The episode aired on the 19th, directed by Kang Tae-hum and written by Seo Hyun-joo and Ahn Jin-young, delivered high tension as it depicted the life-and-death moment of Jung Sook-hee (played by Jung So-young) falling off a cliff, the discovery of baby Jang-mi left alone in a warehouse, and the first encounter of the adult twins Oh Jang-mi and Ma Se-rin (played by Hahm Eun-jung) after three decades, offering viewers an intense level of engagement.
The 5th episode achieved a nationwide viewership rating of 5.2%, with the metropolitan area reaching 5.4%, and a peak rating of 6%, setting a new personal best for the show in the metropolitan area, reflecting its growing popularity.
In this episode, Lee Kang-hyuk (played by Lee Jae-hwang) assumed that Jung Sook-hee and the baby had perished after her fall. Chae Hwa-young (played by Oh Hyun-kyung) also expressed relief, saying, "We didn't get our hands dirty," and "We're innocent." However, Jung Sook-hee's sacrifice was a final act to save her child.
Jung Sook-hee had hidden baby Oh Jang-mi in a villa warehouse, where she was soon discovered by Oh Bok-gil (played by Kim Hak-sun), igniting a spark of hope. Oh Bok-gil found a four-leaf clover bracelet on Jang-mi's arm, confirming her as Jung Sook-hee's child. Miraculously, Jung Sook-hee was also rescued by a fisherman, adding to the miraculous survival. The emotional reunion at the hospital, where Bok-gil cried out in anguish, conveyed the deep bond and heartfelt emotions between them, leaving viewers deeply moved.
Meanwhile, Chae Hwa-young boldly introduced Ma Se-rin, one of the twins, to Chairman Ma (played by Lee Hyo-jung) as "the daughter of Ma Dong-seok (played by Kim Young-pil)," securing her place as a daughter-in-law in the wealthy family. The scene where Chairman Ma embraces Ma Se-rin with emotion, followed by Chae Hwa-young whispering to Ma Se-rin, "From now on, live as my daughter," marked the beginning of an ambitious journey spanning 30 years, adding a chilling undertone.
As time passed, the adult versions of Oh Jang-mi and Ma Se-rin appeared, marking a turning point. Oh Jang-mi was seen working diligently at a restaurant, while Ma Se-rin, adorned in luxury, appeared in a hotel elevator. Despite their identical appearances, the stark contrast in their upbringings delivered a powerful impact. Oh Jang-mi lived with her regressed mother Jung Sook-hee, Oh Bok-gil, and his son Oh Tae-pyung (played by Lee Ki-chang), running a side dish store as a family. While shopping for a birthday gift for Jung Sook-hee, who wandered the streets longing to see her daughter, the scene poignantly highlighted Oh Jang-mi's filial devotion and love for her family.
At Dream Hotel, Chae Hwa-young maintained her elegant presence, supported by Kang-hyuk, at the center of power. Her constant calls to Ma Se-rin, referring to her as a "ticking time bomb," hinted at cracks in her seemingly perfect life. Meanwhile, handsome lawyer Kang Baek-ho (played by Yoon Sun-woo) prepared a welcome party for his returning brother Kang Jun-ho (played by Park Geon-il), adding warmth to the narrative. Kang Jun-ho, a former Michelin three-star chef, exuded charm with his neat and perfect style from his first appearance. Dream Hotel employee Jin Hong-joo (played by Kim Min-seol) anticipated a promotion after successfully recruiting a star chef with Kang Jun-ho's help, hinting at an intertwined romance line that heightened expectations.
The episode concluded with a powerful impact as the twin sisters' fateful encounter at a department store marked the end of episode 5. The moment Oh Jang-mi, who had bought a gift for her mother, and Ma Se-rin, who was shopping, passed each other was their first meeting in 30 years, foreshadowing the whirlwind of fate to come.
'The First Man' continues to captivate viewers with its dramatic narrative of life and death and the unfolding of the twins' divergent destinies over 30 years. The anticipated reunion of Oh Jang-mi, raised as a side dish store daughter, and Ma Se-rin, raised as a wealthy granddaughter, promises to unleash a storm of events, heightening anticipation for future developments.
MBC's daily drama 'The First Man' airs every Monday to Friday at 7:05 PM, with episode 6 scheduled to air on December 22.
Reporter Chaeryeong Lim, TENASIA syjj426@tenasia.co.kr