'For the First Love' has come to the living room led by the healing mother-daughter duo.
The tvN drama 'For the First Love' (directed by Yoo Je-won, written by Sung Woo-jin, planned and produced by Studio Dragon and Showrunners) premiered on the 4th amid excited anticipation. The ordinary and peaceful daily life of Lee Ji-an (played by Yum Jung-ah) and Lee Hyori (played by Choi Yoon-ji) was shaken by a series of unexpected events and misfortunes. From the beginning, unforeseen developments and twists unfolded, and the explosive performances of the actors, oscillating between laughter and tears, drew the viewers in. Most notably, the heart-wrenching scene of the mother-daughter duo's intense weeping adorned the ending, leaving a deep and lingering impact.
The viewership rating for the first episode recorded an average of 4.0% and a peak of 5.3% among households in the metropolitan area, and an average of 3.5% and a peak of 4.6% nationwide, marking a smooth start by ranking first in the same time slot, including cable and comprehensive channels. (Based on Nielsen Korea paid platform)
The broadcast depicted Lee Ji-an, a single mother and construction site manager with a daughter in medical school, leading an ordinary day that was no different from usual. By day, Lee Ji-an was a charismatic and capable manager commanding the construction site, and by night, she was an expert at managing social gatherings to appease the boss. The sole reason for her hard work was none other than her daughter, Lee Hyori. For Lee Ji-an, Lee Hyori was the reason for living, her only pride, and her everything.
However, life did not unfold as planned. A person surnamed Hwang, who borrowed 30 million won from Lee Ji-an, went missing, leaving her in a position where she had to take responsibility for a theft incident. Moreover, without a word of consultation, her daughter, Lee Hyori, decided to drop out of school and run away. The late rebellion of her model-student daughter completely turned Lee Ji-an's world upside down. Fortunately, with the help of her friend Kim Seon-young (played by Kim Seon-young), Lee Ji-an discovered that Lee Hyori was in Cheongha and rushed there immediately.
Meanwhile, Lee Hyori, who had charmed her best friend Lee Sook (played by Yang Yu-jin) to go to Cheongha, visited 'Ryu Architecture Office.' When Lee Sook asked why she had come to Cheongha of all places, Lee Hyori provided an ambiguous response: "I felt like I might meet my destiny if I came to Cheongha for some reason." Just then, a problem arose with the camper van they had come in. Fortunately, thanks to the kind and overly friendly villagers, they ended up staying in the yard of Ryu Jeong-seok (played by Park Hae-joon) and Ryu Bo-hyun (played by Kim Min-kyu).
However, after a brief escapade, Lee Hyori was caught by Lee Ji-an. Expressing irritation and dissatisfaction with her mother's nagging, Lee Hyori said she had something to say. The words she uttered in an unusually different atmosphere were shocking: she had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Lee Ji-an steadied herself and headed to the hospital with her daughter. "So, you ran away? You need to wake up and live fiercely," Lee Ji-an said, to which Lee Hyori's voice replied, "I'll just live a boring life before I die," sounding somehow desperate.
Lee Hyori left for Cheongha again, and Lee Ji-an, left alone at home, immersed herself in housework all night to shake off her complicated emotions and thoughts. When Kim Seon-young arrived in response to a phone call, Lee Ji-an shared news about Lee Hyori, saying, "I thought I would die first, so why is there nothing that seems normal for me when it is so for others?" She tried to speak in a composed manner. However, both Lee Ji-an and Lee Hyori could not hide their tears, which were a complicated mix of guilt and fear, adding to the audience's sympathy.
'For the First Love' pleasantly and warmly seeped in from its very first broadcast, anticipating the birth of a new life healing drama. Director Yoo Je-won's delicate and sensuous direction, screenwriter Sung Woo-jin's witty and touching script, and the flawless performances of the actors, showing off their character portrayals, maximized the show's completeness. In particular, the performances of Yum Jung-ah and Choi Yoon-ji, who played the mother-daughter roles, stood out impressively. By depicting a mother-daughter relationship that one could see in reality, they presented a wide range of emotional changes oscillating between love, resentment, and tenderness, capturing attention. Additionally, Park Hae-joon and Kim Min-kyu showcased an unusual presence from their first appearance, while Kim Seon-young once again proved her worth with her powerful tearful performance.
Meanwhile, the second episode of the tvN drama 'For the First Love' will air today (5th) at 8:50 p.m.
[Photo] tvN
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