'There Is No Next Life' Captures the Reality of Women in Their 40s, Exploding with Empathy... 'It's Totally My Story'

TV Chosun's Monday-Tuesday drama 'There Is No Next Life' captures the realistic concerns of women in their 40s, gaining intense empathy from viewers. Starring Kim Hee-sun, Han Hye-jin, and Jin Seo-yeon as three friends in their forties, this drama portrays the ongoing growing pains of life beyond the age of forty with hyper-realism.

Kim Hee-sun plays Jo Na-jung, a former high-earning show host who used to make 40 million won a month but has been a stay-at-home mom for six years after giving birth to two sons. In a scene where she receives a 'designer apron' from her husband and cries out, "I want to work again," it represents the feelings of many stay-at-home moms. Kim Hee-sun adds realism with her shocking transformation of 'curly perm + mismatched sneakers.'

Han Hye-jin takes on the role of Koo Joo-young, the planning director of an art center, portraying the struggles behind her seemingly perfect life due to pregnancy issues. Joo-young's efforts to have a child amidst a relationship with a husband who lacks sexual desire resonate deeply with contemporary women.

Jin Seo-yeon plays Lee Il-ri, the deputy editor of a magazine, showcasing her charisma as a 'sister who gives tough love' who is successful at work but struggles in romance, proving her acting prowess as a talented actress. Lee Il-ri's longing for romance in marriage offers comfort to many single women.

The drama effectively portrays the 'sisterhood woman’s romance' as the three friends share their concerns and grow together over their 20-year friendship. The contrast between their youthful days toasting to the sky at 'Il-ri BAR' on the rooftop in their 20s and quietly exchanging drinks in the living room now that they are in their 40s vividly conveys the weight of time.

Viewers are responding with comments like "It's totally my story," "The acting is really insane," and "It feels more real than reality," showing explosive support for the drama. This work, created by writer Shin Yi-won of 'Green Mothers' Club' and director Kim Jung-min of 'The Princess's Man,' presents a differentiated message by prominently featuring the narratives of women in their 40s, which is rare in K-dramas.