Kim Hee-sun, Han Hye-jin, and Jin Seo-yeon have made a striking impression with their 'womance' in the premiere of 'No Next Life,' shaking up the small screen. During the production presentation on the 10th, Kim Hee-sun humorously mentioned the competing show 'Annoying Love' on tvN, questioning the relatability of the romance between its leads, Lee Jung-jae and Lim Ji-yeon, who have an 18-year age gap.
The first episode of TV CHOSUN's Monday-Tuesday miniseries 'No Next Life' (directed by Kim Jung-min, written by Shin Yi-won, produced by TME Group, First Man Studio, Megaphone) aired on the 10th at 10 PM, achieving a metropolitan viewership rating of 2.2% and a peak rating of 2.6%, according to Nielsen Korea.
The premiere episode depicted the lives of three lifelong friends, Jo Na-jung (played by Kim Hee-sun), Goo Joo-young (played by Han Hye-jin), and Lee Il-li (played by Jin Seo-yeon), who, despite being over forty, continue to face life's challenges. Jo Na-jung, a stay-at-home mom raising two sons, is exhausted from the relentless demands of parenting.
She reunites with her friends Goo Joo-young and Lee Il-li for a birthday party at a restaurant for the first time in six years, but the event is marred by her children's antics, including her son Min-jun's inappropriate behavior towards her former colleague Song Ye-na (played by Go Won-hee). This leads to an embarrassing apology in front of executive director Seo Kyung-sun (played by Kim Young-ah), prompting Jo Na-jung to leave, admitting, "I was reckless to bring the kids out."
Meanwhile, Goo Joo-young engages in a heated argument with Jo Na-jung over child-rearing issues, quipping, "Haven't you heard that being childless is a blessing?" This tension escalates when Goo Joo-young, who is considering having a baby, questions if Jo Na-jung's advice is out of concern for her well-being. Later, Goo Joo-young attempts to conceive but is frustrated by her husband Oh Sang-min's (played by Jang In-seop) tardiness and lack of effort, leading to an outburst, "Why don't you ever listen to me?"
Lee Il-li, a successful columnist for N Life Magazine's 'Il-li's Insightful Counseling,' is known for her sharp advice. However, her personal life reveals a different story as she navigates a relationship with her younger boyfriend Um Jong-do (played by Moon Yoo-kang). Despite doubts about his intentions, she finds herself supporting him financially, seeking affection.
That night, the three friends confide in each other through a group chat, offering comfort. Jo Na-jung apologizes for the ruined birthday party, while Goo Joo-young admits her own stress over trying to conceive. Jo Na-jung expresses her desire to return to work, receiving warm encouragement from her friends.
Jo Na-jung faces another challenge when her landlord refuses to renew her lease, but she manages to secure a new rental. However, she is shocked to discover her new landlord is Yang Mi-sook (played by Han Ji-hye), a former school rival. As Yang Mi-sook, now a successful mobile shopping host, taunts Jo Na-jung about her past success, Jo Na-jung impulsively claims, "I'm going back to work at Sweet Home Shopping," setting the stage for the next episode.
Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr