'For first love' is warming the hearts of viewers.
The tvN Monday-Tuesday drama 'For First Love' (directed by Yoo Jae-won, written by Seong Woo-jin) is receiving acclaim for its deepening romance between Lee Ji-an (played by Yum Jung-ah) and Ryu Jung-seok (played by Park Hae-joon), as well as Lee Hyori (played by Choi Yoon-ji) and Ryu Bo-hyeon (played by Kim Min-kyu). Their gradual sharing of heartfelt empathy and comfort has delivered touching moments beyond mere excitement. Additionally, the show evokes warmth by depicting stories of 'people' and 'love' across various relationships, including family, friends, and neighbors.
The writer Seong Woo-jin, who is responsible for the script, also identified three key themes of the work: people, love, and support. He noted, 'You will meet 'people' who live life in extraordinary ways while being seemingly ordinary. You can also see how 'love' boils in many diverse forms around us.' He added that 'When you try to move forward, someone out there is surely 'supporting' and backing you up, or you will realize that you might also become someone's small yet significant supporter.'
As the character Lee Ji-an's line describes, 'Enduring hard moments, leaning on others, and living,' the reason the world is still worth living is fundamentally due to 'people.' Carrying past wounds regarding her mother, Lee Ji-an also had such people in her life who helped her live. Here, we explored the individuals who saved Lee Ji-an, highlighting special connections and relationships.
# Reality empathy tear button! Yum Jung-ah and Choi Yoon-ji, a mother-daughter duo deeply desperate for each other in 'first love.'
Lee Ji-an has experienced numerous farewells since childhood. The only person left by her side after losing her father, mother, and close friend Han Cho-rong (played by Geum Min-kyung) was Lee Hyori. After a courageous choice was made to become a 'mother' in place of Han Cho-rong, who passed away in an unforeseen accident, the two became a family bound by a deeper bond than blood. For Lee Ji-an, who lived her life focused solely on her daughter, Lee Hyori was once a source of pride and is now a cherished, heart-wrenching presence. Lee Hyori once confessed to Ryu Bo-hyeon, 'We weren't just default relationships; we had to be more desperate and necessary for each other. We had to be more mother and daughter than anyone else,' making their story—the most special mother-daughter pair—press the viewers' tear buttons in every episode. Most importantly, seeing the two reminds all of us of our 'first love,' stirring a sense of realism.
# 'First love chance'—Yum Jung-ah's support and refuge → Park Hae-joon, who confessed to mutual first love.
The relationship between Lee Ji-an and Ryu Jung-seok deepens with laughter and playfulness rather than shy tremors even upon their reunion with their first love, increasingly causing viewer immersion. Since the day Ryu Jung-seok first met Lee Ji-an and Lee Hyori, he was kind to the two while seeming indifferent. He empathized with Lee Ji-an's feelings and comforted Lee Hyori while becoming a connection to both. Confused by Jeong Mun-hee's (played by Kim Mi-kyung) appearance and attentive towards Lee Yeo-jeong's (played by Oh Na-ra) arrival, he always stood back to protect them. Moreover, by gifting a bicycle and art supplies with kind words saying that he would be a 'back,' he reassured them that they could escape to him whenever they faced difficulties. However, within the comfortable relationship, which was wrapped in the rough term 'hometown brother,' Ryu Jung-seok confessed to Lee Ji-an, 'You were my first love,' marking a turning point in their relationship.
# Kim Seon-young, always 'my ally', the loyal friend! Another family of Yum Jung-ah and Choi Yoon-ji.
Kim Seon-young (played by Kim Seon-young) began her connection with Lee Ji-an at a construction site where they both worked hard. At that time, Kim Seon-young worked in a wallpaper team and grew close with the 'head of department' who prioritized actions over words while working late. Kim Seon-young was a loyal friend and another family for Lee Ji-an. She rushed home after just hearing Lee Ji-an's voice getting angry on an early morning call, and her presence crying with body and heart on behalf of Lee Ji-an when she heard that her daughter was ill left a strong impact since the first episode. Their friendship remained intact even in Cheongha. While building a house to live with her daughter, Lee Ji-an also opened a restaurant called 'Nature Crafts,' a long-standing dream of Kim Seon-young. The relationships between friend, family, and their roles as 'manager' Lee Ji-an and 'chef' Kim Seon-young eventually led them to the realization that 'people are the true crafts.'
# Now, a suspicious neighbor who feels like family! The mirror of Yum Jung-ah and Choi Yoon-ji, Kim Mi-kyung.
Lee Ji-an mistaken Jeong Mun-hee as a suspicious neighbor and mysterious guest. However, after learning about his identity and story at the hospital she visited because of Lee Hyori, she gradually grew closer after receiving unexpected help from him. Jeong Mun-hee had been experiencing confusion and delirium due to the shock of losing her daughter. The reason she occasionally referred to herself as 'mom' in front of Lee Ji-an was also due to this. Meanwhile, Jeong Mun-hee discovered a depression diagnosis and medications among her daughter's belongings and shocked Lee Ji-an and Lee Hyori by falling into the sea. That situation reminded Lee Ji-an of her mother, who had left her in the past, and made Lee Hyori consider what would happen to her mom if she ever left. However, Jeong Mun-hee regained the strength to live once again under Lee Ji-an's care and offered a heartfelt apology and resolution to Lee Hyori. Expectations grow regarding what changes lie ahead for the three, who have evolved into a relationship more familial than family.
[Photo] Provided by tvN
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