-series". Korea JoongAng Daily. September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Netflix moves to air 'Because It's My First Love' in 2019". Kpop Herald. September 16, 2018.
- ^ "지수X정채연X진영, '첫사랑은 처음이라서' 출연확정(공식)". Herald Pop (in Korean). September 14, 2018.
- ^ "Netflix to air new K-drama 'My First First Love'". The Korea Times. March 8, 2019.
- ^ "'첫사랑은 처음이라서' 지수, 꽃다발 들고 대형견 매력 뿜뿜[SNS★컷]" ['My First First Love' Jisoo, holding a bouquet of flowers and showing off her large dog charm[SNS★Cut]]. Newsen (in Korean). June 13, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
- ^ "Netflix Expands Korean Programming With Romance, Thrillers And Espionage". Forbes. June 14, 2019.
- ^ First love blooms in Netflix's new South Korean series "My First First Love"
- ^ "최리, '첫사랑은 처음이라서' 캐스팅..지수X진영과 호흡". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). September 15, 2018.
- ^ "Kang Tae Oh to join a new drama about first love of Netflix". JTBC. November 5, 2018.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "홍지윤, '첫사랑은 처음이라서' 캐스팅 확정...정채연-진영과 호흡[공식]". Herald Pop (in Korean). October 5, 2018.
- ^ "정시아 '첫사랑은 처음이라서' 출연...지수·정채연·진영과 호흡". TenAsia (in Korean). October 8, 2018.
- ^ "[단독] 지수XB1A4 진영, 넷플릭스 '첫사랑은 처음이라서' 주연확정". Sports Chosun (in Korean). September 5, 2018.
External links
[edit]
My First First Love
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Plot
Season 1
The first season of My First First Love, consisting of 8 episodes, centers on Yun Tae-o, a directionless college student who inherits his grandfather's house in Seoul and opens it to his friends facing personal hardships.[6] His childhood friend Han Song-yi, an aspiring actress struggling financially after her father's death and her mother's departure, moves in first following an eviction. Soon after, Tae-o's best friend Seo Do-hyun, who harbors secret feelings for Song-yi, joins them to help manage the house. The group expands when Oh Ga-rin, a wealthy heiress escaping her overbearing family, and Choe Hoon-nam, an aspiring webtoon artist dealing with parental expectations, also move in. As the five friends cohabitate, they form a surrogate family, navigating the complexities of young adulthood, career aspirations, and emerging romantic tensions—particularly the subtle love triangle between Tae-o, Song-yi, and Do-hyun—while supporting each other through everyday challenges and heartbreaks.[3]Season 2
Season 2, also comprising 8 episodes, picks up shortly after the first season, with Song-yi and Do-hyun beginning a romantic relationship, leaving Tae-o heartbroken but determined to preserve their friendship. The housemates continue to face individual struggles: Song-yi encounters professional setbacks in acting and reunites with her estranged mother, prompting a journey of family reconciliation aided by Tae-o; Do-hyun balances his studies and job while navigating relationship doubts; Ga-rin deals with family pressures and personal growth; and Hoon-nam pursues his webtoon dreams amid rejections. Hidden feelings, misunderstandings, and external conflicts strain the group's dynamics, leading to raw confrontations and emotional revelations. The season explores themes of maturity in love and friendship, culminating in resolutions that affirm personal growth and redefined relationships among the friends.[7][8]Cast and characters
Main cast
Ji Soo as Yun Tae-o, a college student and directionless young man who inherits his grandmother's house and opens it to friends in need; characterized by his gentle demeanor and long-standing crush on childhood friend Han Song-yi, driving his emotional growth.[9] Jung Chae-yeon as Han Song-yi, a college architecture major and optimistic childhood friend of Tae-o, dealing with hardships after her father's death and her mother's abandonment; depicted as resilient, warm, and clumsy, central to the romantic tensions.[9] Jung Jin-young as Seo Do-hyun, Tae-o's loyal college friend focused on job stability, who secretly harbors feelings for Song-yi but prioritizes friendship; serious and responsible, exploring themes of unspoken emotions.[10] Choi Ri as Oh Ga-rin, a wealthy heiress who runs away from her controlling family to seek independence and moves into the shared house; free-spirited and emotionally complex, developing relationships within the group.[11] Kang Tae-oh as Choi Hun, Tae-o's longtime friend and college dropout pursuing dreams as a musician and actor, cut off financially by his family; provides comic relief while navigating personal struggles.[11]Supporting cast
