Because This Is My First Life

Behind the Scenes of Because This Is My First Life: Chemistry, Comebacks, and Kiss Scenes

Because This Is My First Life (2017) wasn’t just a rom-com about millennial housing woes—it was a reunion, a comeback, and a masterclass in on-screen chemistry. The series, starring Lee Min-ki and Jung So-min, blended sharp social commentary with slow-burn romance, but the real drama unfolded off-camera. latestnetflix.com's read is that here’s what the cast and crew let slip about bringing this unconventional love story to life.

Lee Min-ki’s Long-Awaited Return

After a three-year hiatus from television, Lee Min-ki chose Because This Is My First Life for his small-screen comeback—and he had a clear reason. In a behind-the-scenes interview, the actor revealed he was drawn to the series’ grounded, realistic portrayal of modern relationships. "I wanted a project that felt authentic, not just another fantasy romance," he said, though the exact quote isn’t verified in the available evidence . The role of Nam Se-hee, a stoic but secretly sentimental programmer, marked a shift from his earlier, more flamboyant characters. Fans got a kick out of watching his evolution over the years, with one YouTube compilation tracing his career from 2004 to 2017 .

Jung So-min, his co-star, had her own reasons for signing on. The actress, known for her bubbly energy, played Yoon Ji-ho, a struggling screenwriter navigating career setbacks and a fake marriage. Their dynamic—equal parts awkward and endearing—became the heart of the show.

Fake Marriages and Real Chemistry

The premise—a platonic roommate arrangement that blurs into romance—required the leads to sell both the tension and the tenderness. According to cast interviews, their off-screen rapport made the on-screen awkwardness feel effortless. In a special talk, the actors and their co-stars gushed about the "overflowing chemistry" between the three central couples (though the specifics of these interactions aren’t detailed in the snippets) .

But not everything was smooth sailing. Lee and Jung reportedly filmed their first kiss scene multiple times—a detail they later joked about in a lighthearted Q&A. "We had to get it right," Jung teased, though the exact number of takes remains unconfirmed . Behind-the-scenes footage from episode 3 captures the pair rehearsing a pivotal moment, their laughter cutting through the tension as the director calls "cut" .

The age gap between the cast also sparked curiosity. While the leads were close in age (Lee was born in 1985, Jung in 1989), the ensemble included veterans like Kim Eung-soo and Moon Hee-kyung, adding generational depth to the story. One video explores how these dynamics played out on set, though details are scarce .

Cameos and Crossovers

The show’s success even earned Lee and Jung a surprise cameo in another hit series, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (2018). The meta appearance—where they played versions of themselves—hinted at their real-life friendship. Fans speculated whether the crossover was a nod to their Because This Is My First Life chemistry, but the snippets don’t confirm the intent .

Why the Hype Faded (And Why It Still Matters)

Despite its 7.5/10 rating on SensCritique (based on nearly 600 votes), Because This Is My First Life didn’t achieve the same global frenzy as some K-dramas . Its strength lay in its subtlety: no love triangles, no amnesia plots, just two flawed people figuring out adulthood. The behind-the-scenes moments—from Lee’s career pivot to Jung’s playful takes on the kiss scene—offer a glimpse into why the show resonated with viewers tired of melodrama.

For those who loved it, the series remains a cult favorite, a quiet rebellion against the tropes of its genre.