Mi-ji kicks things off by narrating her and her twin sister Mi-rae’s birth story. The plan was to name the first twin Mi-ji, meaning “yet unknown.” But a tricky delivery flipped that. The firstborn got named Mi-rae, meaning “future,” and Mi-ji was left with the other name. What a way to start life, right?
As kids, they were identical. Only their dad and grandma could tell them apart. After their dad died, they started swapping places. Mi-rae hated sports, so Mi-ji covered for her. Mi-ji wasn’t great at school, so Mi-rae stepped in. It worked until a doctor caught them at a checkup. To fix the mix-ups, Mi-ji got a short haircut.
Fast forward to now. Mi-rae’s a brainy success, while Mi-ji’s athletic dreams crashed after an injury. She’s 30, working as a cleaner in Seoul, and feeling stuck. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Like life’s just passing by. She quits her job and applies to work on a strawberry farm instead.
Then there’s Lee Ho-su. He’s a lawyer with a hearing disability, using lip-reading to win in court. He’s back home for family stuff and bumps into Mi-ji. Flashback time: when they first met, Mi-ji asked if he was deaf. Not her finest moment. He ignored her after that. Now, he asks about Mi-rae, which annoys Mi-ji. Everyone’s obsessed with her sister!
Over at the strawberry farm, Han Se-jin’s struggling. His last yield was a measly three boxes. He blames organic farming. Mi-ji’s resume catches his eye—her athletic past stands out. Back home, Mi-ji’s caring for her grandma, who had a stroke. That’s why she’s never settled into a steady gig. She calls Mi-rae to visit, but Mi-rae’s distant, alone in her office.
Mi-ji’s mom drops a bomb: Mi-rae’s been paying all the bills. Feeling lost, Mi-ji’s messing around with a ball and accidentally hits Ho-su’s bad ear. Another flashback: a car accident left him deaf in one ear and partly paralyzed. She feels terrible, grabs him an ice pack, and they talk. He mentions seeing Mi-rae in Seoul, looking off. He tells Mi-ji to reach out—she’s the only one who can.
Mi-ji heads to Seoul with food for Mi-rae. They meet at a café. Mi-rae jokes about jumping from a window for a break. Mi-ji laughs, but then Mi-rae vanishes. She checks Mi-rae’s office—absent without notice. Panic sets in. Mi-ji races to Mi-rae’s place and stops her from jumping off the balcony. They fall, but they’re okay.
Flashbacks show Mi-rae’s been bullied at work. She stood up for a senior who got fired, and now she’s the target. At the hospital, Mi-rae admits she’s powerless. Mi-ji sends her home on a bus, thinking she’s fine. But then Mi-ji remembers her name—acting big in tough spots. She recalls defending Ho-su from bullies as a kid. On impulse, she runs back and suggests they swap lives, like old times. Boom episode ends!
Key Themes
- Identity and Names: Mi-ji’s “yet unknown” vs. Mi-rae’s “future” shapes them.
- Sibling Dynamics: Mi-ji’s in Mi-rae’s shadow, but their bond is strong.
- Workplace Bullying: Mi-rae’s work struggles hit hard.
- Disability and Empathy: Ho-su’s hearing loss teaches Mi-ji regret and care.
- Life Swaps: Swapping lives to escape—what a twist!
Why You Should Watch
This show gets it. Who hasn’t felt less than a sibling? Mi-ji and Mi-rae feel so real—their fights, their love. The life swap idea? Total hook. It’s funny one minute, heavy the next. If you’re into K-dramas that mix heart and drama, you’ll binge this.
Final Thoughts
Episode 1 nails it. It’s warm, it’s sad, it’s got me invested. The life swap twist is wild—imagine trading places with your sibling! Will it fix things or mess them up more? I’m dying to find out.
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