From the early episodes, Because This Is My First Life makes it pretty clear that it’s not going to give you many of the K-drama tropes that are the core of so many other romcoms. Most fans, myself included, love those cliches and repeated themes and plot elements. It’s part of the appeal, and what makes many such good comfort viewing. Because This Is My First Life clearly has different intentions.

If you’re in the right mindset for this show, it’s incredibly rewarding. Few others manage to strike such a good balance between being thoughtful, nuanced, quirky, fun, and deeply romantic. Maybe none do. It’s a dramatized exploration of the meanings of love and marriage. There’s a lot of introspection. But it also delivers great, lovable characters, sufficient comedy, and is thoroughly enjoyable. It’s never too self-serious.

Every relationship in the show is interesting in its own way, and they’re all treated like they matter. There aren’t a lot of throwaway comic relief scenarios or characters. Those that didn’t win me over at the beginning had me rooting for them by the end. (There is one character who didn’t work for and felt a little unfinished, but that’s partly because the others are so well realized and developed.)

In later episodes, the show tends to become very contemplative and literary. The dialog is often poetic — sometimes actual poetry. The pace and frequent pauses to indulge metaphors or peel back layers may get a little boring for some viewers. It’s very much in my personal “twee with all the feels” wheelhouse, though. I don’t think I’ve ever been as drawn to the romance elements in a drama as much as this one.

The excellent cast, great direction, editing, and production are essential to keeping it all together and maintaining the balance. This could easily get too precious, cringey, or contrived, but never crosses those lines for me. It tries to do something a little different, but still very much a K-drama, and succeeds beautifully.