tvN's 'First, For Love' Concludes on a High Note, Topping Ratings with Heartwarming Stories
tvN's Monday-Tuesday drama 'First, For Love' has successfully concluded its run, leaving a lasting impression on viewers after its final episode aired on the 9th. The series finale garnered significant attention, ranking first among cable and general programming channels in its time slot, with viewership ratings reaching an average of 4.2% and a peak of 5.3% nationwide according to Nielsen Korea.
The final episode depicted Lee Hyo-ri (played by Choi Yoon-ji) experiencing aftermaths from surgery, including speech difficulties, which led her to isolate herself. Her mother, Lee Ji-an (played by Yum Jung-ah), remained a steadfast presence, offering support, while Ryu Bo-hyun (played by Kim Min-kyu) patiently waited for her recovery. The warmth extended from the community of Cheonghae village, including Jung Moon-hee (Kim Mi-kyung) and Kim Sun-young, further solidified the theme of support.
One year later, Lee Hyo-ri had regained her normal life and was preparing to return to medical school. Jung Moon-hee encouraged her daughter to become a compassionate doctor, understanding patients' fears. Although Lee Ji-an initially worried about Hyo-ri's re-enrollment, she ultimately trusted and supported her daughter, who had grown stronger through her ordeal. Visiting her birth mother Han Cho-rong's (Geum Min-kyung) memorial, Hyo-ri expressed her deep gratitude and affection for Lee Ji-an, calling her a "good mother, a good adult, and a good person."
Meanwhile, Lee Ji-an, Ryu Jeong-seok (Park Hae-joon), Lee Hyo-ri, and Ryu Bo-hyun had become a unique and blended family. As Hyo-ri returned to her clinical rotations, Bo-hyun decided to pursue further studies in Germany, entrusting Ji-an with the care of Jeong-seok and Hyo-ri. The evolving dynamics, with Jeong-seok and Hyo-ri resembling father and daughter, and Ji-an and Bo-hyun like mother and son, added a heartwarming layer. The romance between Ji-an and Jeong-seok, and between Hyo-ri and Bo-hyun, also continued to blossom.
The series finale featured Lee Ji-an and Lee Hyo-ri embarking on their first overseas trip together. Hyo-ri's poignant narration, "Perhaps our first love is always our mother. To me, who was contemplating how to part ways after realizing life's expiration date, my 'first love' taught me how to live with love," coupled with scenes highlighting the "precious people" who became their "small miracles," left a profound and lingering impression. The closing lines, "Ultimately, all we can do is not forget the effort to discover the happiness of this moment, not the best, second best, or third best. Just living life, fully loving this magical today. Just like first love, which was full of sincerity..." delivered an impactful message about living in the present, culminating in a perfect happy ending.
The drama focused on the theme of 'finding happiness in the present moment,' exploring the journey of a single mother and her daughter as they navigate life's challenges. It beautifully portrayed the complexities of family relationships, the blossoming of romantic love at different stages of life, and the importance of human connection.