Yoon Da-hoon as Yun Jeong-gil, Tae-o's father, providing familial stability and practical advice amid the group's dynamics.[11] Lee Joo-woo as Hyun Joo, Tae-o's ex-girlfriend, whose appearances create tension in past romances and friendships.[12] Hong Ji-yoon as Ryu Se-hyeon, Do-hyun's girlfriend (later Tae-o's), involved in subplots of professional and romantic complications in the household.[11] Park Yoo-rim as Min A, Song-yi's supportive friend and fellow architecture major, highlighting workplace camaraderie and group bonds.[11] Yoon Bok-in as Han Young-eun, Song-i's mother, representing parental abandonment and conflicts with independence in young adulthood.[11] These roles enhance the ensemble's realism, depicting influences on the core friends and themes of support in shared living.Production
Development
My First First Love was announced as a Netflix original series on September 13, 2018, marking it as one of the streaming service's early investments in Korean youth romance content produced in collaboration with Studio Dragon. The project originated from Netflix's strategy to localize programming for global audiences, emphasizing relatable stories of young adulthood amid the company's growing focus on Asian markets during the late 2010s.[13][14] Directed by Oh Jin-seok, the series was written by Jung Hyun-jung and Kim Min-seo. The series focuses on college students experiencing first love, friendships, and personal challenges. The thematic emphasis on the joys and sorrows of early adulthood was established in pre-production to capture authentic "twenty-something" life, aligning with Netflix's aim to deliver bingeable, character-focused narratives. Production planning prioritized a web series format tailored for streaming, with the 16-episode story divided into two seasons of eight episodes each by Netflix.[13][15] This development phase positioned My First First Love within Netflix's broader push into Korean originals, following announcements like Mr. Sunshine in 2018 and preceding the 2019 success of Kingdom, which accelerated the platform's commitment to the region with increased budgets and partnerships. Final cast selections, featuring Ji Soo, Jung Chae-yeon, and Jung Jin-young in lead roles, were confirmed during initial planning to bring youthful energy to the ensemble.[16]Casting and filming
The casting for My First First Love was announced by Netflix on September 13, 2018, with Ji Soo selected for the lead role of Yun Tae-o following his notable performances in the historical drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016) and the romantic comedy Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017).[1] Jung Chae-yeon, a member of the girl group DIA, was cast as Han Song-i to provide a fresh, youthful appeal, marking one of her early major acting roles after her appearance in the mini-series To. Jenny (2018).[1] The ensemble also included Jung Jin-young as Seo Do-hyeon, Choi Ri as Oh Ga-rin, and Kang Tae-oh as Choi Hoon, assembled to capture the dynamics of young adulthood and first relationships.[1] Filming commenced in September 2018 and wrapped in January 2019 as a pre-produced series tailored for Netflix's global release schedule.[3] Principal photography occurred primarily in Seoul's vibrant neighborhoods, utilizing practical locations such as Hongdae and Itaewon for scenes depicting college student hotspots, and Ihwa Mural Village for key moments involving the shared house and indie film sets to enhance authenticity.[17][18] These urban settings allowed for natural integration of the city's youthful energy into the narrative.Release
Premiere and distribution
My First First Love is a South Korean romantic comedy-drama series that premiered exclusively on Netflix. The first season launched worldwide on April 18, 2019, consisting of eight episodes with runtimes ranging from 45 to 60 minutes each.[2][19] The second season followed on July 26, 2019, also comprising eight episodes of similar length.[20] Produced by AStory, a South Korean production company, the series was developed as a Netflix original and distributed globally across the platform's more than 190 countries.[21][22] This streaming-exclusive model marked a departure from conventional Korean television airing, with no initial domestic broadcast on networks like tvN or KBS; instead, it focused on international accessibility from launch.[20] To support its worldwide rollout, My First First Love features subtitles in over 20 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and various Asian languages, enabling broad viewership and aiding Netflix's expansion of the global K-drama phenomenon during the late 2010s.[19]Marketing
