In My Girlfriend Is the Man Episode 1, aired on KBS2 on July 23. It introduced viewers to the couple, Park Yoon-jae and Kim Ji-eun. At first, everything looked sweet between them. They were close. In love. They even planned their first trip together. But the episode didn’t end the way it started.
Park Yoon-jae, played by Yoon San-ha, was head over heels for his girlfriend Kim Ji-eun, played by Arin. He gave her flowers during her job interview. He brought slippers when she wore uncomfortable shoes. Yoon-Jae even waited for her after her interview and gently hugged her. That moment between them felt real and sincere. They were each other’s first love. Both of them felt lucky to have met.
Later, Yoon-jae surprised Ji-eun with a printed schedule for their trip. He said he didn’t want to waste a single moment. Ji-eun was shy and a bit embarrassed. But she smiled and kissed him anyway. It was soft, warm, and innocent. Their closeness felt natural. That’s when her older sister Kim Ji-hye entered the scene and caught them. It was awkward but funny. Ji-eun asked her sister to just ignore it.
They were all set for their overnight trip. Yoon-jae even showed up in a fancy sports car. Ji-eun looked shocked. A car like that, just for a part-timer? But Yoon-jae said the car was lent by the store owner, who also wanted to meet Ji-eun. He joked about setting her up on a blind date. Ji-eun rolled her eyes.
They kissed again, trying to be careful this time. They thought no one would catch them, but Ji-hye’s voice echoed from afar. “Come in and do it.” That moment made viewers laugh. The drama balanced romance with awkward comedy in a way that felt believable.
The Twist That Changed Everything
The next morning, the trip took a sharp turn. Ji-eun went to wash up. When she looked in the mirror, something was off. Her reflection was not the same. Her face had changed. She wasn’t herself. Or rather, she wasn’t her old self. She was now… a man.
The shock was immediate. Her voice was different. Her face, her body—completely changed. She screamed. Her older sister was the first to see her new form. She looked at her sister-turned-man and asked, “Do you want to kiss me?” The confusion in the scene added a strange layer of tension and weird humor.
Ji-eun, now looking like a man (played by Yoo Jung-hoo), couldn’t face Yoon-jae just yet. So, she told her sister to lie. Ji-hye told Yoon-jae that Ji-eun was sick and couldn’t meet him. Yoon-jae looked confused and worried. He wanted to check on her. But Ji-hye firmly said no.
Eventually, Ji-eun decided to tell the truth. She met Yoon-jae in her new body and handed him her old ID card. Yoon-jae looked stunned. “Sir, where did you find this?” The man in front of him then said something shocking: “Yoon-jae, it’s me. Ji-eun.”
Yoon-jae didn’t buy it. He asked if it was a prank. Maybe a hidden camera show? He thought someone was playing a trick on him. Yoon-Jae even accused the man of being a stalker. He threw a punch. The scene turned from romantic to dramatic in seconds.
Ji-hoon’s Plea for Recognition
Ji-eun, now as Kim Ji-hoon, tried to prove herself. She reminded Yoon-jae of personal memories. Little things only the two of them knew. Dates, words, private moments. Yoon-jae still resisted. He was scared and angry. But when Ji-hoon mentioned how the change was a hereditary condition from her mother’s side, Yoon-jae started to listen. It wasn’t magic or fantasy. It was just… a condition. Strange, yes. But explained.
Yoon-jae was still unsure. He needed time. Ji-hoon didn’t push. Instead, he said something simple: “I don’t want this to be the end. Just trust me this once.” At that moment, Yoon-jae looked closely. He saw Ji-eun—not just the man’s body, but the same person he loved before. His confusion turned quiet.
An Unusual Romance With a Big Question
This first episode didn’t just tell a love story. It asked a strange, important question: what happens when the person you love changes on the outside, but remains the same on the inside?
Yoon-jae and Ji-eun shared real memories. Real feelings. But now, things looked different. That tension sat heavy in the final scene. Can love survive when appearances change? Can someone truly recognize the soul of another through such a transformation? The show didn’t rush answers. It let the awkwardness sit. That’s where it felt different from other dramas. It wasn’t just about laughs or kisses. It was about identity, memory, and trust.
The drama didn’t try to be fancy. It just told a strange story in a simple way. And maybe that’s why it felt more real. Episode 1 gives a fresh start to what could become a strange but thoughtful story. It’s hard to tell where this will go, but the question it raises is strong enough to keep people talking. It’s not just a romance, or it’s not just about gender. The drama is about connection, no matter what face you wear. Whether the show handles that well over time… that remains to be seen.
If your partner changed bodies overnight, what would you do?
How Does this Article Make You Feel?
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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