Netflix employed a multi-faceted marketing approach for My First First Love, emphasizing the series' themes of youthful romance, friendship, and coming-of-age experiences to appeal to a global audience of young adults. The campaign began with an official announcement on September 13, 2018, in Seoul, introducing the 8-episode Korean original as a heartfelt exploration of college students navigating first love, directed by Oh Jin-seok and starring rising talents including Ji Soo, Jung Chae-yeon, and Jung Jin-young.[13] This early reveal highlighted the cast's prior successes in popular dramas like Strong Girl Bong-soon and Love in the Moonlight to leverage existing fan interest and position the series as an accessible entry into Netflix's expanding Korean content slate.[13] Promotional materials focused on the ensemble cast's chemistry and the relatable "first love" motifs, starting with character posters released on April 4, 2019. These key visuals captured the light-hearted aura of youth, featuring individual shots of the leads in everyday Seoul-inspired settings—such as urban apartments and casual hangouts—to evoke the series' grounded, city-based narrative of shared living and emotional growth.[23] The official season 1 trailer followed on April 8, 2019, showcasing snippets of the friends' housemate dynamics, budding romances, and heartfelt moments that underscored themes of discovery and vulnerability, amassing views through Netflix's YouTube channel to build pre-release hype.[24] To further amplify anticipation, Netflix hosted a press conference on April 12, 2019, at the Conrad Hotel in Seoul, where the cast and director shared insights into the production and character arcs, fostering media coverage and direct engagement with journalists ahead of the season 1 premiere on April 18, 2019.[25] A behind-the-scenes video was also released on April 25, 2019, highlighting the on-set excitement and cast interactions to deepen viewer connection with the "first love" narrative.[26] For season 2, marketing efforts ramped up after the renewal confirmation on June 20, 2019, with a cheerful main poster unveiled on June 28, 2019. The key art depicted the full ensemble—Ji Soo, Jung Chae-yeon, Jung Jin-young, Choi Ri, and Kang Tae-oh—posing joyfully beside a camping car amid fireworks, symbolizing their evolving bonds and the series' blend of urban Seoul life with moments of escape and celebration.[27] The season 2 trailer launched on July 15, 2019, continuing to spotlight romantic tensions and group camaraderie, teasing the continuation of the love triangle while maintaining the motifs of personal growth.[28] Social media campaigns targeted young adults by capitalizing on the K-pop affiliations of key cast members, such as Jung Chae-yeon's role in DIA and Jung Jin-young's in B1A4, to drive organic buzz through fan communities on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.[29] These efforts included trailer shares, cast photo posts, and thematic content tying into first love stories, effectively partnering with the idols' established K-pop fanbases to expand reach without formal collaborations, aligning with Netflix's strategy to blend drama promotion with music industry crossovers for heightened engagement ahead of the July 26, 2019, release.[29]Episodes
Overview
My First First Love is a South Korean romantic comedy-drama series consisting of a total of 16 episodes divided into two seasons of eight episodes each.[29] The first season premiered on Netflix on April 18, 2019, while the second season followed on July 26, 2019.[20] Each season was released in its entirety on the streaming platform, allowing for a binge-watching experience without mid-season breaks typical of traditional broadcast schedules.[9] Episodes in the series average approximately 50 minutes in runtime, providing ample space for character development and relational dynamics among the young protagonists.[19] The episode titles follow a convention centered on themes of youth, friendship, and budding romance, often phrased in a reflective or introspective manner—for instance, "A Close Friend -- Who’s Only Just a Friend" for the premiere episode and "Fretting about Someone" for the third.[19] This structure supports the series' exploration of first loves and personal growth without adhering to weekly airing patterns.Season 1 episodes
Season 1 of My First First Love consists of eight episodes, all released simultaneously on Netflix on April 18, 2019. The season was directed by Oh Jin-seok and written by Kim Ran.[9][3]| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Close Friend -- Who's Only Just a Friend | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | On his 20th birthday, Yun Tae-o inherits his grandfather's house but soon realizes living alone brings unexpected challenges, including reuniting with childhood friend Han Song-i after her father's death. |
| 2 | I Need a Room and You Have Many | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | Han Song-i, Seo Do-hyeon, Oh Ga-rin, and Choe Hun unexpectedly end up at Tae-o's house while he is out; upon returning, Tae-o receives alarming news about Song-i.[30] |
| 3 | Fretting about Someone | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | Tae-o unexpectedly gains housemates and learns more bad news about Song-i during a family dinner. Meanwhile, Do-hyun and Ga-rin begin to grow closer.[31][19] |
| 4 | The Guy You Told Me About | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | Tae-o reflects on overheard information; Ga-rin throws a party attended by Do-hyeon to show appreciation.[31] |
| 5 | Saying I Like You | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | Tae-o misreads Song-i, increasing confusion; Do-hyeon seeks clarity on Song-i’s relationship with Tae-o. |
| 6 | Confession Day | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | Tae-o connects with Ryu Se-hyeon but is shocked by her house; Do-hyeon and Song-i assess their relationship.[31] |
| 7 | A Rain Shower | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | Tae-o’s complaints about Song-i’s boyfriend grow; she’s upset to learn his crush is someone she dislikes.[31] |
| 8 | Turning Point | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | April 18, 2019 | After Tae-o suggests a road trip for the housemates, the group faces pivotal moments that test their bonds and hint at future developments.[19] |
Season 2 episodes
Season 2 of My First First Love comprises eight episodes (numbered 9–16 overall), all released simultaneously on Netflix on July 26, 2019, continuing directly from the first season's cliffhanger involving revelations about the characters' personal lives. The season emphasizes thematic progression toward resolutions in romantic entanglements, friendships, and family ties, with a focus on personal growth and emotional confrontations among the young adults sharing a house. Each episode runs approximately 50 minutes and was directed by Oh Jin-seok, with teleplay by Kim Ran based on the original story by Hyun-jung Jung.[12][32] The episodes are detailed below:| Overall no. | Season no. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | The Real Reason | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | Tae-o accepts the evolving situation between Song-i and Do-hyeon while attempting to provide guidance, though Do-hyeon insists on handling matters independently.[33] |
| 10 | 2 | His Priority | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | Tae-o confronts an ultimatum at work that forces him to reassess his personal priorities amid shifts in his living arrangements.[34] |
| 11 | 3 | Five Degrees of Separation | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | Do-hyeon and his father discuss family finances. Song-i meets someone familiar in Jeonju.[34] |
| 12 | 4 | Alone, Together | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | Song-i realizes Tae-o’s constant presence in her life. Do-hyeon gets upset over her unresponsiveness.[34] |
| 13 | 5 | Unspeakable Secrets | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | Song-i returns something to Tae-o, reminiscing their past. Tae-o’s family hides a secret.[34] |
| 14 | 6 | Something Only I Can Do | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | Hun and Ga-rin share important updates with the group, leading Tae-o and Song-i to embark on a meaningful outing together.[35] |
| 15 | 7 | Watching Her Watching Him | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | Tae-o observes subtle shifts in relationships and resolves to uncover deeper family truths from his father.[36] |
| 16 | 8 | My First First Love | Oh Jin-seok | Kim Ran | July 26, 2019 | Changes may occur in the house. Tae-o and friends learn about friendship, family, and love. Song-i has a job interview.[37] |
Reception
Critical response
My First First Love received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its lighthearted depiction of young adulthood and strong ensemble performances, though some noted narrative shortcomings in the second season. On IMDb, the series holds an average rating of 7.4 out of 10 based on over 3,600 user votes, reflecting broad appreciation for its romantic and comedic elements.[2] Similarly, on MyDramaList, it scores 7.6 out of 10 from more than 40,000 users, with particular acclaim for its handling of romance and character chemistry.[4] Critics highlighted the show's authentic portrayal of youth, friendship, and first love, often commending the organic interactions among the leads. In a review for Dramabeans, the first season was described as "breezy, sweet, and enjoyable," with likable characters facing real dilemmas that invest viewers in their relationships, emphasizing themes of personal growth and the transition to adulthood symbolized by shared living.[9] Ji Soo's performance as Yoon Tae-o was especially noted for its charm and emotional depth, contributing to the series' relatable exploration of selfless love and loyalty among friends.[5] The Decider review echoed this, calling it a quintessential Korean YA dramedy that delivers on romance, humor, and ensemble dynamics, recommending it for its feel-good vibe.[38] Thematic analyses focused on the realism of navigating first love amidst evolving friendships, drawing comparisons to other K-dramas like Reply 1988 for its emphasis on group bonds and family-like support systems.[39] Dramabeans further praised the second season for its poignant narration and reflections on maturity, maintaining a simple yet colorful storytelling approach that reinforces loyalty and emotional honesty.[15] However, some critiques addressed pacing and plot resolution, particularly in season two. Critic Jae-Ha Kim pointed out unresolved subplots, such as lingering tensions in relationships, which felt sloppy and undermined the romantic payoff, leading to an abrupt sense of closure.[8] Despite these issues, the overall consensus affirmed the series' strengths in character-driven storytelling and its uplifting take on youthful romance. The series received no major awards or nominations.Audience and viewership
Upon its release, My First First Love achieved notable streaming performance on Netflix. The series resonated strongly with fans, sparking high engagement on platforms like Reddit and Twitter, where viewers frequently highlighted the relatable characters and emotional depth of the storylines.[38]Soundtrack
Original score
The original score for My First First Love was composed by Park Se-jun, who served as the music director for the series.[40][41] The instrumental music consists of over 15 cues tailored to the drama's themes of youth, friendship, and first romance, integrated during post-production in 2019. Key tracks include "Sweet Sweet" for lighthearted moments, "Lovely Footstep" and "Lemon Drop" for upbeat sequences, "Bedtime" and "Fallen" for emotional introspection, and others such as "Brown Sound", "Bullet Bait", and "Choco Train".[42] The score was recorded in studios in Seoul, South Korea, by the production team DROP D, a local music group specializing in drama soundtracks.[43] Stylistically, the score employs piano-driven arrangements to underscore tender, emotional scenes and synth elements to evoke the energetic, youthful atmosphere of the protagonists' lives, while maintaining a minimalist quality to prioritize the authenticity of dialogue and character interactions.[42]Featured songs
The featured songs in My First First Love comprise the vocal tracks of the original television soundtrack (OST), specially composed to underscore the series' themes of young love, friendship, and personal growth. These songs were released in two parts by Genie Music and Stone Music Entertainment, with contributions from Korean artists and vocalists who enhanced key emotional moments across both seasons.[44][45] Part 1 of the OST, accompanying the first season, was released on April 18, 2019, and contains nine tracks blending pop and ballad styles. Notable songs include the lead single "Baby, Baby" (애기애기해) performed by Choi Sang Yeop and Jo Eun Ae, which captures the innocence of budding romance; "May Be" (그럴지도 몰라) by SE O, evoking uncertainty in relationships; and "I Like the Way You Are" (너의 그 모습 좋아) by Keeyo, highlighting acceptance and affection. Other tracks such as "Wanted" (원하고 원했던) by Choi Sang Yeop, "Colorful" (컬러풀) by Jo Eun Ae, "First Love" (첫사랑) by Choi Sang Yeop, "Fall in Me" (날 사랑하지 않아도 돼) by Jo Eun Ae, "Fret" (괜찮아) by IMFACT, and "Let's Love Again" (다시 사랑하자) by Monday Kiz further amplify the narrative's heartfelt scenes.[46][47] Part 2, tied to the second season, was released on July 26, 2019, and includes three tracks focusing on themes of separation and lingering emotions. These are "My All" (내 전부) by OLIVER, a poignant ballad reflecting deep attachment; "Truly Over" (정말 이별인가봐) by Ways, addressing the pain of potential breakups; and "Go With the Wind" (바람과 함께 사라지다) by Jo Eun Ae, symbolizing fleeting moments.[48][49]| Part | Track No. | Song Title | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Baby, Baby | Choi Sang Yeop & Jo Eun Ae |
| 1 | 2 | May Be | SE O |
| 1 | 3 | I Like the Way You Are | Keeyo |
| 1 | 4 | Wanted | Choi Sang Yeop |
| 1 | 5 | Colorful | Jo Eun Ae |
| 1 | 6 | First Love | Choi Sang Yeop |
| 1 | 7 | Fall in Me | Jo Eun Ae |
| 1 | 8 | Fret | IMFACT |
| 1 | 9 | Let's Love Again | Monday Kiz |
| 2 | 1 | My All | OLIVER |
| 2 | 2 | Truly Over | Ways |
| 2 | 3 | Go With the Wind | Jo Eun Ae |